Two Sephardic families who were traveling from Teterboro Airport on a private jet to Mexico miraculously engaged unscathed after the plane crashed Thursday.



&#8220;We&#8217;re alive, thank you Hakadosh Baruch Hu, we&#8217;re alive, my kids and Isaac Ash&#8217;s kids,&#8221; Ely Gindi, one of the survivors said while sobbing emotionally in a video taken after the crash. &#8220;Thank you Hashem for saving us because it&#8217;s absolutely a miracle that we&#8217;re alive,&#8221; he continued, and pointed the camera at a large piece of the plane that broke off during the impact.



The accident occurred at Cabo San Lucas Airport, when the plane veered off from runway 29 during landing due to a malfunction.



Video taken by one of the passengers shows the wreckage of the crash inside the jet, adding to the wonderous miracle.



Video taken by a passerby shows smoke rising from the crash site.



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2 Jewish Families Miraculously Survive Plane Crash

A Yeshiva bachur tragically passed away Thursday night as he returned from Eretz Yisrael to the US for Pesach.



The young man, 18-year-old Avraham Binyamin Orbach z&#8221;l, was a talmid of the Gerrer Sefas Emes yeshiva in Yerushalayim. He collapsed due to a sudden medical emergency.



Avraham Binyamin came from a distinguished Gerrer family. His father, Harav Yisrael Yitzhak Orbach, is a marbitz Torah.



Avraham Binyamin was flown to Eretz Yisrael for the levaya, which took place Friday at Shamgar Funeral Home and proceeded to the main Gerrer Beis Medrash, with the attendance of the Gerrer Rebbe shlita. Kevurah was held at Har Hazeisim.



Friends of the niftar described him as a kind Ben Torah with Yiras Shomayim and sterling middos.



Yehi zichro baruch.

Erev Pesach Tragedy: Bachur Collapses, Passes Away While Returning Home for Yom Tov

A major controversy is gripping Israel as shocking revelations surface about the Shin Bet, the nation’s internal security agency, wiretapping a prominent journalist to trace the source of a sensitive leak. 



Several weeks ago, senior Israeli journalist Amit Segal reported that Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar was investigating whether National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees the police, was undermining government authority. The story sparked widespread outrage, with critics alleging Bar was targeting Ben-Gvir in retaliation for actions taken against him.



Now, it has emerged that, under a gag order, the Shin Bet, in collaboration with the Department of Internal Police Investigations, is quietly probing the leak itself. Belaaz can reveal that the agency hacked into journalist Amit Segal’s personal phone to uncover the source of his information, which they had sought to keep under wraps. The investigation identified a police officer who had leaked the document to Segal.



In response, the Shin Bet detained the officer, who is currently held without access to legal counsel or other basic rights, as authorities push to charge him with compromising classified Shin Bet information.



The case is poised to rock the nation when it’s made public, especially amid escalating demands to oust Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who continues to resist stepping down despite a government decision calling for his resignation.

New Scandal Shakes Israel: Shin Bet Wiretapped Journalist to Uncover Sources

The Bureau of Prisons on Thursday reversed cuts it made to halfway house time for prisoners, the Tzedek organization announced.



Last week, the BOP reduced halfway house time, used by Jewish prisoners to spend time with their families on Yamim Tovim, from 12 months to just two.



Tzedek brought the worries of prisoners&#8217; relatives to the Department of Justice and the BOP.



The reversal is scheduled to be announced by the BOP later Thursday, Tzedek said.



“This besurah tovah just in time for the Chag HaGeulah of Pesach brings immense relief and joy to so many families,” Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, President of Tzedek told Belaaz in an exclusive statement. 



“We’ve heard from countless loved ones who were devastated by the thought of losing those precious many months of support and transition. Restoring access to halfway houses means restoring hope—the hope of healing, of second chances, and of finally coming home. We thank the DOJ and BOP for hearing the voices of families and doing the right thing”, Rabbi Margeretten said in a statement to Belaaz.

Bureau of Prisons Reverses Cuts to Halfway House Time

Twenty weeks after Rabbi Tzvi Kogan HY&#8221;D was brutally murdered by terrorists in the United Arab Emirates, his widow, Rivky Kogan, gave birth today to a healthy baby girl.



Rabbi Tzvi Kogan served as a Chabad Shliach in the UAE. He was kidnapped and murdered by a terrorist cell when he was taken from a grocery store he managed in Dubai and murdered on the road leading to Oman.



His evil killers were captured while fleeing the UAE. During interrogation, they confessed that they had intended to abduct Rabbi Kogan to Iran, but the plan failed, leading to his murder and their escape attempt.



In recent weeks, the murderers were sentenced to death and executed for the crime of murder—the gravest offense in the United Arab Emirates.

Family Finds Healing: A Daughter is Born to the Widow of Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, HY”D, Who Was Murdered in the UAE

Russian President Putin met today at the Kremlin in Moscow with freed hostage Sasha Troufanov, his mother and his fiancée, Sapir Cohen. During the meeting, Putin stated that Russia will do everything possible to secure the release of more hostages and thanked the Hamas terror organization for freeing Troufanov.



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The meeting was also attended by Russia&#8217;s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar and the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities.



This is the first time Putin has hosted a released Hostage.

Putin Hosts Released Hostage Sasha Troufanov, Vows to Secure More Releases

A special Pesach celebration took place at the White House earlier today, uniting dozens of White House staff, senior Administration officials, and communal leaders. 



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U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf, and Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), joined the gathering to share a L’chaim and enjoy Kosher L&#8217;Pesach delicacies, including matzah and gefilte fish.



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Martin Marks, who was Trump&#8217;s Jewish campaign liaison, opened the event with a warm welcome on behalf of the White House. 



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 Belaaz is told that a Seder was not held this year at the White House, as Pesach fell on a weekend when most staff are away.



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PHOTOS: White House Hosts Pesach Celebration with Matzah, Gefilte Fish, and L’chaim.

President Donald Trump announced his nomination of his ally Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun as the United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, with the rank of Ambassador-at-Large.



In an exclusive first comment to Belaaz News following his nomination by President Trump, Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun tells Belaaz that he’s “Humbled and honored to be nominated by the President.”



Widely regarded as the most influential rabbi in the United States, Kaploun is considered by Trump to be his personal rabbi and also serves as the rabbi of billionaire Dr. Miriam Adelson. A source informed Belaaz that Yehuda Kaploun received final confirmation of his appointment to the position of Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism last night (Wednesday), though President Trump only announced it publicly this afternoon.



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The announcement, made via a statement on Truth Social, underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to tackling the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents while promoting peace and security for Jewish communities globally.



“I am proud to nominate Yehuda Kaploun as the United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Ambassador-at-Large,” President Trump stated. “Yehuda is a successful businessman, and staunch advocate for the Jewish Faith and the Rights of his people to live and worship free from persecution. With Anti-Semitism dangerously on the rise, Yehuda will be the strongest Representative for Americans and Jews across the Globe, and promote PEACE. Congratulations Yehuda!”



Belaaz can now reveal that President Trump had initially considered appointing Yehuda Kaploun as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates—a role Kaploun was keenly interested in—before ultimately deciding to appoint him as the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, three sources revealed to Belaaz several weeks ago.



Kaploun, a Miami-based businessman and longtime friend of President Trump and confident of Billionaire Jewish businesswomen Dr. Miriam Adelson, helped connect Jewish communities in the U.S. and secure their vote to support President Trump and the Republican Party during the election campaign. Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun also played a key role in resolving a dispute between President Trump and Miriam Adelson regarding the allocation of the $100 million she donated to the campaign, an effort for which President Trump has expressed immense gratitude to Kaploun, Belaaz is told. In an interview given to Belaaz on January 30th, Rabbi Kaploun, who was instrumental in the president’s&nbsp;decision&nbsp;to sign an executive order&nbsp;to deport people who engage in antisemitic protests or who target Jews, said: &#8220;This executive order is a testament to what the President promised that he would do at meetings with Jewish leaders during the campaign, and the President&nbsp;is&nbsp;keeping his word exactly&nbsp;as to the&nbsp;details of what he discussed during the campaign, like&nbsp;at the events that took place in Bedminster with Dr.&nbsp;Miriam Adelson,&nbsp;myself and 300 various Jewish leaders&#8230;&#8221;



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President Trump Nominates Yehuda Kaploun as Special Envoy to Combat  Antisemitism

The Hamas terrorist organization rejected Israel&#8217;s hostage deal proposal.



The deal aimed to secure a a 45-day ceasefire and would have had Hamas release 10 Israeli hostages in return for 45 days of no hostilities.



Hamas’ response: &#8220;We will not accept partial deals that serve Netanyahu&#8217;s political agenda.&#8221;



The terror organization proposed a new deal: releasing all hostages in return for a ceasefire and Israel&#8217;s withdrawal from Gaza.

Hamas Rejects Israel’s Hostage Deal, Proposes New Terms

Moscow, Russia In a heartfelt gesture ahead of Pesach, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended warm greetings to the Jewish community of Russia, commending their dedication to preserving religious traditions and customs. The message, delivered through the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, shlit”a, highlights the community’s vibrant contributions to both Jewish life and Russian society as they prepare for the sacred chag.



In his letter, President Putin wrote, “To the Jews of Russia: I hereby congratulate you on the occasion of the holiday of Passover. This holiday, cherished by Jews worldwide, commemorates the great and pivotal event in the history of the Jewish people—the exodus from slavery to freedom.” He went on to express admiration for the community’s efforts, noting, “It is gratifying to see that the Jewish community in Russia is doing much to preserve the religious traditions and customs of its people, instilling in the younger generation a deep respect for the heritage of their ancestors.”



President Putin also acknowledged the active role of Russian Jews in public life, praising their contributions to patriotic, educational, and charitable initiatives. “The religious customs of the people, and the education of the younger generation to honor their cultural and spiritual heritage, are especially appreciated,” he wrote. “The participation of Russian Jews in our country’s public life is particularly valued, as is their impact on promoting enlightening programs and blessed charitable projects.” He concluded with wishes for good health and success in all their endeavors.



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This year, the Russian Jewish community has seen a remarkable increase in Pesach engagement. A record number of matzah distributions and public Seders are planned, reflecting a growing desire among Jews to connect with their heritage. With Pesach beginning on motzei Shabbos, hundreds of Jews will gather for the main Seder in Moscow, a tradition led by Rabbi Berel Lazar, shlit”a, for nearly three decades. Thousands more will join public Seders across the capital, hosted by various Chabad houses under the direction of Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg, Director of Jewish Communities in Moscow.



The Shaarei Tzedek Jewish Charity Center has also reported significant efforts to support the needy during this Yom Tov season. Logistical preparations have ensured that the lonely and bedridden—whether at home or in hospitals—receive matzah, Yom Tov supplies, and other essentials. These efforts run parallel to the annual Kimcha DePischa operation, which provides relief to those feeling the financial pressures of the chag.



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On erev Yom Tov, Rabbi Berel Lazar sent a letter to Jewish communities across Russia, reflecting on the deeper meaning of Pesach. “The importance of remembering yetzias Mitzrayim and maintaining emunah in Hashem at every moment cannot be overstated,” he wrote. He emphasized the symbolism of matzah, calling it the “bread of poverty” eaten in Mitzrayim, the “bread of faith” for those who followed Hashem without hesitation, the “bread of humility” in contrast to chametz, and the “bread of freedom” marking the redemption from slavery. “On Seder night, we break the matzah—a clear reminder to share with others,” he added.



Rabbi Lazar concluded with a powerful call to action: “All of this must not only be remembered—it must be learned and taught, preserved and done. We learn from the generation of Moshe Rabbeinu, who chose freely, and we teach the next generation, as the Torah instructs, ‘And you shall tell your son.’ Let the generations that follow know there is a true purpose in our lives, and that Hakadosh Baruch Hu will always help when we advance confidently toward this purpose. To preserve and do means to live by these laws, not just to recall them, but to be guided by them. This is my bracha to each of you, your loved ones, and our entire people this Pesach.”



In Moscow, the preparations for Pesach included the traditional sale and burning of chametz, led by Rabbi Lazar in the courtyards of the Marina Roscha shul, the central synagogue of the city. These moments, captured by photographer Levi Nazarov, reflect the community’s commitment to halacha and unity as they usher in the chag of freedom.



As Russian Jews gather for Pesach, President Putin’s words and the community’s efforts serve as a reminder of the enduring strength of Jewish tradition, even in the largest country in the world, where Jews can live and worship freely, their neshamos awakened to the beauty of their heritage.

President Putin Sends Pesach Greetings to Russian Jews, Praises Community’s Efforts to Preserve Traditions

Okay, so many miracles happened during the Exodus from Egypt – the sea split, plagues struck, Egypt collapsed. But matzah? Why didn’t we wait just half an hour to bake proper bread? Couldn’t G-d have made one more miracle – given us just a little more time?



The answer is: no.



To really leave Egypt – to truly break free – you have to run. No delays, no second thoughts, no goodbyes. When you recognize something negative in your life – you don’t hang around. You run.



A Jew can leave Egypt physically, but getting Egypt out of the Jew – that takes time. That’s what happens after Passover – we count 49 days, we grow step by step, building ourselves up until we reach something real: receiving the Torah.



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So yes, we eat matzah to remind ourselves that we ran – we escaped from Egypt. We left before the dough could rise. Because when it comes to negativity – you run. And when it comes to good – you take it slow, one step at a time.



Wishing you a happy and meaningful Passover!

Why Run Away? A Pesach Message | BY Rabbi Dudi Caplin

Belaaz has learned that in addition to his role as Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Rabbi Yebuda Kaploun will also serve as a Key envoy to the Jewish Community and as President Donald Trump&#8217;s primary representative to the Jewish community in America and worldwide,



Kaploun plans to foster relationships with Jewish leaders, including Rabbis and Rebbes in the United States and worldwide, a source told Belaaz.



Belaaz has also learned that Kaploun aims to assist and try to settle the IDF draft law affecting yeshivah bochrim in Israel, a key issue for the Chareidi community in Eretz Yisrael.



During the election campaign, Kaploun played a crucial role in securing Jewish support for Trump, and he is expected to continue strengthening connections with rabbinical leaders and rebbes globally.

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun to Serve as Trump’s Key Envoy to Jewish Community

A Florida deputy sheriff&#8217;s son was arrested hours after a deadly mass shooting at Florida State University Thursday, according to multiple news outlets.



Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil told NBC that the 20-year-old suspect, Phoenix Ikner, is the son of Jessica Ikner, a deputy sheriff. Phoenix reportedly had access to his mother&#8217;s firearms.



FSU President Richard McCullough addressed univeristy students, faculty and staff following the &#8220;tragic and senseless act of violence&#8221; on campus today.



