Australia’s Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion began its opening hearing Tuesday, with Commissioner Virginia Bell outlining the Commission’s three primary objectives.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Royal Commission on January 8, having previously preferred an internal review. Growing pressure from the Jewish community, political leaders, and public figures in response to the Bondi Beach Massacre convinced him to authorize an independent public inquiry.

The Commission will investigate the main drivers of antisemitism in Australia, provide recommendations for law enforcement and social cohesion, and examine the circumstances of the December 14 Chanukah party terror attack.

Its first objective is to assess the prevalence and nature of antisemitism in Australian institutions and society, focusing on religious and ideological extremism and radicalization. This includes examining how extremist content spreads online and through various organizations.

The Commission will also make recommendations on how governments can respond to antisemitism effectively.

A key starting point for this term is defining antisemitism, which Commissioner Bell acknowledged “is not free of controversy.” The Commission will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition, which is generally uncontroversial, though at least two of the eleven illustrative examples are disputed.

The second objective involves providing guidance to law enforcement, border control, immigration, and security agencies on addressing antisemitism.

This includes reviewing the training of officers on responding to antisemitic conduct or its risk. The Commission will also assess protective measures for Jewish places of worship, cultural and educational institutions, public events, and community leaders.

The third objective is the most comprehensive, requiring the Commission to examine the Bondi Beach attack on December 14, 2025, including its planning and lead-up, without interfering with the ongoing criminal investigation.

Commissioner Bell emphasized that hearing evidence from potential criminal witnesses could prejudice ongoing proceedings, so such testimony will not be taken.

This term also requires the Commission to study information sharing among Commonwealth, State, and Territory agencies, and with Chanukah event organizers, to evaluate Australian intelligence and law enforcement effectiveness and identify gaps in legal or regulatory frameworks.

Jewish Australians who have experienced antisemitism, whether in schools or universities, are encouraged to make submissions to the Commission.

The Commissioner must submit the final report to the Governor-General and state governors by the first anniversary of the Bondi massacre.

Richard Lancaster, senior counsel assisting the Commission, in remarks made to the Jerusalem Post, highlighted “the immense trauma [the Bondi attack] caused Jewish Australians.” He added, “Many others were seriously wounded, and their lives will never be the same. Many people have been left with serious psychological scars from that day.”

Tensions between the United States and Iran are escalating rapidly as the US military deploys advanced fighter jets to Israel and the CIA launches a public digital campaign to recruit Iranian anti-regime protesters. Meanwhile, the White House remains locked in high-level deliberations over the scale of potential military action.

American F-22 fighter jets arrived at an Israeli Air Force base on Tuesday evening, signaling a hardened US military posture in the Middle East. Despite this show of force, military leadership has reportedly expressed significant reservations about the consequences of a direct conflict.

President Donald Trump is facing growing frustration regarding the limits of US military leverage against Tehran. Aides have cautioned the President that military action in Iran would be vastly different from the recent US operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Unlike the Venezuela operation, engaging Iran would require multiple strikes and could entangle the US in a protracted regional war.

Key Pentagon officials have voiced specific operational concerns:

Casualty Risks: Officials warn that a prolonged campaign could cost the lives of US troops and regional allies.

Leadership Apprehension: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine has reportedly expressed opposition to a full-scale war with Iran.

President Trump addressed reports of General Caine’s opposition on Truth Social, clarifying the general’s stance:

“[He] would [not like] to see war in Iran, 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.”

Meanwhile, the CIA has initiated a rare public appeal targeting Iranian anti-regime activists. In a Tuesday post published in Farsi on X, the intelligence agency declared that it “can hear your voice and wants to help you,” providing strict digital security protocols for citizens wishing to make contact.

The agency’s directives for secure communication emphasize bypassing state surveillance:

– Use new, disposable devices rather than personal or workplace hardware.
– Employ external browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox in Private/Incognito mode.
– Clear all device and browsing history immediately after making contact.
– Utilize Dark Web browsers or other non-native anti-filtering services provided by the CIA.
Activists who reach out are instructed to provide their location, full name, occupation, the type of information or skills they can offer the agency, and secure contact methods.

Despite the rapid military and intelligence developments, top US and Israeli officials remain uncertain about the administration’s ultimate strategy.

The Kashrus Fraud Division of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel has issued a severe alert Tuesday detailing a series of serious deficiencies and misleading representations discovered in imported dairy, fish, and meat products currently marketed in major food chains.

The latest update warns the public of several imported items that misrepresent their level of kashrus or falsely claim approval from supervisory bodies.

The first alarming discovery involves 1-liter cartons of long-life whole milk (3.7% fat). The product, manufactured in Belgium by Solarec and imported by Euro Dairies Europe (Gold Frost) Ltd. of Yavne, bears packaging that claims it is Cholov Yisroel under the supervision of Badatz Beit Yosef, alongside the purported approval of the Chief Rabbinate. However, a thorough inspection by the Rabbinate’s Import Department revealed that the product was never authorized by them. Consequently, a directive has been issued for the immediate removal of these products from store shelves and for their return to the importer.

Simultaneously, a severe kashrus issue was identified regarding 115-gram packages of “100% smoked cod liver in fish oil.” 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 OU. The Import Department clarified that they had specifically rejected the approval request for production batches beginning in January 2025.

The Rabbinate stated that the refusal to grant approval for the fish 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 Yisroel.”

In the meat sector, inspectors uncovered a deceptive labeling discrepancy involving frozen beef shank No. 8, produced by Marcovif in Argentina and imported and marketed by Tnuva.

An on-site inspection revealed a serious contradiction: the outer red weighing label described the meat as kosher-chalak, but the stamp directly on the meat itself stated only kosher, notably omitting the chalak designation.
“In light of this discrepancy, which constitutes misleading a consumer who is careful about a specific level of kashrus, 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 kashrus declaration,” the Rabbinate noted.

Paris’s 19th arrondissement was the site of a troubling antisemitic incident in which an elderly Jewish woman was verbally attacked by activists from the far-left party LFI, according to a Tuesday report by Europe1.

The confrontation took place on Sunday during a leaflet distribution effort for the party’s mayoral candidate, Sophia Shikiru. When the activists noticed a mezuzah on the woman’s door and she chose not to open it, they responded with hostility, shouting slurs such as “dirty Jew” and warning, “We’ll be back,” before fleeing.

The woman contacted police immediately and is now considering whether to file a formal complaint. Investigators are reviewing security camera footage from the building’s entrance in hopes of identifying those involved.

This episode occurred amid a broader escalation of antisemitic incidents in the city. Two days earlier, the Cocorico restaurant in the 17th arrondissement was attacked with acid, leaving extensive damage to the floor, dining room, dishes, and furniture. Authorities are investigating that case as well, underscoring growing concern over rising antisemitism in Paris.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly scheduled to brief congressional leaders later today, Tuesday, about Iran, as President Trump is considering possible military strikes, to two people familiar with the matter told Politico.

The meeting will take place at the White House and will include House and Senate leadership and the top members of the Intelligence Committees. The closed door briefing will take place just a few hours before President Trump will deliver his State of the Union address.

This meeting comes as the Trump administration has significantly increased U.S. military forces in the Middle East amid tensions and so far failed talks with Iran. Trump publicly warned of severe consequences if no agreement is reached with Tehran on its nuclear enrichment program, with some lawmakers pushing for a congressional vote on a resolution requiring approval before any use of force against Iran.

In a moving display of gratitude and appreciation for the tireless work of pidyon shvuyim, the Munkatcher Rebbe, shlita, hosted a special Melava Malka and Sheva Brachos at his residence on Motzoei Shabbos. The event celebrated the marriage of the daughter of Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, founder and president of the Tzedek organization.

The Munkatcher Rebbe has been deeply involved in selfless, comprehensive efforts on behalf of Jewish prisoners for many years. Throughout this time, the Rebbe has been instrumental in the release of numerous individuals through quiet diplomacy and efforts in the highest echelons of government.

In recent years, the Rebbe has maintained a close and constant connection with Rabbi Margaretten, guiding him in Tzedek’s extensive and complex activities.

This Sheva Brachos served as an opportunity for the Rebbe to publicly honor Rabbi Margaretten’s sublime dedication – working day and night for brethren who sit in darkness – and to recognize the vital legal team that facilitates these efforts.

The elegant event was attended by prominent businessmen, community advocates, and the esteemed lawyers who work alongside the Tzedek organization. A number of distinguished Admorim and Rabbanim graced the simchah with their presence, including:

The Bobov-45 Rebbe, shlita

The Rachmastrivka Rebbe, shlita

The Liska Rebbe, shlita, accompanied by his son, the prominent askan Rabbi Ezra Friedlander

Harav Chaim Dovid Katz, shlita, Dayan of the Satmar community in Boro Park

Harav Yaakov Ber Teitelbaum, shlita, Sigheter Rav

Harav Chaim Aharon Ungar, shlita, of the Satmar community in Williamsburg.

Tzedek attorneys Lee Vartan and Gedalia Stern attended and delivered speeches.

The evening’s program began when the Munkatcher Rebbe entered the hall and Rabbi Margaretten formally introduced the attending legal team to him. The Rebbe greeted them warmly before washing for the seudas mitzvah.

Rabbi Anshil Schwartz, a leading askan within Tzedek, delivered remarks welcoming and thanking the lawyers for their dedication. The Sigheter Rav, Harav Yaakov Ber Teitelbaum, also delivered a drashah in honor of the occasion.

When Rabbi Margaretten addressed the attendees, he expressed deep emotion at being invited into the Rebbe’s home for this special honor. He highlighted his constant reliance on the Rebbe’s wisdom, counsel, and practical guidance in the complex realm of pidyon shvuyim.

The climax of the evening was the address by the Munkatcher Rebbe. The Rebbe spoke with immense praise and high regard for Rabbi Margaretten’s historic and ongoing work. Recognizing the diverse audience, the Rebbe thoughtfully dedicated a portion of his remarks in English to directly address the legal professionals, extolling the virtues of their work in securing freedom for the incarcerated.

Rabbi Margaretten, was honored with leading Birkas Hamazon, after which the Munkatcher Rebbe recited the Sheva Brachos. The celebration concluded with spirited dancing with the chassan and the entire crowd, highlighted by a deeply moving, joyous dance between the Rebbe and Rabbi Margaretten.

Russia is now suffering battlefield losses at a rate that exceeds its ability to recruit replacements for the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, the British Telegraph outlet reported Monday night.

Western officials reported that Vladimir Putin’s forces have endured nearly 40,000 casualties per month since November, while recruiting no more than about 35,000 new soldiers to sustain the war effort.

Ukraine’s sustained counter-attacks have driven Russia’s cumulative losses beyond 1.25 million, surpassing the total number of US casualties recorded during the Second World War.

Al Carns, the UK’s Armed Forces minister, said Moscow is finding it “more and more difficult” to train new troops, noting that the Kremlin’s financial incentives are failing to attract recruits. “People are realising that it’s a one-way ticket,” he said.

Diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement have stalled in recent weeks, despite American pressure to push forward with negotiations.

On the eve of the invasion’s fourth anniversary, Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Putin intends to ignite a global conflict, telling the BBC: “I believe he has already started it.”

The Telegraph revealed earlier this week that Russia has been purchasing properties near key military sites across Europe as part of what intelligence officials describe as preparations for a coordinated sabotage campaign.

These suspicious acquisitions – located near the MI6 headquarters and the nearby US embassy in London, as well as RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus – have heightened fears that the Kremlin is expanding its “hybrid war” operations.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated Britain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, insisting: “Russia is not winning this war.”

To entice volunteers from poorer regions, Russia has offered bonuses of around $50,000 (£40,000), though analysts doubt the long-term sustainability of such incentives.

According to Carns, roughly 87 per cent of Russia’s casualties have resulted from drone strikes, which now dominate combat operations. A single drone, he said, can be as effective as 22 rounds of heavy artillery.

Moscow’s challenges have grown this month after Elon Musk blocked Russian access to his Starlink satellite internet service.

With many drones rendered unusable and troops forced to rely on easily intercepted radio communications, Russian battlefield effectiveness has noticeably deteriorated.

“The Russians’ intensity dropped when they were disconnected from Starlink,” a Ukrainian soldier told The Telegraph. “In two days, we regained Sosnivka [in Dnipropetrovsk] and are on the way to Huliapole [in Zaporizhzhia].”

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, warned that advances in artificial intelligence and drone warfare have transformed the conflict, exposing troops on both sides to unprecedented danger.

“This has led to the creation of a robotic kill zone, which today extends at least 25 kilometres deep,” he said.

Defence Secretary John Healey added that Britain is “more determined than ever to stand strong with Ukrainians.”

Marc Molinaro says he’s ready to return to state politics, launching a campaign for the New York Assembly after serving in the Trump administration. The former congressman and Dutchess County executive announced Monday that he has officially resigned as director of the Federal Transit Administration, a job he’d held since August.

Minaro’s former district included the Jewish community of Sullivan County, in which he formed strong relationships with Jewish leaders and staunchly opposed antisemitism.

In a Substack post explaining his move, Molinaro acknowledged how the shift might look to some. “To some, leaving a federal leadership role to serve in a state legislature may look like a step backward. I understand that perception. Public service is often measured by titles or proximity to power – and distant from the people,” he wrote. “I take issue with that,” he added, saying that, in his view, “Public service is about standing closer- closer to families, closer to communities, and closer to the challenges that shape daily life.”

Molinaro confirmed he will run this November for the 102nd Assembly District, currently represented by fellow Republican Chris Tague, who is seeking a state Senate seat. His expected return to Albany, first reported by Politico, had been circulating in political circles for days.

He reiterated his point again on Substack: “To some, leaving a federal leadership role to serve in a state legislature may look like a step backward. I understand that perception,” followed by his belief that “Public service is about standing closer… closer to families, closer to communities, and closer to the challenges that shape daily life.”

Now 50, Molinaro has spent most of his career in public office. Before his federal role, he spent about ten years as Dutchess County executive and previously served in the state Assembly until 2011. He ran for governor in 2018, later winning a single term in Congress representing New York’s 19th District.

He lost his re-election bid in 2024 to Democrat Josh Riley in a highly competitive race, ending his brief tenure in Washington. After a year at the Federal Transit Administration, he is once again shifting gears.

With the 102nd Assembly District – a long-standing Republican stronghold – shifting players, Molinaro is the latest to step into the fray. As he wrote, “Call it what you wish. For me, this is a comeback – rooted in a simple truth: the future of New York will be decided by those willing to fight for the families and communities counting on us.”

Hamas terrorists have shifted their smuggling operations into the Gaza Strip, turning to winter sea currents and cooperating with terrorists in the Sinai Peninsula, Kan reported Monday evening.

According to the report, Hamas has moved away from overland routes and tunnels, adopting a maritime method designed to elude surveillance.

Instead of using tunnels or trucks, the organization now deploys specially weighted containers that drift just below the surface. Hamas believes this technique helps the cargo avoid radar detection by blending into “marine noise” and riding turbulent winter waves. All quotes remain unchanged.

Smuggling teams release these underwater containers roughly five miles off the coast near Sheikh Zweig, exploiting favorable sea conditions. Driven by a two-knot current and concealed by nightfall, the containers typically arrive on the shores of Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis within ten to fourteen hours.

The operation is coordinated across multiple units working in Sinai, at sea, and inside Gaza. At the same time, decoy drones are flown toward the Israeli-Egyptian border to distract and occupy Israel’s monitoring and interception systems.

This method enables Hamas to bring in crucial supplies for rebuilding its rocket arsenal, including HTPB, a key ingredient used in producing solid rocket fuel that boosts range and stability. The renewed flow of such materials signals an effort to reestablish the organization’s strategic capabilities despite ongoing constraints and countermeasures.

Photos taken by a Belaaz photographer late Monday morning show mounds of fresh snow in Midwood this afternoon, after the tri-state area was bombarded with a “bomb cyclone” winter storm, which broke into the top 10 largest snowstorms to ever hit the Big Apple.

The last time a full-blown blizzard hit NYC was in 2017.

City officials lifted the citywide travel ban at noon on Monday as the major winter storm that dropped nearly 20 inches of snow across the five boroughs began to ease.

Despite the improved conditions, Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged New Yorkers to remain cautious on the roads.

The ban, issued Sunday night, barred non-emergency vehicles from all streets, highways, and bridges starting at 9 p.m. It was put in place as heavy snowfall created dangerous travel conditions throughout the city and the wider Tri-State area.

Mamdani said that while the ban is no longer in effect, residents should “exercise caution, travel slowly, and be mindful of others on the road,” noting that slick streets and patches of ice remain a concern.

NYC Snowfall Totals

The powerful storm pushed snowfall amounts into the double digits in many parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

In New York City, several neighborhoods approached and reached the 20-inch mark:

Washington Heights: 18.9 inches.

Williamsburg: 20 inches.

Central Park: 19.5 inches.

Staten Island: 2 Feet

In New Jersey:

Jackson – 23.5 inches

Lakewood – 16 inches

Manchester Twp. – 18 inches

Toms River – 12.5 inches

Howell – 18.2 inches

Edison – 17.8 inches

Officials continue to monitor cleanup efforts as crews work to clear remaining snow and restore normal travel conditions across the region.

Power outages were reported in parts of New Jersey, but not in NYC.

Photos by Yossie Jacobson, taken on Avenue O in Midwood .

An anonymous United States official confirmed on Monday that the US will resume nuclear talks with Iran this Thursday in Geneva, moving forward with diplomacy as Washington maintains a massive military buildup in the region to pressure Tehran, AFP reported.

The scheduling confirmation follows a strict 48-hour ultimatum issued Sunday, in which the US demanded a comprehensive nuclear proposal from Iran as a precondition for extending the high-level talks into Friday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to sit down with mediators, serving as go-betweens for him and US Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi publicly backed the Thursday timeline, expressing optimism for a “positive push to go the extra mile towards finalizing the deal.” Araghchi echoed this sentiment in a recent CBS interview, stating there remains a “good chance” for a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear program.

Earlier this week, US officials warned that negotiators would only stay for Friday’s session if Iran submitted an acceptable, comprehensive proposal within a 48-hour window.

The Trump administration continues to insist on a strict “zero enrichment” policy inside Iran. However, during last week’s talks in Geneva, Witkoff and Kushner indicated the US might consider limited “token enrichment” if Tehran can definitively prove it has blocked every possible pathway to a nuclear weapon.

Despite some reported progress, US Vice President JD Vance noted major gaps remain, emphasizing that Iran has not yet acknowledged or accepted the President’s red lines. Meanwhile, Senator Lindsey Graham cautioned against taking the military option off the table, arguing that avoiding engagement ignores the consequences of “letting evil go unchecked.”

Adding urgency to the diplomatic push, Witkoff warned over the weekend that Iran could be “a week away” from enriching uranium to bomb-making levels if it rebuilds its program.

Currently, however, Iran’s capabilities are severely degraded. Following coordinated US and Israeli strikes in June 2025 that destroyed Iran’s centrifuges, weaponization program, major nuclear facilities, and senior scientific leadership, Tehran lacks the operational machinery and stockpile access needed to
immediately produce a weapon.

A report in the French newspaper “Le Figaro” claims that former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, attempted to push Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei out of the center of authority during a period of sweeping national turmoil. Their effort was ultimately blocked by senior official Ali Larijani, who has since taken on broad powers and is portrayed as the country’s primary decision-maker.

According to the report, the plan emerged during the night of January 7–8, just before nationwide demonstrations reached their peak in a wave of unrest that opposition sources say resulted in thousands of executions. The newspaper’s sources said Rouhani spearheaded the move alongside former administration allies, several clerics from Qom, and figures tied to the Revolutionary Guard.

A source told the paper that the intention was to exclude Khamenei from crisis-related deliberations.

The initiative fell apart, the report says, because it lacked Larijani’s backing. Appointed in August as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Larijani was positioned to halt the attempt. President Masoud Pezeshkian was reportedly kept unaware to avoid a leak. Once the plan surfaced, Rouhani and Zarif were said to have been placed under brief house arrest, while reformist associates were detained for short periods.

The New York Times reported that Khamenei granted Larijani overall responsibility for managing state affairs more than a month ago, effectively sidelining Pezeshkian. Since receiving this mandate, the 67-year-old has been functioning as Iran’s primary governing authority.

Larijani’s responsibilities have grown steadily. He directed the suppression of last month’s demonstrations and now oversees efforts to quell remaining unrest. He also manages coordination with Iran’s regional partners, including Russia, Qatar, and Oman, and leads nuclear discussions with the United States. Additionally, he is said to be drafting contingency plans should conflict with Washington erupt.

“Larijani is not the only one the supreme leader trusts. Ali Shamkhani, for example, is also there. So even if Larijani is dominant, he is not a ‘supreme ruler,’” Danny Citrinowicz, a research fellow at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies and former head of the Iran branch in Israeli military intelligence told Ynet.

He warned that information emerging from Iran – especially when circulated by foreign media – must be approached with caution. If accurate, he said, the developments suggest the Iranian system is working to preserve continuity in case the supreme leader dies or becomes incapacitated.

“Even if that happens, there will not be another supreme leader in the same sense,” he said. “The principle of rule by Islamic jurist remains central to the regime.”

Citrinowicz added that the situation underscores Pezeshkian’s limited leverage, despite the fact that the presidency is supposed to draw its legitimacy from the public.

“In principle, the president’s status is more significant than that of the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council,” he said. “But Pezeshkian’s lack of experience, alongside the trust Larijani enjoys from the leader and his extensive experience, likely gives him the upper hand in the leader’s eyes.”

Before returning to his current position, Larijani served as an adviser to Khamenei. In November 2024, shortly before upheaval erupted in Syria, he met with then-Syrian President Bashar Assad and later traveled to Lebanon during clashes with Israel. During a follow-up visit in July, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun insisted that he would not tolerate Iranian involvement in Lebanon’s internal matters.

On August 5, Larijani was formally named secretary of the Supreme National Security Council; a role he previously held from 2005 to 2007. The position is widely viewed as second in influence only to the supreme leader and more powerful than the presidency, functioning as the leader’s chief implementer of policy.

Larijani earlier headed nuclear talks with Western countries before being removed by then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad following policy disagreements. He ran unsuccessfully for president three times and was barred from running in both 2021 and 2024 after the sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi.

He is part of a prominent clerical family. His father, Ayatollah Mirza Hashem Amoli, was a high-ranking religious figure, and several of his brothers have held influential positions, including one who served as chief justice. Another brother has held senior religious and academic roles.

Members of the Larijani family, including Larijani himself, have studied in the United States. One of his daughters completed her education there and resides in the U.S. The fact that he and his siblings were born in the Iraqi city of Najaf – a detail present on their identity documents – has also drawn criticism among some Iranians.

Senior Israeli defense officials have quietly told their American counterparts that they would rather deal directly with the Lebanese army than continue working alongside the UN peacekeeping force operating in southern Lebanon, according to a report aired Monday on Kan News.

Officials within Israel’s defense establishment have grown increasingly frustrated with UNIFIL in recent weeks, describing the force as having turned adversarial toward the IDF. In unusually blunt terms, senior figures conveyed to American officials that UNIFIL “causes more harm than good,” and expressed a clear preference for direct coordination with Lebanon’s military without UN involvement near the border.

The shift in attitude comes as UNIFIL’s mandate in southern Lebanon approaches its end-of-year expiration. Israeli officials have pointed to what they describe as problematic coordination and a string of statements issued by UNIFIL that they view as hostile to Israel and the IDF.

Since the ceasefire agreement that halted fighting on Israel’s northern front, IDF-Lebanese army coordination has been routed through Washington as part of the broader ceasefire implementation framework. Israeli security officials have indicated they are open to direct talks with the Lebanese military in the future, particularly if Beirut moves to disarm Hezbollah — a step they see as a precondition for lasting calm along the border communities.

Meanwhile, competing visions for how to secure Lebanon’s borders are taking shape internationally. The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper *Al-Akhbar* reported in late December 2025 that a European-backed plan is in the works to place international monitors along Lebanon’s borders with both Syria and Israel. Israel reportedly opposes any arrangement resembling UNIFIL’s current model, and has indicated a preference for Britain specifically to take on an oversight role, potentially through a network of observation towers along Lebanon’s northern, southern, and eastern land borders.

Britain has already floated a concrete proposal along these lines. The pan-Arab newspaper *Asharq Al-Awsat* reported last July that London formally offered to supply Lebanon with monitoring towers to be deployed along the Israeli border, framing the initiative as a means of reinforcing stability and ensuring compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The offer was presented during Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to Beirut. Lebanese officials neither accepted nor rejected the proposal outright, but signaled that their immediate priority is consolidating the existing ceasefire before taking on new border arrangements.

Rabbis on Both Coasts Report Property Destruction, Fires, and Mass Unrest, But No Jewish Casualties, B”H

The arrest and subsequent death of Nemésio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the feared leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) – widely considered the most powerful criminal organization in Mexico – has sent shockwaves across the country. In the hours following the operation, cartel members launched a sweeping campaign of destruction, burning buses, taxis, government-linked businesses, and other properties across multiple states. Jewish communities from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean found themselves sheltering in place as fires broke out in their neighborhoods.

Belaaz spoke exclusively with two Chabad rabbis, one stationed on Mexico’s West Coast and one on the East, who described the situation on the ground and the steps they took to keep their communities informed and calm.