&#8220;We are heartbroken. We are grieving with the families, friends and loved ones of those who were lost,&#8221; McCullough said. &#8220;We are holding close those who are injured, and we are standing by everyone who is hurting.&#8221;



Emily Palmer, a 21-year-old student at FSU, was near the student union when she received an alert about a “dangerous situation” unfolding on campus.



“I’m shaking … It’s just a lot going on,” Palmer told CNN from her student housing.



“I’m concerned about my friends,” she said. “I have friends in class right who are getting evacuated by police with their hands up.”



According to the Associated Press, student Joshua Sirmans was in the university’s main library when alarms began sounding to warn of an active shooter. The 20-year-old junior said he and other students were escorted from the building by law enforcement with their hands raised.



FSU’s emergency alert system, FSU Alert, issued messages urging those on campus to remain sheltered. One alert said, “Law enforcement is actively clearing rooms on the main campus.”



Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wrote on social media: “Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding.”



Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also confirmed his office was engaged in the response effort at FSU’s campus.

2 Dead, 6 Injured in Florida University Shooting, Deputy Sheriff’s Son Arrested

The Trump administration announced Monday night that it is freezing over $2 billion in grants to Harvard University after the school refused to comply with the Federal Government&#8217;s requirements to deal with antisemitism rampant on its campus.



In a statement responding to Harvard&#8217;s decision, the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism slammed “the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges.”



The government said it will withhold $2.2 billion in long-term grants and an additional $60 million in multi-year contracts from the Ivy League school.



Student activist and Harvard alum Shabbos Kestenbaum welcomed the news.



“Excellent news,&#8221; Kestenbaum said in an exclusive statement to Belaaz.&#8221;This entire showdown boils down to Harvard insisting on violating civil rights law and the Trump administration refusing to allow Americans to fund said violations of civil rights law anymore. More fundamentally, Harvard has no rights under the constitution to federal funds. Harvard students have a right under the constitution not to be discriminated against. Harvard is insisting on the first point but not the second.



This is precisely why I campaigned for President Trump. After working with some of the members of the federal antisemitism task force, I am not surprised they have taken this important step, but I must publicly thank them for the sheer speed of their actions!”



Earlier that day, Harvard formally declined to meet the administration’s conditions.



“The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” Harvard stated on its official X account. “Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government.”



Harvard President Alan M. Garber informed the university community via email that the White House had sent an expanded list of demands and warned of consequences for noncompliance.



Among the 10 listed demands: banning international students considered “hostile to American values,” including those who support terrorism, and instituting external reviews of academic programs promoting antisemitic or ideological bias.



The administration also ordered Harvard to dismantle all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including in hiring and admissions, and replace them with merit-based systems.



Garber called the demands “unprecedented.&#8221;



“It makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner,” Garber said. “Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating antisemitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the &#8216;intellectual conditions&#8217; at Harvard.”



White House spokesperson Harrison Fields defened the administration’s move.



“President Trump is working to Make Higher Education Great Again by ending unchecked anti-Semitism and ensuring federal taxpayer dollars do not fund Harvard’s support of dangerous racial discrimination or racially motivated violence,” Fields said in a statement.



The administration has issued similar orders to other universities in what it describes as a broader campaign against antisemitism and bias.



Last month, Columbia University accepted nine federal demands, including a protest mask ban, the hiring of 36 arrest-authorized campus security officers, and the appointment of a senior official to oversee departments related to Middle East, South Asian, and African studies.



The administration had frozen $400 million in funding to Columbia, accusing it of failing to protect Jewish students.

Trump Administration Freezes $2 Billion in  Funding From Harvard Over Refusal to Enact Antisemitism Rules

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">In a cabinet meeting earlier, President Trump addressed the ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, shedding light on the delicate negotiations involving both Israel and the Hamas terror group. “There are 59 hostages, 24 are alive,” Trump stated.</h3>



 



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Trump noted, “We are getting close to getting them back.”



Trump emphasized that the United States is actively engaged in discussions with both sides, saying, “We are dealing with Israel and also with Hamas, it’s a nasty group.”



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TRUMP: “Getting Close” to Releasing Hostages Held by Hamas

Israel had intentions to launch a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities as soon as next month, but U.S. President Donald Trump halted the move, according to a Wednesday report from the New York Times.



News of the impending strike plans was reported first by Belaaz last month. Israel already held several drills planning for the strike.



The Times&#8217; report states that Trump favors diplomatic negotiations that could lead to a nuclear agreement with Iran over engaging in military conflict; a policy that Trump has consistently expressed in recent months, even as he reinstated &#8220;maximum pressure&#8221; sanctions on Iran and warned of dire consequences if a deal is not reached with the terror-sponsoring Islamic regime.



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The proposed timing of an attack, the report emphasized, was chosen because Iran is currently vulnerable both militarily and economically.



Within the U.S. administration, a contentious debate arose as to whether or not Washington should back Israel&#8217;s plan Some officials supported a strike, arguing it could impede Iran’s nuclear ambitions. But the prevailing view was that diplomatic engagement should be prioritized, particularly as Iran is expressing interest in negotiating with the U.S., albeit indirectly.



Despite preparations, Israel’s operational plans reportedly rely heavily on American support; not just in case of Iranian retaliation, but also during the attack itself.



Earlier this month, according to the Times&#8217; report, Trump officially informed Israel that the U.S. would not back a military strike against Iran. He also reportedly shared this stance directly with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during his visit to Washington.

REPORT: Trump Holds Israel Back From Planned Strike on Iran, Opts for Diplomacy

Luigi Mangione was formally indicted Thursday by a New York grand jury on four federal counts, including murder with a firearm; a charge that could qualify him for the death penalty.



Mangione now faces both federal and state prosecutions for the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year. Earlier this month, Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered the Justice Department to pursue capital punishment in the case. Mangione cannot be convicted of a capital offense in his New York state charges, however, since the state does not carry out the death penalty.



The federal indictment lists two counts of stalking, one count of murder involving a firearm, and one additional weapons charge against Mangione.



While a federal complaint was initially made public in December, it wasn&#8217;t until Thursday that a formal indictment was issued.



Mangione has entered a not guilty plea to the state-level murder and terrorism charges brought against him in New York.



Although he is now charged federally with murder and stalking, he has not yet responded with a plea on those counts.



Thompson was fatally shot on December 4 outside a hotel in midtown Manhattan, where he had traveled for a UnitedHealthcare investor event.



Mangione was apprehended later that month at a McDonald&#8217;s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following a manhunt. He was taken into custody on unrelated charges.



His defense attorney is currently seeking to have the firearm and forgery charges dismissed.

Mangione Indicted on Murder Charges, Could Face Death Penalty

Following Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun’s appointment as the U.S. Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Israeli leaders expressed their support on X.



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote, “Congratulations to Yehuda Kaploun upon being appointed by President Trump to serve as the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Ambassador-at-Large. I am sure that Yehuda will serve America and the Jewish people well. I look forward to working together with Yehuda to confront this growing threat to Jews and free societies everywhere.”



Shas Party Chairman Aryeh Deri added, “I congratulate Yehuda Kaploun on his appointment as President Trump’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism. Kaploun has worked tirelessly for the Jewish people for years and will now continue this sacred mission on behalf of all Jews.”



Economy Minister Nir Barkat tweeted, “I welcome Yehuda Kaploun’s appointment as U.S. Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism. At a time when antisemitism is dangerously rising globally, including in the U.S., this is a fitting choice of a visionary leader with extensive experience in upholding Jewish identity.”



National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated, “The fight against antisemitism is a central challenge of our time—a moral and national imperative for the free world. I congratulate Yehuda Kaploun on his appointment as U.S. Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, a significant step in strengthening the fight against hatred, incitement, and violence toward Jews worldwide.”



Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also tweeted, “Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, a dear Jew and lover of Israel, will serve as Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism. Another excellent choice by the President.”

Israel welcomes Kaploun’s appointment as U.S. Antisemitism Envoy – “Yehuda Will Serve the Jewish People”

Israeli troops from the Golani Brigade have destroyed a Hamas training facility while operating in the recently established Morag Corridor, located between Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza, according to the military.



The compound, which belonged to Hamas’s Shaboura Battalion, featured a mock-up of an Israeli tank, as seen in photos released by the Israel Defense Forces.



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The IDF also reported that soldiers uncovered a stockpile of weapons and took down additional Hamas infrastructure in the area.



Israeli troops from the Golani Brigade have destroyed a Hamas training facility while operating in the recently established Morag Corridor, located between Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza, according to the military.



The compound, which belonged to Hamas’s Shaboura Battalion, featured a mock-up of an Israeli tank, as seen in photos released by the Israel Defense Forces.



The IDF also reported that soldiers uncovered a stockpile of weapons and took down additional Hamas infrastructure in the area.

IDF Destroys Hamas Training Site, Seizes Weapons in Southern Gaza Corridor

After 558 days in Hamas captivity, a sign of life emerges through the first recorded footage of Hostage Rom Breslavski: The Islamic Jihad terror organization released today a video of the hostage, who saved many people at the Nova music festival on October 7. A security discussion on the hostage issue is scheduled to take place this evening via phone, according to sources in the Prime Minister’s Office.



Rom’s family approved the publication of a short excerpt from the full video, in which he is heard crying out: “All day I just itch. All day I’m in pain. I don’t know what this illness is. Enough, enough. Please, Mr. Prime Minister. Please get me out of here. Trump—where are you? Where are your promises? Didn’t you say you’d free everyone in a deal?”



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Rom, 21, a resident of Jerusalem, was kidnaped from the Nova festival, where he worked as a security guard. After his abduction, his family received numerous testimonies about his bravery on October 7, when he helped people escape from the terrorists. His brother Amit posted several images of Rom from the newly released footage on Instagram.



“My son is crying out from the ground while people are barbecuing at the beach, and no one cares,” his mother said after the video was released. “They don’t understand how precious this life is. No one will truly understand until they pay in their own blood, with their own child. Time is running out. I see people on TV doing silly things, going to festivals and trips. And I don’t even recognize my son. He aged ten years. That’s not my Rom. He’s tough, and he looks terrible. If they broke Rom, they’ll break anyone. I want him home. No one cares. I need him home already—I won’t let them kill him and leave him there.” His brother Amit wrote on social media: &#8220;No one from the government has reached out to us &#8211; I hope the video shocks those who need to be shocked and that you return soon.&#8221;

For the first time: A sign of life from abductee Rom Breslavski held in Gaza

The IDF chose this year to sell its chametz to Lt. Col. (Res.) Hadi Falach, a Druze soldier who fought in Gaza and was severely injured. Hadi is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Tel Hashomer Hospital.



The Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Rabbi Eyal Karim, along with senior members of the Military Rabbinate—including the Head of Kashrut Operations and the Pesach Project Coordinator—visited him there, joined by the hospital’s rabbi, Rabbi Yoav Oknin. The sale was conducted after Rabbi Karim received authorization from Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and other security institutions.

IDF Sells Chametz to IDF Druze Officer Injured In Gaza

Scott Stringer has been in the world of New York politics for decades, serving as State Assemblyman in the 1990s, Manhattan Borough President in 2005 and New York City Comptroller in 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Stringer failed to achieve the party&#8217;s nomination for the 2021 Mayoral race in NYC, but he is trying once again this year.



Stringer has been reaching out to the Jewish community, visiting Boro Park businesses this week. He is a self-described Zionist and supporter of Israel, who marched in parades celebration Israel and expressed dismay at the violent protests after the Oct. 7 massacre and called the Democratic Socialists of America -former political allies of his &#8211; &#8220;antisemitic idiots&#8221; after the leftists praised the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust and its Hamas terrorist perpetrators.



Despite being originally endorsed in 2021 as a second-choice candidate by the far-left, virulently anti-Israel Jews for Racial and Economic Justice group, JFREJ&#8217;s endorsement notably did not mention any Israel policy stance, and the group, which calls Israel an &#8220;apartheid&#8221; state, subsequently rescinded its endorsement amid allegations of misconduct at the time which upended Stringer&#8217;s campaign.



Belaaz spoke with Stringer about his plans for New York City.



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Can you tell us a little bit about what made you decide to run for mayor again?



I opened up an exploratory in January, and then in January, after thinking about the future of the city and looking at some of the challenges the city faced, I decided to consider running again because I thought that my experience and recognized competence, as well as my vision for the city, may be exactly what the voters need. So I began to explore and talk to people throughout the year, thinking about it, and raised the money necessary to run a viable campaign.



And here we are.



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What is that vision?



I think people are tired of the corruption, tired of the chaos at all levels of government. I think people don’t want—and ultimately will not want—to replace a chaotic Mayoral administration with a former governor who brings chaos wherever he goes. I think people want somebody who has recognized financial experience, expertise, knows government like the back of their hand, and can bring forth a vision to stabilize our government, rebuild and reconstitute City Hall, and do the hard work of educating our kids and building affordable housing. Aligning public safety—making it a priority—aligning policing and mental health. These are the priorities New Yorkers want from the next mayor.



Speaking of public safety, what would you do to curb, for example, the growing scourge of shoplifting that began after the pandemic?



Well, I think we have to go back to putting cops on the beat and cops in the streets—whether it’s near our stores or in our communities. I will hire 3,000 more police officers when I&#8217;m mayor. But I also recognize, in order to hire 3,000 police officers, we have to retain and attract people to the profession.



Here’s something that I think may surprise you: we’re having trouble keeping our police officers and attracting new ones. Eight thousand people recently took the police test. That usually means that about 1,000 police officers will join the force. More than that are leaving per year, and we need to keep the cops. We have police officers with two or three years of experience leaving after five years. They’re not retiring from policing—they’re being picked up by other jurisdictions around the country. So we need a plan to keep our cops and to train new cops. I will do that. Otherwise, we won’t be able to hire any more cops, let alone 3,000.



I also think we should put a cop on every train. We should align policing with a massive mental health initiative to help people who are struggling—people who are harmful to themselves.



I will be the mayor who knows how city agencies work. Ithink I can do that. 



I also think we need a Deputy Mayor for Quality of Life. We don’t talk about quality-of-life issues anymore, and I want a mayor who’s going to focus on 911 and 311 data to break the silence between our different agencies—whether it’s mental health, HPD, or the sanitation department. Police have to work in unison to tackle problems relating to quality of life. I don’t think police officers need to be called for basic quality-of-life issues. That’s how you don&#8217;t use the police officers we have wisely. I think we should empower some agencies and hold commissioners accountable—and that’s what I’ll do.



To what do you attribute the lack of retention of police officers and new hires?



I think for young officers—as I talk to them—it’s really about quality of life. It’s very hard to have a family or a life when you’re forced to work without enough cops. That’s why overtime went from $650 million to $1.3 billion. So we’ve got to break this cycle. One way to do it is to hire more police officers. The more cops we have, the less we have to pay in overtime. I think cops should work four days a week, and 10 hours a day —give them rest, but also give them their lives back. Make this a job that’s attractive to them. Get the next generation of police officers from all of our diverse communities to want to be cops.



Eight thousand people took the test. You know how many took the sanitation test at the same time?



How many?



60,000.



Tell me more about the changes you&#8217;d make to police shifts.



Ten-hour workdays, four days a week—as opposed to these unpredictable shifts that are driving people out of the department. I want to have predictable work schedules so that people can plan their lives. I also want to change the antiquated shift system that doesn’t really work anymore. The shift changes in the police department occur twice a day—one at 7 a.m. during rush hour, and another at 3 p.m. when all the kids are out of school. Why? Why don’t we have standard shifts that meet the needs of people early in the morning and late at night? But do we really want a shift change when the kids are coming out of school? They should get our highest priority.



Have you reached out to the police unions for potential endorsements?



I’ve had many confidential conversations with many labor leaders in the city. I’m not ready to disclose those conversations or their endorsement schedules.



So how does your experience—as Comptroller, as Borough President—how does all that prepare you to be mayor?



Well, no one has more government experience in this race—and more New York City government experience. I have 30 years of experience. I was a state assembly member for 13 years, then served eight years as Manhattan Borough President—working on land use and zoning issues, affordable housing issues, managing 600 community board members. As Comptroller, I was chief fiscal officer for eight years. I held the de Blasio administration accountable on so many issues—364 days a year. I gave them off for Christmas, but otherwise, I was a very active, energetic, and forceful Comptroller. I held the city fiscally accountable. I took that job seriously.



I didn’t sleep walk during the administration. We need somebody who is strong enough to take on the issues at hand, and I never backed down from a fight. I did a lot of good work holding government accountable and managing the fourth-largest pension fund in America. And look, while I was getting record rates of return for our retirees, I divested from fossil fuels, I divested from gun manufacturers. I did the kind of work that New Yorkers wanted me to do.



I went to one investment meeting with all the pension funds—something Bloomberg and other mayors tried to do but couldn’t. I figured out how to do it, and I did it. It stayed in place for the eight years I was Comptroller. It unraveled when I left, but it was a great economic and pension reform that needed to be done, and I accomplished that.



I fixed the back office of the pension fund. We hired a consultant who told me there were 200 changes needed to maintain the viability of the fund. They told me at the time that 40 of those changes were necessary immediately—and I got them done in 18 months. So, I think I have the experience, I think people consider me the adult in the room. I may not have swagger, but I don’t bring chaos to City Hall. And I think that would be refreshing for a lot of New Yorkers.



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 There are a lot of voters who seem to want non-establishment figures. The longer a politician’s resume, the more it turns off some voters. We see that in presidential races, congressional races—across the board. There’s a growing movement of voters who want outsiders. What would you say to such voters?



 I’d say—it’s time we learned our lesson. After 12 years of serious dysfunction in city government, maybe we need someone who can bring a level of experience to rebuild our agencies, rebuild our government, and getting the city straightened out. I want new people to be in government. I want new people to get elected—like I did when I was young—to the Assembly, to the City Council. But maybe, for this moment in time, we just need someone who brings an unusual amount of experience and confidence to the job of mayor.



 You mentioned wanting to vastly change the way the police department works. How do you feel about criminal justice reform? What would your plans be?



 Look, I think we need to close existing loopholes. Andrew Cuomo signed a bail reform and didn’t really understand what he was signing. That’s the job of a governor—to see problems in legislation. I’m a former legislator.



He just wanted a quick win—and it cost New Yorkers a lot. I think we need a mayor who can be sensible. I do think we want to make sure that kids stay away from the criminal justice system. We certainly don’t want people who are struggling to end up incarcerated. But we also have to balance the fact that we need police on the street.



There’s a difference between someone who steals something because they’re hungry and a professional shoplifter who’s done this 150 times. The mayor has to put their his or her down and say—we have to balance this. But Cuomo, when he was governor, was just not helpful to the city.



 Some of our readership is frankly concerned for their safety, especially in light of the anti-Israel riots that took place for the better part of last year. This year has been quieter. But as mayor, what would you do to protect minority communities?



 Look, we’re seeing a 54% increase in antisemitic hate. It’s not the only community that’s suffering—the Asian community is suffering too. We need a mayor who’s going to have zero tolerance for this kind of hate and criminal activity. There’s nothing more frightening for a parent—especially a Jewish parent—to wonder about the safety of their children when people can storm into classrooms or bang on windows and we excuse that behavior. That’s absolutely inappropriate and unacceptable.



I know firsthand, as the parent of two Jewish boys, when they were in their synagogue preschool, one thing that struck me was that every morning when I dropped them off, there was more security there, round-the-clock. And I always said to myself—it’s really sad, in a way, that these schools, because they could be targets, not only have to spend all this money on security—but also that it’s so necessary. And that was before the hate of October 7.



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 What&#8217;s your position on Israel?



“I am a lifelong supporter the State of Israel and affirm its right to exist as a secure and democratic homeland for the Jewish people. As a Zionist, I stand against the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which seeks to unfairly stigmatize and delegitimize Israel. I strongly condemn Hamas, a terrorist organization, and hope and pray for the safe return of all hostages they are holding in Gaza, and more broadly, that there is immediate and lasting peace for Israelis, Palestinians, and all others in the region.”



What’s your message to the Jewish community at large?



 You know me. You trust me. You know I have the experience to do this job. I will watch out for the community, and I will protect the community. I’ll also deliver an economic recovery for working people, the likes of which we’ve never seen. I understand the mental health crisis we face in the city, and I’m going to deal with that. I also know we need to increase public safety, and I will deal with that too.



We need a mayor who brings the best and brightest into government; people who are there for the right reasons. People who won’t steal from the public. This moment in time is very important for the community. You know, my wife, as you know, is at the Holocaust museum. We have a stake in the community. We have a stake in our children. I think this would be a time to do great work in the community, and I’m looking forward to that. The support I’m receiving from the community is very encouraging. 



The election is in a couple of months; I’ll do my best to get elected.



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Interview: Will Scott Stringer’s Second Bid for Mayor be Successful?

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu visited the northern Gaza Tuesday alongside Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Southern Command Commander Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, and various division and brigade commanders.



During the visit, the Prime Minister received a security briefing from the military leadership on the IDF’s ongoing operations aimed at freeing hostages and defeating Hamas in Gaza.



Following the briefing, Netanyahu and Katz held discussions with division, brigade, and battalion commanders, as well as with both reserve and regular soldiers. They highlighted the necessity of maintaining strong military pressure on the Hamas terrorist organization.



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Netanyahu stated: &#8220;I am here with the Minister of Defense, with the IDF commanders and our regular fighters, and the wonderful reservists. They are doing a great job here in the Gaza Strip. They are striking the enemy and Hamas will suffer more and more blows.&#8221;



The Prime Minister’s Office added: &#8220;We insist that he release our hostages and we insist on achieving all of our war goals, and we do this thanks to our heroic fighters. They are simply doing a wonderful job.&#8221;



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Meanwhile, in a separate video message responding to recent remarks by Ayatollah Khamenei calling for the elimination of Israel, Netanyahu declared Tuesday: &#8220;Let me be clear: Israel will not be eliminated. What must be eliminated is Iran&#8217;s axis of terror.&#8221;



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Netanyahu Visits Northern Gaza, Vows Continued Pressure on Hamas

The IDF will maintain its operations and readiness over Pesach across all active fronts, the military said Friday.



In Gaza, soldiers are operating in the Tel Sultan and Shaboura neighborhoods in Rafah, the outskirts of Khan Yunis, the Shejaiya area and in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.



Over the past week, the IAF has struck more than 370 targets in the Gaza Strip. On the defensive front, the Air Defense Array remains deployed throughout the area and is on alert to protect Israel’s airspace.



In the Northern Command, IDF troops are maintaining five positions in southern Lebanon.



In Syria, troops are engaged in forward defense missions — removing threats, confiscating weapons, and continuing to operate to ensure the safety of residents in the Golan Heights.



In the Central Command, IDF troops remain deployed and continue the defensive effort, maintaining security along roadways, recreational areas and tourist sites. The forces continue to operate in terror hotspots in northern Shomron. As part of the ongoing operation, forces conducted activity this week in Tubas and in Nablus. Across villages in Yehudah and Shomron, troops are continuing overnight operations to counter terrorism.



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IDF To Maintain Operations, Readiness Over Pesach

Rep. Elise Stefanik is mulling a run for New York governor in 2026, NBC reported just hours after President Donald Trump praised the upstate Republican in a social media post, calling her “GREAT!!!”



At 40, Stefanik would be the first Republican to hold the position since George Pataki left office in 2006.



According to sources who spoke with the NY Post, the GOP congresswoman sees incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul as a vulnerable opponent.



The sources noted that Stefanik has around $10 million available in potential campaign funds, enjoys a considerable approval rating among state Republicans, and outperformed Trump in her rural district during the 2024 election.



“She is being advised and pushed to consider by allies of [Trump] and longtime friends,” one person familiar with the discussions told The Post.



“Elise has been approached by major donors, New York GOP leadership and Trumpworld to run for governor,” a second source close to the lawmaker added.



Stefanik made headlines last year for grilling the presidents of Harvard, UPenn and MIT over their mishandling of campus antisemitism, with none of the heads willing to ban calls of genocide towards Jews.

Rep. Elise Stefanik Weighs 2026 NY Gov Run as Trump Praises her: ‘GREAT!!!’

Israel&#8217;s Chief Rabbis, together with other rabbanim and released hostage Eli Cohen greeted thousands of mispallelim at the Kosel during Birkas Cohanim on Tuesday.



More than 50,000 people took part in the event held at the Kosel Plaza, which included both Shacharis and Mussaf. The ceremony, a 54-year-old tradition, was established by Harav Menachem Mendel Gaffner and is organized by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation during Chol Hamoed Pesach and Sukkos. Hundreds of Cohanim delivered the bracha to the large crowd gathered in the plaza.



The event was attended by the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rishon LeZion Harav David Yosef and Chief Rabbi Harav Kalman Bar, Rav of the Kosel and Holy Places Harav Shmuel Rabinowitz, Israel Police Rabbi Rami Rachamim Barachihau, Commissioner-General of the Israel Police Danny Levy, Mayor of Yerushalayim Moshe Leon, Panamanian Ambassador to Israel Ezra Cohen, and other rabbis, ministers, and public figures.



Freed hostage Eli Cohen and the families of current hostages Segev Kalfon and Uriel Baruch received a warm welcome from the crowd.



Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz led the tefilos, which were followed by the thousands of mispallelim lining up to receive brachos from Rav Rabinowitz and the Chief Rabbis.



The Western Wall Heritage Foundation announced that a second Birkas Cohanim ceremony will take place on Thursday in the same format to give others the opportunity to participate. The ceremony will be streamed live on the foundation’s website starting at 8:45 AM.



The foundation urged the public to follow guidance from the Israel Police and event ushers to ensure an orderly experience for all visitors during the holiday.



In a statement, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation said: “The ceremony was dedicated to prayers for the return of the kidnapped, for the safety of IDF soldiers, for the healing of the wounded, and for the peace and security of Israel. The foundation was prepared in advance for the arrival of tens of thousands of visitors and worshippers during the Pesach holiday. We invite the public to also participate in the second ceremony, which will be held on Thursday.”



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Thousands Gather at Kosel Birkas Cohanim With Chief Rabbis, Released Hostage Eli Cohen

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<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>From Redemption to Revelation</h1>



Pesach celebrates sudden redemption—a dramatic shift from slavery to freedom. Shavuos, in contrast, represents transformation through commitment: the receiving of the Torah. The 49-day journey between these holidays is not just a countdown—it&#8217;s a time of deep internal preparation.



This in-between space often mirrors our own lives. We, too, go through transitions—times when we’ve left something behind but haven’t yet arrived at something new. These periods can feel uncertain or even uncomfortable.



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>Counting as a Spiritual Practice</h1>



Sefiras HaOmer offers us a simple, structured practice to guide us through this uncertainty:



counting each day.



“Today is the Xth day of the Omer.”



With this daily declaration, we affirm presence. We acknowledge that today matters. This consistent act becomes a source of spiritual grounding and resilience. Even if nothing big happens externally, we are still showing up, still moving forward, still growing.



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>Finding Purpose in the Process</h1>



The Mekubalim infused the Omer period with significant meaning by assigning each day a unique combination of spiritual attributes (such as Chesed – loving-kindness, or Gevurah – discipline). Each day becomes a mini-laboratory for self-refinement and character development.



This reminds us that:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Growth is gradual.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Change takes time.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>There is meaning even in the quiet days.</li>
</ul>



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>A Quiet Act of Strength</h1>



We live in a culture of instant gratification. Quick fixes, viral moments, and overnight success stories dominate the narrative. But Sefiras HaOmer calls us back to a different rhythm.



To count the Omer is to say:



“I don’t need to be at the finish line to find meaning. I can find holiness in the journey itself.”



It’s a daily act of resistance to the rush. A reminder that resilience is built slowly, in small, faithful steps.



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>Transforming Time</h1>



More than a countdown, the Omer is a count-up. Each day adds to the previous one, building momentum and meaning. We’re not just moving through time—we’re transforming it.



As we approach Shavuos, we don’t arrive empty-handed. We bring with us 49 days of effort, intention, and growth. We bring the strength that comes from showing up—day after day—even when the destination felt far away.



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><a></a>In Conclusion</h1>



Sefiras HaOmer offers us more than a ritual. It offers us a path through the unknown. A way to cultivate mindfulness, purpose, and inner strength during times of transition. And ultimately, it teaches us that every day matters—and that within each one lies the potential for deep, lasting growth.



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Resilience and Growth: Sefiras HaOmer and the Power of Counting | By Gamliel Beyda, LMSW

Consumer prices dipped by 0.1% in March when adjusted for seasonal factors, following a 0.2% rise in February, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.



According to the agency, March marked the first monthly decline in overall inflation in almost five years.



However, the report does not reflect the full impact of the Trump administration’s latest tariffs, which are expected to influence next month’s data. Despite the stronger-than-expected inflation report, the stock market fell on Thursday.



For the 12 months ending in March, overall consumer prices climbed 2.4% before seasonal adjustment—slower than the 2.8% year-over-year increase reported for February.



A decline in energy costs contributed to controlling inflation. Energy prices dropped 2.4% in March, led by a 6.3% fall in gasoline prices, which outweighed upticks in electricity and natural gas costs. In contrast, food prices increased by 0.4% during the month.