“A Great Lesson in Emunah”: Puerto Vallarta

Rabbi Schneur Hecht of Chabad of Puerto Vallarta described a city brought to a standstill. Puerto Vallarta sits on Mexico’s Pacific coast in the state of Jalisco – the CJNG’s home territory – making it one of the areas hardest hit by the unrest.

“They’ve been trying to get this man for a long time,” Rabbi Hecht told Hamodia. “He had millions of dollars on his head. The government launched an operation, captured him, and the Jalisco cartel – the most powerful in Mexico – is naturally very upset. They’re causing tremendous chaos, but they’re not hurting anyone. There are no killings, no injuries. They are burning down buses, taxis, and establishments connected to the government.”

Rabbi Hecht said the violence reached right to his doorstep. “They blew up the OXXO across the street from the Chabad House,” he said, referring to the ubiquitous Mexican convenience store chain. “There’s a lot of smoke, a lot of fire. Nobody is on the street; it’s very quiet. Everybody is at home.”

He noted that the cartel itself had circulated a message instructing civilians to stay off the streets, as the group wished to avoid civilian casualties. The state government of Jalisco canceled all public events, including a Jewish wedding that had been scheduled for that day.

Chabad of Puerto Vallarta responded quickly. “We sent an email and a WhatsApp message to the entire community – full-time and part-time residents – early in the morning, as soon as we understood what was happening,” Rabbi Hecht said. “We told people to shelter at home until they received word from the authorities, and we gave out our cell phone numbers. People have been reaching out all day, mostly out of fear and panic. Many are in buildings where fire-bombings are happening right outside their windows. As long as people stay home, everyone is safe.”

Chabad’s email list for Puerto Vallarta spans some 2,500 names. “All Jewish people here are safe,” Rabbi Hecht confirmed. “Everybody is inside, and b’ezras Hashem this will be taken care of soon.”

Rabbi Hecht drew a broader spiritual lesson from the upheaval around him. “The human mind wants logic, wants to understand, wants stability,” he reflected. “But there are many things in the world that are chaotic and defy explanation. A Yid knows that his only true anchor – the one place where there is no chaos, where there is always stability – is the Ribbono shel Olam. Everything else in the world will always have chaos. You cannot rely on governments. You cannot rely on people. Certainly not on cartels. We need to be anchored in something real and true.”

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“People Feel Safe When They’re Together”: Eastern Mexico

Rabbi Dudi Caplin of Chabad Eastern Mexico described a similar picture on the other side of the country. He explained the sequence of events that led to El Mencho’s death: U.S. authorities, who had long blamed the CJNG leader for fueling America’s drug crisis, worked with Mexican forces to locate him. Following a confrontation involving significant gunfire, El Mencho was wounded and later died while being transported by a smaller aircraft.

Rabbi Caplin noted that Jalisco – the cartel’s base, several hours west of Mexico City and home to a Jewish community of approximately 300 families – bore the brunt of the violence. But the unrest spread far beyond it. “We woke up this morning, and even in Cozumel there were store burnings,” he said. “It’s everywhere.”

Despite the widespread destruction, Rabbi Caplin stressed that cartel members deliberately avoided targeting civilians. “Thank G-d, they don’t touch citizens,” he said. “They go against soldiers, against army personnel, against government banks and government property. They burned a plane at the Guadalajara airport. But not citizens, and not a single Jewish person has been hurt.”

At his Chabad House, Rabbi Caplin found himself hosting a steady stream of anxious visitors – tourists and locals alike – seeking information, a sense of community, and a place to feel grounded. “We have a full house right now,” he said. “We bring people in to eat, we tell them they can stay, we give them Wi-Fi, whatever they need. People feel much better when they see everyone together and when they hear from locals who can tell them what’s really happening.”

Rabbi Caplin, who has lived in Mexico for 17 years, said he has never seen anything on this scale. “I don’t remember anything like this,” he said. “In some towns they burned 20 or 30 places; buses, stores, businesses. It’s unprecedented.” He attributed the severity in part to American involvement for the first time. “America started to step in because, according to Washington, Mexico could not handle the cartels on its own,” he explained. “That pressure led to last week’s intelligence breakthrough on El Mencho’s location.”

Rabbi Caplin expressed cautious optimism that the situation would stabilize. “Historically, when something like this has happened with other cartel figures, it took one or two days to settle,” he said. “We’re watching and waiting.”

As of this time, Jewish communities across Mexico remained safely sheltered in place, with local Chabad rabbis serving as the primary point of contact and reassurance for a community spanning thousands of families on both coasts.

A sudden blaze broke out at the kever of Harav Elimelech of Lizhensk in the city of Lizhensk, Poland, after gas-filled balloons unexpectedly exploded while a large group of visiting students was present.

According to local reports, approximately 300 girls were gathered at the site for an educational tour when several decorative balloons ignited without warning, triggering what witnesses described as a burst of flames and a moment of panic. The fire spread quickly enough to alarm the crowd but was contained shortly after by emergency responders, who arrived within minutes.

Officials noted that the blaze caused damage to a nearby guest lodging structure, often used by visitors who travel to the area throughout the year. Despite the size of the group and the intensity of the initial explosion, b’chasdei Hashem no injuries were reported and no damage to the kever itself was apparent.

The incident comes just weeks before the yahrtzeit of Harav Elimelech on 21 Adar, when mass crowds travel to his kever, filling the area with thousands who come from across the world to daven at the resting place of the revered tzaddik. Preparations for the annual influx of visitors were already underway when the fire occurred.

Authorities are continuing to assess the structural damage, and local organizers said they expect repairs to be carried out swiftly to ensure the site is ready for the large gatherings anticipated in the coming days.

An armed man in his early 20s was shot and killed early Friday morning after breaching the secure perimeter of the Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, according to a Sunday morning statement released by the United States Secret Service.

The agency said that “on February 22, around 1:30 a.m., a male in his early 20s was shot by U.S. Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) following an unauthorized entry into the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago.” The individual, whose name has not yet been released pending notification of relatives, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

According to the statement, the man was first seen “by the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.” Agents from the Secret Service, together with a PBSO deputy, confronted him shortly thereafter. “Shots were fired by law enforcement during the encounter,” the agency said. No law-enforcement personnel were injured.

Authorities emphasized that “there were no Secret Service protectees present at the location at the time of the incident.” The property, which is secured around the clock, has been the site of heightened security activity in recent years.

Federal and local investigators are now examining the background of the deceased, his actions prior to the breach, and any possible motive. The statement noted that “the incident, including the individual’s background, actions, potential motive, and the use of force, is under investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.”

As is standard protocol, “the involved Secret Service agents will be placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Further details are expected as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the predawn confrontation.

MK Yitzchak Pindros of Degel HaTorah, currently visiting Jewish communities in New Jersey, sat down with Belaaz for a wide-ranging interview on Thursday to address the draft law crisis that has gripped Chareidi Jewry in Israel, the future of the Netanyahu coalition, and the Purim-time hope that Israel’s enemies be defeated.

Speaking at a Belaaz studio in Toms River, Pindros pulled no punches about the severity of the situation on the ground.

Pindros’ visit to New Jersey follows a week of turmoil in Bnei Brak, where confrontations between Chareidi protesters and security forces drew widespread attention. But for Pindros, the unrest is a predictable response to an unprecedented legal reality.

“Technically, every yeshiva bochur is basically illegal,” he said bluntly. “He could be arrested, which brings over a million and a half people in Eretz Yisrael under real threat.”

The MK traced the crisis to a sustained political and legal campaign against the Chareidi world. “It’s part of an agenda that’s been going on for years to make the Charedi community illegitimate in Israel; to not let them live as they do in Israel.”

He acknowledged that two years of war had complicated the picture, but said Israel’s secular establishment had exploited that window. “They’re taking advantage of that situation. Everybody agrees you can’t take yeshiva bochurim and put them into the army; but why not use that time to attack the Charedi community?”

Pindros expressed empathy for the protesters in Bnei Brak while stopping short of endorsing the violence that erupted. “I think it’s a terrible chillul Hashem,” he said. “I can understand where they’re coming from, but that doesn’t mean that when you feel uncomfortable and feel pressure to act, you can act in a way that isn’t befitting a Torah person.” He was direct about where he sees the real adversary: “The soldiers are not your enemies. The police are not your enemies. The Supreme Court — yes, they are your enemies. But even regarding the Supreme Court, I wouldn’t tell people to go beat them up, because that’s not the right direction.”

The Supreme Court Problem, And Why Laws Keep Failing

A central frustration for Pindros is that the problem is not lack of legislation; it is a Supreme Court that keeps striking it down. “The main problem is not that a law hasn’t been passed,” he explained. “A law was passed at least three times; in the 1990s, in 2002, and around 2016–17. But each time, the Supreme Court struck it down.”

He leveled sharp criticism at the Court’s claim to unlimited authority. “It’s the only country in the world where the Supreme Court simply says, ‘I can overrule anything I want,’ and no one can say anything back.” He predicted an eventual institutional collision: “That’s going to lead to a serious clash one day; a real battle between the Supreme Court and the government over who controls the country.”
Pindros said his faction has responded to this deadlock with a legislative slowdown. “What we’ve been doing for the last year is: we haven’t let any bill pass in the Knesset; nothing unrelated to the war or urgent matters. No bill has passed in almost a year.” He connected his physical presence in New York to this very posture: “It would actually be harder for me to be in New York right now if the Knesset were in full session passing laws.”

He disclosed that a breakthrough may be imminent. “We’re hoping that in the next couple of days, we’ll have a draft document; a piece of paper laying out what the bill will look like. With that, we’ll go to the Gedolei Yisrael and hear from them whether we should vote for it or not.” He acknowledged the difficulty: “It’s a very, very narrow path: on one hand, a bill that can pass and bring a solution; on the other hand, a bill that can also survive the Supreme Court.”

Coalition Ultimatum: ‘There’s a Chance; For Now’

Asked directly whether Degel HaTorah and United Torah Judaism would topple the Netanyahu government if no bill materializes, Pindros was measured but unambiguous. “The only reason we’re still in the government, and haven’t brought it down, is because there’s still a chance. As long as there’s a chance, we’re part of the coalition.”

The corollary was equally clear. “We’re there only for a chance to get a bill. If there’s no chance; we’re not there.” He added: “You can’t be part of the government when it’s very obvious and clear that they’re not even trying to pass a bill.”

He was careful to leave room for Netanyahu personally. “It’s not that the Prime Minister politically wants to draft all the yeshiva bochurim; but yes, we have to pressure more.” Still, the bottom line was firm: regardless of fault, UTJ cannot remain in a government that fails to deliver.

On Bennett: ‘He Believes in One Thing — Being Prime Minister’

Pindros was dismissive – and colorful – when asked whether UTJ would join a government led by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who has been positioning himself for a political comeback. “Bennett has been working for 20 years to be Prime Minister. He has no idea what he actually believes in. Not one word that he says does he actually believe, except one thing: being Prime Minister. That’s the only thing he truly believes in.”

He said he doubted Bennett would reach the premiership, and was firm that UTJ would not be the vehicle that puts him there. “I don’t believe he’s going to be Prime Minister; and certainly not by our hand.”

On the question of future coalitions more broadly, Pindros articulated a single threshold: “Only a government that is going to allow yeshiva bochurim to sit in the yeshiva and study; only a government like that can get our vote or our backing. No other government can.” He invoked the community’s lived reality as the clinching argument: “I don’t think you’ll find anywhere in the world someone who is being attacked, spat at, harassed – like our community is today in Israel – who would be part of that government.”

A Call to American Jews: Use Your Influence
Pindros had a direct message for American Jewish communities; particularly on the question of financial and political leverage. On funding, he called for sustained support: “The people who are funding kollel avreichim and helping – people who are coming and helping and pushing – that has to continue. There’s a lot that people over here can do, and we need that.”

He also urged American Jews to use their social and political networks. “Any connection you have with Israelis, or with people who make decisions in Israel or have any influence there;  use it. Tell them: ‘You can’t be partners with us here in America if you’re going to make that community illegitimate.’ That’s a message that has to get through.”

Asked whether the Trump administration could be leveraged to pressure Israel on the issue, he was tempered. “This is ultimately a political-legal issue. The political world doesn’t want it to go through – and neither does the Supreme Court. We see President Trump trying to influence the courts in Israel on a different issue entirely – and so far he hasn’t succeeded.” The implication: even American presidential pressure has its limits in the current Israeli judicial climate.

Iran, and a Purim Tefilah

The interview concluded on an  evocative note. Asked whether a potential Iranian military escalation could push off a Knesset vote on the draft law, Pindros declined to speculate on timing, but seized on the Purim season for a broader message.

“For sure, we’re in Purim; we’re all waiting for the Haman of our generation to be hanged on a high tree,” he said, in an unmistakable allusion to Iran’s leadership. “And just as in the time of Achashveirosh, all the haters of the Jewish nation should be wiped out. Now is the time. Amen; kein yehi ratzon.”

Harav Chaim Yosef David Weiss, shlit”a, senior Dayan of the Satmar kehillah in Antwerp and widely known by the acronym of his name, the Chid”u, was verbally attacked while attending a Kiddush held in honor of his grandson’s aufruf at the Bobov-45 Beis Midrash on Chaggai Street in Bnei Brak this Shabbos.

The Rav, who had been seated at the mizrach and engaged in divrei Torah with the Rabbanim and Admorim present at the table, was suddenly approached by an individual who proceeded to hurl a torrent of harsh and deeply disrespectful words at him, reportedly in connection with recent halachic rulings the Dayan had issued in matters affecting the broader community.

For close to ten full minutes, the man continued his verbal assault before the assembled crowd. Family members and distinguished guests, visibly shaken by the brazen affront to the Dayan’s kavod, moved to intervene and remove the individual from the hall.

It was at this moment that the true greatness of the Chid”u became manifest to all present.

With complete and unruffled calm, the Dayan raised his hand, signaling quietly but firmly to those around him that no response was to be given. He met the man’s words with a composed and steady demeanor, allowing him to conclude without interruption. When the individual had finished, the Chid”u turned to him with a warm “Gut Shabbos” and resumed his Torah discussion with those at the table, as though nothing had occurred.

The Chid”u, a brother of the Horodenka Rebbe, shlit”a, of Manchester, is regarded as one of the foremost poskim in European Jewry. His response to the incident has been widely praised by rabbinic figures in Bnei Brak and in chassidishe kehillos abroad.

A grand chasuna for the Chid”u’s grandson is scheduled to take place this coming Tuesday at Ganei Dekel hall in Bnei Brak, and steps are being taken to ensure the simchah proceeds in an atmosphere of joy and dignity befitting the occasion.

Tucker Carlson flew to Israel last week on a private jet he said he chartered because he is “cheap,” sat down with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee inside Ben-Gurion Airport’s diplomatic terminal, and never left the building. He didn’t need to. The war he came to wage was not with Hamas or Hezbollah. It was with the American officials, Jewish thinkers, and conservative allies who have spent months pushing back against what Israeli-American political theorist Yoram Hazony has called a “circus of anti-Jewish messaging” on Carlson’s podcast.

The two-and-a-half-hour episode, released Friday, featured a combative 25-minute monologue before Carlson even sat across from Huckabee. In it, Carlson called Israel “probably the most violent country in the world” and that most people have held a gun or killed people – a claim resting on the conflation of mandatory military service with criminal violence.

The vast majority of IDF soldiers have not, contrary to the implication of Carlson, fired their weapons at people. Carlson is also a vocal supporter of the 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms, further showcasing his double-standard for Israel.

Israel’s homicide rate is a fraction of Honduras, Venezuela, or South Africa. The 2025 Global Peace Index ranks Israel above Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Syria.

When the interview began, Carlson opened with a discussion on Jonathan Pollard, the former US Navy analyst convicted of spying for Israel in the 1980s. He called Pollard “the greatest traitor in modern American history” and cited an unproven report of Israel passing the information to the Soviet Union. The declassified CIA Damage Assessment found that Israel’s requests to Pollard focused on Arab states and Soviet weapons systems, not US war plans against Moscow. Former CIA Director James Woolsey noted that Pollard “did not get anybody killed and was not spying for an enemy.”

Carlson ignored a long list of genuine traitors who have caused severe damage to the United States, including Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent who gave top-secret information to Russian intelligence for over 20 years, Julius Rosenberg, who gave US Atomic bomb secrets the the Russians and Aldrich Ames, who also gave secret information that led to the deaths of at least 10 U.S. foreign agents. Carlson also glossed over the most infamous traitor in US history; Benedict Arnold, who defected to the British during the American Revolution.

Huckabee acknowledged meeting Pollard at the embassy, saying the visit came after he sent condolences following Pollard’s wife’s death. He was unapologetic. “Tucker, if you’ve ever been to the US embassy, you would know there’s no such thing as a secret meeting at the US embassy. There are cameras everywhere.” He added, “I did. And frankly, I don’t regret it.”

Huckabee incorrectly stated that Pollard was “sentenced to 30 years.” He was sentenced to life in prison and served approximately 30 years before being paroled in November 2015.

The interview’s most charged exchange came over Prime Minister Netanyahu’s invocation of Amalek on October 28, 2023, the eve of the Gaza ground offensive. “That is calling for genocide,” Carlson said. “And you know that.”

Huckabee rejected the accusation. “Because if Israel wanted to commit genocide, they could have done it in two-and-a-half hours.” Israel possesses overwhelming military superiority in the region, and has not deployed it to its maximum capacity. The Prime Minister’s Office has long stressed that the verse Netanyahu quoted from Devarim, a commandment to remember, is not the passage commanding destruction that Carlson cited. The phrase appears on Holocaust memorials and at Yad Vashem.

The confrontation over civilian casualties produced what may be remembered as the defining moment of the interview. After Huckabee defended the IDF’s warning system  text messages, leaflets, roof-knocking, evacuation maps and said Israel’s procedures exceed those of the United States military, Carlson pounced. “Your dig at the United States is very revealing,” he said. “Because your priorities are very clear.”

Huckabee gestured to his American flag pin. “What flag am I wearing here?”

“Well, that’s, of course, my flag as well,” Carlson replied. He did not let up.

On child casualties, Huckabee said some of those killed had been recruited by Hamas, “kids as young as 14.” Carlson’s retort “Do you think a 14-year-old child has agency?”  was pointed. Hamas has operated military training camps for children, and the UN has documented the use of minors in armed roles. Recruiting children under 15 into armed groups constitutes a war crime under the Rome Statute.

On Christian rights in Israel, Carlson was on weaker ground than he appeared. His claim that Christians are “far fewer in absolute numbers” than in 1948 contradicts data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, which shows the Christian population has grown from approximately 34,000 in 1949 to around 185,000 today. He also raised incidents of Jews spitting on Christian clergy in Jerusalem’s Old City. Huckabee did not hedge. “It shouldn’t happen. It’s horrible.” He added, having made over 100 trips to Israel over 53 years, that he had never personally experienced such treatment. Shadi Khalloul, a prominent Israeli Arab Christian advocate, told the Jerusalem Post separately that the incidents do not represent the Christian experience in Israel, are perpetrated by a “fanatic, tiny minority” and are “punished when reported.”

After Tucker Carlson made his case against Israel on camera as part of his interview with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, one of the most influential voices in the conservative intellectual world provided a behind the scenes look into Carlson’s diatribes.

Hazony, a shomer Shabbos, Jerusalem-based Israeli-American political theorist who founded the Edmund Burke Foundation and organized the National Conservatism conference movement, disclosed Motzoei Shabbos that he had spoken with Carlson at length in early February at the Trump administration’s urging. The account is striking for what it reveals not about Carlson’s ideology, but about his judgment.

On January 11, President Trump, asked whether he condemns antisemitism on the right, said “certainly” and added: “I think we don’t need them. I think we don’t like them.” Trump then met with Carlson at the White House on January 16. It was pressure  discreet but unmistakable from an administration that relies on both Jewish and Christian Zionist support.

Carlson, according to Hazony, wanted to know what “practical steps” he could take. Hazony’s response was direct. He told Carlson that nearly every Jewish person he knew believed Carlson had been waging “a savage campaign against Jews, Judaism, and Israel” for the past 18 months, with the apparent aim of driving Jews and Zionist Christians out of the Trump coalition and out of the Republican Party.

When Carlson asked why anyone would consider him an antisemite, Hazony spent more than an hour walking him through specific examples from his program; guests who had claimed Jews control the American government, that Jews shot John F. Kennedy, that Jews financially sustained Winston Churchill to provoke a war with Hitler, that the Hebrew Bible teaches only revenge and genocide.

Carlson kept expressing amazement. Hazony kept producing examples.
“I didn’t feel he was open to dialing down the hostility,” Hazony wrote. He kept the door open anyway, in case the administration’s pressure eventually produced movement.

It did not. The weeks since January 11 have brought no discernible change in the content or direction of Carlson’s program.

Then came a sequence that reads as alternately audacious and farcical. On February 3, two days after a conversation in which Hazony had described in precise terms why Carlson was considered a leading antisemite of his generation, Carlson wrote to ask if he could speak at the first NatCon conference in Jerusalem, scheduled for June. Hazony declined, explaining in writing that much of the speaker lineup “will revolt if you join the program and that story will blow back on you in addition to blowing up the conference.”

On February 9, Carlson asked Hazony to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Hazony’s reply was frank: “I don’t see how that could happen. It doesn’t serve any interest I’m aware of. It could only damage him.”

In the same video released Friday that included his interview with Huckabee, Carlson characterized Hazony’s refusal as evidence that Israel was suppressing access. He also suggested, in what Hazony described as a “peevish summary,” that Israel might be trying to kill him and his family.

“The private person turns out to be exactly who we’ve been seeing in public,” Hazony concluded. “As of now, I’m not seeing any sign that he is willing to play ball with the mainstream nationalist camp in the Republican party, much less that he has any regrets about who and what he has become since leaving Fox News in 2023.”

A newly opened branch of a well-known London bakery was vandalized on Wednesday following a pro-Palestinian demonstration accusing the company of “funding Israel.”

Gail’s Bakery, which has around 170 sites across the UK, launched its latest shop in north London, where a small group of protesters gathered with a banner reading, “Boycott Israel For Genocide And War Crimes in Gaza.” Another sign alleged the business was “funded by investors in apartheid,” according to video footage shared online.

In the video posted on X, a Jewish passerby challenges the demonstration, asking, “Why are you protesting a UK-based business saying ‘Boycott Israel’? Is it because they’ve got Jewish directors?”

A protester replies that the bakery’s profits were “going to private equity owners and investors” who, they claimed, had put money into Israeli “war tech.”

After the protest, red paint was thrown across the bakery’s storefront and signage, accompanied by sprayed words reading “Boycott Gails, funds Israeli tech.”

London’s Metropolitan Police reported no arrests so far and said officers are reviewing additional footage to identify potential suspects.

Gail’s traces its origins to a wholesale bakery established in the 1990s by Israeli bakers, including Gail Mejia and Ran Avidan, before opening its first retail shop in 2005.

The business was acquired in 2021 by the American investment firm Bain Capital, which has invested in Israeli technology companies.

“We are a British business with no specific connections to any country or government outside the UK,” a Gail’s spokesperson told the Jewish News. “Our focus right now is on working with the authorities and making sure our people feel safe and supported.”

Gail’s is not alone in facing such activism. In the United States, the bakery chain Tatte has been protested in person and online, and New York’s Breads chain recently saw unionization efforts tied to accusations of supporting “the genocide happening in Palestine.”

The vandalism sparked swift backlash from Jewish organizations in the UK, who said it echoed rising hostility toward Jewish-linked businesses.

“Targeting a business on the basis of alleged or perceived Israeli and or Jewish connections reflects a very worrying trend,” a spokesperson for the Board of Deputies of British Jews said. “Across the UK, companies and individuals are increasingly singled out by reference to their association, real or otherwise, to Israel, with an inevitable disproportionate impact on the Jewish community. That is not legitimate protest; it is creating an atmosphere of intimidation for Jewish businesses, staff and customers. And is part of a wider trend to try and drive Jews out of wider civil society.”

The European Jewish Congress called the incident “deeply concerning” in a statement on X.

“Targeting a local business because of perceived Jewish or Israeli associations reflects a troubling normalization of hostility that must be firmly rejected,” the post said. “Such acts have no place in our societies and must be unequivocally condemned.”

British Labour MP David Taylor also criticized the protest, writing on X, “This is pure anti-semitism, no ifs, no buts.”

A powerful nor’easter is poised to hit the Northeast with intense snowfall, blizzard conditions and damaging winds.

Forecasters had grappled with uncertainty in the days leading up to the storm, but projections have now solidified around a major system stretching from the Mid-Atlantic into New England, affecting major cities such as New York and Boston.

The storm is expected to rapidly strengthen into a bomb cyclone off the East Coast starting Sunday, placing the region just a day away from its most severe impacts.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has declared a state of emergency beginning at noon Sunday, anticipating significant snowfall. In neighboring New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul issued states of emergency across 22 of the state’s 62 counties starting Sunday morning.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani cautioned that the upcoming conditions could surpass those of the previous month’s storm. Officials are deploying outside snow-removal equipment earlier than before, adding extra crews to clear bus stops, sidewalks and pathways. More than 40 warming centers will open, and outreach teams will intensify efforts to assist homeless residents.