The core Consumer Price Index, which excludes the more unpredictable food and energy categories, also showed signs of slowing. It rose by 0.1% in March, following a 0.2% increase in February. Over the past year, the core index grew 2.8%, marking the smallest annual gain since March 2021.



In March, prices for items such as medical care (+0.5%), shelter (+0.2%), education (+0.5%), apparel (+0.4%), and new cars (+0.1%) increased. Meanwhile, the indexes for airline tickets (-5.3%), auto insurance (-0.8%), used vehicles (-0.7%), and recreation (-0.3%) were among those that declined.

U.S. Inflation Slows in March as Consumer Prices Dip for First Time in Nearly Five Years

Prime Minister Binyamin spoke Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron following the latter&#8217;s recent tweet supporting the creation of a Palestinian state and his conversation the previous night with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.



During Tuesday&#8217;s conversation, Netanyahu voiced firm opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state. He noted that no Palestinian official, including those in the Palestinian Authority, has condemned the October 7 massacre. He also cited the Palestinian Authority&#8217;s educational curriculum, teaching its children to seek Israel&#8217;s destruction and of financially rewarding terrorist operatives. Netanyahu argued that a Palestinian state would serve as a base for Iranian terrorism and claimed that the vast majority of the Israeli public is strongly opposed to such a move.



In Macron’s conversation with Mahmoud Abbas, according to the Arabic-language Sky News channel citing a source close to Abbas, the French president stated that France is seriously considering recognizing a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders in the coming months.



Last Friday, Macron posted a tweet in Hebrew, Arabic, French and English expressing support for a Palestinian state. He wrote: &#8220;I am being exposed here to a host of unfounded interpretations regarding our policy towards Gaza. This is France&#8217;s position, and it is clear &#8211; yes to peace.&#8221;



Netanyahu responded that &#8220;President Macron is gravely mistaken when he continues to promote the idea of a Palestinian state in the heart of our country, whose sole ambition is the destruction of the State of Israel. We will not endanger our existence because of illusions disconnected from reality, and we will not accept sermons on the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger the existence of Israel, from those who oppose granting independence to Corsica, New Caledonia, French Guinea and other territories, whose independence would not endanger France in any way.&#8221;



After speaking with the Prime Minister, Macron said, &#8220;I hope that in the coming hours there will be decisions on sending aid and releasing hostages.&#8221;

Netanyahu Tells Macron He Strongly Opposes a Palestinian State

The United States has announced sanctions against the International Bank of Yemen, accusing it of providing financial backing to Iran-backed Houthi terrorists responsible for recent assaults on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and attacks on Israel, according to a statement from the Treasury Department.



In addition to targeting the bank itself, the U.S. is also imposing sanctions on individuals in leadership roles or holding official positions at IBY, the statement adds.

US Sanctions Yemeni Bank for Ties to Houthi Terrorists

Moments ago, Israeli Air Force has initiated a massive wave of airstrikes targeting Hamas terror strongholds in the Gaza Strip. This development comes after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz instructed the IDF to prepare for a potential aerial assault on Hamas as a lower-level response.



According to security sources, this is the most extensive aerial attack on Hamas since the latest round of violence began. Dozens of terror targets have been hit, including Hamas commanders and operatives, terrorist tunnels, and weapons storage facilities.



The Israeli military has emphasized the element of surprise in this operation, aiming to maximize the elimination of Hamas terrorists simultaneously. 



At the same time, Israel has left room for continued diplomatic efforts, with this current action appearing to be an aerial, rather than ground-based, operation. Though there are some reports of tanks and ground forces operating in Rafah, Gaza.



In response to the escalating tensions, schools in communities surrounding the Gaza Strip have been canceled until further notice, as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff.

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MORE FROM BELAAZ

BREAKING NEWS: Ceasefire Over – Israel Launches Surprise Airstrikes on Hamas Targets in Gaza.

Israelis are welcoming the confirmation of Mike Huckabee as the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel, and reports indicate that he is expected to appear in Israel next week.



Government ministers praised the appointment, noting that Huckabee is clearly a different kind of ambassador—well known for his strong pro-Israel views, including support for Jewish communities in Yehudah and Shomron.



Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar spoke with Ambassador-designate Huckabee just minutes after his confirmation by the U.S. Senate and congratulated him on the approval. Minister Sa’ar told Huckabee that he is confident that, as a proud American patriot and a devoted friend of Israel, he will make a unique and meaningful contribution to strengthening the strong alliance between the United States and Israel.



Mr. Huckabee is expected to arrive in Israel next week and will officially present his letter of credentials to the President of Israel after Pesach, officially assuming his role as ambassador.



Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Jewish Tradition, Rabbi Meir Porush, said: “Jerusalem warmly welcomes the friend of the Jewish people, Mr. Mike Huckabee, who was confirmed by the Senate to serve as the U.S. Ambassador in Jerusalem. The appointment of such a strong supporter of Jerusalem is a clear continuation of President Trump’s policies, including the embassy move and recognition of our capital. We do not need international validation for Jerusalem’s status, but the messages coming out of Washington resonate around the world.”



Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said: “I congratulate my dear friend Mike Huckabee on his appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Israel. I’ve known Mike for decades—he is a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people. I look forward to working together to further strengthen the unwavering alliance between Israel and the United States.”



Minister Nir Barkat said: “I welcome the appointment of Mike Huckabee as U.S. Ambassador to Israel. He is a true friend of the State of Israel who has consistently worked over the years to reinforce the alliance between our two nations. I have no doubt that in his new role, he will continue to deepen the strategic partnership between Israel and the United States.”

Israeli Officials Welcome Huckabee Appointment: Expected in Israel Next Week

US President Donald Trump is actively pushing for a hostage deal and will only grant Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu a few more weeks of intensive fighting in Gaza, according to reports in Israeli media Wednesday.



Trump sees a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas terrorists as part of a broader diplomatic effort aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza and ultimately advancing normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, the reports indicated. Talks with Iran on its nuclear program are also reportedly tied into this comprehensive initiative.



Ynet cited Israeli officials, after consultations with their American counterparts, as saying that Trump is giving Netanyahu limited time—about two to three weeks—to continue military operations before expecting a shift toward ending the war.



The same sources emphasized that any resolution to the conflict must include a solution to the hostage situation.



A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office declared: “President Trump fully supports the policy that the Prime Minister is leading to defeat Hamas and to apply military pressure on it in order to release our hostages. The political pressure that the United States is exerting on the mediators, alongside Israel&#8217;s military pressure, are bringing the possibility of reaching a deal closer.”



During a joint statement at the White House, President Trump remarked: “We have a problem with the hostages &#8211; we are trying to get them out. It&#8217;s a long process that doesn&#8217;t have to be this long. I hope the Israelis like me. We are trying hard to get the hostages out, the Israeli people want them out. We are looking at another ceasefire. He (Netanyahu) is a great leader and is working hard on the hostages. It&#8217;s a tough place.”

Report: Trump Presses Netanyahu to Wrap Up Gaza Fighting in Matter of Weeks

According to a Fox News report, Yemen&#8217;s Houthi rebels have shot down another MQ-9 Reaper drone earlier, marking the fourth such incident since March 3rd. 



 Since U.S. Central Command launched daily airstrikes against the Houthis on March 15th, three of these advanced drones have been downed over Yemen. Despite 25 consecutive days of U.S. bombing the terror group—including strikes with B-2 stealth bombers deploying bunker-busting munitions—the Houthis are continuing their attacks on US ships and Israel.

Houthis Down Fourth U.S. MQ-9 Reaper Drone in Yemen Amid Ongoing Airstrikes

In a surprising statement, French President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday that France is expected to officially recognize a Palestinian state in the near future. This could take place as early as June, during a joint conference with Saudi Arabia to be held in New York.



“We must move towards recognition [of a Palestinian state], and we will do so in the coming months,” Macron said in an interview with France 5 news channel.



The French president emphasized that such recognition could pave the way for broader diplomatic progress, including mutual recognition between Israel and countries that have long supported opposed Israel. “Our goal is to bring about a process of mutual recognition by several countries,” he added. “I am doing this because I believe it is the right moment, and because I want to contribute to a collective movement in which those defending the Palestinians also recognize Israel — something many of them currently do not.”



Macron has long been a supporter of the two-state solution, the goal of most of the Western world. As early as 2017, he expressed France’s commitment to a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “We will continue our efforts, together with the UN, to achieve a two-state solution — Israel and Palestine — living side by side within internationally recognized borders. Jerusalem will be the capital of both states,” he said at the time.

France Ready to Recognize Palestinian State, Macron Says

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan just announced that Turkey and Israel are engaging in technical-level talks to prevent military conflicts in Syria.



Fidan said: &#8220;We do not plan to clash with any country in Syria, including Israel.”

Turkey and Israel Hold Talks to Avoid Military Clashes in Syria

Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas and a great supporter of Israel, has been confirmed as the US Ambassador to Israel.



Huckabee&#8217;s nomination was confirmed with a surprise vote from Senator John Fetterman, the only Democrat to support his appointment.



As ambassador, Huckabee will play a crucial role in strengthening ties between the two nations. His appointment has been met with interest, given his past views on Israel and the Middle East.



Huckabee served as the 44th governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He ran for President in both the 2008 and 2016.

Mike Huckabee Confirmed as US Ambassador to Israel with Surprise Democrat Support

In a last minute move, U.S. President Trump has announced a 90-day pause and reduction in tariffs for dozens of countries, but China won&#8217;t be so lucky. China&#8217;s tariffs will be hiked to 125%.



Citing China&#8217;s lack of respect for global markets, Trump declared, &#8220;Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World&#8217;s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately.&#8221;



Trump also stated in his Truth post, &#8220;I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately.&#8221;



The White House had earlier denied rumors of a 90-day tariff pause, labeling them as &#8220;fake news&#8221;.

Trump Pauses Tariffs for 90 Days, Hikes China’s to 125%

The Marina Roshcha Jewish Community Center announced Wednesday the completion of extensive preparations for the upcoming Yom Tov.



These efforts include the widespread distribution of shmurah matzah kits and the organization of public Sedarim in neighborhoods throughout the city.



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Beginning the day after Purim, matzah distribution began, with hundreds and sometimes thousands of people visiting the central shul daily to purchase matzah boxes. Many kosher stores across Moscow are also stocked with a broad selection of strictly kosher-for-Pesach products, including ready-made meals for those unable to cook themselves.



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As in previous years, a large-scale Kimcha DePischa campaign is being carried out under the direction of the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Harav Berel Lazar shlita. At the Shaarei Tzedek Chesed Center, boxes filled with holiday essentials—including shmurah matzah, wine and grape juice, meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables—were distributed to the needy and large families. To maintain recipients&#8217; dignity, dozens of workers delivered the packages on carts, warmly greeting each person.



Mechiras chametz is available via multiple platforms, and this year’s preparations also include a special campaign focusing on the unique halachic aspects of Pesach, particularly since Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos. A concise guide in Russian has been published for Thursday, Friday, and Shabbos HaGadol, alongside the comprehensive Pesach guide traditionally issued by the gabbaim at the central shul.



With Pesach beginning this Motzei Shabbos, hundreds are expected to attend the main communal Seder led by the Chief Rabbi, a tradition for over 30 years. Thousands more will participate in public Seders organized throughout the city by local Chabad Houses, coordinated by Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg, Director of Moscow’s Jewish communities.



Special arrangements were also made to provide matzah and kosher food for the elderly, the homeless, and Jewish prisoners. Inmates at facilities like the Butyrsky Prison received matzah and grape juice with special permission, and a full Seder will be held there.



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Pesach Preparations Completed in Moscow

Three men sentenced to death for alleged involvement in a failed coup in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including one Jewish man, were sent back to the US Tuesday after having their sentences commuted by the country&#8217;s president.



President Félix Tshisekedi issued pardons for Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, an American Jewish man, along with Marcel Malanga and Tyler Thompson after talks with President Donald Trump&#8217;s senior Africa advisor,&nbsp;Massad Boulos, who traveled to the Congolese capital Kinshasa last week to discuss a potential minerals deal between the U.S. and the DRC. Under the deal, the Congo would supply the US with crucial minerals in exchange for security guarantees, as tensions between the current regime and Rwandan rebels intensify.



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All three had been incarcerated since the alleged coup and were facing the death penalty before the intervention.



&#8220;This shows that the collaboration and cooperation between the two states is growing stronger and stronger,&#8221; Tina Salama, Tshisekedi&#8217;s spokesperson told Reuters. The State Department said in an email to the news outlet that bringing home Americans was a top priority for the administration.



The original charges stemmed from what authorities in Kinshasa described as a coup attempt, when armed men led by Christian Malanga, Marcel&#8217;s father, stormed a government office last September. A total of 50 people were arrested and 37, including the 3 Americans, were given the death penalty. Marcel Malanga says his father, who was killed during the incident, threatened to kill him if he didn&#8217;t join him.



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Jewish American Among 3 Spared Death Penalty by Congo President After Alleged Coup

At the NRCC fundraising dinner in Washington tonight (Tuesday), President Donald Trump invited released hostages Keith Segal and Yair Horn to speak on stage.



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 Keith Segal said: &#8220;I am here and I am alive. President Trump, you saved my life. You saved the life of 33 hostages because of your efforts.&#8221; 



Yair Horn, who spent 498 days in captivity, shared: “I’ve been in hell for 498 days. It’s really surreal to be here. I’m a simple man running a bar in the Kibbutz in Nir Oz, and now I’m here with President Trump, who’s running the world&#8221;, Horn joked. 



Horn added, “In a few days, we mark Passover—Pesach. It’s family time, and I hope my brother can sit with us at the Seder.&#8221; 



Yair&#8217;s brother is still being held by Hamas in Gaza.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"></h6>

WATCH: Trump Hosts Released Hostages Keith Segal and Yair Horn at NRCC Dinner: “You Saved My Life”

A petition to impeach NY Gov. Kathy Hochul has garnered over 1,300 signatures, according to its change.org page on Tuesday afternoon.



The petition was drafted by home health care business owner Hershy Marton over Hochul&#8217;s outlawing agencies from providing health care to patients under the CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance) program, instead directing all funds of the government-subsidized program to one private company, Public Partnerships LLC.



Around 600 agencies lost their businesses due to Hochul&#8217;s controversial decision, which took effect this month.



&#8220;We, the undersigned citizens of New York State and allies concerned with justice, transparency, and the wellbeing of vulnerable populations, call for the immediate resignation of Governor Kathy Hochul, and failing that, her impeachment, conviction, and removal from office by the New York State Legislature and Court of Appeals,&#8221; the petition read.



Marton charges Hochul with violating what he says are constitutional rights of the agencies, which had signed contracts under the State CDPAP program, as they were not compensated or given due process.



Marton spoke with Belaaz about the issue:



Is everything going to be handled exclusively by PPL?



Basically, but here are still about 40 to 42 facilitators working under the new setup, but they&#8217;re operating under PPL.



This move affected the frum community?



Definitely. Many frum companies were involved. A lot of insurance companies had partnerships under CDPAP, and now they&#8217;ve lost all of that business.



It&#8217;s unconstitutional; they effectively took away private businesses under the “takings clause” of the federal constitution — without compensation or due process. We had contracts with insurance companies to provide Medicaid services, and those were stripped away.



A federal judge got involved; what made him issue an injunction?



Thousands of consumers weren’t fully registered with the new company by the April 1 deadline. A federal judge issued a temporary injunction allowing us to continue providing services, but Hochul was not bothered by the potential disruption of health care that would have ensued without the judge&#8217;s ruling.



How does this affect existing CDPAP beneficiaries?



The Department of Health issued guidance stating that those who started registering with PPL must continue with the company and get paid by PPL.



But if they finish by April 30, they’ll be paid retroactively. The judge said that wasn’t enough, because too many would fall through the cracks. So the judge ordered that everyone who was being served under CDPAP before April 1 — and was being paid — must continue receiving services and be paid weekly.



However, DOH only allowed previous providers to continue if the patient hadn’t started registering with PPL and explicitly requested to keep their old provider. But 90–95% already started the new registration.



What was Hochul’s reasoning? Was there alleged abuse in the system?



She claimed it was about better oversight and saving administrative costs. During the budget, they projected a $500 million annual savings. But the Department of Health&#8217;s submission to CMS — the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services — only projected $31 million in savings the first year, and $35 million the second.



Wait — they’re shaking up a $9 to $12 billion program over $34 million a year?



Exactly. It’s less than half a percent in projected savings, while disrupting services for over 250,000 consumers and over 300,000 personal assistants. And people are struggling. If you go online, people are posting how it takes hours to reach someone at PPL. People wait, request callbacks that never come. Vulnerable patients are stuck in registration for weeks.



Did you start a petition with others?



No, I started the petition myself and shared it around. Some other agencies helped spread it. I founded my company in January 2017. We’ve served hundreds of patients over eight years. We even went through the FI authorization process and were told we’d be receiving a five-year contract. Then a year later, Hochul eliminated the entire industry.



So now your former clients are calling?



Yes. We’re getting calls and emails all day. But all we can do is guide them on registering with PPL. We’re not allowed to serve them anymore.



Is there any path to impeachment for Hochul?



The Assembly would have to introduce articles of impeachment and vote on them. Then the full Senate and the New York Court of Appeals would have to convict with a two-thirds vote.



One last point — the way she passed the budget was problematic. The legislators technically voted on it, but she pressured them by bundling unrelated issues into the budget. Carl Heastie, the Assembly Speaker, also played a big role. And she removed oversight from the State Comptroller for this bid. She also set up the bid so only companies operating in other states were eligible. New York-only companies were excluded — PPL never operated here before.



So you’re saying the bid may have been rigged?



There was a lawsuit alleging that, but it didn’t go far. Still, a state assembly member tweeted during budget talks: &#8220;Who wants to bet $500 million that PPL wins the bid?&#8221;



<a href="https://chng.it/k7Vk7gNyHK">Link To Petition</a>

Petition to Impeach Hochul Over CDPAP Gathers Hundreds of Signatures

Aryeh Deri, chairman of the Shas party and a trusted close partner of Prime Minister Netanyahu, has issued a stern warning to his coalition partners, stating that if even one Yeshiva Bachur is arrested for refusing to serve in the IDF, his party will withdraw from the government.



In an interview with his Party’s ‘Haderch’ newspaper, Deri emphasized that Shas will not remain in the coalition if its demands for an exemption from military service for yeshiva students are not met, similar to threats made by the UTJ party.



&#8220;We set a clear condition: if by the start of the summer session, no meaningful progress is made on the core issues of the yeshiva students&#8217; exemption law, we will not participate in Knesset votes,&#8221; Deri said.



He noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other coalition members are aware of his ultimatum.



In the interview, Deri also revealed that he was offered to return as a minister in the government, but he declined. Deri shared that both legal experts and government officials told him it was possible for him to return as a minister from a legal standpoint, however, he chose not to pursue it, stating, &#8220;Baruch Hashem I don&#8217;t need this, and I have no interest in promoting it.&#8221;



Deri was removed from the government following a Supreme Court ruling due to his past criminal convictions, most recently for alleged tax fraud in 2022.

Deri Issues Ultimatum: “Shas Will Leave Government if Any Yeshiva Student is Arrested”

US Special Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff will lead the American side of nuclear discussions with Iran this Saturday in Oman, according to a report released Tuesday by Iranian state media.



Ths US has yet to comment, but sources confirmed the report to Axios.



Iran&#8217;s delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi is expected to act as mediator during the exchange, the report noted.



Oman maintains diplomatic ties with both Washington and Tehran.



In a post on social media, Araghchi emphasized that the negotiations would occur through “indirect” channels, adding that the meeting “is as much an opportunity as a test. The ball is in America’s court.”



US President Donald Trump disclosed the upcoming talks during an Oval Office meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, though Trump called the talks &#8220;direct,&#8221; and the Iranians are saying it&#8217;s through a mediator.



While Netanyahu had been informed of the discussions in advance, he reportedly did not expect Trump to announce them publicly, according to Ynet, which cited an anonymous Israeli official.



Just before Trump made the announcement, Netanyahu cautiously expressed his support for the diplomatic move.



“We’re both united in the goal that Iran does not get nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said while seated beside Trump. “If it can be done diplomatically, in a full way, the way it was done in Libya, I think that would be a good thing.”



“But whatever happens, we have to make sure that Iran does not have nuclear weapons,” he added for emphasis.



Since returning to office in January, Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” strategy, which during his first term led to the US pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimposing harsh sanctions on the terror-sponsoring Islamic regime.

Iran Says Witkoff to Lead Indirect US-Iran Nuclear Talks in Oman

Washington, D.C. – In a notable shift in U.S. policy, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir—long labeled by the Biden administration a “far-right” figure and previously boycotted during the Biden administration—has been formally invited to Washington for a series of official government meetings in the coming days.



A source familiar with Ben Gvir&#8217;s schedule tells Belaaz that the main meeting will be with his U.S. counterpart, Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, in Washington, D.C.



Ben Gvir is set to travel to the U.S. on April 20 for a six-day visit. Following his meetings in Washington, he is expected to travel to New York and Miami to meet with Jewish communities, Chabad representatives, and is set to visit the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in Queens, NY, Belaaz is told.



According to details released, Minister Ben Gvir is expected to remain in the United States for approximately one week. During his visit, he will hold meetings with senior officials from the Department of Homeland Security, as well as with members of Congress and the Senate.



This marks Ben Gvir’s first official visit abroad since taking office. The trip comes following his return to the role just two weeks ago with the renewed war in Gaza.

Israeli Minister Ben Gvir’s First U.S. Visit Includes Meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

In a statement before leaving Washington back to Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced after Monday&#8217;s meeting with US President Donald Trump that Iran &#8220;must not have nuclear weapons.&#8221; 



For the first time ever Netanyahu says he&#8217;s open for nuclear talks with Iran. In the statement, Netanyahu proposed two possible solutions: a negotiated agreement or military action. Netanyahu cited Libya&#8217;s nuclear disarmament as a model, where facilities were dismantled under US supervision. &#8220;This can be done in an agreement, but only if this agreement is a Libya-style agreement; that we go in, blow up the facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision and American execution &#8211; that is good&#8221;, Netanyahu said.



This comes after President Trump announced Monday in the Oval office that the U.S. will be holding direct talks with Iran.



Netanyahu warned that if negotiations stall, the military option would become the only viable choice.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">🚨Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington before his flight back to Israel: &quot;I am now completing my second visit to the United States in two months. It was a very warm visit with my friend, President Donald Trump. You could be impressed by the great closeness and great… <a href="https://t.co/sxs7OhBg4h">pic.twitter.com/sxs7OhBg4h</a>&mdash; Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) <a href="https://twitter.com/JewishWarrior13/status/1909626475717722434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Netanyahu Declares ‘Iran Must Not Have Nuclear Weapons’, Open to Talks with Military Option if Necessary

The Dutch says that it has taken action in response to the ongoing situation in Gaza, with Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp summoning the Israeli ambassador in the Netherlands. 



A meeting between the two has been scheduled for Wednesday, according to a government statement released on Tuesday.

Dutch Foreign Minister Summons Israeli Ambassador Over Gaza Situation

The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for President Donald Trump&#8217;s Administration to proceed with deportations of Venezuelan gang members under a rarely used 18th century law, reinforcing the president’s authority on matters of national security and immigration.



The 5-4 ruling, driven by the court’s conservative majority, lifts a temporary block placed by Washington-based Judge James Boasberg, who had halted the removals in March. The decision empowers Trump to continue using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act — historically invoked during wartime — to address what his administration characterizes as urgent national security threats.



However the ruling also established conditions which the Administration must adhere to; all deportations will require judicial review, and detainees must receive notification of their removal under the Act. &#8220;The notice must be afforded within a reasonable time and in such a manner as will allow them to actually seek habeas relief in the proper venue before such removal occurs,” the Nustices wrote in their ruling.



Trump had vowed to deport foreign gang members, including those belonging to the murderous Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang.



The Court&#8217;s three liberal Justices were joined by Justice Amy Coney Barrett in dissenting, arguing for more limitations.



President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act on March 15, citing the need to act decisively against gang threats.



It is expected that Trump&#8217;s deportation orders against foreigners who take part in violent protests in support of terrorists, or who engage in antisemitic hate crimes, will also be heard by the Supreme Court as federal judges have challenged these orders.

Supreme Court Backs Trump on Gang Member Deportations, But Adds Caveats

Standing next to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday that his administration had begun direct negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program. Tehran quickly pushed back, denying any such engagement, saying that Oman is acting as a mediator between the two.



Trump also delivered a stern warning: “If the talks aren’t successful… it’ll be a very bad day for Iran.”



Following a meeting with Netanyahu in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters that discussions were already underway and scheduled to continue Saturday.



“We’re having direct talks with Iran, and they’ve started,” Trump said. “It’ll go on Saturday. We have a very big meeting, and we’ll see what can happen. And I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable.”



Netanyahu, who made an unplanned trip from Budapest to Washington at Trump’s request, appeared cautiously optimistic. He stated that diplomacy aimed at completely dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities would be a “good thing,” but emphasized that the program must be halted by any means necessary.



Shortly after Trump’s announcement, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that any talks with the US would take place indirectly, with Oman acting as an intermediary. “The talks will not be direct … It will be with Oman’s mediation,” the unnamed official said.



Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later confirmed that “indirect high-level” discussions would be held in Oman. “It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court,” he added.



Oman has maintained ties with both Tehran and Washington.



Iran’s Nournews, which is tied to the terrorism-sponsoring Islamic country&#8217;s top security institutions, dismissed Trump’s comments about direct talks as part of a broader “psychological operation aimed at influencing domestic and international public opinion.”



However, a New York Times report citing three Iranian officials indicated that Tehran might be open to direct engagement if the initial discussions prove productive.

Trump Announces Direct Negotiations with Iran, Tehran Says They’re Only Through Oman

In what has become an annual event, the 4th Adirei HaTorah celebration honoring Bnei Torah will be held June 8, organizers said Monday night.



This year&#8217;s ma&#8217;amad, organized by representatives of Beth Medrash Govoha, will be focusing on the theme of life of Torah as transmitted from father to son.



Over the past three years, Adirei HaTorah has earned a name for itself as the premier celebration of pure kavod HaTorah, honoring those who dedicate their lives to ameilus baTorah with tens of thousands of attendees.

4th Adirei HaTorah Event to Be Held June 8

Much to the delight of the Vizhnitzer community, the Rebbe of Bnei Brak shlita is set to arrive in Israel this Thursday after spending over a month and a half in Los Angeles, where he underwent medical treatment.



According to currently available information—though plans may still change at the last minute—the Rebbe is expected to spend Pesach at the legendary home of his father, the Rebbe and author of Yeshuas Moshe, at 15 Ahavat Shalom Street in Bnei Brak.



At this stage, the plan is for the Seder to be held privately, attended by members of the Rebbe&#8217;s extended family.



A Tisch is scheduled to take place during a yet to he determined day of Chol Hamoed, as well as on the seventh day of Pesach, for all Chassidim gathering in the Vizhnitzer Kiryah in Bnei Brak for Shabbos.



The Rebbe had been residing in Los Angeles since the end of Shevat. He underwent complex medical procedures shortly after Purim which were baruch Hashem successful.



The tzibur is requested to continue davening for the refuah shlaima of (Harav) Yisrael ben Leah Esther.

Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak to Return to Israel for Pesach

U.S. President Trump just welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to the White House for the second time in two months, marking a significant meeting between the two leaders. The meeting comes as the Israeli Prime Minister seeks relief from tariffs imposed on Israel, which faces a 17% U.S. tariff under Trump&#8217;s new policy.



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 The Israeli Prime Minister&#8217;s office just released this video below of Netanyahu&#8217;s welcome to the White House.



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Prime Minister Netanyahu signed the White House guest book. The two leaders then held an expanded meeting.







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Israel took steps to eliminate its remaining tariffs on US imports last Tuesday, further strengthening trade ties between the two nations. Building on a free trade agreement signed 40 years ago, approximately 98% of US goods are now exempt from Israeli taxes. The two leaders are also expected to discuss regional including regional issues including Iran, Yemen and the ongoing situation in Gaza. According to US- based Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, during his meeting with President Trump taking place right now, Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to present his vision for a &#8220;good deal&#8221; with Iran to President Trump during their meeting today, according to a senior Israeli official. 



Netanyahu reportedly supports a deal that would lead to the complete dismantling of Iran&#8217;s nuclear program, similar to what happened in Libya, the Israeli official emphasized.

Trump Welcomes Netanyahu to the White House for Second Time in Two Months

With Pesach coming up around the corner, the prep gets more intense. Questioning aspects that we finished and other aspects that we still have to get to not knowing if we&#8217;ll have enough time to get it all done. It&#8217;s a very high strung and stressful time of the year. It&#8217;s a lot, but does it have to be THAT much?



There are two things that over the years got meshed together. Pesach prep and spring cleaning. The issue is that each of those are extremely intense in its own and when we combine them together, it can seem extremely overwhelming and nearly impossible. We are all trying to live our day-to-day lives while balancing this preparation which makes it even more difficult. Because of all the stress, this can also lead us to put so much pressure on ourselves as well as everyone else around us which then can taint the holiday along with everything leading up to it.