Hochul warned that the forecast has deteriorated quickly and described the approaching storm as “potentially life-threatening” and “historic.” She urged residents to stay indoors and sign up for emergency alerts. In Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser plans to dispatch the District Snow Team – about 200 plows – ahead of the storm’s arrival.

Blizzard warnings now cover millions from near Philadelphia to Boston, including Delaware, eastern Maryland, most of New Jersey, New York City and parts of coastal southern New England. This marks New York City’s first blizzard warning since 2017.

Snow totals could reach a foot or more from Philadelphia through New York City and Boston, with several inches expected farther south into the Mid-Atlantic, including Baltimore and smaller amounts in Washington, DC.

Travel is expected to be severely disrupted. Snow begins Sunday, but the worst conditions will strike Sunday night into Monday, likely crippling the Monday morning commute. More than 1,100 Sunday flights have already been canceled, with major delays expected at airports in New York City and Boston.

Power outages are possible as heavy, wet snow combines with winds over 40 mph, weighing down branches and power lines.

Severe to extreme impacts are anticipated from the Delmarva Peninsula through eastern Pennsylvania, much of New Jersey, the New York tri-state area and southern New England, according to NOAA’s Winter Storm Severity Index. Dangerous travel and widespread closures are likely.

Small shifts in the storm’s track could alter snowfall totals, but the system will be strong regardless. The heaviest snow – possibly 12 to 24 inches – is expected near and southeast of Interstate 95 from Philadelphia to New York and Boston.

If forecasts hold, this would be New York City’s first storm exceeding one foot of snow in more than five years. A storm a month earlier came close, dropping 11.4 inches.

The snow will be heavy and moisture-packed, prone to clinging to trees and power lines. When paired with wind gusts over 40 mph — and up to 55 mph along the immediate coast — damage and outages become more likely.

Strong winds will also push seawater inland, similar to storm surge in a hurricane. Moderate to locally major coastal flooding is possible from Delaware and New Jersey to Long Island and southern New England, peaking around high tide late Sunday night or early Monday.

Snow and rain will begin developing Sunday across parts of New York and the Mid-Atlantic, transitioning to all snow as colder air arrives.

Conditions will deteriorate quickly Sunday evening as the storm intensifies offshore. Snowfall rates could exceed an inch per hour, spreading from the Mid-Atlantic toward southern New England with increasingly strong winds.

By sunrise Monday, the storm’s harshest effects will still be battering areas from Philadelphia to New York City and across southern New England. Blizzard conditions are expected along coastal regions, making travel dangerous or impossible.

Snow and strong winds will gradually ease from south to north through Monday afternoon. By Monday evening, the storm will be winding down, though parts of New England may still experience lingering effects.

The Islamic State terror group announced on Saturday that it carried out two assaults on Syrian military personnel in the country’s north and east, presenting the incidents as the start of a new operational campaign aimed at the Syrian government.

According to the group’s Dabiq news outlet, its terrorists shot “an individual of the apostate Syrian regime” in Mayadin, located in Deir al-Zor province, using a handgun. It added that two additional troops were targeted with machine-gun fire in the northern city of Raqqa.

Syria’s Defence Ministry reported that a soldier and a civilian were killed the same day by what it described as “unknown assailants.” A military source said the fallen soldier served in the army’s 42nd Division.

These attacks follow a rise in operations by Islamic State against the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who left al-Qaeda in 2016 and later led an alliance of Islamist groups that ousted Bashar al-Assad at the end of 2024.

Later on Saturday, the group released an audio message from spokesperson Abu Hudhayfa al-Ansari, who claimed that Syria had “moved from Iranian occupation to Turkish-American occupation.”

Islamic State declared that it had launched a “new phase of operations” in the country, labeling Sharaa a “watchdog” for the international coalition and warning that his fate would ultimately mirror that of Assad.

Sharaa formally committed Syria to the global coalition against Islamic State last November during a visit to the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump.

The latest attacks occurred just two days after the group claimed responsibility for another assault in Deir al-Zor that killed a member of the Interior Ministry’s internal security forces and injured another.

In recent hours, multiple social media pages and Telegram channels aligned with Islamic State have urged supporters to increase attacks, particularly those involving motorcycles and small arms.

Since Assad’s fall, the terrorist group has carried out six attacks on Syrian government targets.

A report released last week by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism stated that Sharaa and two senior ministers have survived five attempted assassinations attributed to the group.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch on Friday for New York and New Jersey as a significant snowstorm approaches the region this weekend.

The agency announced that the watch will remain in place from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon.

Forecasters expect widespread heavy snowfall across the tri-state, with reduced visibility and dangerous travel conditions. Wet, heavy snow combined with strong winds may also lead to fallen tree limbs.

Accumulations between 3 and 10 inches are projected for parts of New York City as well as Westchester, Putnam and Nassau counties, northeastern New Jersey and portions of Connecticut.

Areas farther east, particularly Suffolk County, could receive 10 to 13 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service, prompting warnings of potentially blizzard-like conditions.

The New York City Office of Emergency Management is urging residents to stay off the roads Sunday and Monday morning unless absolutely necessary, recommending mass transit as an alternative. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says crews are preparing as officials continue to monitor the storm closely.

A winter storm watch is in effect for New York and New Jersey from Feb. 22 to Feb. 23, 2026, as the system moves toward the region.

President Donald Trump issued an extended and fiery response on social media following the Supreme Court’s decision striking down his use of emergency tariff powers, calling the ruling “deeply disappointing” and accusing several justices of lacking courage.

Trump opened his statement by blasting the court’s majority:

“The Supreme Court’s Ruling on TARIFFS is deeply disappointing! I am ashamed of certain Members of the Court for not having the Courage to do what is right for our Country.”

He argued that the justices who voted against him were either politically motivated or intimidated, writing:

“Others think they’re being ‘politically correct’… they’re just FOOLS and ‘LAPDOGS’ for the RINOS and Radical Left Democrats… very unpatriotic, and disloyal to the Constitution.”

He went even further, suggesting outside influence on the majority:

“It is my opinion that the Court has been swayed by Foreign Interests, and a Political Movement that is far smaller than people would think. But obnoxious, ignorant, and loud!”

Trump reserved praise for the three conservative justices who dissented:

“I would like to thank and congratulate Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh for your Strength, Wisdom, and Love of our Country.”

He urged supporters to read the minority’s reasoning:

“When you read the dissenting opinions, there is no way that anyone can argue against them.”

He later quoted Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s dissent at length, highlighting that multiple other statutes – Sections 232, 122, 201, 301, and Section 338 of the Tariff Act – may still allow a president to impose duties.

Trump framed tariffs as both an economic and national security tool, proclaiming:

“This was an important case to me, more as a symbol of Economic and National Security, than anything else.”
He argued the decision paradoxically strengthened presidential trade powers:

“The Supreme Court’s decision today made a President’s ability to both regulate Trade, and impose TARIFFS, more powerful and crystal clear, rather than less.”

“I have very effectively utilized TARIFFS over the past year to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”

“Our Stock Market has just recently broken the 50,000 mark on the DOW and… 7,000 on the S&P.”

He also claimed tariffs helped end wars and cut fentanyl inflows by 30%.

Trump ridiculed the legal logic of the ruling:

“The Court said that I’m not allowed to charge even $1 DOLLAR to any Country under IEEPA… but I am allowed to cut off any and all Trade… even imposing a… destroying embargo… How nonsensical is that?”

“They are saying that I have the absolute right to license, but not the right to charge a license fee. What license has ever been issued without the right to charge a fee?”

Despite the setback, Trump vowed to move aggressively using other authorities. He emphasized:

“All National Security TARIFFS, Section 232 and existing Section 301 TARIFFS, remain in place.”

He then announced a new across-the-board measure:

“Today I will sign an Order to impose a 10% GLOBAL TARIFF, under Section 122, over and above our normal TARIFFS already being charged.”

He added that his administration is initiating new Section 301 and other investigations to counter what he described as unfair trade practices.

The Supreme Court on Friday delivered a sweeping rebuke to President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose broad tariffs, ruling that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the president to levy duties on foreign imports.

The 6–3 decision throws the future of Trump’s trade agenda into turmoil and opens the door to potentially massive refunds – totaling tens of billions of dollars – to businesses that paid the now-invalidated tariffs.

Chief Justice John Roberts authored the majority opinion, joined by Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor. The ruling marks a rare coalition of conservative and liberal justices united in sharply limiting executive authority.

Roberts wrote that the IEEPA contains a “lengthy list of powers” granted to the president in national emergencies, but pointedly excludes any reference to tariffs or duties. That absence, he argued, is decisive.

“It stands to reason that had Congress intended to convey the distinct and extraordinary power to impose tariffs, it would have done so expressly — as it consistently has in other tariff statutes,” Roberts wrote. “He cannot.”

Trump ripped into the Supreme Court after ruling that his tariffs were not authorized. “The Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing, and I’m ashamed of certain members of the court – absolutely ashamed – for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country,” Trump said in broadcast remarks.

“Democrats on the court are thrilled, but they will automatically vote no… they’re against anything that makes America, strong, healthy, and Great Again.

“They also are a, frankly, disgrace to our nation.”

The ruling invalidates an array of Trump-imposed levies, including:

A 10% baseline tariff applied to all U.S. trading partners on “Liberation Day” in April 2025

Additional duties of 10%, 25% and 35% on imports from China, Mexico and Canada, tied to fentanyl trafficking concerns.

A 25% tariff on nations importing oil from Venezuela.

A 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian petroleum.

A 40% tariff on selected products from Brazil.

As of mid-December 2025, IEEPA-based tariffs had generated $133 billion of the roughly $251 billion in tariff revenue collected across fiscal years 2025 and 2026, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The ruling does not stipulate whether those funds must be returned, and the majority opinion remains silent on the issue.

In dissent, Justice Brett Kavanaugh warned that the refund process is likely to be a “mess,” and said the decision could destabilize trade arrangements negotiated under pressure from the tariffs.

Trump’s team had prepared for a loss. The White House previously signaled it could turn to other legal authorities – including Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and Sections 201 and 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 – though these mechanisms are narrower, more procedurally burdensome and sometimes time-limited.

The president has also floated rebranding his tariff system as a licensing fee regime, though experts say that too would face significant hurdles.

During oral arguments last fall, several conservative justices expressed deep skepticism of Trump’s approach. Gorsuch warned that granting such authority would become a “one-way ratchet toward the… continual accretion of power in the executive branch.”

The ruling invokes the major questions doctrine, emphasizing that programs of far-reaching economic impact must be explicitly authorized by Congress.

The decision is already reshaping international expectations. European officials, who had been preparing for Trump to swiftly reinstate tariffs using alternate laws, are now reassessing a July 2025 trade agreement awaiting ratification.

“Our basic assumption that President Trump could use another legal basis has to be confronted with the new contextual elements,” a European official said, noting the ruling’s implications for future negotiations.

EU policymakers are now modeling scenarios that assume the U.S. may have far fewer tariff tools available; potentially weakening Washington’s leverage.

Democrats, meanwhile, are celebrating the ruling as they head into a high-stakes election year. With inflation and household costs dominating voter concerns, party strategists see a fresh opening to tie Republicans to unpopular price hikes tied to tariffs.

“This decision from SCOTUS will NOT save vulnerable House Republicans,” the House Majority PAC said. “They voted multiple times to enable Trump’s tariffs which have raised prices across the board.”

House Democratic leaders suggest the decision could force Republicans into a politically perilous vote if Trump presses Congress for new tariff authority.

The midterm election cycle begins in earnest next month, with control of both chambers of Congress up for grabs.

Trump has warned repeatedly that invalidating the tariffs could require the U.S. government to issue enormous refunds – “many Hundreds of Billions of Dollars,” he claimed last month – and trigger collateral compensation claims from companies that made costly investments to avoid duties. When those investments are accounted for, he argued, the total could reach “Trillions.”

The court’s ruling does not address those assertions. But with so much money collected under an authority now deemed invalid, political, diplomatic and financial turmoil is likely to continue unfolding for months.

No president before Trump attempted to use IEEPA to impose tariffs. The only historical parallel came in 1971, when Richard Nixon invoked a precursor statute to impose a temporary 10% tariff on most imports.

Analysts say U.S. households may see meaningful savings this year; though the president’s pledge to mail out $2,000 “tariff dividend” checks looks increasingly unlikely.

Before Friday’s ruling, the average U.S. household faced an estimated $1,300 to $1,700 in added annual costs due to an average tariff rate of 16.9%, according to Yale’s Budget Lab.

But with the court invalidating the IEEPA-based duties, the expected burden may fall by roughly half.John Ricco, associate director of policy analysis at the Budget Lab, told CNBC that households could now save approximately $600 to $800 in 2026; a projected boost for consumers amid continued inflation concerns.

The precise amount remains contested. Some experts believe the earlier cost projections were low to begin with.Trump’s promise to send Americans $2,000 “rebate” checks tied to tariff revenues now appears at risk. With the IEEPA duties struck down – and no guarantee that alternative legal pathways will generate equivalent revenue – there may simply not be funds to sustain the proposed payout.

“I’m actually shocked that the number wasn’t a little higher,” Erik Rosica, a sales supervisor at OEC Group New York, speaking to The NY Post. Still, he agreed that removing the tariffs would likely cut the financial hit by about half.

Whether savings will fully reach consumers remains uncertain. Rosica warned that while companies might trim prices on lower-cost goods, many firms could feel pressured to maintain elevated prices amid volatile supply-chain costs.“Again, that’s only if people lower their prices,” he cautioned, adding that business incentives don’t always align with consumer relief.

Trump’s promise to send Americans $2,000 “rebate” checks tied to tariff revenues now appears at risk. With the IEEPA duties struck down – and no guarantee that alternative legal pathways will generate equivalent revenue – there may simply not be funds to sustain the proposed payout.

“The decision means there just won’t be funds to pay for the checks,” Rosica said, though he noted that unexpected policy maneuvers could still emerge, adding, “nothing’s off the table.”

As global markets absorb the shock and the White House searches for new options, one thing is clear: the Supreme Court has upended the legal foundation of Trump’s trade war, leaving a policy once touted as a “national security bonanza” on uncertain ground.

President Trump criticized the handling of the probe into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance on Thursday, urging reporters to broaden their attention to “other subjects” after weeks of intense public scrutiny surrounding the suspected abduction.

Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, vanished on Feb. 1 after a masked intruder was caught on camera at the entrance of her home outside Tucson.

Trump said he was baffled that officials disclosed to the press that a Pima County Sheriff’s Department helicopter had been outfitted with an FBI Bluetooth “sniffer” intended to pick up signals from Guthrie’s pacemaker.

“I didn’t like when they talked about going after the pacemaker before they even started going after it,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled to Georgia.

He continued, “If in fact they could do it that way, the person would say, ‘Well, I’m not going to let that happen’… I can’t imagine why they would have done that, just in terms of strategy.”

Trump added that it was time for the media to “start reporting on other subjects also and see what happens,” calling the saga “a very sad situation.”

Meanwhile, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has been under mounting fire as leads diminish, particularly for sending a glove discovered near Guthrie’s residence to a private laboratory in Florida instead of a potentially faster FBI facility. Testing revealed DNA from an unidentified individual.

“It is a common belief in this agency that this case has become an ego case for Sheriff Nanos,” said Sgt. Aaron Cross, who heads the Pima County Deputies Organization, the union representing sheriff’s office staff.

Although the FBI is assisting, the agency has not taken over the investigation; something that would require determining that a federal crime may have occurred.

It remains unknown whether local authorities or federal agents leaked details about the Bluetooth “sniffer,” first reported by Fox News. An FBI representative later told NewsNation that “sophisticated FBI technology” was being utilized in the search.

Trump told The Post on Monday that if Guthrie is not found alive, he believes those responsible should receive the death penalty.

Footage released Thursday sharply contradicts anti-Israel commentator Tucker Carlson’s  claims of being detained by security upon arriving in Israel. Instead of a tense standoff, the video shows a cheerful Carlson enjoying celebrity treatment in the VIP lounge of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.

Carlson originally painted a harrowing picture of his arrival for a scheduled interview with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, describing the ordeal as a “bizarre” experience. He alleged that his team was aggressively confronted by local authorities upon landing.

“Men who identified themselves as airport security took our passports, hauled our executive producer into a side room and then demanded to know what we spoke to Ambassador Huckabee about,” Carlson claimed.

The footage, obtained by @OliLondonTV reveals a starkly different reality, exposing a false narrative seemingly designed to smear Israel. Far from being mistreated, the footage captures Carlson in high spirits, enthusiastically hugging an Israeli airport staff member and happily posing for a photo.

Official sources have also pushed back against the commentator’s story. A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Israel firmly denied that Carlson was detained or restricted, stating: “It is not accurate that Israel only was going to let Tucker into the country for the interview.”

Adding to the controversy, Carlson never left the immediate vicinity of the airport during his trip. This decision came despite receiving multiple invitations from various organizations, including local Christian groups, offering to host him for visits to different parts of the country.

Critics argue that his refusal to actually explore Israel and meet with diverse communities exposes an extreme anti-Israel bias. This latest incident is drawing renewed scrutiny to Carlson’s increasingly controversial rhetoric; his platforming of a Holocaust denier, a softball interview with Neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes, and frequent praise of Iran-alligned nations like Russia and Qatar.

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday  that the international community will discover “over the next, probably, ten days” if Washington can secure a diplomatic agreement with Iran or if it will resort to military force.

Speaking at the debut assembly of his Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., Trump acknowledged that “we have some work to do” to reach a consensus with the Islamic Republic regarding its nuclear ambitions, warning that “we may have to take it a step further.”

Despite the President’s ten-day timeline, an source heavily connected to the Israeli defense establishment told Belaaz that Israel is maintaining a heightened state of alert, expecting a potential attack within the next 72 hours. This source suggested that the President is attempting to give Iran a false sense of safety, remarking that he would make a fine “anesthesiologist.”

The United States has rapidly increased its military presence in the Middle East over the past few days, as talks with the Islamic Republic have stalled.

According to Thursday reports, the US Armed Forces have already authorized tactical strike blueprints, standing ready should Trump issue the final command to launch an offensive against Iran.

Meanwhile, a coalition of Democratic legislators, joined by a few Republicans, has publicly objected to executing any military operations in Iran without explicit authorization from Congress.

During his address, Trump highlighted that Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the President’s son-in-law, recently engaged in “some very good meetings” with Iranian officials.
Reflecting on the historical challenges of these negotiations, the President stated, “It’s proven to be, over the years, not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran,” adding, “Otherwise bad things happen.”

Just a day prior, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cautioned that Tehran would be “very wise” to reach an agreement with Washington, emphasizing that Trump continues to prefer a diplomatic resolution concerning Iran’s nuclear operations.

Upon its initial unveiling, Trump’s Board of Peace was widely perceived as an initiative to conclude the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and to manage the subsequent rebuilding efforts. However, over the past month, the coalition’s scope has seemingly expanded far beyond a single regional crisis, prompting speculation that the roughly two-dozen-nation assembly, chaired by Trump, is designed to bypass the United Nations entirely.

To bolster these potential operational plans, American troops have steadily intensified their regional presence in recent weeks, with a level of force deployment not seen since the Gulf War of 1991. Simultaneously, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has taken to social media to issue direct threats against US military personnel. Elaborating on this rhetoric, one of Khamenei’s online statements read: “The US President constantly says that the US has sent a warship toward Iran. Of course, a warship is a dangerous piece of military hardware,” before warning, “However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea.”

On Thursday, the British daily The Times revealed that the UK has restricted the United States from utilizing its military installations on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia for potential strikes against Iran. This development follows a statement made Wednesday night by US President Donald Trump, who asserted that America would have no choice but to utilize the strategic outpost to protect the UK and “other friendly countries.”

Simultaneously, The Wall Street Journal noted that Tehran turned down Washington’s framework for a sweeping diplomatic resolution. The US proposal demanded a complete halt to Iran’s nuclear development alongside strict limits on its ballistic and hypersonic missile programs. In response, Iranian negotiators countered with an offer featuring significantly smaller nuclear concessions. According to US officials, the talks have reached a deadlock with little hope of a breakthrough.

Tensions further spiked when a high-ranking Iranian military commander announced today that “the Revolutionary Guards are ready to take control of the Strait of Hormuz or close it as soon as possible.” Concurrently, state-run media in Iran confirmed the conclusion of a naval exercise conducted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the critical waterway, which had been ongoing since Monday.

Further details from The Wall Street Journal suggest that the influx of US military assets into the Middle East provides Washington with the firepower necessary for a prolonged, multi-week aerial campaign. This contrasts sharply with the swift, single-blow execution of the “Midnight Hammer” attack, the targeted US strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities conducted last June.

The escalating brinkmanship between the US and Iran led Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to urge all Polish citizens currently in Iran to evacuate without delay. Highlighting the urgency of the situation, he warned, “Within a few hours, there may no longer be a possibility to evacuate Poles from Iran.”

Local news broadcasts indicated Thursday morning that the IDF have further raised their readiness levels in anticipation of a potential strike on Iran. Military assessments suggest that if the US opts for military intervention, Israel will be notified beforehand. However, to maintain operational security and avoid damaging leaks, this intelligence will remain classified from the public. The report noted that discreet logistical preparations are already underway, echoing the covert strategies used during Operation “With a Dog.”

Attempting to temper the ensuing media frenzy, IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin released a statement. “Negotiations are underway, and the IDF has been prepared for maximum defense for a long time. If we are attacked – we will respond forcefully. There is no change in the assessment of the situation, and if there is – we will update through the IDF spokesman and the Home Front Command. There is no room for false alarm,” he clarified.

Later in the evening, CBS cited national security insiders who claimed the US armed forces are positioned to strike Iran by this weekend, though the operational window could easily stretch beyond the coming days. The network also revealed that the Pentagon plans to strategically relocate some of its regional personnel to Europe and the US over the next 72 hours to shield them from potential Iranian retaliation.

Following CNN’s coverage of a potential coordinated offensive pending President Trump’s authorization, Israeli defense officials are emphasizing a stark reality: even if Israel does not directly participate in the strike, intelligence assessments anticipate that Iran will retaliate by firing on Israeli territory.

Concurrently, the Israeli defense establishment has ramped up its internal readiness for the month of Ramadan, heavily reinforcing troop presence across Judea and Samaria. Northern border units are also on high alert over concerns of a sympathetic escalation by Hezbollah, while national emergency services have been directed to brace for a multi-front conflict. Despite this heightened state of vigilance, official safety directives for the civilian population remain unchanged.

Russia appealed for restraint Thursday as concerns mount over a potential US strike on Iran, even while Moscow and Tehran carry out joint naval exercises that the Kremlin says were scheduled in advance and should not be seen as provocative.

Iran has become one of Russia’s closest partners since the start of Moscow’s campaign in Ukraine.

The United States has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East, and President Donald Trump has pressed Iran to reach an agreement with Washington, implying that military force could follow if negotiations collapse.

Moscow and Iran are also conducting naval maneuvers in the Sea of Oman Thursday.

“These are planned exercises and they are agreed upon in advance,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says.

“Russia continues to develop relations with Iran and in doing so, we call on our Iranian friends and all parties in the region to exercise restraint and prudence,” he adds.

Moscow says that “political and diplomatic means to be given absolute priority in resolving various issues,” according to Peskov.

Several nations have urged their citizens to leave Iran, warning of the possibility of a military clash.

“We are currently witnessing an unprecedented escalation of tension in the region, but we still hope that political and diplomatic means and negotiations will continue to prevail in the search for a settlement,” Peskov says.

An elite Manhattan school tied to the United Nations is accused of brushing aside repeated reports of anti-Semitic harassment from a longtime Jewish faculty member – while launching a prolonged investigation into the teacher herself, according to a new lawsuit shared with the Washington Free Beacon.

The filing says Nadine Sébag, a French teacher at the UN International School (UNIS) for three decades, described a workplace openly hostile toward Jewish staff. She alleges a colleague made comments about “Jews are driven by money” and issued “vulgar references to the Holocaust,” yet the school refused to act. Instead, Sébag says UNIS subjected her to a 15-month inquiry into her own conduct, ultimately forcing her out.

According to the lawsuit, Sébag filed eight detailed complaints but received “not a single substantive response” from the school or its board. Rather than end the misconduct, the suit states, administrators let it escalate while intensifying their scrutiny of her.

The case emerges amid longstanding concerns about anti-Semitism in UN-run schools abroad. The complaint argues that the same problems have spread to the UN’s U.S. educational arm, pointing to foreign donors – including a 2023 $60 million pledge from Qatar – that have historically supported extremist groups. Although founded and overseen by the UN, UNIS is a nonprofit subject to New York anti-discrimination law.

Sébag says the harassment began after she was assigned to share an office in 2022 with teacher Nehad Soliman, who allegedly made repeated anti-Jewish and anti-French remarks. The suit claims Soliman accused Sébag of anti-Muslim bias after a conversation about head coverings but later privately conceded the accusation was false—yet the investigation continued for months.

Sébag says the hostility and prolonged probe damaged her health and amounted to “constructive termination.”

Another teacher, Isabelle Chu, reported that Soliman “physically assaulted” her after Chu defended Sébag. Chu wrote that Soliman raged about Jews “controlling” UNIS and New York and threatened that those who crossed her would “pay accordingly.”