Perhaps we can take a step back and separate the two. Spring cleaning is a great thing to do once a year. Pesach is an intense preparation which is in some ways extremely similar to spring cleaning which makes combining the two that much more tempting.



Maybe we can try and create to lists. The need to do&#8217;s and the want to do&#8217;s. Pesach prep can be the need to do and the spring cleaning can be the want to do. Focus on first knocking out the Pesach prep, and if time allows it, then do the spring cleaning as well. Definitely don&#8217;t allow the prep to overwhelm your mental health and play a role in destroying Pesach and all that comes with it.

Pesach Prep vs Spring Cleaning | By Eli Weinreb, LCSW

Stocks made a strong comeback Monday after a steep drop last week that saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average fall over 1,600 points and the S&amp;P 500 come close to entering a bear market.



Last week&#8217;s drop, which came after President Donald Trump&#8217;s sweeping tariffs were announced, was the worst day for markets since the early days of the pandemic in 2020.



Within the first 30 minutes of trading Monday, things turned around. The Dow bounced back, gaining 600 points. The S&amp;P 500 rose by 3%, and the Nasdaq jumped 4%, pushing all three major indexes into positive territory.



Trump had predicted that the markets would only dip temporarily.

Stock Market Rebounds After Worst Drop Since Pandemic

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed claims on Monday that President Donald Trump is considering a 90-day suspension of most tariffs.



Following the initial report by CNBC about the potential tariff pause, the Dow Jones experienced a further increase, building on earlier gains as stocks bounced back across the board.



Meanwhile, Trump has given China a 48-hour deadline to cancel its 34% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, threatening to implement an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports if China fails to act by April 9.



&#8220;Yesterday, China issued Retaliatory Tariffs of 34%, on top of their already record setting Tariffs, Non- Monetary Tariffs, Illegal Subsidization of companies, and massive long term Currency Manipulation, despite my warning that any country that Retaliates against the U.S. by issuing additional Tariffs, above and beyond their already existing long term Tariff abuse of our Nation, will be immediately met with new and substantially higher Tariffs, over and above those initially set,&#8221; Trump wrote. &#8220;Therefore, if China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated! Negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!&#8221;

White House Denies Reports Trump Considering 90-Day Pause on Tariffs

The European Commission proposed a zero-for-zero trade deal to the United States on Monday, aiming to eliminate tariffs on all industrial goods in a bid to avoid immediate confrontation over President Donald Trump&#8217;s international tariff policy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the EU prefers diplomacy but is prepared to retaliate if negotiations break down.



&#8220;We stand ready to negotiate with the US. Indeed, we have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods as we have successfully done with many other trading partners,&#8221; von der Leyen stated Monday afternoon.



&#8220;Because Europe is always ready for a good deal. So we keep it on the table. But we are also prepared to respond through countermeasures and defend our interests.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said that the EU has offered “zero-for-zero” tariffs on industrial goods to the U.S., saying they are “prepared to negotiate.” Should the U.S. be unwilling to negotiate on tariffs, the EU Commission’s president said that… <a href="https://t.co/SHWJw2pD8D">pic.twitter.com/SHWJw2pD8D</a>&mdash; OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) <a href="https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1909249121199735054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Trump recently unveiled a sweeping 20% tariff on all goods imported from the European Union, which is scheduled to take effect on April 9. In addition, steel, aluminum, and automobiles will be subject to a higher 25% tariff. These measures are expected to impact over €380 billion worth of EU exports.



Sectors such as pharmaceuticals, copper, lumber, semiconductors, and energy will remain unaffected by the new tariffs.



According to von der Leyen, the EU had previously proposed a zero-tariff arrangement specifically for the automotive sector on multiple occasions, but the US failed to respond meaningfully.



In light of recent developments, the Commission broadened its offer to include all industrial goods, a spokesperson confirmed, reflecting the increased urgency and scope of the talks.



&#8220;We prefer to have a negotiated solution,&#8221; von der Leyen reiterated, making clear that the Commission is ready to deploy &#8220;all instruments&#8221; at its disposal should retaliation become necessary. Among these is the anti-coercion tool introduced in 2023, which has not yet been activated.



She condemned the tariffs as a &#8220;major turning point for the United States,&#8221; warning that they would bring &#8220;immense costs&#8221; to American consumers and companies, and deal a &#8220;massive&#8221; blow to the global economy.



Although the US has defended the tariffs as &#8220;reciprocal,&#8221; the European Commission has rejected this rationale, calling it &#8220;neither credible nor justified.&#8221;



Von der Leyen also unveiled plans to launch a specialized task force to track changes in global trade flows.



&#8220;We will also protect ourselves against indirect effects through trade diversion. For this purpose, we will set up an &#8216;Import Surveillance Task Force&#8217;,&#8221; she announced. &#8220;We look at what are the historical imports that we have and had and (whether) there is any specific surge all of a sudden of a certain product or in a certain sector that we have to act on.&#8221;

EU Offers Zero Tarrif Deal to US, Warns of Retaliation if Talks Fail

Russia, China, and Iran will hold expert-level talks on Iran&#8217;s nuclear program in Moscow on Tuesday, Russian state agency RIA reported, citing Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.



This comes as US President Trump threatened to bomb Iran unless a nuclear deal is reached, while the Kremlin has stated that Russia is ready to help ease tensions between the US and Iran.

Russia, China, and Iran to Hold Nuclear Talks in Moscow Amid US Threats

Israel is reportedly growing increasingly uneasy over Sudan’s warming relationship with Iran, according to Kan. The shift comes as Sudan, a signatory of the Abraham Accords, seeks support during its prolonged civil war that began in 2023.



Sudanese military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan restored diplomatic relations with Iran in July 2024, following an eight-year break. Since the renewal, Tehran has provided military backing to al-Burhan’s forces in their fight against the rival Rapid Support Forces, Kan reports.



According to the report, al-Burhan had initially hoped for military assistance from Israel, but after that support failed to materialize, he sought help from Iran instead.



A source close to al-Burhan told Kan that while the Sudanese leader hadn’t originally aimed to partner with Tehran, circumstances left him with limited choices: “Sudan is forced to cooperate with any party interested in supplying it with weapons.”



The source further noted that Sudan was open to aid from any ally and had hoped Israel would step in, saying, “There is currently a great opportunity for anyone who wants to help Sudan, publicly and secretly,” and suggesting Israeli assistance could have marked “a real breakthrough in relations.”



However, the source explained that after Israel failed to act, Sudan turned elsewhere: “Sudan was left without assistance and turned to Iran, which seized the opportunity after Sudan’s friends abandoned it.”



“For the sake of Sudan’s interests, we would even make a deal with the devil,” the source added.

Israel Concerned as Sudan Turns to Iran for Military Support Amid Civil Conflict

In a heartfelt meeting held today in Miami, Florida, Trump Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, along with Trump ally Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun and Chaplain Rabbi Mark Rosenberg, gathered with former hostages and the families of those still held captive by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.



 The meeting served to offer support and reassurance to those still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.



A source tells Belaaz that Steve Witkoff promised to continue his relentless efforts to bring home the remaining hostages. Witkoff, a central figure in the negotiations, pledged to work tirelessly until all hostages are safely released.



Belaaz was informed that among the attendees were hostages Keith Seigal and Omer Shem-Tov, along with other released hostages.

SCOOP: Steve Witkoff Meets with Former Hostages in Miami, Promises Continued Efforts to Secure Release of Remaining Hostages

Washington, D.C. – Just hours after his last minute arrival in Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu held a meeting at the Blair House with United States Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, along with the U.S. trade representative, Jamieson Greer.



The central topic of discussion was the newly announced tariffs, which was introduced last week by the Commerce Secretary along with President Donald Trump. According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, the matter is expected to be raised again during tomorrow’s (Monday) scheduled meeting between the Prime Minister and President Trump at the White House.



“The meeting was warm and productive, and conducted in a pleasant spirit,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated in a press release.



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As per the Prime Minister’s itinerary, the meeting with President Trump is set to take place tomorrow at 1:00 PM, followed by a joint press conference. On Tuesday, PM Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, as well as with several senators and senior members of the U.S. administration.



The Prime Minister is expected to return to the Israel on Wednesday.



As a reminder, last week President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a 10% minimum tax on imports from all nations, including Israel along with increased tariff rates for several countries that have tariffs on US goods.



Speaking at an event in the Rose Garden, Trump presented charts illustrating the tariff rates that the U.S. would impose on various countries, determined based on the tariffs those nations currently place on American goods.

Netanyahu Meets U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick in Washington for Talks on Trump Tariffs

Rockets launched by terrorists in Gaza on Sunday struck the Ashdod region in southern Israel, lightly injuring one man and causing property damage, according to the IDF.



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Of the 10 rockets fired, five were successfully intercepted by air defense systems.



Medical responders reported that a 30-year-old man was wounded by shrapnel when a rocket landed in Ashkelon, and was taken to Barzilai Hospital for medical care.



Additionally, multiple people were treated for shock and anxiety symptoms.



The rockets were fired from the Deir al-Balah area in central Gaza.



One of the rockets caused damage to a road and several parked vehicles.



The launches represents the most significant barrage from Gaza targeting Israel in recent months.

Rocket Barrage from Gaza Injures 1 in Ashdod; 5/10 Intercepted

A year and a half after hundreds of Muslim rioters attempted to harm passengers on a flight from Israel to Russia, Chief Rabbi Harav Berel Lazar shlita was honored by the airport management in Makhachkala, the site of the antisemitic riot.



The rabbi received an overview of the security measures that have been improved since the incident that shocked Russia and the Jewish world.



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At the rabbi&#8217;s request, President Putin will award a medal of valor to a government official who physically stopped the attackers.



The rioters chanted antisemitic slogans and attempted to attack passengers arriving on a flight from Tel Aviv to the Dagestan region of Russia in October of 2023, shortly after the Oct. 7 massacre. The airliner belonged to Russian carrier Red Wings.



Authorities then closed the airport, located in a predominantly Muslim region, and police converged on the facility.



Dagestan&#8217;s Ministry of Health said more than 20 people were injured, two critically, including police officers and civilians.



Russia&#8217;s interior ministry said in a statement at the time that &#8220;More than 150 active participants in the unrest have been identified (and) 60 of them have been arrested.&#8221;



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1.5 Years Later: Chief Rabbi Lazar Honored After Horde of Muslim Rioters Tried to Attack Israeli Flight Passengers

Iran attempted, and b&#8217;chasdei Hashem failed, to carry out an assassination against an Azerbaijani rabbi by enlisting a Georgian drug trafficker, according to a Washington Post report published Saturday.



The Post reported that the plot began last fall when Iran’s Quds Force, the foreign operations wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, approached Agil Aslanov — a well-known drug kingpin from Georgia — and recruited him to murder Rabbi Shneor Segal, as well as to target a local education center.



The Quds Force offered Aslanov $200,000 for the horrific assignment.



According to the report, Aslanov enlisted a local Azerbaijani accomplice and began surveillance of Rabbi Segal.



Azerbaijan’s security services uncovered the plan, arresting both Aslanov and the local collaborator in January, the report said, citing unnamed officials from Middle Eastern and Western intelligence sources.



A statement from Azerbaijan’s state security service confirmed that Aslanov “worked to collect information about a member of a religious community, and sent the location of his residence and workplace to a representative of a foreign special service agency via the appropriate mobile phone application.”



Although the statement did not specifically identify Rabbi Segal as the target, local media widely reported his name.



In an interview with The Post, the Rabbi said he only became aware of the plot through media coverage. He emphasized that he continues to feel secure in Azerbaijan.



“We live here peacefully. I walk on the streets here, and there is no fear,” he said.



This is not the first incident involving a rabbi in a Muslim country being targeted in recent months. Rabbi Zvi Kogan Hy&#8221;d, a Chabad emissary based in the United Arab Emirates, was kidnapped and murdered late last year in what was believed to be a plot to transport him to Oman and hold him hostage.



After the plan failed, the Rabbi was murdered.



Authorities in the UAE have arrested three Uzbek nationals in connection with the crime — Olimpi Toirovich, Makhmudjon Abdurakhim, and Azizbek Kamlovich. All three were apprehended in Turkey and were recently sentenced to death for their involvement in the abduction and killing.



While some reports have speculated about Iranian involvement in Rabbi Kogan’s case, Kan reported that Israeli officials do not believe the murder was necessarily ordered by Tehran.



Iran has a long history of targeting Israeli and Jewish individuals worldwide as part of its operations against Israel.



In January, Israel’s National Security Council revealed that Iranian proxies attempted to lure an Israeli businessman to Dubai under the guise of a job interview.



More recently, Israeli authorities have thwarted multiple plots involving Iranian efforts to recruit Israelis online for espionage or attacks on Israeli targets.



Since September 2024, several arrests have been made in cases where individuals or cells were accused of spying or planning attacks on behalf of Iran. Some were tricked into participating via online communication, while others allegedly acted knowingly for financial gain.

Report: Iranian Plot to Murder Azerbaijani Rabbi B’H Foiled

Belaaz regrets to inform you of the petirah of Reb Tzvi Hirsch Gershoi z&#8221;l, known affectionately as &#8220;Grisha,&#8221; who passed away on Shabbos, which was his 77th birthday.



He served as the Shamash of the &#8220;Marina Rosh&#8217;cha&#8221; shul in central Moscow for over two decades, and delivered shiurim as well.



Russian Chief Rabbi Harav Berel Lazar&#8217;s office released a hesped for him.



&#8220;He was devoted to the holy service with heart and soul, and stood at the right hand of the Chief Rabbi Rav Berel Lazar. He was beloved and devoted to all thousands of worshipers and students throughout the years, in which he stood on his watch with dedication and consistency.&#8221;



&#8220;With his passing, a cornerstone was removed from the Jewish community of Greater Moscow, as Rev Grisha, z&#8221;l, was known to everyone, and was ready to help and answer any request at all hours of the day. He was especially devoted to the honor of the House of Hashem, in arranging the siddurim, sefarim, and cleaning the shul. The highlight of his activity was the operation of the guest room, where mispallelim and students find hot and cold drinks and abundant refreshments at all hours, and for this purpose he raised donations, and he would stand himself and &#8220;water the flocks&#8221; at all times and especially at the end of the fasts, when he took care of large and abundant meals, standing over the diners and making sure that the temperature was comfortable.&#8221;



Reb Grisha was born in the town of Ribnitz, Moldova. His grandfather was close with Harav m Chaim Zanvil Abramovich zt&#8221;l, who was known as the &#8220;Tzadik of Ribnitz&#8221;, and from his childhood He would assist the Rebbe himself, and enjoyed a special closeness with him. He would daven at his home and witnessed many miracles.