Jewish faculty member Michal Urieli separately told administrators she had faced “vulgar references to the Holocaust and gas chambers.” She alleged Soliman repeatedly shoved a phone in her face showing graphic images meant to depict Israeli soldiers harming children, demanding she “respond on behalf of the State of Israel.” Urieli also raised concerns about a school “Walls of Peace” project that she said featured material linked to a pro-Hamas organization.

NJAC, which represents Sébag, says the case reflects a broader pattern: “Rather than examine the reported anti-Semitic conduct, the institution turned its investigatory machinery on the Jewish faculty member who reported it,” said senior litigation counsel Lauren Israelovitch.

A formidable bomb cyclone may barrel into New York City this weekend, potentially dumping as much as another foot of snow on the city, forecasters warned Wednesday.

Meteorologists say that if a nor’easter intensifies along the coast and tracks north, the Big Apple could be slammed with a significant snowfall late Sunday, according to AccuWeather’s Alex DaSilva.

The “more likely” outcome, however, is that the system “bombs out” rapidly dropping in pressure and strengthening farther south or east, leaving New York City with “just a couple of inches” of accumulation, DaSilva explained.

“Anywhere between zero and a foot is possible,” he said.

Under a worst-case scenario, snowfall totals in the city could range between 6 and 12 inches.

“It could rival the storm on January 25,” the meteorologist said, referencing the system that blanketed the city with 11.4 inches of snow in Central Park.

“It would absolutely be a very messy Monday morning commute,” DaSilva said.

The potential bomb cyclone could also lash the city with wind gusts reaching 40 mph before moving out by Monday afternoon, he added.

By Thursday, forecasters are expected to have a clearer picture of the nor’easter’s track and be able to offer more precise projections, DaSilva said.

If the storm strengthens along a northern coastal path, another heavy round of snow could sweep into the city Sunday night.

New York City is still digging out from the late-January storm that left streets and sidewalks coated in snow.

The system’s impact zone could stretch from as far south as New Jersey and Pennsylvania to as far north as Maine, the meteorologist noted.

The looming threat follows a light coating of about an inch of snow that greeted residents Monday morning.

Meanwhile, piles of grimy, trash-strewn snow from the late-January storm continue to linger across the city.

Tucker Carlson’s brief visit to Israel erupted into a public dispute on Wednesday after the anti-Israel commentator alleged that he and his staff were “detained” and subjected to unusual questioning by Israeli authorities — a claim firmly rejected by the U.S. embassy, which said he underwent routine procedures. Carlson provided no evidence to support his account.

Carlson traveled to Tel Aviv for a highly anticipated interview with former U.S. ambassador Mike Huckabee, who had challenged him to a face-to-face conversation following Carlson’s recent criticism of Israel’s treatment of Christians and its military operations in Gaza. The two have known each other for decades, and Huckabee framed the meeting as an opportunity to air disagreements directly.

But shortly after the taping, Carlson told the Daily Mail that airport security had confiscated his passport and taken his executive producer into a side room for questioning. According to his account, officials demanded details about what he discussed with Huckabee. Carlson described the experience as “bizarre” and said his team left the country immediately afterward.

His public complaints followed criticism from  commentators who accused him of remaining inside the airport rather than engaging more broadly with the country during his short visit. Former ambassador David Friedman mocked him online, suggesting Carlson intentionally avoided touring Israel despite multiple invitations.

Behind the scenes, two sources told the Daily Mail that the Israeli government initially considered blocking Carlson’s entry, prompting quiet negotiations involving the State Department. Israel ultimately allowed him to proceed in order to avoid what one local report described as a potential diplomatic incident.

A spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Israel flatly rejected Carlson’s account of being detained. The spokesperson said Carlson was simply asked routine passport-control questions – the same ones posed to countless travelers, diplomats, and even Huckabee himself – and insisted there was nothing unusual about the encounter. The embassy added that it had no involvement in Carlson’s movements other than coordinating the landing of his private plane.

“It is not accurate that Israel only was going to let Tucker into the country for the interview,” the spokesperson said, adding that Carlson opted on his own to stay only a few hours. “He received the same positive treatment as any visitor to Israel.”

The interview itself came after Carlson accused Huckabee on his YouTube program of failing to do enough to protect Christians in Israel. Huckabee publicly invited him to discuss the matter in person rather than through media commentary, an invitation Carlson accepted. Their sit-down was reportedly encouraged by figures in former President Donald Trump’s orbit, who are working to reduce internal Republican tensions over Israel.

Trump, according to former Fox News anchor Melissa Francis, has urged Carlson and others to help “turn down the temperature” within the party. Carlson remains a close ally of Trump and Vice President JD Vance and has recently been in and out of the White House for discussions on foreign policy.

An Israeli security source with close ties to the military told Belaaz on Wednesday that a joint United States–Israel strike against Iran is likely imminent, possibly within the next 24 hours, as extraordinary military preparations are underway across Israel.

The source, who has extensive, active connections to senior Israeli military figures, told Belaaz that Israel has been placed on its highest military alert status, a posture that CNN also reported this week, citing U.S. officials describing Israel as being in the “best 24 hours” of readiness.

“We’re talking from tomorrow night,” the source said in Hebrew. “Not a week and a half; tomorrow night.”

According to the source, Israeli military preparations have been extensive and costly. Army bases across Israel’s southern region have been evacuated – a major logistical undertaking that the source acknowledged was “very expensive” but deemed necessary because, in his assessment, “the south is going to be Iran’s target zone.”

Air defense systems have been redeployed across the country, and mobile safe houses have been positioned at bases, including in northern Israel. The source also said Israeli defense systems have been moved to new locations not previously used.

When asked specifically about Dimona – Israel’s highly sensitive and officially undeclared nuclear research facility in the Negev Desert – the source said the site cannot be fully evacuated, but that whatever assets and materials could be moved have been taken underground.

“Dimona can’t be touched at all. We’ve moved underground what needs to be moved. But the building still exists.”

The source also reported that 15 missile defense batteries had been deployed at a northern Israeli base.

When asked whether Israel or the United States would initiate military action, the source said he believed both would strike together. “I think it’s going to be together, or coordinated together,” he said.

The source interpreted recent diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran as a delay tactic rather than a genuine attempt at resolution, saying the talks were used to “buy time” and allow for greater military preparation.

Saudi Arabia’s public statements – in which Riyadh has warned the United States not to use their territory for military operations – were dismissed by the source as performative. “That’s just a joke,” he said. “It’s so they don’t get attacked themselves.” He noted that imagery circulating on social media appeared to show the largest U.S. military base in the region now positioned inside Saudi Arabia.

The source said he believes Hezbollah will enter the conflict despite having been significantly weakened following the killing of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah and subsequent Israeli operations against its infrastructure. “They still have missiles that could reach Tel Aviv and definitely the north,” he said, adding that Hezbollah retains capacity across multiple areas of Lebanon.

“Once they deflated their balloon – and that balloon was Nasrallah – the story is over. But they still have power.”

In a notably analytical passage, the source offered an interpretation of Iran’s strategic behavior rooted in Shia Islamic eschatology – specifically the doctrine of the “Hidden Imam,” or Mahdi, a messianic figure in Twelver Shia theology believed to have entered a state of occultation over a thousand years ago, who will return in a time of global upheaval.

“Everything the Iranians do as Shia is to cause the Hidden Imam – their Messiah – to be revealed. How will he be revealed? By them provoking great wars in the world. So everything they are doing now is to stir up major wars. That is their belief. They have to do it for him to appear.”

This analysis aligns with longstanding assessments by Western and Israeli intelligence analysts who have noted the influence of Mahdist theology on elements of the Iranian leadership, particularly within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The source argued that this doctrinal framework explains what he described as Iran’s seemingly irrational willingness to escalate; the goal is not victory in a conventional military sense, but the triggering of global chaos that, in their belief, will precipitate the Mahdi’s return.

He added that Iran’s negotiating posture must be understood within this framework: “They know how to negotiate. Israel and America know they’re full of bluff, but their whole goal is to create chaos and war in the world.”

In a remark that underscores the gravity of the anticipated events, the source predicted that Israeli parliamentary elections would not take place on schedule. “There won’t be elections in the next two years,” he said, suggesting the conflict would fundamentally reshape Israel’s political landscape.

The source also referenced March 15th as a potentially significant date, though it was unclear from context whether this referred to a specific operational deadline or a broader assessment of the window for military action.

In response to major US military deployment in the Middle East, Iran partially closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transfer channel.

Tucker Carlson, who has made false accusations against Israel’s treatment of Christians among his many lies about Jews and Israel, flew to Israel on Wednesday for an interview with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee inside Ben Gurion Airport, and left swiftly. He did not visit a single house of worship. He did not meet with a single Christian community leader. He did not walk through the Christian quarters of the Old City, or travel to the Galilee, where Christian communities have lived continuously for millennia.

He did not leave the airport.

For a man who spent an entire podcast episode telling his American audience that their coreligionists in Israel are being persecuted, oppressed, and driven from their homes by the State of Israel – with American tax dollars footing the bill – the decision to conduct a drive-through visit without once meeting the communities he claimed to champion raised the ire of many.

In early February, Carlson published an episode filmed near the Jordan River titled “Christian Persecution.” The episode featured interviews with the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem and a Jordanian businessman, and built toward a sweeping indictment: that Israel systematically mistreats its non-Jewish minority populations, that American viewers are unknowingly funding this mistreatment through US foreign aid, and that Ambassador Mike Huckabee – a prominent figure in American evangelical circles and a close ally of President Trump – is personally complicit and “should be ashamed.”

The episode landed hard in certain corners of American conservative media, where Carlson has spent recent years positioning himself as a critic of US support for Israel and a self-styled defender of persecuted Middle Eastern minorities.

Ambassador Huckabee, a former governor and former presidential candidate, was not inclined to let the attack stand unanswered. On February 5th, he responded on X with a direct challenge: “Hey @TuckerCarlson instead of talking ABOUT me, why don’t you come talk TO me?”

Carlson, who has previously platformed Holocaust deniers and gave a softball interview to Neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes, accepted.

Before examining what happened in that airport terminal, it is worth noting what Carlson told his audience, and how much of it holds up to scrutiny.

His central factual claim was that the Christian  population he was discussing is “far fewer in absolute numbers” in Israel than when the state was founded in 1948. This is not a matter of interpretation or political framing. It is simply false.

Data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, published as recently as late December 2025, tells a different story entirely. In 1949, approximately 34,000 members of this community lived within Israel’s borders. Today that number stands at roughly 185,000 – an increase of more than five-fold over the state’s history. Israel is, by the numbers, home to one of the only growing communities of this kind anywhere in the Middle East. In neighboring countries across the region, these communities have been devastated; driven out by war, persecution, and ethnic cleansing carried out by hostile Muslim regimes and terror organizations. In Israel, they have grown.

This population does represent a smaller share of Israel’s total population today than in 1948 – dropping from around 10% to under 2% – but that shift reflects the dramatic growth of Israel’s Jewish and Arab Muslim populations, not any decline in the community itself. It is a statistic that sounds alarming but was twisted out of context by Carlson.

Carlson also claimed the US is funding “the cultural and religious life of the region” through its aid to Israel, a statement he never substantiated and which conflates military assistance – directed overwhelmingly toward defense cooperation – with something it is not.

Perhaps most revealingly, Carlson’s own interview subject undercut the episode’s thesis in real time. When Carlson told viewers that “what Ambassador Huckabee is doing is shameful and he’s going to have to answer for it,” the Archbishop himself stepped in to say: “I don’t want to blame Huckabee for this.” On the incidents of Jewish extremists harassing clergy in Jerusalem, the Archbishop himself described the perpetrators as “fringe groups” and “radicals,” a characterization that fit poorly with the sweeping indictment Carlson was constructing around it.

The episode, notably, included no Israeli response whatsoever.

The airport visit becomes still more striking when set against what Carlson chose not to do.

According to reports, leaders of the very communities Carlson spent an episode claiming to advocate for reached out and offered to meet with him personally. They offered to arrange special tours of significant historic sites across the country. They wanted to show him their communities, their institutions, their lives.

Tucker Carlson did not respond.

He flew into Ben Gurion Airport, filmed an interview with Ambassador Huckabee inside the terminal complex, and was back in the air by 3 p.m. The community leaders who had extended a hand of welcome to the man who claimed to speak for their cause were not afforded so much as a phone call in return.

The visit comes at a moment of unusual turbulence within American conservatism over the question of Israel. What was once a near-unanimous position in Republican politics — strong support for the US-Israel alliance — has become an increasingly sharp internal debate, driven in no small part by Carlson’s media platform and the wing of the right he speaks for.

The tension has apparently reached the highest levels. According to Melissa Francis, a former television news anchor who has been active in pro-Israel advocacy since October 7th and who was recently interviewed at the Jerusalem Post studios, President Donald Trump has personally urged Carlson to ease up.

“President Trump told Tucker Carlson to ‘turn down the temperature’ on the GOP rift over Israel,” Francis told the Jerusalem Post.

As images of clashes between extremist Charedi protesters and Israeli police continue to circulate on social media, Charedi leaders are navigating a crisis that threatens Torah life in the Jewish state. Belaaz spoke with Degel Hatorah MK Rabbi Yitzchak Pindrus, who delivered a fiery speech in the Knesset this week, and director of Eretz Hakodesh and its Iggud Bnei Yeshivos Chu”l program, Rabbi Nechemia Malinowitz, who has been working behind the scenes on behalf of American dual citizens navigating Israel’s military bureaucracy.

—
‘They Made a Million and a Half People Criminals’

MK Pindrus did not mince words when asked to describe the current atmosphere facing the Charedi tzibur in Israel.

“There’s no doubt that the tzibbur is under tremendous pressure,” he told Belaaz. “It’s been going on for almost two years, and it’s becoming worse and worse.”

He described a multi-front assault on Charedi life – budget cuts to Charedi education, erosion of the communal boundaries that have allowed the community to maintain its lifestyle, and above all, the looming specter of criminal liability for yeshiva bochurim who have not enlisted. “They’re making 100,000 boys into criminals; illegal and criminals,” Pindrus said, noting that the ripple effects extend across a community of over a million people. “Between 1.3 and 1.5 million people are under tremendous pressure.”

When asked about the violent protests that have made international headlines – demonstrators blocking roads, burning trash bins, and confronting police officers – Pindrus offered a sharp rejoinder to those who have condemned the Charedi community for the unrest. He argued that those demanding calm are the very same people who created the conditions for the explosion.

“It’s as if I walked into your house, started breaking in, I start stealing everything, and then I start screaming at you – ‘What are you doing? Why are you so nervous? Calm down,'” he said. “The same people that created that pressure, that created the delegitimization of us that put a million and a half people outside the fence – they’re the ones complaining, ‘Why are they so violent?'”

He was careful to note that there is a difference between criticism from within and criticism from without. “If my brother tells me, ‘Listen, I think you should calm down, let’s figure out a way to take control of the situation’ — that’s one thing. But the intruder himself? You’re out of your mind.”

On the legislative front, Pindrus confirmed that a vote on the draft bill – which has been the subject of intense coalition negotiations – could come at any moment. “It could happen tonight, it could happen tomorrow, it could happen by the weekend,” he said. If the Charedi parties can support the bill as written, it moves forward. If not, he warned, “that probably means we’re going to elections.”

The American Question

For American dual citizens with sons learning in Israeli yeshivos, the crisis has raised urgent practical questions: Are Americans being swept up in arrests? Are their sons at risk? Is the situation affecting their ability to stay and learn?

Rabbi Nechemia Malinowitz, who has emerged as a tireless advocate for American bnei yeshiva within the Israeli system, says he is very close to finalizing arrangements with army officials on behalf of this community — and that, for now, Americans are largely not being caught up in the dragnet.

“There’s no American issue,” he said. “There’s like 25 in one yeshiva in Bnei Brak, but that’s about it. There’s no real issue with Americans being rounded up anywhere.”

The increased posture of Israeli law enforcement has not, by and large, targeted Americans. Rabbi Malinowitz acknowledges that American bochurim occasionally get arrested for “doing stupid things,” but says the broader crackdown is not focused on them.

Critically, Rabbi Malinowitz has worked to convince Israeli authorities – including senior army generals he met with on a tour of American yeshivos – that the American world is distinct from the Israeli Charedi world.

“I succeeded in convincing them that the American world is disconnected from this,” he said.

—

Rabbi Malinowitz was direct when speaking about the violent protests: “It’s very, very sad. It’s a few bad apples. It’s not the da’as Gedolei Torah. It’s not our derech in any way, shape or form.”

He also declined to give the police a pass. “The police are terribly wrong here too. Both sides in this latest story are terrible.”

His bottom line was a call for de-escalation across the board. “Everybody has to take a deep breath and realize that this has to get solved — sooner rather than later. Each side doubling down on their positions is not going to get anybody anywhere. At the end of the day, there’s going to have to be some sort of agreement, some sort of a law.”

What Comes Next

For American families with sons in Eretz Yisroel, Rabbi Malinowitz says relief may be on the horizon. He is in the final stages of negotiations aimed at simplifying the rules governing American dual citizens — rules he describes as overly complicated and poorly understood even by those most affected.

“Part of what we’re working very hard on is to make the rules simpler,” he said. “If we make the rules simpler and change some of them, you’ll be able to understand them, and I’m willing to help get them out there. That’s part of the deal.”

He noted that once any agreement is finalized, communicating the new rules to the American community will be a priority. “If we change the rules, it’s going to be our job to get it out there.”

A New Jersey Superior Court judge has denied a motion by Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) to dismiss a lawsuit alleging the university engaged in antisemitic discrimination and retaliation against a Jewish professor.

The ruling marks a significant legal victory for the plaintiff, Ira Jaskoll, an adjunct professor and former volunteer Jewish chaplain at the school, who filed the suit last September. The court’s decision allows the case to proceed to discovery, rejecting the university’s attempt to have the claims thrown out early in the legal process.

In an exclusive statement to Belaaz, legal scholar Marc Goldfeder, who is representing the plaintiff along with the National Jewish Advocacy Center (NJAC) and Rothbort Law, praised the court for distinguishing this case from other recent rulings that have shielded universities.

“Thank God this court became the first to reject the First Circuit’s flawed, nonprecedential reasoning and call antisemitism what it is: Hateful, wrong, and potentially unlawful, even when it hides behind the veil of ‘anti-Zionism,’” Goldfeder told Belaaz.

Goldfeder highlighted the broader legal implications of the decision on social media, noting that the judge explicitly rejected FDU’s attempt to use a recent decision involving MIT by the First Circuit Court of Appeals as a shield against liability.

“The judge DENIED FDU’s motion to dismiss—and rejected FDU’s attempt to use the First Circuit’s MIT decision as a get-out-of-liability card for antisemitic discrimination,” Goldfeder wrote on X.

The ruling signals that New Jersey courts may take a stricter stance on how universities handle anti-Zionist rhetoric when it crosses the line into discriminatory conduct against Jewish staff and students.

The lawsuit began in September 2025, when Jaskoll alleged that the private university suspended him from his volunteer chaplaincy role after he protested an on-campus event. According to the complaint, a speaker at the event accused Israel of committing “genocide” and operating an “apartheid” state.

Jaskoll reportedly stood up during the event to tell the audience that the rhetoric was discriminatory against Jews. He was subsequently told to leave the premises. Following the incident, the university allegedly suspended him from his volunteer role and conditioned his return on an apology.

Despite the conflict, Jaskoll has remained listed as a faculty member.

FDU is known in the Jewish community for its “yeshiva and seminary programs,” which allow Orthodox students to transfer credits and complete degrees on an accelerated schedule.

Since the filing of the lawsuit, Fairleigh Dickinson University has maintained its innocence. In a statement provided to JNS when the suit was filed in September, Dina Schipper, FDU’s executive director of communication, said the school “categorically denies” the allegations.
“Students, faculty and staff have been able to freely study and work at the university,” Schipper stated at the time.

With the motion to dismiss denied, the university will now have to face the allegations in court as the case moves forward.

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented a $127 billion preliminary budget on Tuesday that threatens to upend the finances of New York’s middle-class homeowners, proposing a collosal property tax increase to close a looming fiscal gap.

While the Democratic Socialist mayor campaigned on a platform of wealth redistribution and protecting the “working class” from the elite, his first major budget proposal targets a very different demographic: the city’s homeowners, many of whom are struggling with the cost of living.

Included in the mayor’s fiscal plan is a proposed 9.5 percent increase in city property taxes; a levy he can enact without approval from Albany. The hike is intended to plug part of a projected $5.4 billion revenue shortfall over the next two fiscal years.

The proposal has drawn immediate criticism for contradicting the central tenet of Mamdani’s political identity. Throughout his campaign, the Mayor pledged that new revenue would be derived from the ultra-wealthy to fund social programs like free buses and universal childcare. However, the data reveals that the burden of this new tax will fall squarely on the shoulders of the middle class.

According to city figures acknowledged by the Mayor himself, the tax hike would impact more than 3 million residential units. The median income of these property owners is $122,000 ; a figure that, in the high-cost environment of New York City, represents working families rather than the millionaire class Mamdani frequently targets in his speeches.

Critics note that for a mayor who swept into office with chants of “tax the rich,” balancing the budget on the backs of families earning a middle-class income suggests a collision between socialist ideology and fiscal reality.

“Owners of small rental properties are sick and tired of being treated like ATM machines every time the city needs to balance the budget,” said Ann Korchak, board president of the Small Property Owners of New York. She characterized the move as a “war” on immigrant property owners and multigenerational families who have invested their life savings into their homes.

Mamdani portrayed the property tax hike as a “painful” necessity that he hopes to avoid, positioning it as leverage to force Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature to enact a new tax on millionaires and corporations.

“There are two paths that we can walk: One that offers long-term stability and a second one with significant pain that we deeply hope to avoid,” Mamdani told reporters at City Hall.

However, political observers view this as a risky gamble with the city’s fiscal stability. Governor Hochul has already signaled her opposition to raising taxes on the wealthy this year and dismissed the Mayor’s property tax proposal.

“I’m not supportive of a property tax increase,” Hochul said Tuesday. “I don’t know that that’s necessary.”

Even fellow Democrats in the City Council are balking at the proposal. City Council Speaker Julie Menin, a moderate Democrat, rejected the idea, stating that with New Yorkers already grappling with an affordability crisis, such increases “should not be on the table whatsoever.”

While the Mayor seeks more revenue from homeowners, questions regarding city spending remain at the forefront of the budget debate.

The budget proposal includes drawing down $1.2 billion from the city’s “rainy day” fund and retiree healthcare reserves, a move that fiscal watchdogs warn could leave the city vulnerable during future economic downturns.

Furthermore, despite a decrease in the number of asylum seekers arriving in the city, the costs associated with the migrant crisis continue to strain the treasury. The Mayor’s budget allocates an additional $1.2 billion for migrant care in the 2026 fiscal year. This brings the city’s total spending on the crisis to over $10 billion in the last half-decade.

While the number of asylum seekers in city care has dropped from a peak of nearly 69,000 in 2024 to roughly 30,000 today, the sustained high level of spending has led taxpayers to question whether the administration is doing enough to tighten its own belt before asking families to tighten theirs.

For New York’s Jewish community, many of whom are property owners with paid-off mortgages who live on fixed incomes, the prospect of a near double-digit tax hike is a cause for deep concern.

U.S. and Iranian officials wrapped up a second round of indirect talks in Geneva on Tuesday, with reports indicating “good progress.” At the same time, the United States sent a massive force of more than 50 fighter jets to the Middle East, underscoring that military action remains a clear option if diplomacy falters.

The Geneva negotiations, mediated by Oman, concluded with Tehran agreeing to submit detailed proposals within two weeks to bridge gaps over its nuclear program. Yet, the optimism from the talks stood in stark contrast to the surge of American airpower and renewed anti-regime protests erupting across Iranian cities.

A U.S. official, speaking anonymously to the Times of Israel, said the discussions advanced the process, though major challenges remain.

“Progress was made, but there are still a lot of details to discuss,” the official said. “The Iranians said they would come back in the next two weeks with detailed proposals to address some of the open gaps in our positions.”

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who has long served as a bridge between the West and Iran, struck a cautiously hopeful tone. He noted that the talks ended with “good progress towards identifying common goals and relevant technical issues.”

Earlier this month, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Albusaidi in Muscat, highlighting the Trump administration’s reliance on Gulf partners to maintain these sensitive communication channels.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sought to convey conciliation on Tuesday, telling interviewers that Tehran is open to international “verification” to demonstrate it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

“We are absolutely not seeking nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian claimed. “If anyone wants to verify this, we are open to such verification to take place.”

At the same time, Pezeshkian insisted that “Iran will never give up on its nuclear program.” Western powers remain skeptical, pointing out that Tehran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels, far beyond civilian needs, while repeatedly blocking inspectors from international agencies.

While diplomats exchanged proposals in Switzerland, the Pentagon executed one of the largest aerial deployments to the region in recent decades.

U.S. officials and flight tracking data show that over a 24-hour period, more than 50 fighter jets—including F-22s, F-35s, and F-16s, supported by aerial refueling tankers—were sent to the Middle East.

Diplomatic sources described the scale of the deployment as unprecedented in decades. The move sends a sharp signal from the Trump administration, which has warned that it could respond with force to both Iran’s nuclear advances and its violent suppression of domestic dissent.

Pressure on Tehran is mounting internally as well. On Tuesday, protests erupted nationwide in Iran, marking the 40th day of mourning for the tens of thousands killed in the January crackdown.

Despite heavy-handed suppression, videos verified by international news agencies showed crowds in Abadan and Mashhad chanting “Death to Khamenei” and “Long live the Shah.” Footage from Abadan captured civilians fleeing the sounds of gunfire.

The Iranian regime held counter-rallies in Tehran, blaming the deaths of protesters on “terrorist acts.”

Hezbollah terrorists rejected the Lebanese government’s decision to give the national army at least four months to advance the second stage of a countrywide disarmament plan of the terror group, arguing that the move ultimately benefits Israel and therefore cannot be accepted, Hezbollah said Tuesday.

In August 2025, Lebanon’s cabinet instructed the army to craft and begin carrying out a strategy to bring all weapons held by armed groups under state authority: an initiative primarily aimed at disarming Hezbollah following its 2023–2024 war with Israel.

The following month, the cabinet officially approved the army’s proposal for disarming the group, though it avoided setting a concrete deadline and warned that the army’s limited capabilities and ongoing Israeli strikes could impede progress.

Speaking Monday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem argued that “what the Lebanese government is doing by focusing on disarmament is a major mistake because this issue serves the goals of Israeli aggression.”

Information Minister Paul Morcos said during a late press conference that the government had reviewed the army’s latest monthly progress report. The plan includes limiting weapons in areas north of the Litani River up to the Awali River in Sidon, and the government granted the military a four-month window to proceed.
“The required time frame is four months, renewable depending on available capabilities, Israeli attacks and field obstacles,” he stated.

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah reaffirmed the group’s firm opposition to both the timeline and the broader effort, declaring, “we cannot be lenient.”

The group has repeatedly dismissed the disarmament initiative as misguided, pointing to ongoing Israeli strikes on its members. Shi’ite ministers walked out of the cabinet meeting in protest.

Israel insists that removing Hezbollah’s weapons is essential for security, arguing that arms held outside Lebanese state control pose a direct threat, as the terrorists have pledged to not end their campaign of murdering Israelis.

Israeli officials maintain that any disarmament plan must be fully implemented, particularly in areas near the border, and that Hezbollah’s continued actions violate the ceasefire.

Israel has also indicated it will continue operations aimed at preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding or expanding its arsenal.

Jesse Jackson, a prominent figure in the civil rights movement whose decades of public life were frequently marred by the embrace of openly antisemitic figures and inflammatory rhetoric against the Jewish community, has died at the age of 84.

While Jackson was widely recognized as a force in American politics – mounting two failed presidential campaigns and registering millions of voters – his legacy within the Jewish community remains deeply troubled, defined by a series of incidents that created a rift that never fully healed.

For many American Jews, Jackson’s name became synonymous with the breaking of the historic civil rights alliance between Blacks and Jews. This fracture was most vividly exposed during his 1984 presidential run, when Jackson was forced to admit to using the antisemitic slur “Hymietown” to describe New York City in a conversation with a reporter.

The derogatory reference to “Hyman,” a common English name used by Jews at the time, which bears resemblance to the name “Chaim,” shocked the Jewish community.

Jackson initially denied making the comments, including during a televised national debate. It was only later, facing mounting pressure, that he offered an apology at a synagogue in New Hampshire, stating, “It is human to err, divine to forgive.”

However, for many communal leaders, the “Hymietown” affair was not an isolated incident, but part of a disturbing pattern of hostility.

During that same 1984 campaign, Jackson refused to distance himself from Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, who had introduced Jackson at a rally. Even after Farrakhan notoriously referred to Judaism as a “gutter religion,” Jews as “termites,” among other hateful remarks, Jackson’s campaign issued a statement denouncing the specific comments but notably failed to denounce Farrakhan himself. Farrakhan has also praised Adolf Hitler.

Jessie Jackson with Nation of Islam founder Louis Farrakhan.

Jackson’s record on Israel further exacerbated tensions. Long before it was common in American politics, Jackson met with PLO leader Yasser Arafat in Lebanon in 1979. At the time, the United States refused to engage with the PLO until it acknowledged Israel’s right to exist.

Jackson’s embrace of Arafat, who had ordered many terror attacks on Jews, was viewed by many as a legitimization of terrorism.

In the summer of 1984, Jackson further alienated Jewish leadership by claiming that Israeli weapons were being used to maintain apartheid in South Africa and questioning U.S. military aid to the Jewish state.

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Jackson made various attempts to rehabilitate his image with Jewish leadership. In July 1992, he addressed the World Jewish Congress in Brussels, where he condemned antisemitism and called Zionism a “liberation movement.”

Yet, Jewish leaders remained skeptical of his sincerity, often viewing his overtures as political pragmatism rather than genuine repentance.

Abraham Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League at the time, was blunt regarding Jackson’s attempts to pivot. “It is a record that has been marred by an insensitive view of Jewish history, the Holocaust, Zionism and the modern Jewish state,” Foxman said. “One speech to the Jewish community… will not repair it.”

Even in later years, when Jackson was invited to speak at Yeshiva University and other Jewish venues, he often minimized the threat of antisemitism within his own community. In a speech at YU, he denied that “Black antisemitism” was a structural phenomenon, despite the Black community’s statistically disproportionate representation among antisemitic hate crimes and assaults, insisting instead that hatred was confined to “misguided individuals” and arguing that the greater threat to Jews came from the far right.

An archaeological site used for the production of stone vessels during the Bayis Sheni era was uncovered on the eastern slopes of Mt. Scopus in Yerushalayim following the arrest of a gang of antiquities thieves this week, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced Tuesday.

The IAA notes that the workshop produced vessels for Jews some 2,000 years ago, a period when the use of stone was prevalent due to the halachos of tumah and taharah.

The discovery was made by the IAA’s Theft Prevention Unit. Inspectors noticed “fresh excavation marks at the Ras Tamim antiquities site,” which raised suspicions of illegal activity. Following “covert surveillance and an ambush,” five suspects were arrested late at night. They were found in possession of excavation equipment, including a generator, excavating tools, and a metal detector.

The suspects are expected to be indicted for illegal excavation and causing damage to an antiquities site.

Inside the underground cave where the workshop operated, archaeologists discovered “hundreds of stone fragments, production waste, and unfinished items.”

Researchers emphasized the location’s importance for people traveling to the Beis Hamikdash for the Shalosh Regalim.

“The discovery of this workshop, alongside huge water reservoirs and a mikveh from the Bayit Sheni period, testifies to the centrality of this site some 2,000 years ago, as it was located on the main road that Jewish pilgrims used when coming to Yerushalayim from the east,” the researchers said.

The stone vessels from the workshop are now on public display in a new exhibition at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Yerushalayim.

In a separate announcement on Tuesday, the IAA revealed that a rare stone seal from the era of Malchus Yehudah (8th century BCE) was discovered during construction at the Ein Tut Interchange in northern Israel.

The seal features intricate carvings, including four pomegranates on the upper section. The other two sections contain an ancient Hebrew inscription reading: “Belonging to Makhach (son of) Amichai.”

In a major signal of military contingency plans amid ongoing diplomatic negotiations, the United States has deployed more than 50 fighter jets to the Middle East over the past 24 hours, according to U.S. officials who spoke with the Times of Israel and flight tracking data.

The significant buildup includes advanced F-22, F-35, and F-16 combat aircraft, as well as aerial refueling tankers, marking a scale of military movement that diplomatic sources say has not been seen in the region in decades.

The deployment coincides with the second round of high-level talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Geneva, Switzerland, aimed at addressing Tehran’s nuclear program.

A U.S. official confirmed to the Axios news site that the aircraft were repositioned within the last day. The move follows open-source flight tracking data that spotted the massive wave of airpower heading toward the region.

The surge in military hardware comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions. The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened the use of force, citing both Tehran’s rapid advancement of its nuclear capabilities and its deadly crackdown on protesters last month.

“The scale of the military buildup in the Middle East hasn’t been seen in decades,” a diplomatic source told the Faytuks Network, underscoring the severity with which Washington is approaching the current standoff.

While the State Department has not officially commented on the operational details, the presence of such a large strike force serves as a potent backdrop to the negotiations in Switzerland, signaling that the military option remains on the table should diplomacy fail.

Delegations from Moscow and Kyiv met in Geneva on Tuesday for a new round of U.S.-brokered peace talks, coming just days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. With both sides holding firm on core demands, expectations for a breakthrough remained low.

Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov shared photos of the delegations seated around a horseshoe-shaped table, noting that the agenda focuses on security and humanitarian issues. The United States was represented by envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner.

A major obstacle continues to be Russia’s insistence that Ukraine cede control of the eastern Donbas region. Military leaders from the United States, Russia, and Ukraine also joined the discussions to explore potential ceasefire monitoring mechanisms and future security guarantees.

President Donald Trump called the gathering “big talks” and urged Ukraine to “come to the table fast,” even though Kyiv has consistently taken part in negotiations.

Russia’s delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, a longtime adviser who previously headed peace efforts in early 2022. Also attending on the U.S. side were Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.

As the talks were underway, Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile attack across 12 Ukrainian regions, injuring civilians and leaving tens of thousands without heat or running water in the city of Odesa. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, saying they undermine Washington’s push for peace and reiterating that Ukraine has accepted all realistic U.S. proposals, including a long-term ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Security Service carried out long-range drone strikes on strategic sites deep inside Russia, including the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal in the Krasnodar region and the Metafrax Chemicals plant in the Perm region.

The Geneva discussions coincided with separate indirect U.S.–Iran talks also being held in the city, underscoring Geneva’s role in several parallel diplomatic efforts.

A self-driven car became stuck at an intersection in the heart of the Los Angeles Jewish community Monday afternoon, sparking renewed concerns regarding the safety of autonomous vehicles, especially in densely populated neighborhoods.

During a bout of heavy rain, a Waymo driverless taxi malfunctioned and stalled directly in the center of the intersection at Beverly Boulevard and North La Brea Avenue, near Yeshiva Rav Isacsohn Toras Emes Academy.

A witness told Belaaz that the vehicle appeared to become “confused” by the inclement weather, freezing in place while oncoming traffic was forced to swerve around the obstacle.

“It stalled in the middle of the intersection. As you can see, cars are going around it and it’s pouring rain,” the concerned local resident told Belaaz.

The intersection, a critical artery for residents of the Hancock Park and La Brea areas, is frequently traversed by families and children.

The resident expressed deep concern that the novelty of the technology is masking serious safety risks, particularly for visitors to the area.

“Tourists from Lakewood or elsewhere.. they think [the cars] are so cute,” the resident said, noting the popularity of the driverless taxis among families visiting from out of town. “They don’t realize it’s really dangerous.”

This is not the first time autonomous vehicles have struggled with complex driving conditions. Industry experts have noted that heavy rain can interfere with the LIDAR and camera sensors these vehicles rely on to navigate. However, for the local residents, the technical explanation offers little comfort when safety is compromised near schools and shuls.

The witness continued. “I feel like this is my sharing, trying to educate people,” she stated. “They’re really not safe. They’re not safe at all.”

ARIZONA – Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed this afternoon that the entire Guthrie family, including all siblings and spouses, has been fully cleared of involvement in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.

This includes the son in law brother in law who many suspected that may have been in volved.

The Sheriff stated: “The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case.”

Morocco and Albania are preparing to join the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, which will take on peacekeeping responsibilities during the Trump administration’s Phase 2 ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas, the Jerusalem Post reported Monday. Kan News added that Greece is also set to participate.

The news come shortly after Indonesia announced it would be the first country to formally join the mission, and just ahead of the Board of Peace summit scheduled to take place in the United States on Thursday. According to the Associated Press, Indonesia’s contribution will begin in April, starting with about 1,000 troops and expanding to around 8,000 by June; a larger force than previously projected.

There is still no confirmed deployment schedule for Morocco, Albania, or Greece, but reports in mid-January indicated Morocco was expected to be one of the largest contributors alongside Indonesia. Morocco has maintained close defense ties with Israel since the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020.

Indonesia has already begun selecting and screening troops for the mission, the AP reported. Still, officials noted the deployment could be delayed if conditions in Gaza worsen or if renewed clashes with Hamas make the situation unsuitable for peacekeepers on the ground.

In recent months, several other nations – including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Italy, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey and others – were mentioned as potential contributors to the stabilization force, but none have progressed beyond general statements of interest.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is expected to visit Washington for Trump’s Board of Peace summit on February 19.

Neither the ISF as a whole nor Indonesia’s contingent is expected to engage directly with Hamas or attempt to disarm the group. The mission is instead intended to monitor existing ceasefire lines and potentially help manage border-related issues.

Gov. Kathy Hochul is directing another $1.5 billion in state funds to New York City, offering a financial boost to Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he urges Albany to raise taxes on the wealthy.

Hochul announced Monday that the state will provide $1 billion for the current fiscal year and an additional $500 million for the next. The infusion arrives as the democratic socialist mayor faces a looming budget gap ahead of his first spending plan; a major challenge for a new administration that pledged billions in new public benefits.

Mamdani previously sparked concern after warning of a $12 billion deficit he said was left behind by the Eric Adams administration due to under-budgeting. But his team walked back that projection two weeks later, revealing the shortfall was at least $5 billion smaller because officials failed to include $7.2 billion in end-of-year tax revenue, largely tied to Wall Street bonuses.

Still, Mamdani has continued pressing Hochul and lawmakers to impose a 2% tax increase on New Yorkers earning $1 million or more. Hochul has repeatedly resisted the idea, with insiders pointing to the political risks of embracing a tax hike in an election year.

“A strong New York City means a stronger New York State. This investment protects services and puts the city on stable financial footing,” Hochul said. “New Yorkers expect the state and the city to work together, and I’m proud to partner with the Mayor to deliver for working families.”

Mamdani welcomed the financial support, saying he was “heartened” by the governor’s decision. “This is what it looks like to begin a new, productive, and fair relationship between City Hall and Albany – focused on delivering for working New Yorkers,” he said.

The mayor is scheduled to present his 2026 and 2027 fiscal plans on Tuesday, both of which must be balanced.

A proposed Constitutional amendment that would allow Congress to invalidate presidential pardons secured its first Republican co-sponsor on Monday, marking an unusual moment of GOP resistance aimed at President Trump.

The effort comes as Trump’s use of the pardon power continues to spark bipartisan criticism. He began his second term by pardoning thousands of Jan. 6 defendants, including individuals accused of assaulting law enforcement during the 2021 Capitol riot. He has since granted clemency to several high-profile figures, including Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, former Rep. George Santos of New York, Ozy Media CEO Carlos Watson, Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and cryptocurrency executive Changpeng “CZ” Zhao. Most recently, he pardoned five former NFL players convicted of financial and drug-related offenses.

The amendment is being led by Rep. Johnny Olszewski of Maryland, who announced Monday that Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska has joined as the first Republican co-sponsor. The proposal would create a process allowing 20 House members and five senators to force a vote on overturning a presidential pardon, which would then require a two-thirds majority in both chambers. “This amendment creates a narrow, commonsense check to ensure the pardon power is used fairly and responsibly — regardless of who occupies the White House,” Olszewski said in a statement.

Bacon said the measure would restore balance to the system. “Presidential pardons are an important constitutional authority, but like all powers held by the executive branch, these authorities benefit from the appropriate checks and balances the Constitution envisioned,” he said. He added that concerns over misuse have spanned multiple administrations: “Frankly, it is clear to me the pardon authority has been abused. I’m pleased to cosponsor Rep. Olszewski’s Pardon Integrity Act, a constitutional amendment that establishes a narrow, commonsense guardrail.”

Controversial pardons have been a recurring feature of modern presidencies. For Bill Clinton, it was the pardon of financier Marc Rich. For George W. Bush, it was Scooter Libby. Trump’s first term included pardons for close allies such as Michael Flynn, Roger Stone and Paul Manafort. At the end of his term, President Biden pardoned his son Hunter after his conviction on felony gun charges and guilty plea to tax charges.

Despite renewed attention, the amendment faces steep odds: changing the Constitution requires two-thirds approval in both the House and Senate, or ratification by 38 states, making the proposal a long shot.

A simmering conflict regarding religious freedom in Europe erupted into a full-scale diplomatic confrontation on Monday, as the United States launched a scathing public rebuke of the Belgian government over the prosecution of three Antwerp mohalim.

In a move described as a “frontal battle” for religious rights by US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White, the Ambassador issued a statement demanding that Belgian authorities immediately drop what the US administration has termed an “anti-Semitic and ridiculous lawsuit” against the religious leaders.

According to Israel’s Channel 14 News, The Ambassador’s intervention is backed by the highest levels of the American administration, including President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.

The dispute centers on the prosecution of three senior mohalim in Antwerp. Police raided their homes in the dead of night, terrifying the rabbis’ families – a case that has drawn the ire of Jewish communities worldwide.

White wrote on X in a statement direcred to the Belgian Minister of Health, Frank Vandenbroucke, that he cease  “unacceptable harassment” and allow for full religious freedom.
“We are in 2026,” the Ambassador stated. “Move forward to the 21st century and stop this ridiculous trial.”

White described Vandenbroucke’s conduct as “particularly impudent.”

According to Channel 14, during an official meeting between the two nations’ representatives, the Belgian Health Minister refused to shake the American representative’s hand or pose for a photograph in the conference room.

“This is an evasive tactic,” the US statement read, dismissing the Minister’s hesitation. The American delegation demanded that the Minister stop waiting for legal proceedings to drag out and instead act immediately to settle the legal status of Bris Milah and protect those who perform it.

In a stinging reminder of historical atrocities, the American representative pointedly reminded  Vandenbroucke that tens of thousands of American soldiers sacrificed their lives on Belgian soil to secure the country’s freedom during two World Wars.

“It is clear you don’t like America,” the message read, emphasizing that Belgium has a moral obligation to behave as a “civilized country that respects religious freedom.”

Escalating the pressure further, White announced plans to travel to Antwerp next week. The visit is intended as a show of solidarity, where he will meet personally with the mohalim facing prosecution and their families.

In a direct challenge to the Belgian government, the Ambassador publicly invited  Vandenbroucke and politician Conner Rousseau to join him on the visit, urging them to see firsthand the distress their policies have caused the Jewish community.

“It is disgusting what is happening to these families because of your inaction,” the representative concluded.

Winter-weary New Yorkers started their Monday with a new layer of snow; and forecasters say an even bigger round could arrive in about a week.

Most neighborhoods across the city picked up at least an inch overnight, while some parts of Long Island collected more than two inches. This came even as old, grimy piles of snow from storms weeks earlier still clutter streets and sidewalks.

“Pretty impressive little quick-hitting storm today,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva told The NY Post, noting that another system may develop exactly a week from now, sometime between Sunday and next Monday.

“It looks like there could be a coastal storm that may try to form during that time. It’s way too early to talk about any kind of amounts or anything like that. And it’s still possible that the storm could go safely out to sea,” DaSilva said.

Thankfully, temperatures are expected to climb into the 40s on Monday. For the rest of the week, conditions should mostly stay above freezing; welcome news for anyone tired of navigating lingering snowbanks.

“So through this week, highs and lows above freezing should be able to melt some of that dirty snow that we’re seeing across the city,” DaSilva said.

He added that although the city may not see every last pile disappear – some mounds are simply too big – a significant portion should melt away by Friday.

Monday morning’s snowfall also didn’t seem to interfere much with local air travel, according to flight-tracking data.

Security guards at the Casino de Paris confiscated Israeli flags from attendees at a concert by Itay Levy Motzoei Shabbos, in what many present described as an openly discriminatory and antisemitic action targeting Jews and Israelis.

Witnesses said security staff refused to allow Israeli flags into the venue and later swept through the audience to seize flags that had been smuggled inside; a move attendees viewed as an attempt to suppress Jewish identity and pro-Israel expression in a city already struggling with rising antisemitism.

Levy, who performed wrapped in an Israeli flag, condemned the venue’s conduct after being informed of the confiscations. He said he would have stopped the concert had he known earlier, calling the practice unacceptable.

The event’s producer, Keren HaYesod, denounced the flag ban as a clear violation of the audience’s national, cultural, and personal rights, and as yet another example of discriminatory treatment Jews are facing in parts of Europe. The group emphasized that suppressing Israeli symbols in this manner is both intolerant and harmful, especially at an event aimed at cultural celebration and community solidarity.

Despite the incident, the organization said the crowd’s unity and pride ultimately overtook the negativity, with the audience refusing to let an act of prejudice define the night.

Residents in Iran shouted slogans against the country’s clerical leadership from windows and balconies Sunday, just one day after huge opposition demonstrations were held by Iranians abroad across Europe and North America.

Although street protests have largely subsided under the weight of a deadly regime crackdown, people in Tehran and other cities have recently begun voicing anti-government slogans from the safety of their homes in large apartment complexes.

In the latest night of chants, residents of the eastern Tehran neighborhood of were heard shouting “death to Khamenei,” “death to the Islamic republic,” and “long live the shah,” according to the Shahrak Ekbatan social media account, which monitors the area.

, son of the deposed shah, has encouraged Iranians inside the country to stage such actions in parallel with the major pro-monarchy protests held abroad over the weekend.

Police in reported that 250,000 people attended a large rally there on Saturday; noteworthy because Pahlavi addressed the crowd in person. Similar demonstrations were held in diaspora centers including and .

Pahlavi’s office stated on that more than a million people participated in such rallies worldwide, though the number could not be independently confirmed.

The Persian-language broadcaster , which operates outside , reported that similar anti-government chanting took place in other parts of Tehran as well. It broadcast footage of people shouting, “This is the final battle; Pahlavi is coming back,” and “Death to the Guards,” referring to the regime’s ideological military force, the .

According to the outlet, hostile slogans were also heard in other cities, including and .

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that member nations of the “Board of Peace” have officially committed to deploying thousands of personnel to a new International Stabilization Force in Gaza, signaling a major shift in the post-war management of the region.

In a statement released on Truth Social, the President revealed that the coalition’s commitment extends beyond security personnel. Member nations have also pledged more than $5 billion to fund humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.

Trump, who serves as Chairman of the Board of Peace, underscored the historic nature of the initiative. “The Board… will prove to be the most consequential International Body in History,” he stated, highlighting the administration’s success in rallying international partners to share the burden of stabilizing the Middle East.

The announcement comes just days before the Board of Peace is scheduled to convene in Washington. The meeting, set for this coming Thursday, is expected to finalize details regarding the deployment of forces and the allocation of the pledged funds.

This development follows a busy week for the President, who visited the Fort Bragg U.S. Army base on Friday to honor special forces involved in a separate military operation in Venezuela earlier this year.

For Israel, the establishment of an International Stabilization Force funded and manned by a broad coalition is seen as a critical element in ensuring long-term security on the southern border without necessitating a permanent IDF presence in every sector of the enclave. The financial pledge also suggests a strong international commitment to preventing a vacuum of governance in Gaza.

With the April 15 tax filing deadline fast approaching, tax professionals are urging the public to begin organizing their financial documents immediately. While tax season is an annual routine, the 2026 filing season brings with it a host of significant legislative changes, signed into law this past summer, that could mean substantial savings for frum families, particularly those in high-tax states like New York and New Jersey.

“Don’t wait until the last minute but also don’t rush,” Tom O’Saben, director of tax content at the National Association of Tax Professionals told Associated Press. However, given the new deductions available this year, taking the time to review the changes is essential for maximizing refunds.

Perhaps the most significant development for families in the frum community is the adjustment to the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. For years, the deduction was capped at $10,000, a figure that disproportionately penalized homeowners in areas with high property taxes and state income taxes, such as the Tri-State area.

Under the new “Working Families Tax Cut” enacted in July 2025, the SALT deduction cap has been raised to $40,000.

For families who previously took the standard deduction because their itemized deductions (state taxes + mortgage interest + tzedakah) didn’t exceed the threshold, this change is a game-changer. With the ability to deduct up to $40,000 in state and local taxes, many more households will likely find that itemizing yields a lower tax bill than the standard deduction.

For those who do not itemize, the standard deduction has also been adjusted for inflation and new policy.

Married Filing Jointly: Increased to $31,500.
 – Single Filers: $15,750.
 – Heads of Households: $23,625.
– Child Tax Credit: Vital for Large Families
In a welcome update for growing families, the Child Tax Credit (CTC) has been adjusted. The total credit now stands at $2,200 per qualifying child.

Notably, $1,700 of this credit is refundable (known as the Additional Child Tax Credit), meaning that even if a family owes no federal income tax, they may still receive a refund check for that amount per child, provided they have at least $2,500 in earned income.

The full credit is available for joint filers with an annual income of up to $400,000 ($200,000 for single filers), covering the vast majority of households.

New Deductions: Tips, Overtime, and Car Loans
The tax overhaul signed by President Trump includes several targeted deductions that require a new form, Schedule 1-A.

 – Tips: While widely discussed as “no tax on tips,” the reality is a deduction capped at $2,500 annually for voluntary tips in specific service industries (such as food service and housekeeping). This phases out for joint filers earning over $300,000.
– Car Loan Interest: Interest paid on new vehicle loans is now deductible for many taxpayers.
Overtime: The new law includes provisions for deductions on overtime pay.
 – Seniors: Enhanced deductions are available for those who were 65 or older by December 31.