In his youth, Reb Grisha left his town and advanced to important positions in Moldova, and was even appointed Deputy Minister of Culture in the government and to various high-ranking appointments. With the fall of the communist regime, he found himself without a job and without a livelihood, moving from place to place, until one day, by Hashgocha Pratis, he passed by the Moscow shul and was called to complete the minyan. Since then, he never left. The rabbis adopted him in junior positions, and with his perseverance he learned to pray, and invested a lot in studying Torah, until he rose through the ranks of the many positions in the synagogue, and even gave public Torah lessons. He became entirely observant, being careful about every &#8220;kutzo shel yud,&#8221; the hesped said.



About a month and a half ago, Reb Grisha required surgery. He received a special certificate from Harav Lazar marking his 77th birthday, which fell on the seventh day of the seventh month, on the seventh day of the week.



Reb Grisha&#8217;s levaya will be held on Monday afternoon at the Vostryakovsky Jewish Life Center in Moscow, with a large crowd attending to pay their respects to this dear man.



Since the deceased left no children, the tzibur is asked to daven and learn lilui nishnas Zvi Hirsch ben Yisrael.



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BDE: Moscow Jewish Community Mourns Loss of Legendary Shamash Reb Zvi Hirsch Gershoi z”l

The Central Unit of the Jerusalem District Police and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) successfully foiled a terror attack in Jerusalem planned by a terrorist from East Jerusalem. The terror suspect had prepared pipe bombs and purchased knives intended to carry out the attack during the month of Ramadan.



According to details, the investigation began last month, led by Shin Bet and the Jerusalem District Police Central Unit, suspecting that the terrorist was planning various attacks, including placing a pipe bomb at multiple locations in Jerusalem and executing a combined attack involving running over and stabbing Jews or security forces in the city Chas V&#8217;shalom.



Following Shin Bet&#8217;s guidance, police officers arrested the terrorist, a man in his 20s from Shuafat, East Jerusalem, about a month ago. Investigations revealed that he planned to plant explosives on the Jerusalem light rail, on a bus, or in a restaurant in the southern part of the city. He had also been preparing for these attacks by learning how to create the bombs and the means of detonation. At one point, the terrorist purchased pipes, matchboxes, fireworks, and other materials to make pipe bombs.



At a certain stage, the terrorist shifted to planning a run-over and stabbing attack. To carry out this attack, he began taking driving lessons and purchased large knives, which he hid at his home. Just days before Ramadan, he decided to execute his attack at a bus station in a central Jerusalem intersection. In addition to the driving lessons, he planned to buy a car, which he intended to use for the ramming attack, followed by stabbings R&#8221;L.



Before his arrest, the terrorist had begun preparations for his planned attacks. Police and Shin Bet investigators uncovered his intentions. Further details from the investigation revealed that the terrorist aspired to become a martyr and had been listening to Quran verses to motivate himself to carry out the attacks with the goal of killing Jews.



Upon completing the investigation, evidence was gathered against the terrorist. His detention was extended multiple times in the Jerusalem Magistrate&#8217;s Court, and he is expected to be indicted by the Jerusalem District Prosecutor&#8217;s Office.



&#8220;The Israel Police and Shin Bet will continue to act with determination and all available means against terrorists, terror operatives, and any attempt to harm citizens or security forces,&#8221; a statement said.

Miracle in Jerusalem: Shin Bet and Police Capture Terrorist Before Attack in City Center

In light of the ongoing war in Israel, the military has established a new unit tasked with gathering intelligence documents related to the conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah. Among the documents found was evidence of a direct connection between Iran and Hamas, detailing how Iran has supported and financed the terrorist organization in its efforts against Israel before the October 7 attack.



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During a visit to the new unit, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz revealed a document from conversations discovered in Hamas leaders&#8217; tunnels in Gaza. The document proves a direct link between Iran and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, highlighting Iran&#8217;s support for Hamas’s plan to destroy Israel.



The document shows that Sinwar and Deif requested $500 million from the commander of the Qods Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards to fund the destruction of Israel. In response, Izadi, head of the Palestinian division in the Revolutionary Guards, confirmed that, despite Iran&#8217;s economic difficulties and the hardship faced by the Iranian population, Iran would continue to fund Hamas because the fight against Israel and the U.S. remains a top priority for the Iranian regime.



&#8220;The conclusion is clear,&#8221; Minister Katz said. &#8220;Iran is the head of the snake, and despite all its denials, even now it finances and advances terrorism on all fronts – from Gaza to Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria, and now the Houthis in Yemen, all under the banner of wanting to destroy Israel.&#8221;



Defense Minister Katz further stated that &#8220;Israel will do everything in its power to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and will continue to strike its proxies in the region until the Iranian axis of evil is dismantled and destroyed.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">During my visit today to the IDF intelligence unit, I revealed a classified document found in senior Hamas tunnels in Gaza. It proves direct ties between Iran and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif — and Iran’s support for Hamas’s plan to destroy Israel and for the… <a href="https://t.co/HEYCnGAZvo">pic.twitter.com/HEYCnGAZvo</a>&mdash; ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Israel_katz/status/1908901490158157828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Exposed Correspondence Between Sinwar and Iran: $500 Million Budget Demanded for Israel’s Destruction

After concluding his visit to Budapest, Hungary, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is flying to Washington this morning for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss key issues related to Israel.



&#8220;I am heading to the United States at the invitation of President Trump to discuss these important matters – the hostages, completing the victory in Gaza, and of course, the tariffs imposed on Israel. I hope to assist in addressing this issue. That is my intention,&#8221; Netanyahu stated before boarding the Knaf Zion plane.



Netanyahu added, &#8220;I can tell you that I am the first international leader, the first foreign leader, to meet with President Trump on a topic so crucial to Israel&#8217;s economy. There is a long line of leaders wanting to discuss their own economies with him. I believe this reflects the special personal bond and the unique relationship between the United States and Israel, which is especially vital at this time.&#8221;



The Prime Minister also expressed his personal support for the families of the hostages, who have once again been subjected to psychological warfare. &#8220;We are thinking of their loved ones, and we are working tirelessly in these moments to bring them back. We will not relent. With God&#8217;s help, we will succeed.&#8221;

Netanyahu Departs for Washington to Meet Trump: “Discussing Gaza, Hostages, and Tariffs”

Hamas terrorists released a propaganda video on Saturday showing hostages Bar Kupershtein and Maxim Herkin &#8211; the first time either of them were confirmed to be alive since their abduction by the terrorists during the Oct. 7 massacre.



Relatives of Maxim reported recognizing his voice in a previously released blurred segment of the video. At the request of the hostages&#8217; families, Israeli media have refrained from publishing the footage.

Hamas Releases 1st Propaganda Video of Hostages Bar Kupershtein and Maxim Herkin

A senior Czech official has informed an Israeli counterpart that the Czech government has decided to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Yerushalayim in the near future, according to Israeli media reports on Sunday.



The move, according to Ynet, was made at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously shifted the U.S. embassy to Yerushalayim in 2018.



The Czech Republic, an ally of Israel, has consistently supported the country, particularly since the Oct. 7 massacre. Alongside Hungary, it has helped block anti-Israel initiatives within the European Union, where unanimous agreement among all 27 member states is required for foreign policy decisions.



Israel hopes the Czech decision will pave the way for Hungary to follow suit, according to the report. During Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s visit to Budapest last week, Hungarian officials conveyed that while they are in favor of moving their embassy to Yerushalayim in principle, they do not wish to be the first EU country to make such a significant diplomatic shift. Instead, they prefer to wait for the &#8220;right moment.&#8221;



Currently, six countries have embassies in Yerushalayim: the United States, Guatemala, Kosovo, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, and Paraguay. According to Ynet, Israel also expects Argentine President Javier Milei to announce the relocation of his country&#8217;s embassy by the end of the year, although internal political challenges may delay the move.



In February, Fiji declared its intention to open an embassy in Israel, potentially becoming the seventh country to establish its mission in Yerushalayim.

Report: Czech Republic to Move Embassy to Jerusalem at Trump’s Request

Two British Members of Parliament who support boycotting Israel were denied entry to Tel Aviv over the weekend, according to a statement from the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority.



Labour Party MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang were turned away after questioning revealed their visit aimed “to document Israeli security forces and spread hateful rhetoric against Israel,” the Authority stated.



The two MPs arrived in Israel on a flight from Luton, England, accompanied by two aides.



During their interrogation, Mohamed and Yang — both known for advocating a boycott of Israel — claimed they were part of an official UK parliamentary delegation. However, the Israeli authorities found no evidence of this from any official Israeli entity confirming such a delegation.



As a result, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel decided to deny entry to all four individuals “in accordance with the law and ordered their removal from Israel,” according to the Authority&#8217;s statement.

Israel Denies Entry to Two Anti-Israel UK MPs

The IDF has released footage of its 36th Division entering the Morag Corridor in Rafah, southern Gaza, marking the first time ground troops have operated in the area since the war began.



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The division&#8217;s entry on Wednesday followed intensive airstrikes and evacuation warnings.



The military&#8217;s objective is to demolish remaining Hamas infrastructure in the Morag Corridor and Rafah. This development comes amid ongoing tensions in the region.

VIDEO: IDF Ground Troops Deployed in Morag Corridor  Amid Ongoing Conflict

Former Vice President Kamala Harris was reportedly shocked by her defeat to President Trump in the November election, after she &#8220;bought the hype&#8221; that her campaign was on solid ground, according to a new book on the 2024 Presidential race.



“She was completely shocked, and Tim Walz was shocked,” said Amie Parnes, a journalist for The Hill and co-author of FIGHT: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House*, during an appearance on the podcast Somebody’s Gotta Win.



Parnes recounted that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was left speechless by Harris’ unexpected loss.



“He has no words,” she told Palmeri, recalling how Walz sat quietly in his hotel room on election night while campaign aides attempted to explain the outcome.



According to Parnes, Harris was equally stunned and questioned the results in the moment. “And people are kind of explaining to him, same thing with [Harris]. And she’s like, ‘Are you sure? Have we done a recount? Should we do a recount?’”



“They thought that they were going to win,” Parnes added. “And so, you know, when they come back now and say, ‘Oh no, we didn’t really have a chance.’ No, that’s not what they were thinking. They thought they were going to win.”



Parnes further shared that members of Harris’ team felt misled by top campaign leaders who assured them things were on track. Harris, the reporter said, believed the narrative.



“Kamala Harris was looking at her crowd size, and they felt like the vibe was strong and people were saying, ‘Oh, we have more boots on the ground. We’re doing better in fundraising.’ And she bought all of that. She bought the hype, and so did a lot of people in the campaign,” Parnes said.



Following the loss, Harris confided in friends that she could have defeated Trump if the election had been held later or if President Biden had bowed out earlier before stepping aside on July 21, the book claims.



“She could have won, she told friends, if only the election was later in the calendar — or she got in earlier. In other words, Joe Biden was to blame,” write Parnes and co-author Jonathan Allen in the book, as quoted by Fox News.



However, not everyone in Harris’ circle agrees with that view.



“That is bonkers,” one friend told Parnes and Allen. “If Election Day was October first, we might have actually somehow pulled it off. Shorter was actually better, not longer.”



A campaign adviser told the NY Post the campaign was lacking fundamentally: “I don’t think we needed more time … We needed more substance. And she did not have more substance.”



The book also sheds light on former President Barack Obama’s reservations about Harris’ candidacy. According to Allen, Obama was hesitant to support Harris after Biden’s withdrawal, doubting her ability to win against Trump.



“He didn’t think that she was the best choice for Democrats, and he worked really behind the scenes for a long time to try to have a mini-primary, or an open convention, or a mini-primary leading to an open convention, did not have faith in her ability to win the election,” Allen said in an interview on MSNBC.



“As it turned out, she didn’t win, but he was really working against her,” Allen added.

Kamala Harris Stunned by 2024 Loss, Blames Timing and Biden’s Exit, New Book Reveals

As announced by President Trump on Thursday, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has now officially confirmed that Prime Minister Netanyahu will depart for Washington on Sunday, where he is scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House on Monday.



 This marks the second meeting between the two leaders in the past two months.



According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, “The two leaders will discuss matters of tariffs, efforts to bring back the hostages, Israel-Turkey relations, the Iranian threat, and the ongoing battle against the International Criminal Court (ICC).”



The statement further added: “The Prime Minister deeply values the personal and warm relationship with President Trump, and expresses his gratitude for the invitation to be the first world leader to meet with the President following the imposition of the global tariffs — just as he was the first to meet him upon his entering the White House.”



It is important to note that Argentinian President Milei was actually the first world leader to meet Trump since the tariffs announcement.

For the Second Time: Netanyahu to Meet President Trump This Week to Discuss Regional Issues

The Trump administration is giving Harvard University an ultimatum: ban face masks, scrap diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and crack down on student protests and antisemitism if it wants to keep its $9 billion in federal funding.



 This demand comes after the administration accused Harvard of failing to protect students and faculty from antisemitic violence and harassment.



The administration&#8217;s demands were outlined in a stern letter sent to Harvard on Thursday. 



This move follows a similar action taken against Columbia University, which had $400 million in grants and contracts revoked due to noncompliance with anti-discrimination laws.

Trump Administration Threatens to Cut Harvard’s $9 Billion Funding Over DEI Programs, Antisemitism

First responders found a Charedi couple unresponsive in their Neve Yaakov home Friday, as an investigation is underway to determine the cause of their deaths.



When teams of rescue workers entered the scene, they found a man and a woman in their 30s, with no signs of life. Despite their best efforts, the couple could not be revived.



“They led us to the apartment and we saw a man and a woman unconscious, without a pulse and not breathing. We had no choice but to declare them dead,” MDA paramedic Eden Marzeev and MDA paramedic Omri David said in a statement.



Police forcesarrived at the scene and began investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Tragedy in Yerushalayim: Charedi Couple Pass Away, Found in Their Home

Although U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu might travel to Washington next week, Israeli media reports indicate that such a visit is not expected.



Additionally, Netanyahu did not reportedly receive an official invitation, and no coordination efforts for a visit have been initiated, according to a source who spoke with Ynet on Friday.



The source added that Netanyahu discussed with Trump the issue of tariffs being placed on imported goods, including those from Israel, which are now subject to a 17% tariff.



“US President Donald Trump said yesterday that he spoke with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu today, and that he may visit the United States next week,” Ynet reported.



Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office stated that during a meeting between Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the two leaders spoke with President Trump. They informed him of Hungary’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court in The Hague, following the arrest warrants issued against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant.

Report: Netanyahu Not Expected to Visit Washington Next Week

During a visit to Budapest, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for his “bold and principled position” after Hungary announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, calling the court a “corrupt organization.”



“I believe Hungary is the first of many states to withdraw from this corruption and rottenness,” Netanyahu said. Orban, who once backed Hungary’s entry into the ICC, now claims it has become a “political court,” adding, “If courts are driven by political considerations, then democracies cannot take part in them.”