With the SALT cap raised, the math for itemizing has changed. Taxpayers should carefully tally their tzedakah receipts, tuition payments (where applicable as medical/childcare in specific instances, though standard tuition remains non-deductible), and medical expenses.

To determine if you should itemize, ask:
 – Did you pay significant state income or property taxes? (Now deductible up to $40k).
Do you have mortgage interest?
 – Do you have significant charitable contributions?
If the total of these expenses exceeds $31,500 (for couples), itemizing is likely the better path.

Officials warn that tax season is prime time for scammers. The IRS emphasizes that they will never contact taxpayers via social media, text, or unsolicited emails.

Furthermore, with the IRS phasing out paper checks as of last September, all taxpayers are strongly encouraged to sign up for direct deposit to avoid delays.

When filing:
 – Verify Social Security Numbers: Ensure names match Social Security cards exactly, especially for newlyweds who may have changed their names.
– Gather All Documents: In the digital age, many W-2s and bank forms are not mailed. Log in to your portals to download them.

The IRS Free File program remains available for those earning $89,000 or less, though the “Direct File” pilot program will not be offered this year.

Violent disturbances erupted across Bnei Brak on Sunday afternoon, leading to the arrest of 23 Charedim as police forces utilized riot dispersal means to restore order. The events, sparked by an attack on IDF personnel, escalated into severe clashes that saw the burning of a police motorcycle containing a siddur and tefilin R”L.

The unrest began on Chagai Street when three female IDF commanders were said to have arrived in the city to conduct an official pre-draft home visit for a candidate soon to enlist. The army subsequently denied that the soldiers were there for that reason.

According to reports, the commanders were chased by dozens of anti-draft protesters. Following the extraction of the personnel by police forces, riots spread to several adjacent locations, with gathered crowds clashing with security forces.

Additionally, three police officers were lightly injured in the chaos.

Witnesses reported that a rescue worker who arrived on the scene and attempted to extinguish the motorcycle was physically pushed away by rioters, preventing him from saving the vehicle.

In response to the deteriorating situation, large police detachments were summoned to the city, and a police helicopter was deployed overhead.

Tensions peaked when police forces conducted a raid near the Bohosh Yeshiva. Eyewitnesses reported that officers used stun grenades and force to disperse crowds near the yeshiva. Claims have surfaced regarding the disruption of  the beis medrash during the operation, causing agitation within the local community who felt that collective punishment was being applied due to the actions of a fringe group.

Police Commissioner-General Danny Levy arrived in Bnei Brak to oversee operations alongside Dan District Commander Deputy Commissioner Elad Klein. “We are a country of law and will not allow thuggish behavior,” Levy stated, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy.

The violence was met with swift and sharp condemnation from both government officials and Chareidi leadership, who sought to distance the broader Torah-observant public from the actions of the extremists.

Following the afternoon riots, Gedolei Yisrael condemned the riots as a “severe Chillul Hashem” and strictly prohibiting talmidim from even approaching the scene of the disturbances.

In a special letter addressed to bnei yeshiva this evening, HaGaon HaRav Dov Lando, shlita, issued a stark warning regarding the friction with police forces.”G-d forbid, G-d forbid, being in places where there is confrontation with the police,” the Rosh Yeshiva wrote. “In addition to the danger, there is great Chillul Hashem in this, may Hashem have mercy on us.”

The letter, which carried an unusually personal and pained tone, noted that the Rosh Yeshiva was writing “with great sorrow and great dread.”

HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shlita, joined the urgent call, adding his signature with the words: “And of course I agree with all of the above.”

The Gedolim emphasized that the prohibition applies not only to active participation but to being present at the scene entirely. The letter warned against the excuse of “I just passed by,” instructing talmidim to remain within the walls of the beis medrash and devote themselves entirely to their studies and sedarim.

While rumors swirled that the IDF personnel were in the city to recruit Chareidi youth, the IDF told media outlets that this was incorrect.

According to the army, the personnel were female commanders from the “Chavat Hashomer” base, a unit dedicated to soldiers from difficult backgrounds. They had arrived to conduct a standard pre-draft home visit for a specific candidate who is not in a Chareidi track. Due to the attack by the mob, the visit was cancelled.

However, acknowledging the sensitivity of the location, the IDF has announced an investigation into the command decision to approve the entry of the soldiers into the heart of Bnei Brak without better coordination.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement saying, “I strongly condemn the violent riots in Bnei Brak against IDF soldiers and Israel Police officers. This is an extremist minority that does not represent the broader Chareidi public. We will not allow anarchy and will not tolerate any harm to IDF service members and security forces carrying out their duties.”

The leaders of the Chareidi political parties were equally vocal in their denunciation, stressing that such violence is antithetical to Torah values.
UTJ leader Yitzchak Goldknopf stated: “I was shocked by the footage. I strongly condemn the violence against security forces in Bnei Brak. This is contrary to the Torah – its ways are ways of pleasantness.”

Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri added: “Shas strongly condemns the acts of violence, vandalism and rioting by a small group of extremists in Bnei Brak. These actions are completely contrary to the path of the Torah, harm the entire Chareidi public, cause a chillul Hashem and severely damage the just struggle for the Torah world. Leave our camp!”

As of Sunday evening, police forces remain stationed at several focal points throughout the city to prevent a resurgence of violence.

B’chasdei Hashem, the condition of the Zkan Roshei HaYeshivos, Hagaon Harav Shmuel Kamenetzky, shlita has improved over the past few weeks, a source close to him told Belaaz Motzoei Shabbos.

The source says that the Philadelphia Rosh Yeshiva is “much stronger” and doing “much better” than he was previously, thanks to the nonstop tefilos of Klal Yisrael on his behalf.

In a further sign of his return to strength, the Rosh Yeshivah has begun speaking more. While not at full capacity, he is speaking “much more than he was speaking until now” and  recently been able to answer sha’alos brought to his attention; a development described by the source as “a big positive in the right direction.”

With the Rosh Yeshivah’s condition stabilizing and improving, there is now hope that he may be discharged and able to return home in the next couple of weeks, b’ezras Hashem.

The family expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of tefillos from around the world, with the source noting that they feel the tefillos are “making a huge difference.”

The tzibbur is urged to continue davening for the refuah sheleimah of (Rav) Shmuel ben Ita Ettil, b’soch she’ar cholei Yisrael.

A newly released draft of a Palestinian constitution formally enshrines the pay-for-slay program for families of terrorists, omits any recognition of Jewish historical connections to Jerusalem, calls for Sharia law and appears to support the “right of return” for descendants of Palestinians displaced in 1948.

The document shows that financial rewards for terrorists and their families remain a central priority for the PA, despite  publicly scrapping the policy last year in a bid to gain Western favor as many European countries backed the creation of a Palestinian state. The payments further restricted US aid to the PA under the Taylor Force Act.

The first article of the draft declares that Palestine is “part of the Arab homeland” and that “the Palestinian people are part of the Arab nation,” presenting a foundational vision for the future state as seen by Palestinian Authority leadership.

Despite the PA’s publicly secular stance and previously stated commitment to a free democracy, Article four establishes Islam as the official religion and Islamic Sharia as the primary source of legislation. While Christianity is granted protected status, Judaism is completely absent from the text.

Article XXIV assigns the future Palestinian state the duty to “work to provide protection and care for the families of martyrs (sic), wounded, and prisoners, and those released from the occupation prisons and the victims of genocide (sic),” directly enshrining pay-for-slay in law.

Last year, PA President Mahmoud Abbas announced the formal cancellation of the terror rewards program, saying payments to terrorist prisoners and “Martyrs’” families would be shifted to general social welfare. Yet article XXIV signals that the financial backing of terror perpetrators remains central to the PA’s priorities.

The document was released under the direct order of Mahmoud Abbas. It repeatedly mentions a so-called “right of return” without clarifying that it applies only to a future Palestinian state.

The preamble describes the constitution as “a tribute to the continuous Palestinian struggle that has never ceased and to the diplomatic and political efforts exerted over decades to recover international recognition… while the dream of return remains alive in the hearts of Palestinians everywhere, generation after generation.”

Later, the draft defines the right of return as inalienable, in the same article that identifies the PLO as “the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.”

“Until the achievement of full national independence and the realization of inalienable rights, primarily the right of return according to international law and international legitimacy resolutions, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) remains the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people in all their places of residence. The Organization continues to perform its national responsibilities according to the National Covenant.”

In a recent podcast sitdown with Brian Tyler Cohen, released Today, Saturday, former President Barack Obama addressed alien life:

“They’re real,” Obama said, “but I haven’t seen them. They’re not being kept at Area 51.”

The former President added: “There’s no underground facility — unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the President of the United States”,

The casual exchange has sparked online discussion about UFOs and government secrets.

MANHATTAN – NYC is facing another round of snow late Sunday into early Monday, adding to the mountains of snow that have only just begun to melt. Light accumulation of 1–2 inches is expected across the city, Long Island, and parts of northeast New Jersey, with some areas seeing just a dusting.

Temperatures will dip into the upper 20s and lower 30s, keeping roads slick for Monday commuters despite the light snowfall.

WASHINGTON – Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Friday ordered U.S. airlines to certify that pilots are hired strictly on merit, warning carriers they could face federal investigations if they fail to comply.

“When families board their aircraft, they should fly with confidence knowing the pilot behind the controls is the best of the best. The American people don’t care what their pilot looks like or their gender, they just care that they are most qualified man or woman for the job,” Duffy said.

The FAA said the directive follows President Trump’s executive orders ending DEI programs in federal agencies, while Airlines for America said carriers already comply with federal qualification and licensing laws.

A large crowd packed the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Saturday for a “Global Day of Action” rally, backing the Iranian public’s struggle for freedom and human rights.

Large banners were laid out across Grant Park, including one declaring “Reza Pahlavi is our choice.” Reza Pahlavi, the son of the ousted Shah, is backed by many Iranians who want him to replace the current regime, which protesters say has killed tens of thousands since December. Another oversized display featured President Donald Trump with the message: “We are locked and loaded. Help is on its way.”

Crowds began to gather around City Hall at 1 p.m., and by late afternoon the turnout remained substantial, with demonstrators maintaining a peaceful rally.

Participants called for an immediate halt to violence in Iran and demanded the removal of the ruling regime.

“Today is a national day of action, as you’ve seen, all around the world… there’s been heaps of people coming out to protest against a regime that is, for all terms and purposes, for the people of Iran, illegitimate,” protester Sara Seyed told ABC. She added that her message to Trump and top U.S. political figures such as Senator Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner would be: “What do you stand to gain from negotiating with a regime that is, by all means, illegitimate? What is there to gain for the betterment of the Iranian people since they don’t have a representative at the table? What is there to gain for the United States peace and security and the world?” Seyed emphasized that the current government “has, by all means, operated in its entirety as a terrorist state. It shoots and kills unarmed civilians who are protesting their basic rights.”

Seyed went on to say, “We’re frustrated because we had President Trump’s promise. He said to my people that he will be there for my defenseless people. We have reached the point where we need immediate and strategic help. No patriotic human being wants an all-out war. But there are so many strategies to completely annihilate the arteries and the lifelines of this regime that has invested in proxies and militias and destruction all around the world.”

Tens of thousands of Iranian protestors were killed by regime forces, with some human rights groups estimating the death toll to be over 35,000.

Despite public disagreements over whether diplomatic talks with Iran should continue, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu found common ground during their recent meeting on the need to intensify both political and economic pressure on Tehran, according to a Motzoei Shabbos report on Channel 12 News.

The report indicated that during their discussion last Wednesday, the two leaders affirmed that Washington would escalate measures aimed at constraining Iran’s strategic and financial strength. A senior U.S. official familiar with the meeting noted: “We agreed that we will pursue a maximum pressure policy against Iran with all our might, for example with regard to the sale of Iranian oil to China.”

Nonetheless, a significant division persisted regarding whether diplomatic engagement with Iran should move forward. Netanyahu told the American president that he believed any attempt at reaching a renewed agreement was doomed from the outset. According to the report, he stated: “You can’t make a deal with Iran. Even if you sign a deal with them, they won’t honor it.”

Trump, however, did not fully adopt Netanyahu’s stance. Wanting to explore the possibility of diplomacy, he responded: “We’ll look into it. Let’s give it a chance.”

The report added that senior advisers such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also cautioned the president that historically it has been extremely difficult to secure a strong, enforceable agreement with Iran. At the same time, they acknowledged that, at this juncture, Iranian officials “are saying all the right things.”

Meanwhile, reports circulated earlier Saturday that the U.S. military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if Trump orders an attack, according to Reuters.

For years, real estate professional Shmulie Hartstein never imagined himself in the world of nonprofit work or political advocacy. But news of a tragedy last March changed everything and set him on an unexpected path; one that he hopes will transform how young Jewish Americans engage with the political process.

“A friend of mine lost a close family member. He was very young and didn’t have life insurance,” he says, in an interview with Belaaz. The incident exposed what he saw as a critical gap in the community’s awareness, prompting him to launch an organization called  B’Sefer Chayim, focused on life insurance awareness. “We went around to shuls, we spoke, we got a lot of shuls to get people to sign up, and we really made a difference. Thousands of people signed up.”

But it was the summer’s mayoral election that revealed an even more pressing need. Watching the race unfold with a politically attuned eye, he saw something troubling: young people in the frum community were largely absent from the conversation.

“Everything became about wealth and established askanim,” he explains. “When a guy’s 30 years old, he has three or four kids and is struggling to make it, he doesn’t have the time to do anything.” He realized that if young people could be engaged before marriage, given “a little taste of what it means to be an askan in their own way,” they might stay involved as they matured.

That realization led to the creation of Kol Yisroel (The Voice of Yisroel) in December, an advocacy organization with a distinctly different approach. Rather than waiting for institutional buy-in, he decided to act.

“I said, I’m not waiting for anybody else to get on board,” he recalls. “I’m going to reach out. I’m going to do this myself.”

The organization focuses on three main areas: voter registration, youth involvement in state and local politics, and direct advocacy in Albany. While voter registration is an ongoing effort, the heart of Kol Yisroel’s work lies in its regular trips to the state capital.

“We started these trips to Albany,” he says. “For example, we’re fighting for safety around shuls; we want lawmakers to support a buffer zone of 100 feet around shuls so that people shouldn’t be able to protest nearby. We’re addressing busing issues in new communities.”

What sets Kol Yisroel apart, Hartstein says, is its not employing wealthy people to wield influence, and its frequency of engagement. Rather than annual missions or sparsely scheduled delegations, which other groups of askanim engage in, Kol Yisrael brings young people to Albany every two weeks during the legislative session.

“When we come, we bring five guys, all between ages 18 and 25,” he explains. “We want young guys; not affiliated with anything, no wealthy background, nothing. We want them to come and ask politicians questions.”

The trips are intensive: from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the group conducts 12 to 14 meetings, moving from one lawmaker to another every 20 minutes. “We went on January 20th, went back on February 4th.”

The consistency matters, he argues. “It’s only a six-month session; Albany operates from January to June, three days a week. If we’re not present, we don’t get a seat at the table. The problem is that we’re always on the line because they’re always talking about us and different issues, and if we’re not there, then we’re not taking a seat at the table.”

Politicians, he notes, appreciate the engagement. “They thank everyone for coming. We encourage everyone to ask questions, and we actually help the boys learn to speak up. It’s so important to them; they love seeing the young people.”

Despite being less than two months old, Kol Yisroel can already point to tangible results. When a bill was proposed in the assembly calling for just 25 feet of protection around houses of worship, he pushed back hard.

“I felt that 25 feet was nothing,” he says. “I started making videos and posts about it. I was asked by a couple of mainstream organizations not to make trouble, because then we’re going to get nothing, and I would not take no for an answer.”

The persistence paid off. “We pushed and pushed. We were able to get a very big constitutional scholar, Marc Goldfeder, involved. Now, because of our efforts, Julie Menin, Speaker of the City Council, just proposed 100 feet, which will hopefully pass.”

Looking ahead, his vision is ambitious but clear: “If you take a 16- or 17-year-old boy, my goal in five years is to know that we have, in every frum district – whether it’s Queens, Monsey, wherever – 25-30-year-old sharp, good kids ready to run for office. There’s no reason we shouldn’t have a larger amount of elected officials from our own community.”

He’s also focused on civic education, working to ensure young people understand how government works at every level; from village boards to the state assembly to Congress. “The average young guy is not involved. That needs to change.”

Operating independently has its challenges. When he reached out to elected officials representing Orthodox districts in November, offering to meet before the legislative session began, he received a cool reception.

He values independence from organizations, and he believes that’s precisely what’s needed. “I’m successful and I don’t work for anybody. That’s why it’s a problem for a lot of these guys.”

He’s also committed to transparency and picking battles carefully. “I pick my issues. I don’t back down, but I don’t pick 50,000 issues. I would like to focus on issues that serve a broad coalition of Klal Yisroel, not just a small amount of people.”

And he’s not planning to slow down. With voter registration drives ramping up as election season approaches, regular Albany trips scheduled through June, and plans to expand civic education initiatives, Kol Yisroel is just getting started.

“Empowering the next generation; that’s what we’re doing in a nutshell,” he says. For a community that has sometimes struggled to engage its youth in the political process, that might be exactly what’s needed.”

For years, real estate professional Shmulie Hartstein never imagined himself in the world of nonprofit work or political advocacy. But news of a tragedy last March changed everything and set him on an unexpected path; one that he hopes will transform how young Jewish Americans engage with the political process.

“A friend of mine lost a close family member. He was very young and didn’t have life insurance,” he says, in an interview with Belaaz. The incident exposed what he saw as a critical gap in the community’s awareness, prompting him to launch an organization called B’Sefer Chayim, focused on life insurance awareness. “We went around to shuls, we spoke, we got a lot of shuls to get people to sign up, and we really made a difference. Thousands of people signed up.”

But it was the summer’s mayoral election that revealed an even more pressing need. Watching the race unfold with a politically attuned eye, he saw something troubling: young people in the frum community were largely absent from the conversation.

“Everything became about wealth and established askanim,” he explains. “When a guy’s 30 years old, he has three or four kids and is struggling to make it, he doesn’t have the time to do anything.” He realized that if young people could be engaged before marriage, given “a little taste of what it means to be an askan in their own way,” they might stay involved as they matured.

That realization led to the creation of Kol Yisroel (The Voice of Yisroel) in December, an advocacy organization with a distinctly different approach. Rather than waiting for institutional buy-in, he decided to act.

“I said, I’m not waiting for anybody else to get on board,” he recalls. “I’m going to reach out. I’m going to do this myself.”

The organization focuses on three main areas: voter registration, youth involvement in state and local politics, and direct advocacy in Albany. While voter registration is an ongoing effort, the heart of Kol Yisroel’s work lies in its regular trips to the state capital.

“We started these trips to Albany,” he says. “For example, we’re fighting for safety around shuls; we want lawmakers to support a buffer zone of 100 feet around shuls so that people shouldn’t be able to protest nearby. We’re addressing busing issues in new communities.”

What sets Kol Yisroel apart, Hartstein says, is its not employing wealthy people to wield influence, and its frequency of engagement. Rather than annual missions or sparsely scheduled delegations, which other groups of askanim engage in, Kol Yisrael brings young people to Albany every two weeks during the legislative session.

“When we come, we bring five guys, all between ages 18 and 25,” he explains. “We want young guys; not affiliated with anything, no wealthy background, nothing. We want them to come and ask politicians questions.”

The trips are intensive: from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the group conducts 12 to 14 meetings, moving from one lawmaker to another every 20 minutes. “We went on January 20th, went back on February 4th.”

The consistency matters, he argues. “It’s only a six-month session; Albany operates from January to June, three days a week. If we’re not present, we don’t get a seat at the table. The problem is that we’re always on the line because they’re always talking about us and different issues, and if we’re not there, then we’re not taking a seat at the table.”

Politicians, he notes, appreciate the engagement. “They thank everyone for coming. We encourage everyone to ask questions, and we actually help the boys learn to speak up. It’s so important to them; they love seeing the young people.”

Despite being less than two months old, Kol Yisroel can already point to tangible results. When a bill was proposed in the assembly calling for just 25 feet of protection around houses of worship, he pushed back hard.

“I felt that 25 feet was nothing,” he says. “I started making videos and posts about it. I was asked by a couple of mainstream organizations not to make trouble, because then we’re going to get nothing, and I would not take no for an answer.”

The persistence paid off. “We pushed and pushed. We were able to get a very big constitutional scholar, Marc Goldfeder, involved. Now, because of our efforts, Julie Menin, Speaker of the City Council, just proposed 100 feet, which will hopefully pass.”

Looking ahead, his vision is ambitious but clear: “If you take a 16- or 17-year-old boy, my goal in five years is to know that we have, in every frum district – whether it’s Queens, Monsey, wherever – 25-30-year-old sharp, good kids ready to run for office. There’s no reason we shouldn’t have a larger amount of elected officials from our own community.”

He’s also focused on civic education, working to ensure young people understand how government works at every level; from village boards to the state assembly to Congress. “The average young guy is not involved. That needs to change.”

Operating independently has its challenges. When he reached out to elected officials representing Orthodox districts in November, offering to meet before the legislative session began, he received a cool reception.

He values independence from organizations, and he believes that’s precisely what’s needed. “I’m successful and I don’t work for anybody. That’s why it’s a problem for a lot of these guys.”

He’s also committed to transparency and picking battles carefully. “I pick my issues. I don’t back down, but I don’t pick 50,000 issues. I would like to focus on issues that serve a broad coalition of Klal Yisroel, not just a small amount of people.”

And he’s not planning to slow down. With voter registration drives ramping up as election season approaches, regular Albany trips scheduled through June, and plans to expand civic education initiatives, Kol Yisroel is just getting started.

“Empowering the next generation; that’s what we’re doing in a nutshell,” he says. For a community that has sometimes struggled to engage its youth in the political process, that might be exactly what’s needed.”

A 20-year-old Yeshiva University student was recovering in stable condition Thursday night after being assaulted by a group of four masked suspects at a Washington Heights subway station, an incident that has drawn conflicting characterizations from law enforcement and university officials.

Police tell Belaaz that the attack occurred around 7:00 p.m. inside the 181st Street and St. Nicholas Avenue station.

According to police, the victim was approached by four individuals. A brief conversation took place between the student and the group, though the nature of the exchange remains unclear. The interaction quickly turned violent, with the suspects punching and kicking the victim.

The suspects fled the scene immediately following the attack. No arrests have been made and the incident is under investigation, but at this time, police are not treating the case as a hate crime.

In an emergency alert sent to the student body, Yeshiva University described the incident as an “unbiased attempted robbery.” However, the NYPD stated late Thursday that they are not treating the incident as an attempted robbery at this time, classifying it instead as an assault.

The victim sustained minor injuries and was transported to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in stable condition.

Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, a clinical assistant professor at YU, took to social media to express the community’s alarm, describing  noting the vulnerability of the location.

“The student was violently assaulted tonight… in the blind spot of the subway station where there are no police or security cameras,” Bashevkin stated. “This is beyond frightening for a visibly Jewish community in New York City.”

Klal Yisroel is asked to storm the heavens for a 16-month-old baby girl from Lakewood who is fighting for her life in critical condition.

The child initially suffered second-degree burns to her stomach over Shabbos. She was taken to the hospital and released, but she then suffered an infection that caused a high fever.

She was hospitalized again at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where doctors. Due to the severity of her condition, she was airlifted to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where the child was treated for the infection; unfortunately, the medication was too strong, and doctors had to stop administering it. Subsequently, the infection spread to her liver R”L.

The tzibur is urged to recite Tehillim for Lea Necha bas Sara for a Refuah Sheleimah.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the Environmental Protection Agency is withdrawing the key legal determination it has used for nearly 20 years to control climate-warming pollution from vehicles, oil refineries and industrial facilities.

The move reverses a pivotal ruling known as the endangerment finding that has served as the backbone of federal climate policy. Eliminating it is expected to dismantle much of the United States’ framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Issued in 2009, the finding concluded that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane contribute to global warming in ways that threaten the health and welfare of both current and future generations.

“We are officially terminating the so called endangerment finding, a disastrous Obama era policy,” Trump said in a news conference Thursday. “This determination had no basis in fact none whatsoever. And it had no basis in law. On the contrary, over the generations, fossil fuels have saved millions of lives and lifted billions of people out of poverty all over the world.”

Prominent environmental organizations have rejected the administration’s reasoning and are preparing legal action to challenge the repeal.

For years, the endangerment finding formed the legal foundation for the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from cars and power plants and to require companies to disclose their emissions. It also obligated the federal government to address climate change under the Clean Air Act.

In 2007, the Supreme Court of the United States determined that the EPA had the authority to regulate greenhouse gases and recognized that the dangers linked to climate change are “serious and well recognized.” That ruling paved the way for the agency’s endangerment finding two years later.

The White House and the EPA have described rescinding the finding as “the largest deregulatory action in American history.”

The decision marks the administration’s most sweeping effort yet to scale back federal climate initiatives. The U.S. formally exited the 2015 Paris Agreement again last month and is expected to withdraw from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, moves that would significantly reduce America’s role in international climate negotiations.

Trump, who has repeatedly labeled climate change a “con job,” canceled nearly $8 billion in clean energy funding in October, though a judge later ruled that some of those cancellations were unlawful. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Energy announced Wednesday it will allocate $175 million to prolong operations at six coal-fired power plants, continuing a broader push to support the coal industry.

According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, last year ranked as the third warmest on record. The past 11 years collectively represent the hottest period ever documented.

Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin also said Thursday that the agency will eliminate all greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles.

“We are repealing the ridiculous endangerment finding and terminating all additional green emissions standards imposed unnecessarily on vehicle models and engines between 2012 and 2027 and beyond,” Trump said.

However, the EPA will continue regulating other harmful tailpipe pollutants that degrade air quality, including carbon monoxide, lead and ozone.

Former President Barack Obama, whose administration put the endangerment finding in place, said in a statement Thursday that dismantling it would leave Americans “less safe, less healthy and less able to fight climate change, all so the fossil fuel industry can make even more money.”

The U.S. Climate Alliance, co-chaired by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers called the repeal “unlawful, ignores basic science, and denies reality.”

A number of public health and environmental groups, including the American Lung Association and the American Public Health Association, have already signaled plans to sue.

“As organizations committed to protecting public health, we will challenge this unlawful repeal,” they said in a statement.

At a briefing last month, Manish Bapna, president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said his group was also preparing a legal fight, describing the anticipated rollback as “a gift-wrapped package for the fossil fuel industry.”

“It is unscientific, it is bad economics and it is illegal, so we’re going to fight it. We will see them in court,” he said.

The expected legal challenges are likely to stretch on for years, as courts weigh the administration’s rationale against extensive scientific research documenting the impacts of climate change.

In a draft rule outlining its repeal, the EPA argued that earlier assessments overstated the dangers of extreme heat, projected more warming than has occurred and minimized potential benefits of higher carbon dioxide levels, such as enhanced plant growth. Independent scientific bodies have rejected many of those claims and criticized an Energy Department report cited in the proposal.

“The climate is changing faster than ever before, driven by human activities, and the resulting impacts on people and the world we depend on are becoming ever more dire,” the American Geophysical Union said in a statement.

“The changing climate is directly causing or exacerbating global average temperature increases and heat waves, sea level rise and storm surge, and ocean acidification, and is causing extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and drought to occur with greater frequency, intensity, or both.”

The administration has also indicated it is reviewing additional regulations tied to the endangerment finding, including rules governing methane emissions.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Wednesday on Fox Business that repealing the determination would help revive coal production.

“CO₂ [carbon dioxide] was never a pollutant,” he said. “The whole endangerment thing opens up the opportunity for the revival of clean, beautiful American coal.”

In an extraordinary display of kavod haTorah, thousands of Chabad shluchim and members of the broader Jewish community gathered in Moscow on Wednesday evening, to celebrate the 45th Siyum HaRambam. The central event was held under the leadership of the Chief Rabbi of Russia and shliach of the Rebbe, Harav Berel Lazar, shlita.

The maamad took place in the magnificent concert hall at “Dream Island,” located just minutes from the Kremlin. For the first time since the hall was built, it hosted an event dedicated entirely to kedushah. The sight of thousands of Yidden traveling through central Moscow by metro and public transportation, making their way with simchah shel mitzvah to celebrate the completion of the Rambam, created a profound Kiddush Hashem.

Fulfilling the Rebbe’s Sacred Takanah This marked the completion of the 45th cycle of the daily Rambam study—Mishneh Torah (Yad HaChazakah)—as instituted by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Through this powerful takanah, tens of thousands of Jews around the world unite in a shared daily limud, completing the entire corpus of Torah shebe’al peh in halachah each year.

In Russia—a land that within recent memory experienced profound spiritual desolation—the expansion of daily Rambam study in all three tracks established by the Rebbe (Sefer HaMitzvos, one perek per day, and three perakim per day) is especially meaningful. In light of the tremendous growth, it was decided to mark this Siyum in a manner befitting the resurgence of Torah life, with a clear goal: to broaden the circle of lomdei Rambam across all ages and backgrounds, strengthening kvius ittim laTorah throughout the country.

The initiative was led by Harav Berel Lazar, shlita, who guided the preparations for months in advance. Under the direction of Merkaz Torah Moscow, the event was organized with meticulous attention to detail, reflecting true kavod haTorah and kavod haChassidus.

The evening opened with the completion of the three Rambam study tracks: Sefer HaMitzvos: The siyum was made by young Yaakov Yehuda Wilansky, who that very day began putting on tefillin in preparation for his Bar Mitzvah. With chassidishe warmth and clarity, he explained the final halachah—an inspiring symbol of the Rebbe’s takanah being embraced by the next generation.

One Perek Per Day: The siyum was completed by Rabbi Dan HaKohen Lokshin, who delivers the daily Rambam shiur at Merkaz Torah and is marbitz Torah in Moscow.

Three Perakim Per Day: The siyum was made by philanthropist R’ Yehuda Davidov, chairman of the 770 Russia Foundation. In recognition of his and his family’s dedicated support of Torah initiatives and this historic event, he was presented with an extraordinary gift—pages from one of the earliest printed editions of the Rambam, dating back to the year 1474.

To inaugurate the 46th Rambam cycle, Harav Berel Lazar, shlita, addressed the assembled thousands and taught the opening halachos with which the Rambam begins his Yad HaChazakah: “Yesod haYesodos v’Amud haChachmos—there exists a First Being.”

In his powerful address, he emphasized the unique koach of Rambam study in our generation as a preparation for the geulah ha’amitis v’hashleimah, when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem.” He called upon every participant not only to strengthen their own daily learning, but to influence others to join one of the Rambam tracks—fulfilling the Rebbe’s directive to spread Torah outward and unite Klal Yisrael through shared learning.
His words, woven with nigleh and pnimiyus haTorah, left a deep and lasting impression.

The program was skillfully emceed by Rabbi Chaim Danzinger, shliach and Rav of Rostov. At one point, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Wilansky, Director of Merkaz Torah Moscow, led the entire audience in the recitation of Tehillim on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Eretz HaKodesh—an especially moving moment of achdus across continents.

The musical portion of the evening was led by the renowned chassidishe singer R’ Avraham Fried, who uplifted the crowd for over an hour with beloved niggunim. Among them were songs he had sung decades earlier at the dawn of the remarkable revival of Russian Jewry.

In a particularly emotional moment, individuals who had been to his historical concert in Moscow some 35 years ago—at the very beginning of the Jewish renaissance in Russia—joined him once again on stage. The young children of those early years have become pillars of Torah and today serve as Shluchim, raising and educating the next generation of Jewish children.

The evening stood as a powerful declaration: the light of Torah and Chassidus shines brightly in the heart of Moscow. The Rebbe’s takanah of Rambam continues to unite Jews across the globe in daily learning, serving as a tangible preparation for the fulfillment of the Rambam’s own concluding words—anticipating the time when the world will be filled with Divine knowledge with the coming of Moshiach, teikef u’miyad mamash.

The government is preparing to initiate proceedings to strip citizenship from Israelis accused of spying for Iran, Israel Hayom reports.

In an unprecedented directive, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered that the revocation of citizenship be applied even to Jewish Israeli citizens who have engaged in these espionage activities.

This policy shift has already secured the endorsement of the government’s legal counsel.
Over the last two years, roughly 40 indictments have been brought against approximately 60 defendants recruited by Iranian agents. Notably, the majority of these defendants are ordinary citizens who possess no prior criminal records.

Under the Citizenship Law, the state is authorized to revoke the status of anyone who has betrayed the State of Israel, a definition that includes those convicted of espionage and treason.

This legal provision was previously intended primarily for Arab-Israelis affiliated with terrorist organizations.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sharply confronted Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Thursday, accusing him of taking campaign donations from individuals implicated in a massive fraud scheme that siphoned hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.

The Missouri senator pointed toreporting that Ellison received $10,000 in political contributions from people connected to the Feeding Our Future scandal, which authorities say stole $250 million in public funds.

“You helped fraudsters defraud your state and this government of $9 billion — and you got a campaign contribution out of it,” Hawley charged. “You ought to be indicted.”

Hawley pressed Ellison about what the stolen money funded, saying testimony showed it flowed to “terrorists … international criminal organizations, to the drug trade, to drug trafficking, to child trafficking.”

“You took $10,000,” he repeated.

“That’s a lie,” Ellison shot back.

When Hawley attempted to reference a whistleblower dating back to 2019, Ellison interrupted, prompting the senator to retort, “Don’t talk over me. … It’s my hearing, pal.”

“Don’t call me ‘pal,’” Ellison snapped.

“Well, I should call you a prisoner because you ought to be in jail,” Hawley boomed, accusing Ellison of ignoring repeated fraud warnings from Feeding Our Future. “Listen to your own state newspaper.”

“That’s a lie,” Ellison said again.

Hawley cited the Minnesota Star Tribune, saying, “Partners in Nutrition brought its concerns to the attorney general’s office in 2018 and in 2019. And you did nothing. You did nothing for years… The only action you took is once all these fraudsters came to your office and asked you to get involved and offered your money… then you got involved.”

Ellison maintained that none of the implicated parties had visited his office. “They did not come to my office. You’re completely wrong. … I did not see anybody.”

Hawley countered that the nearly hour-long meeting existed on video and was easily searchable online. Ellison insisted the remarks Hawley used were “cherry-picked” and added, “No donations came.”

“You should resign,” Hawley declared.

“I was thinking the same thing about you,” Ellison fired back.

If you’d like, I can condense this into a brief, increase the formality, or craft it for SEO or print layout.

North Korea’s despotic leader Kim Jong Un has chosen his teenage daughter as his successor, South Korea’s intelligence service told lawmakers on Thursday.

Kim Ju Ae, believed to be 13, has increasingly appeared beside her father at major public events, including a high-profile trip to Beijing in September, marking her first known journey abroad.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said it evaluated a “range of circumstances,” including her rising visibility at official functions, in concluding she is now considered the heir.

The spy agency added it would closely watch whether she appears at the Workers’ Party Congress later this month, the regime’s most important political gathering, held once every five years.

At the upcoming congress, Pyongyang is expected to outline key priorities for the next five years, including foreign policy strategy, military planning, and nuclear development.

Lawmaker Lee Seong-kwen said Thursday that Ju Ae, previously described by the NIS as being “trained” as an eventual successor, has now reached the level of “successor designation.”

“As Kim Ju Ae has shown her presence at various events, including the founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army and her visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, and signs have been detected of her voicing her opinion on certain state policies, the NIS believes she has now entered the stage of being designated as successor,” Lee said.

Ju Ae is the only child of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, who has been publicly acknowledged. The NIS believes Kim may have an older son, but he has never been recognized or shown by state media.

News of her existence first surfaced from an unlikely source: American basketball star Dennis Rodman, who told The Guardian in 2013 that he “held baby Ju Ae” during a visit to North Korea.

Her first televised appearance came in 2022, when state media broadcast images of her inspecting a new intercontinental ballistic missile.

Since then, Ju Ae has frequently appeared in state media, often portrayed in ways that are intended to soften her father’s international image. She joined him on his Beijing trip for China’s largest-ever military parade, stepping off his armored train at Beijing Railway Station.

She is often shown wearing long hair—unusual for girls her age in North Korea—and dressed in designer outfits inaccessible to most citizens.

Power in North Korea has passed through three generations of the Kim dynasty.

Although Seoul’s intelligence service now considers her the designated successor, several questions remain.

In particular, analysts note the unusual move of selecting a daughter over an older son in a society as traditional as North Korea.

Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister, holds a senior position within the Workers’ Party and is widely believed to wield significant authority alongside her brother.

Another mystery concerns why Kim Jong Un, who is relatively young and appears healthy, is formalizing succession so early by elevating a 13-year-old.

It remains uncertain how Ju Ae’s future leadership might reshape the country.

When Kim Jong Un succeeded his father, many North Koreans hoped the Western-educated leader would open the nation to the world. Those hopes were never realized.

Russia moved ahead to fully block WhatsApp in the country, Meta confirmed, aiming to push over 100 million users toward the Kremlin-promoted state-backed app MAX.

WhatsApp said in response: “Trying to isolate over 100M users from secure communication is a backwards step… We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.”

Kremlin’s spokesperson Peskov said: ” Russia is open to dialogue and will unblock WhatsApp if Meta complies with Russian laws.

Nurses at three Mount Sinai facilities voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to ratify a new three-year contract, officially bringing an end to a nearly five-week strike that has gripped the city’s healthcare system.

The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) announced that union members at Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai West, and Mount Sinai Morningside approved the agreement by a wide margin. According to voting results released by the union for the Morningside and West campuses, 1,584 nurses voted in favor of the contract, with only 61 voting against.

Following the ratification, Mount Sinai Health System CEO Dr. Brendan Carr confirmed that the strike has concluded and outlined the timeline for resuming normal operations.

“I am pleased to share that our nurses… have voted overwhelmingly to ratify new three-year contracts, ending the nearly five-week strike by NYSNA and beginning the process of bringing our nurses back to work,” Dr. Carr wrote in a message to staff on Wednesday.

While the agreement signals the end of the work stoppage, the return to full staffing will be gradual. Nurses are scheduled to return to the bedside starting with the morning shift on Saturday, Feb. 14.

“It is important to understand that the return-to-work process will not be instantaneous and will evolve over the next several days,” Dr. Carr stated.
In a statement to its members, NYSNA celebrated the ratification as a victory for the workforce after weeks on the picket line. “After all the long hours, the tireless energy you put into your picket line, the courage it took for you to walk out there to fight for what you deserve, we have finally made it to the finish line,” the union wrote.

The developments at Mount Sinai mark a major shift in the citywide labor dispute, though the situation remains fluid elsewhere. Results are still pending for the ratification vote involving nurses at Montefiore Medical Center. Meanwhile, voting is currently underway for nurses at New York-Presbyterian.

For the nurses at Mount Sinai, however, the focus now shifts to returning to the hospital floors this weekend.

“We can’t wait to see everyone back in action and kick off the weekend with great energy,” the union stated.

Efforts to strip Hamas terrorists of their military capabilities in Gaza are moving forward as planned, despite continued tensions surrounding the ceasefire, a senior figure involved in U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace initiative told Ynet Wednesday.

The official emphasized that the truce remains intact and that several major milestones have already been reached, including the release of hostages, the reopening and functioning of the Rafah crossing, and the formation of a technocratic administrative committee expected to enter Gaza soon. The next stage, the official said, is finalizing the framework for disarming Hamas terrorists, with the process slated to begin in March. Once that begins, the international stabilization force (ISF) is expected to expand its deployment.

Addressing a New York Times report suggesting the U.S. may allow Hamas terrorists to retain light weapons, the official clarified that disarmament will occur in phases, with small arms being the final category handled.

According to the official, Hamas terrorists have opposed giving up all weapons immediately, claiming rival clans in Gaza could attack their members if they disarm at once. Under the evolving plan, the sequence would begin with dismantling tunnels, followed by shutting down weapons factories, then eliminating rocket-propelled grenades and mortars, and lastly addressing small arms.

The official said the goal is to pursue a consensus-based approach to ensure the process is durable and efficient, noting that even the Israeli military has not eliminated all tunnels in areas where it has operated and that such work requires time.

Earlier Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally joined the Board of Peace during a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, ahead of Netanyahu’s discussions with Trump at the White House. Netanyahu is not expected to attend the council’s inaugural session in Washington on February 19. Participating countries will determine their representation levels, and the gathering will include formal statements and fundraising discussions.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that U.S. security contractor UG Solutions, formerly responsible for managing the American-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, is in talks with the Board of Peace regarding a potential future role in Gaza. The company confirmed it submitted proposals after reports it was recruiting Arabic-speaking security personnel. A source familiar with the initiative confirmed those discussions took place.

UG Solutions has faced criticism from the UN and aid organizations, which accused the group of incidents in which Palestinians were killed while seeking aid at its facilities. The company ended its operations in Gaza when the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas terrorists took effect in October.

Regarding the planned international stabilization force, the official said Indonesia is prepared to contribute up to 8,000 troops, and several other nations have agreed in principle to join. Many governments, however, want clear agreement on Hamas’ disarmament before deployment moves forward.

The official described the current moment as a phase of intensive coordination, with technocratic officials expected to enter Gaza shortly and preparations underway for a gradual, structured dismantling of Hamas’ terrorist military infrastructure.

Security forces prevented a car-ramming and stabbing attack near the Hizma checkpoint, located on the outskirts of Jerusalem, authorities said Wednesday. The suspect, a 50-year-old resident of Qalandia, was apprehended as part of an investigation carried out by the Jerusalem District Central Unit.

The man was detained nine days earlier following a collision at an entrance to Jerusalem. When police searched his vehicle, they discovered several knives along with military-style clothing linked to a terrorist organization.

Investigators say the suspect had spent months preparing a combined attack involving both vehicle-ramming and stabbing at the Hizma checkpoint. According to the probe, he outfitted his vehicle with forged license plates and stocked it with knives on the day he intended to act, but the traffic accident disrupted his plan and led to his capture.

Police also arrested the suspect’s son after officers searching the family home found incitement materials, Hamas flags, headbands associated with terror groups, and photographs of terrorists. The son is now under investigation for holding items intended to facilitate a terror attack, and his detention has been extended.

Carrie Prejean Boller, a conservative activist and former model, has been fired from President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission following a contentious hearing on Monday in which she clashed with witnesses regarding the war in Gaza and defended antisemites.

The decision to remove Boller was announced by the Commission’s Chairman, Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who stated on Wednesday that Boller had effectively derailed the proceedings.

“Carrie Prejean Boller has been removed from President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission,” Patrick said in a statement. “No member of the Commission has the right to hijack a hearing for their own personal and political agenda on any issue. This is clearly, without question, what happened Monday in our hearing on antisemitism in America.”

The dismissal follows a chaotic session at the Museum of the Bible, intended to address domestic religious discrimination. During the hearing, Boller repeatedly pivoted the questioning away from civil rights issues in the U.S. to focus on the conduct of the State of Israel.

Tensions peaked when Boller interrogated Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Jewish activist and Harvard graduate who had testified about the harassment of Jewish students on American university campuses. Disregarding the topic of domestic civil rights, Boller pressed Kestenbaum on foreign policy.

“Since we’ve mentioned Israel a total of 17 times, are you willing to condemn what Israel has done in Gaza?” Boller asked.

Kestenbaum rejected the premise, replying, “The only genocide ever carried out was on October 7, when Hamas tried killing every man, woman, and child they could possibly find.”

While speaking with Belaaz on Tuesday, Kestenbaum called for Boller’s removal.

Boller also used her time to defend antisemitic commentators Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson. When Seth Dillon, CEO of the Babylon Bee, referred to the pair as “the two most famous antisemites,” Boller pushed back, asserting that Owens, who speaks often about Jews running the world and other classic antisemitic conspiracy theories is, “not an antisemite. She just doesn’t support Zionism.”

Following the hearing, Kestenbaum told Belaaz it was “unconscionable” for a commissioner to focus exclusively on foreign grievances rather than the protection of American citizens.

After news of Boller’s removal was publicized, Kestenbaum, in a statement to Belaaz, reiterated his position that his testimony was not related to the Middle East, and was focused on religious liberty of all Americans, adding “Any commissioner who does not believe in those values and instead chooses to focus on Middle East is welcomed to start their own commission.

Kestenbaum quipped: “And I wish the commissioner much luck as the next guest on Candace Owens’ podcast.”

Boller took to social media on Tuesday to claim she was being targeted for her religion rather than her conduct. Boller, who converted to Catholicism in April, wrote, “Can you even imagine this? A Religious Liberty Commission prepared to fire a commissioner for her Catholic faith? If that happens, it proves their mission was never religious liberty, but a Zionist agenda.”

However, Catholic leadership firmly rejected her framing. Bill Donohue, President of the Catholic League, issued a scathing rebuke of Boller’s behavior and claims to representation.

“The Religious Liberty Commission should have nothing to do with those who are publicly undermining its mission, nor should it become a platform for those who want to exploit it as a vehicle to further their own agenda,” Donohue said. “Trump should kick Carrie Prejean Boller off immediately.”

Chairman Patrick confirmed that the Commission will continue its work without Boller, with two more hearings scheduled before they deliver a comprehensive report to the President in the spring.
“The President respects all faiths,” Patrick noted. “Fighting for the Word of God and religious freedom is what this nation was founded upon.”

At least nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a high school and at a local residence in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed early Wednesday.

Six victims were found inside the school, two at a nearby home, and one died on the way to hospital.

The person believed to be the shooter is also dead. Authorities have not established a motive at this time.

It is with a heavy heart that Belaaz shares the news of the Petirah of Hagon Hatzaddik Rav Aviezer Osher Zelig Shapira Zt”l, the Mashgiach of Yeshivat Kol Torah L’Tzeirim in Yerushalayim. He was 81 years old.

The Mashgiach had faced health challenges over the past few months, with his condition seeing various ups and downs. After a period of hospitalization, he had miraculously shown signs of recovery and was even able to return to the Yeshiva to continue his dedicated work for the Talmidim.

Unfortunately, his health took a turn for the worse over the last few days. He was niftar early Wednesday morning at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim, leaving his family and thousands of talmidim in deep mourning.

Harav Aviezer, zt”l, was born in Kfar Chassidim on 2 Adar, to his father, Harav Shlomo Aharon Shapira, zt”l, and his mother, Rebbetzin Rachel, a”h.In his youth, he studied at Yeshivas Kol Torah and later ascended in Torah and yiras Shamayim at the Chevron Yeshivah, where he basked in the presence of its illustrious Roshei Yeshivah.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he established his home with the daughter of Harav Meir Ephraim Winkler, zt”l, who served as the Rav of the Machzikei Hadas community in Copenhagen and later as a Rav in Yeshivas Torah Ohr in Yerushalayim. His father-in-law was the son of Harav Michael Shalom Winkler, zt”l, a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Europe.

In 5713 (1953), the niftar was appointed as Rav of the “Or Chaim” Beis Medrash in the Geulah neighborhood, which had been established by his grandfather’s cousin, the Gaon Harav Avraham Yaakov Shapira, zt”l. He served as the Admor of the Drohovitch Chassidus, continuing the legacy of the dynasty’s founder, Harav Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapira, zt”l.

His grandfather, Harav Aviezer Zelig Shapira, zt”l, was the son of the Rebbe of Gwoździec (Gwadzic), Harav Yitzchak Mordechai Shapira, zt”l, and the son-in-law of the founder of the Drohovitch dynasty. Harav Shapira was a descendant of the Kozhnitz dynasty through his paternal line and the Ruzhin dynasty through his maternal line.

In 5738 (1978), he was appointed Mashgiach of Yeshivas Kol Torah L’Tzeirim. For decades, he served as the spiritual pillar of the Bayit Vegan Yeshivah, renowned as one of the premier Yeshivos Ketanos in Yerushalayim. He guided thousands of bachurim over the years.Harav Aviezer was the living spirit of the Yeshivah, both in welcoming new talmidim and in setting the spiritual tone of the bais medrash. The talmidim felt a deep bond with him, and he reciprocated their love with a glowing countenance.

Known for his fervent avodas Hashem, he would visit the Kosel every night. He was one of the founders of the custom to recite Nishmas Kol Chai at the Kosel at chatzos (midnight), a practice that has since been adopted as a segulah throughout the Jewish world.

Harav Shapira also served as head of the Chevra Kadisha Chassidim in Yerushalayim and was a member of the administration of Kollel Chibas Yerushalayim and Kupas Hadar Esther.

He leaves behind sons, daughters, and descendants following in his path. Among his sons is Harav Menachem Shapira, a prominent askan and Deputy Mayor of Bnei Brak, who was exceptionally devoted to his father.

The levayah will take place today in Yerushalayim.

Yehi zichro baruch.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro says he survived an assassination attempt Monday night, stating he spent hours at sea to evade a plot targeting his helicopter.

Petro claimed he was forced to divert from a planned landing on the Caribbean coast due to credible threats of gunfire, noting his children were on board.

The president attributed the attempt to drug traffickers, suggesting the plot aimed to disrupt a meeting with Donald Trump.

The incident comes ahead of the 2026 elections. Petro has previously criticized security forces for downplaying past threats, including the discovery of rocket launchers near the presidential palace and surface-to-air missiles intended for his aircraft.

A new Media Research Center (MRC) study shows Apple News has been overwhelmingly promoting articles from left-leaning outlets while largely excluding conservative sources. The watchdog analyzed 620 stories featured during high-traffic morning slots in January 2026, finding 440 came from left-leaning outlets and 180 from centrist sources, while right-leaning outlets, including the New York Post and Fox News, received zero coverage.

MRC noted that in January, Apple News ran 72 Washington Post stories, 54 from the Associated Press, 50 from NBC News, 34 from The Guardian, and 25 from NPR. Fifty-four Wall Street Journal articles were used, but while its editorial board leans conservative, its news coverage varies. No articles from outright conservative media were used. Researchers relied on AllSides’ media bias ratings, which use a multi-partisan panel and surveys of ordinary Americans to assess bias. Julie Mastrine, director of AllSides’ system, told the NY Post she was “not surprised at all” by the findings and warned that Americans relying on Big Tech for news are not getting balanced coverage.

Apple responded to the Post, stating its News app “provides access to news spanning a wide range of topics from more than 3,000 publications including the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Bloomberg, USA Today, Washington Examiner, New York Post, CBS News, local outlets, and more.” The company emphasized that users can customize their feeds by following or blocking publications or topics.

MRC reported Apple News had gone 96 consecutive days without featuring a conservative story in its top stories as of Monday, last running a right-leaning article on Nov. 5, 2025. MRC also claimed the app’s feed focused negatively on President Trump’s foreign and immigration policies, selecting “provocative headlines that raised doubts” about his actions.

Dan Schneider of MRC told the Post, “Swipe right and you’re inundated with Apple’s cherry-picked news stories. Most people don’t even know they are being fed a steady stream of leftist narratives.” The study follows a 2023 AllSides ranking that found Apple News among the most left-leaning news aggregators, surpassed only by Yahoo News and Bing News.

MRC tracked the top stories from AllSides-rated outlets at set morning times, including 30 sports articles from The Athletic and 27 pieces of original Apple content, mostly links to the “Apple News Today” podcast. Schneider called the bias “a subliminal form of propaganda, paid for with corporate dollars but without campaign finance disclosures” and said it “could be illegal.”

The findings come as federal regulators, including FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, review potential media bias and tech censorship, including probes into politically motivated ad practices and fairness requirements for broadcast coverage.

Federal investigators have released photos of a masked individual, believed to be armed, as the search intensifies for news anchor Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother.

Authorities are trying to identify the person captured in the images, 10 days after 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie vanished from her residence.

Speaking Monday, Savannah Guthrie said her family remains convinced her mother is alive, issuing a renewed plea for public assistance.

Nancy Guthrie disappeared overnight from her Tucson, Arizona home and was last seen on 31 January. Investigators believe she was taken by force.

“As of this morning, law enforcement has uncovered these previously inaccessible new images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement on X.

He explained that teams had been working to restore surveillance footage from the home that “may have been lost, corrupted, or inaccessible due to a variety of factors – including the removal of recording devices”.

The images represent the first significant development in a case that has drawn national attention for more than a week.

As of Monday, police reported no identified suspects or vehicles linked to the disappearance, the same day Savannah Guthrie released a new video plea urging anyone with information to come forward.

“We believe our mum is still out there,” she said in a video posted to Instagram. “We need your help.”

A second supposed ransom deadline expired Monday evening, following claims that the abductors had demanded $6 million in Bitcoin through media channels. The missed deadline has led many to question whether the kidnapping narrative is accurate.

Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino told Fox that the ransom plot remains one possibility but noted there are other plausible scenarios.“The second possibility would be this was just a crime that went awry. Someone is at the house. Maybe it was a burglary,” he said. “Something went bad, and that you’ve got some bad actors committing another crime, unrelated in other words, requesting a ransom for something you didn’t do just to take advantage of a situation like this.”

The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information.

President Donald Trump told Channel 12’s Barak Ravid Tuesday night (Israel time) that Iran “very much wants to reach a deal,” adding that the U.S. will either secure an agreement or “do something very tough.”

President Trump outside the White House. Photo: White House

The President said he is considering sending another aircraft carrier and additional forces to the region.

Trump also claimed that Prime Minister Netanyahu wants a deal as well, “a good deal.”

NEW YORK: Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado has ended his primary challenge against Governor Kathy Hochul, citing no viable path forward. His exit comes a week after naming India Walton as his running mate.

Hochul’s campaign emphasized party unity, and polling had her leading Delgado by more than 50 points.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said ending the campaign was the right move but did not call for Delgado to resign.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani met with Houthi spokesman Mohammad Abdulsalam in Muscat, Oman, during his visit to the country on Tuesday.

The meeting occurred while Larijani held talks with Omani officials amid Oman-mediated indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States.

The meeting took place despite U.S. calls for Iran to halt support for its terror proxies, including the Houthis.

A U.S. Religious Liberty Commission hearing intended to address bigotry in American society devolved into a tense confrontation on Monday, as witnesses and commissioners clashed over the scope of the inquiry and the relevance of the war in Gaza to domestic civil rights.

The hearing, held at the Museum of the Bible, was designed to explore legal and cultural remedies for religious discrimination.

However, proceedings were repeatedly derailed by Commissioner Carrie Prejean Boller, a conservative activist and former model appointed by President Donald Trump. Boller pressed witnesses on their stances regarding Israel and Zionism, drawing sharp rebukes from Jewish leaders and eventually the commission’s own chairman.

Carrie Prejean Boller at the panel

Tensions flared when Boller directed her questioning toward Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Jewish activist and Harvard graduate who sued his alma mater over unchecked antisemitism. The lawsuit was settled last May. Despite Kestenbaum’s testimony focusing on the harassment of students on American campuses, largely related to the Israel/Gaza war, Boller pivoted to foreign policy on the conflict itself.

“Since we’ve mentioned Israel a total of 17 times, are you willing to condemn what Israel has done in Gaza?” Boller asked Kestenbaum.

Kestenbaum rejected the premise of the question, leading to a heated exchange.
“I unilaterally reject that,” Kestenbaum responded, dismissing the accusation of genocide in Gaza. “The only genocide ever carried out was on October 7, when Hamas tried killing every man, woman, and child they could possibly find.”

Shabbos Kestenbaum

When Boller insisted on discussing the foreign conflict, Commission Chairman Dan Patrick, the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, intervened. “I’m going to interrupt the discussion,” Patrick said. “This is not a commission on defining religions or calling out any theology… This could be another discussion on another day.”

Following the hearing, Kestenbaum issued a blistering statement to Belaaz, condemning Boller’s conduct and calling for her removal from the commission.

“Religious discrimination against Christian Americans and Jewish Americans is a top concern to President Trump,” Kestenbaum told Belaaz. “It is therefore unconscionable that an individual who does not share these concerns, would somehow sit on the religious liberties commission. My testimony did not include Israel, did not mention Israel, and is divorced from the situation in Israel and Gaza. To have a commissioner focus exclusively on an issue that does not impact Christian Americans and Jewish Americans, underscores her need to be removed from this commission.”

He continued, contrasting Boller with her colleagues: “I applaud all the other Commissioners for their serious devotion and commitment to advancing religious freedom and liberties in America and their good work should not be tarnished by this one inflammatory individual. To be clear, as I mentioned numerous times throughout the hearing, hate speech is free speech. There is no legal distinction. What we concern ourselves with is the violation of law, something the commissioner was not interested in discussing.”

During the hearing, Kestenbaum outlined a robust defense of free speech, arguing that the crisis on American campuses is not about offensive words, but about conduct and institutional double standards.
“You can hate Jews or not,” Kestenbaum told the commission. “Hate Jews. Think they control the banks, think they have horns. Go for it. What I do mind is when people violate the law, and that’s why this commission is so important.”

He emphasized that the government’s role is not to police thought, but to ensure equal protection. “Whatever the violation of law is – whether against Jewish students, Muslim students, or Christian students – that is when it becomes a federal issue,” he said.

Kestenbaum reserved his harshest criticism for university administrators, specifically citing Harvard University’s record. He pointed to a double standard where universities strictly punish “microaggressions” like “fatphobia” or “sizeism” but permit open antisemitism under the guise of free speech.

“I find it remarkable that the attacks on American Jews… have been that we’re trying to silence free speech,” Kestenbaum testified. “I cannot point to a single Jewish student on a single American campus who drew swastikas at the Muslim Student Association, who threw rocks through dorm buildings, who pitched encampments in the middle of the quad and disrupted lectures.”

He noted that Harvard was ranked dead last in free speech by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). “This is an institution that when you enroll as a freshman, you have mandatory training where you are told that fatphobia… and ableism are grounds for discipline,” he said. “The only time they suddenly had an interest [in free speech] was when Claudine Gay randomly said that she wished she could protect American Jewish students.”

Beyond the legal arguments, Kestenbaum warned of the cultural impact of conspiracy theories on young Americans. He described antisemitism as a “cancer” for Gen Z.

“If young people… truly believe that ‘I will never get ahead in life… because of the Jews,’ then they will tap out of society,” Kestenbaum explained. “They will give up their role in building a better life for themselves and for their community… That’s why I care so much about antisemitism. It’s not merely a Jewish problem. It is a profoundly and uniquely American problem.”

Other witnesses who testified on antisemitism included Leo Terrell, Chair of the DOJ Task Force to Combat Antisemitism.

The hearing also saw Boller defend conservative commentators Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson, whom she claimed were unfairly labeled as antisemites. When Seth Dillon, CEO of the Babylon Bee, described the pair as “the two most famous antisemites,” Boller pushed back, stating, “She’s not an antisemite. She just doesn’t support Zionism.”

Other witnesses expressed confusion over Boller’s line of questioning. Rabbi Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, was challenged by Boller on Islamophobia after he argued that denying Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is antisemitic. Berman later told JNS that the exchange was “silly to focus on” and distracted from the need to “incentivize universities to teach American values.”

As the hearing concluded, a coalition of religious groups filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration and the commission, alleging that the body lacks ideological diversity and excludes non-Christians.

President Donald Trump is opposed to Israel annexing the Wesr Bank a White House official confirmed to Axios late Monday, signaling a potential point of friction as the Israeli cabinet moves to expand its authority in the territory.

The administration views the stability of the region as a critical component of Israeli security and broader regional peace efforts, the official says.

“A stable West Bank keeps Israel secure and is in line with this administration’s goal to achieve peace in the region,” the White House official said.

The statement comes in response to a recent decision by the Israeli cabinet to expand control over the West Bank, including moves that would extend authority into Areas A and B. Under the Oslo Accords, these areas are designated to be under the full or partial control of the Palestinian Authority.

The White House’s stance underscores a desire to maintain the status quo in the West Bank to prevent further destabilization, even as the Israeli government pushes for greater jurisdiction over the disputed territories.

Multiple people, at least three, have been shot and injured at a behavioral health center in Auburn, Washington at around 4:30 PM.

The shooting suspect remains at large, authorities confirm.

ARIZONA – The 5 PM $6 million ransom deadline for Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, has officially passed.

It remains unclear whether any payment has been made, and authorities have not confirmed the note’s authenticity as 100% coming from the actual kidnapper.

FBI in a statement after the ransom deadline: “The FBI is not aware of any continued communication between the Guthrie family and suspected kidnappers, nor have we identified a suspect or person of interest in this case at this time.” The FBI urged the public urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI with tips.

Moments before the deadline, Arizona’s Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that there are no press briefings scheduled at this time regarding Nancy Guthrie – “Should a significant development occur, a press conference will be called, & media will be notified via email and our Sheriff.”

In another post, the Department said: “Investigators have not identified any suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles connected to Nancy Guthrie.”

In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino laid out three concerning possibilities in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case, adding that the lack of early answers suggests either a calculated crime or that the initial story may not be fully true.

🇺🇸📺 – Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino laid out three possibilities in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case, adding that the lack of early answers suggests either a calculated crime or that the initial story may not be fully true.pic.twitter.com/4zFBZvvyda

— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) February 10, 2026

Bongino told Hannity: “I see three possibilities. The first is that this was obviously a kidnapping—an intended kidnapping for a ransom payment. The second possibility is that this was just a crime that went awry. Someone was at the house, maybe it was a burglary, something went bad, and you have some bad actors committing another crime by requesting a ransom for something they didn’t do, just to take advantage of a situation like this. The third possibility is that there may have been some kind of medical emergency or something, and maybe this was not a kidnapping. When you can’t find someone in a crime scene like this right away, within the first couple of days, you either have really good, surgical-type operators, or the story you’ve been told—or believed—might not be the story.”

Israeli media reported Monday that one of the four terrorists killed earlier in the day after emerging from an underground tunnel shaft in eastern Rafah was Anas Issa a-Nashar, the son of Issa a-Nashar, one of Hamas’ founders.

According to the reports, the man’s mother was a senior figure in Hamas’ women’s movement. One of his brothers was killed in 2006, and another brother – along with that brother’s entire family – died during the war. Officials also noted that he was the nephew of Abu Ahmed al-Bawab, the East Rafah Battalion commander who was killed in early 2025.

Earlier today, as part of the IDF’s continued operation to clear Rafah of terrorists and militant infrastructure, troops identified four additional gunmen emerging from a tunnel opening. The terrorists opened fire on forces from Brigade 7, who returned fire and eliminated all four.

B’chasdei Hashem, there were no IDF casualties.

The Big Apple is finally poised to begin thawing; even if only slightly.

Temperatures are expected to start rising on Tuesday, but not before New Yorkers endure one last night of punishing, bone-chilling cold, according to forecasters.

For the first time in weeks, New York City is projected to reach the 40s on Wednesday.

“The next 24 hours is trending to warm temperatures,” Chad Merrill, a meteorologist at AccuWeather, told The Post.
“The coldest weather of the season is departing as we speak.”

Wednesday is expected to be the warmest day of the week, topping out at 41 degrees before dipping to 34 on Thursday and 35 on Friday.

Forecasters say the city should see highs in the 40s through much of the following week.

The gradual warmup marks a sharp shift from the paralyzing conditions over the weekend, when temperatures plunged to 3 degrees and fierce winds drove the real-feel reading to 14 below zero.

The outdoor death toll from the historic freeze climbed to 18 after a person was found dead on a Bronx street Saturday morning, City Hall officials said Monday.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Brooklyn residents were left without power until early Monday following a widespread outage that struck at the height of the record-shattering cold snap.

The IDF has acknowledged that a Charedi detainee held in a military prison was prevented from putting on tefillin. The army apologized, labeling the incident a grave error and emphasizing that it was “a highly unusual case.”

The detainee, Rabbi Avraham Ben Dayan, married only a few months and a talmid of the Maor Talmud yeshiva, was staying in Tifrach for Shabbos when traffic police stopped him. He was then transferred to the Ofakim police station, which handed him over to the Military Police later that night.

His wife, Esti Ben David, recounted the ordeal on Kol Berama: “My husband was traveling with his mother, police officers stopped them for a routine check, and the policewoman told them that he came with them to Sde Teiman (prison). I went there, no one knew what to tell me about him. They told me that he was on his way to Ofakim, and then a soldier called me and told me that he was in the city of the battalion. They lied to us all night. They took him and didn’t let me talk to him.”

She described being sent from place to place with no answers: “They ran us from place to place all night, as if it were a terrorist. My husband received two warrants in total, he studies Torah day and night… We couldn’t breathe, we didn’t have time.”

She said he also told her he had been denied the ability to don tefillin. “At five in the afternoon, before the trial, they let him talk to me for a minute. He was broken and told me that they wouldn’t let him put on tefillin. He was done for, really broken and shattered. In a Jewish state, not letting him put on tefillin? What is he, a criminal? It’s shameful and disgraceful.”

In its response, the IDF explained that the detainee had been held overnight after being transferred from police custody. “Upon his arrival at the military prison in the afternoon, he asked the reception staff to put on tefillin and was told that he would be given the opportunity upon his arrival at the detention unit. However, due to an unexpected delay in his reception… the detainee ultimately did not have time to put on tefillin.”

The military admitted the incident should never have occurred: “This is a highly unusual case, which does not conform to army orders.” The IDF expressed regret for the emotional harm caused, announced that prison procedures have been tightened immediately, and said commanders will conduct a full investigation to ensure no similar incidents occur in the future.

They added that the detainee is currently held in a facility the army says is equipped for his religious needs.

After nearly a month on the picket lines, the largest nurse strike New York City has witnessed in decades has reached a turning point. Two of the three major hospital systems involved have negotiated tentative agreements with their nurses.

According to the New York State Nurses Association, roughly 10,500 nurses across Montefiore, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Mount Sinai Morningside and West achieved preliminary contract deals late Sunday and early Monday.

“For four weeks, nearly 15,000 NYSNA members held the line in the cold and in the snow for safe patient care,” NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN said in a statement. “Now, nurses at Montefiore and Mount Sinai systems are heading back to the bedside with our heads held high after winning fair tentative contracts that maintain enforceable safe staffing ratios, improve protections from workplace violence, and maintain health benefits with no additional out-of-pocket costs for frontline nurses.”

A spokesperson for Montefiore confirmed the deal, noting that nurses must vote to ratify it by Wednesday.

The proposed three-year contracts, the union said, include:

Hiring additional nurses to strengthen patient care and uphold enforceable staffing standards

Preserving current health benefits

Strengthened protections against workplace violence

Specific protections for immigrant and patients and staff who identify with the toeva community.

Guardrails against the use of AI in clinical decisions, a first for nurse contracts

Salary increases totaling more than 12% over the contract term

Nurses at the Montefiore and Mount Sinai hospital systems began voting on the agreements today, the union added.

If ratified, nurses are expected to return to their posts on Saturday.

The sole major hospital system still without a tentative agreement is NewYork-Presbyterian.

Despite frigid winter weather, the determination of the 15,000 striking nurses has remained strong as they push for higher pay, improved benefits, enforceable safe staffing, and better protections from workplace violence.

Since the strike began on Jan. 12, union leaders have held repeated bargaining sessions with Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian.

Union officials argue the hospitals are trying to reduce nurses’ benefits, while the hospitals contend they’ve offered to maintain employer-funded plans that exceed typical private-sector offerings.

The union also disputed the hospitals’ claim that nurses earn an average of $163,000 annually while seeking a 25% pay raise.

Hospitals have insisted their operations continue largely as usual despite the strike, though some elective procedures have been postponed. Administrators say they have hired thousands of temporary nurses and have committed financial resources to support them.

NewYork-Presbyterian argued that agreeing to the union’s contract demands would be “unreasonable,” citing significant federal cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, along with rising operational costs.

The strike drew notable political support earlier in the week. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Sen. Sen. Bernie Sanders joined nurses at Mount Sinai West, urging hospital executives to return to the negotiating table.

“The people of this country are sick and tired of the greed in this health care industry,” Sanders said as he criticized the multimillion-dollar pay packages of the CEOs leading the hospital systems.

“Now is your time of need, when we can assure that this is a city you don’t just work in, but a city you can also live in,” Mamdani added.

This morning, Monday, the IDF confirmed a rare overnight special forces ground raid deep inside southern Lebanon, capturing a senior al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya terrorist and bringing him into Israel for interrogation.

The operation took place overnight in the Mount Dov area, with Israeli forces entering a Lebanese village roughly 6 miles from the border, seizing the suspect alive inside his home and locating weapons at the site before withdrawing around 5 a.m.

Israeli officials said the decision to capture rather than kill the Sunni Islamist operative, linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and active against Israel throughout the war, was driven by his high intelligence value, with questioning expected to expose ongoing terror planning in Lebanon and Syria.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam strongly condemned the operation, stating: “The abduction of the Lebanese citizen from his home by Israel constitutes a blatant assault on Lebanon’s sovereignty, a violation of the declared cessation of hostilities, and a breach of international law. I have instructed the Foreign Minister to take immediate action and address the matter with the United Nations.”

Two deceased people were found on separate NYC subway trains within hours of each other on Sunday, as the city faces subzero temperatures, according to the NY Post.

A 23-year-old man was discovered on the No. 7 train near 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue around 3:30 a.m. in Manhattan.

Later, a man in his 50s was found on a train at the 36th Street station in Brooklyn, with drug paraphernalia nearby.

As Israel continues to reject any Turkish role in Gaza’s reconstruction or administration – and with US President Donald Trump preparing to set a deadline for Hamas to disarm – a coordinated diplomatic effort has quietly gathered momentum in recent weeks, according to a Sunday report in the Jerusalem Post. The initiative appears to significantly deepen Turkey’s involvement in Palestinian affairs, directly challenging Israel’s position that denies Hamas any political legitimacy or place in future arrangements.

The first stage of this effort became visible through official announcements from Ankara. On January 25–26, Turkey’s foreign minister and deputy foreign minister held meetings with senior Hamas leaders, including the head of the group’s Shura Council and members of its political bureau. These talks, openly reported by Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, were widely seen as a clear policy signal rather than routine diplomatic outreach; especially given the October 7 attacks and the ongoing war in Gaza.

Just days later, on February 6, the Turkish consulate in Jerusalem publicized a series of high-level meetings with Palestinian Authority officials. These included discussions with the PA’s vice president, senior Fatah leaders, and key figures involved in planning Gaza’s postwar governance.

According to statements from the consulate and the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the agenda focused on “intra-Palestinian reconciliation,” “the next stage of the political process,” and “comprehensive political arrangements.”

When these interactions are viewed together, they suggest a cohesive strategy: Turkey is working to promote a framework in which Hamas would be formally recognized and incorporated into future Palestinian political structures, including governing bodies in Gaza. Within this effort, the Turkish consul general in Jerusalem appears to be applying pressure on the Palestinian Authority to accept Hamas as a legitimate partner, using terms like “national unity” and “reconciliation” to obscure Hamas’s continued status as an active terrorist organization.

Turkey’s broader posture fits into a neo-Ottoman vision that sees Jerusalem as a central strategic arena. In practice, the Turkish consulate has taken on a political role that bypasses Israel entirely, effectively operating from within the city while advancing Ankara’s regional agenda.

For Israel, this development is deeply concerning. Any move toward integrating Hamas into Gaza’s governance or into the Palestinian Authority contradicts Israel’s core security policy and its refusal to legitimize a group responsible for massacres, kidnappings, and persistent rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. Turkey’s advancing this agenda from inside Jerusalem only underscores how far Ankara’s approach has diverged from Israel’s security priorities.

Ran Yishai, head of research at the Jerusalem Center for Applied Policy, warned that “this is a move of diplomatic subversion and a grave risk to Israel.” He said Turkey is openly engaging Hamas’s leadership and leveraging its presence in Jerusalem to push for Hamas’s inclusion in future arrangements. “This is not diplomacy, but hostile interference aimed at preserving Hamas and the threat to Israel,” he said. He argued that “the obvious Israeli conclusion is clear, there is no place for a Turkish consulate in Jerusalem in its current format.”

Alongside Turkey’s diplomatic maneuvering, a troubling security issue surfaced this week. Israel Police released images of weapons seized from a terror cell in Jerusalem — firearms bearing Turkish manufacturer markings and serial numbers. An open-source analysis of the details visible in the police images suggests the weapons originated in Turkey. Such firearms are not legally sold in Israel and do not appear on the civilian market, strongly indicating they were smuggled into the country.

The presence of Turkish-manufactured weapons in Jerusalem’s terror networks adds a new dimension to Ankara’s political pressure campaign. As Turkey pushes for Hamas’s integration into Palestinian governance, weapons linked to Turkey are showing up in violent activity on the ground.

Yishai, who previously served as director general of the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and as a Foreign Ministry ambassador, concluded that the accumulated diplomatic and security evidence “requires a renewed examination of the activity of the Turkish consulate in Jerusalem and its actual role—not only as a diplomatic mission, but as an active political player shaping reality on the ground, to Israel’s detriment.”

Thousands of female Chabad shluchos from 111 countries gathered Erev Shabbos outside the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters at 770 in Crown Heights, marking their annual international convention.

The event highlighted the role these women play in Jewish communal life, representing work in 6,000 communities and across a wide range of populations.

Organizers noted that three new families depart on shlichus each week. “The group photo of the shluchos represents the story of the Jewish people and the secret of our resilience,” said Rabbi Menachem Kotlarsky, director of the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Shluchim. “Each woman here leads her community — and we are speaking about thousands of communities and thousands of points of light touching the lives of countless Jews.”

THOUSANDS OF JEWISH WOMEN IN ONE PHOTO pic.twitter.com/mtfwXHSd98

— Chabad.org (@Chabad) February 6, 2026

Panda Vegan Products, based in Israel, has issued an immediate recall of its 45g Pistachio Halva Snack after being alerted by a supplier that the pistachio puree used in the product contained unusually high levels of mycotoxins. The affected items include batches 364 and 365, with an expiration date of 08/30/2026, and customers are urged not to consume them.

The company is actively removing the product from store shelves in full coordination with the Ministry of Health, which warns that long-term exposure to elevated mycotoxin levels may pose health risks.

Elchanan Shkolnik, the grandson of Reb Amram Chai Mizrachi z”l , who was niftar last Thursday in a fire in his Boro Park apartment, issued a sharply worded statement on Sunday, claiming his grandfather’s death was not an accident.

Shkolnik says his grandfather, who had lived alone in the United States for fifty years, had recently been the target of severe extortion by a criminal organization that repeatedly threatened his life. He alleges the gang stripped his grandfather of hundreds of thousands of dollars saved through years of modest living, eventually forcing him to take out loans once his savings were depleted.

According to Shkolnik, when the niftar sought help from the New York police, the response fell far short of what was needed. Officers allegedly told him merely to change his phone number rather than addressing the threats he reported.

The family forcefully disputes initial reports that the fire in the apartment, located at 12th Avenue and 47th Street, was caused by a lit cigarette. They call the explanation implausible and insist the circumstances suggest a deliberate act that was covered up. Shkolnik stated that his grandfather “was burned to death” while criminals continued to benefit from the money taken from him.

Police told Belaaz on Sunday that the cause of the fire has yet to be determined by the Fire Marshal.

The family remembered Reb Amram as a talmid chacham with refined middos, a fixture in the Boro Park community and an expert Ba’al Koreh who davened regularly at Tenke and Tiferes Eliezer (Lev). They described him as someone known for his warm smile, his deep Torah knowledge – videos circulated online after his petirah of him reciting Chumash by heart – his generosity to tzedaka, and his unwavering support for yeshivos.

Shkolnik urged the public to treat this tragedy as a cautionary tale, encouraging people to stay closely connected to relatives who live alone, especially elderly family members, and to check in regularly to ensure their safety.