The two leaders also spoke with former U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss Hungary’s move and “next steps,” according to Netanyahu’s office.



The ICC condemned Hungary’s decision, warning it undermines global justice efforts. Germany, while supportive of Israel, criticized the withdrawal, with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock calling it “a bad day for international criminal law.”



Last year the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over unfounded allegations of war crimes in Gaza. Signatories of the ICC&#8217;s Rome Statute, which previously included Hungary, are obliged to uphold the ICC&#8217;s decisions, in this case arresting Netanyahu.



Orban called the warrants “brazen, cynical and completely unacceptable,” and the parliament—controlled by his Fidesz party—is expected to approve the withdrawal bill.



Hungary, along with several other nations, has said it would not enforce the ICC warrant against Netanyahu. France and Italy cited diplomatic immunity for the Israeli leader.



Orban reaffirmed Hungary’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense after Hamas’ October 7 attack. “It’s important to us that Israel remain strong and stable… an anchor in the Middle East,” he said, lamenting antisemitism in Europe and praising Hungary’s record on Jewish safety.



Netanyahu, in turn, lauded Orban’s fight against antisemitism and support for Jewish life in Hungary. “We are fighting a similar fight for the future of our common civilization,” Netanyahu said, referencing threats from radical Islam and Iran.



Later, Netanyahu and Orban spoke to US President Donald Trump by phone about the move, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.



They spoke about Hungary’s withdrawal and “the next steps that can be taken on this topic,” according to the Israeli readout.

Netanyahu Hails Hungary’s ICC Exit as Orban Slams Court’s ‘Political Agenda’

Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar submitted a response today (Friday) to the High Court regarding petitions against his dismissal, warning that the move could turn the agency into a “secret police.” He expressed serious concerns over the erosion of the agency’s independence.



According to Bar, the very act of pursuing his dismissal during such a sensitive period—while criminal investigations are underway against close associates of the Prime Minister, without a proper procedure or the opportunity to fairly respond to the allegations—sends a dangerous message to the leadership of the agency: if you fall out of favor with the political echelon, your job is at risk.



He wrote that “the move severely harms the ability of the Shin Bet director to carry out his duties and opens the door to abuse of the security agency’s subordination to the political level.” He emphasized that his role is not to serve as the Prime Minister’s “personal loyalist,” and that maintaining professional independence is critical.



Bar also claimed that Prime Minister Netanyahu had requested a security opinion asserting that the current situation did not allow him to testify in court—something Bar says marked the start of a trust breakdown between the two.

Clash Between Shin Bet Chief and PM Netanyahu Ahead of High Court Decision on His Dismissal

In a joint operation, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) launched a precision strike on a Hamas command and control center in Jabalia on Wednesday. The center also served as a central meeting point for Hamas terrorists.



Following an intelligence review, the IDF confirmed that the strike eliminated Shadi Diab Abd Al-Hamid Falouji, a Hamas terrorist who infiltrated Israel and participated in the October 7th massacre. Falouji was a member of Hamas&#8217; East Jabalia Battalion.



In addition to Falouji, the strike also eliminated three other key Hamas terrorists:



Mohammed Sharif: A member of Hamas&#8217; General Security Apparatus, involved in the hostage release ceremony of Agam Berger.



Mohammed Hani Atiya Daour: The Head of Hamas&#8217; Rocket and Mortar Squad.



Mohammed Issa Mahmoud Askari: A member of Hamas&#8217; Northern Brigade Rocket Unit and General Security Apparatus.



To minimize civilian harm, the IDF says it employed aerial surveillance and additional intelligence before the strike.



The IDF and ISA emphasized in the statement that Hamas systematically violates international law, exploiting civilian infrastructure and using the population as human shields for terror attacks.

IDF and ISA Strike Hamas Command Center, Eliminating Key Terrorists

On Thursday, the IDF released the findings of its investigation into the events at the Nova gathering on October 7, where 397 Israelis were killed and 44 others were abducted to the Gaza Strip—11 of whom were later murdered in captivity.



The investigative team concluded that “the IDF failed” in its duty to protect those attending the Reim festival, which became “the single most deadly terror attack in Israel’s history.”



The investigation includes harsh criticism of the commander of the Northern Brigade within the Gaza Division for failing to implement an organized and adequate military preparation process ahead of the event. The brigade did not conduct a proper situational assessment before the party, nor did it adjust the number of security forces accordingly. The report also reveals significant breakdowns in coordination between the IDF and the Israel Police during the attack.



Border security forces were overwhelmed in the early stages of the attack, causing a collapse in the chain of command.



When Hamas terrorists seized control of key intersections near the Gaza border that morning, attendees were unable to escape, and military reinforcements struggled to reach the site.



According to the investigation, Hamas was not initially aware of the Nova festival&#8217;s existence and ended up at the location by accident while en route to Netivot. The terrorists took a wrong turn at the Shukda intersection, ultimately arriving at the Re&#8217;im parking area.



The report states that the festival&#8217;s security detail included 31 armed police officers and 75 unarmed guards, with no involvement from IDF soldiers in the event’s security arrangements.



After organizers submitted a permit request to the police, two planning meetings were held at the Ofakim police station. IDF representatives did not attend either session.



&#8220;The party was indeed approved according to orders, but without prior situation assessments, updating the forces in the sector about its existence, defining it as an essential asset if and when there is an operational incident, and examining the commissioners for infiltration into it,&#8221; the report stated.



In the early hours of the massacre, intelligence signals were being received, but the Nova party’s existence was never mentioned, and no adjustments were made to force deployment in its vicinity.

New Report on Nova Massacre Alleges IDF Failures

President Donald Trump said Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu could visit the United States as early as next week.



“I think he’s going to be coming to the country some time in the not-so-distant future. Maybe next week,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, confirming that he had spoken with the Israeli premier in the day.



According to Axios, citing an Israeli official, Trump invited Netanyahu to the White House, though no date has been set for the meeting.



Netanyahu recently traveled to the US in early February, becoming the first foreign leader to meet with Trump. However, his office has not mentioned any plans for an upcoming visit.



Earlier today, President Trump held a phone call with Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. According to Netanyahu’s office, the conversation included discussions about Hungary’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.



Netanyahu is not expected to return to Israel from Hungary until Sunday morning.

Trump Says Netanyahu Might Visit Washington Next Week

Iran on Thursday ordered its military personnel to leave Yemen, distancing itself from its Houthi terrorist allies as the US escalates airstrikes against the rebel group.



 A senior Iranian official told the British Telegraph that the move was to avoid direct conflict with the US. Tehran is also shifting focus from supporting regional proxies to countering US threats directly.



 Tehran’s primary concern, the source said, was “Trump and how to deal with him.”



 US strikes have been relentless since leaked messages revealed senior Trump officials discussing the campaign. President Donald Trump called the attacks “unbelievably successful,” having taken out key Houthi commanders and military targets.



 The Pentagon confirmed more warplanes were being deployed. The 124th Fighter Wing recently sent A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and 300 airmen to the region. Meanwhile, the USS Carl Vinson is en route to reinforce the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea.



 Houthi rebels claim to be attacking US warships, though no ships have been hit.



 A Russian military expert in Sanaa is reportedly advising the Houthis, while Saudi Arabia—long engaged in Yemen’s war—has hosted US-Russia ceasefire talks regarding Ukraine.



 Iran’s regime now sees the Houthis as a lost cause. “They were part of a chain that relied on Nasrallah and Assad, and keeping only one part makes no sense,” the Iranian source said.



 Trump is pressuring Iran to negotiate its nuclear program, recently deploying B-2 bombers to Diego Garcia. 



Since his return to power, US policy has shifted sharply. Trump reversed Biden’s 2021 decision to remove the Houthis’ terror designation and has capitalized on Israel’s successes against Hamas and Hezbollah to weaken Iran’s regional influence.



 Iran’s failed missile strikes on Israel last year further undermined its deterrence and damaged ally morale.



 The Houthis still control Sanaa, finance themselves through illicit trade, and use Yemen’s mountainous terrain to stockpile weapons, but Iran’s withdrawal suggests their days may be numbered.

Iran Withdraws Military from Yemen as US Airstrikes Intensify

The FBI has seen a significant surge in new agent applications since Kash Patel took over as director in late February. With over 10,000 applications received since January when Trump took office, March 2025 alone accounted for 5,577 applications &#8211; the highest monthly total since April 2016. This represents a notable increase from the monthly averages of 2,797 in 2023 and 3,383 in 2024.



FBI spokesman Ben Williamson told Fox News that this surge is attributed to Director Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino&#8217;s efforts to restore confidence in federal law enforcement and boost new agent recruiting.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">🚨 FBI recruitment has hit a RECORD high❗️ After Russiagate, the Hunter Biden laptop scandal, and the raid on Mar-a-Lago among other low points, <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBIDirectorKash</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Kash_Patel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kash_Patel</a> has resurrected the FBI&#39;s reputation! ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/MNTFlbV6DQ">pic.twitter.com/MNTFlbV6DQ</a>&mdash; Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) <a href="https://twitter.com/kayleighmcenany/status/1907846589906813030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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&#8220;These record early returns certainly suggest the new FBI is heading in the right direction&#8221;, Williamson said.

FBI Sees Record Surge in New Agent Applications Under Director Kash Patel’s Leadership

New York City Mayor Eric Adams withdrew Thursday from the Democratic primary and will instead pursue reelection as an independent, amid investigations of alleged bribery and liberal rage over his cozying up to President Donald Trump.



Adams explained that he opted out of the June Democratic primary because the now-dismissed criminal case &#8220;dragged on too long,&#8221; casting a shadow over his campaign and limiting his ability to connect with voters, the Mayor said in a video statement Thursday.



“I firmly believe that this city is better served by truly independent leadership, not leaders pulled at by the extremists at the far left or the far right, but instead those rooted in the common middle, the place where the vast majority of New Yorkers are firmly planted,” Adams said.



His choice comes after mounting speculation over whether he would remain in the Democratic contest, where he faced strong competition, including from former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.



News of the move was first reported by Politico.



Speaking about his bribery accusations, Adams reaffirmed his innocence but acknowledged that the ordeal had shaken public trust and that he had placed confidence in the wrong individuals.



 “I know that the accusations leveled against me may have shaken your confidence in me, and that you may rightly have questions about my conduct. And let me be clear, although the charges against me were false, I trusted people I should not have, and I regret that,” he stated.



A former police officer, Adams has governed as a centrist Democrat, often clashing with the city’s progressive faction.



His decision to run as an independent was met with immediate criticism from political rivals. Zohran Mamdani, a far-left, anti-Israel Democratic state assemblyman and mayoral candidate, condemned Adams, stating, &#8220;Regardless of what party Adams flees to, New Yorkers deserve better than a self-interested, disgraced mayor who has and always will put his needs before their own.&#8221;



 Similarly, Democratic state Senator Zellnor Myrie characterized the situation as &#8220;a circus.&#8221; Meanwhile, Jim Walden, a former prosecutor and independent candidate, promptly challenged Adams to a debate, arguing that the mayor’s decision was driven by &#8220;desperation, not principle.&#8221;

NYC Mayor Eric Adams to Run for Reelection as an Independent

Following an incident last night in Syria, in which terrorist forces attempted to approach IDF soldiers stationed in Syrian territory, Israeli Defense Minister Katz issued a stern warning overnight to the Syrian leader, cautioning against allowing hostile elements into Syria that threaten Israel.



&#8220;If you allow forces hostile to Israel to enter Syria and endanger Israeli security interests – you will pay a very heavy price. Israel&#8217;s Air Force activity is a warning for the future – we will not allow harm to the security of the State of Israel,&#8221; Minister Katz.



Katz added: &#8220;Israel will not permit Syria to become a threat to its communities or its security interests. IDF forces will continue to be stationed and operate on Mount Hermon and in designated buffer zones to protect communities in the Golan Heights and Galilee against any threat – just as we did yesterday when we eliminated terrorists who posed a danger to our troops.&#8221;



The defense minister also confirmed that the IDF carried out strikes in Syria last night: &#8220;Yesterday’s Air Force operations targeting airports in T4, Hama, and the Damascus area are a clear message and a warning for the future – we will not allow harm to the security of the State of Israel.&#8221;

Israel’s Message to Syrian Leader: If You Allow Hostile Forces Into Syria – You Will Pay a Heavy Price

A Nevada man was slapped with a terror-related charge for allegedly threatening to kill Jewish people in an online message board last month, according to court documents.



Last week, Michael Tomasino, 38, was indicted by a grand jury in Clark county on a charge of making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism, after admitting to posting threats on an anonymous message board with a large population of extremist and hateful members.



The messages were posted on March 11, which included a declaration that Tomasino would kill Jews and then take his own life. .



“I’m an antisemite and I’m going to kill as many as you…as I can before I commit suicide,” the post said, according to police who spoke with KLAS, a local CBS affiliate.



The FBI, after learning of the posts, notified the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Section, who identified Tomasino as the author using internet records to find the source of the user&#8217;s account who posted the screed.



When questioned, Tomasino “quickly admitted to posting antisemitic content” daily, police said.



Tomasino remained in custody as of Tuesday, KLAS reported.

Nevada Man Indicted for Threatening to Kill Jews Online

The amount of home release and halfway house time able to be earned by prisoners in federal jails was cut from 12 months to only 2, a memo from the federal Bureau of Prisons stated Wednesday.



Jewish Inmates relied on this allowance to spend time with their families.



The organization Tzedek slammed the decision, writing in a statement:



&#8220;This decision will cause immeasurable harm, especially to the children yearning to be reunited with their parents. It makes no sense to cut a program that should be more cost-effective than prison, reduces recidivism, and alleviates overcrowding. Rather than cutting this essential program, it should be expanded!&#8221;



Tzedek promised to fight the new rules and asked that the tzibur daven.



Rabbi Moshe Martaretten, President of Tzedek, spoke with Belaaz, expressing his dismay. &#8220;My heart breaks for the spouses and children who will now endure prolonged separation from their loved ones for many months longer,&#8221; Rabbi Margaretten said. &#8220;This is wrong on every level, and we will fight tooth and nail to have it reversed—period. This program has been proven to reduce recidivism, it will recklessly overcrowd an already overburdened and understaffed prison system, and home confinement should be more cost-effective than incarceration, making this decision even more senseless.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="719" src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/c1e73327-766a-4006-bfa9-7c37c03cec2f.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-10011" srcset="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/c1e73327-766a-4006-bfa9-7c37c03cec2f.jpeg 900w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/c1e73327-766a-4006-bfa9-7c37c03cec2f-300x240.jpeg 300w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/c1e73327-766a-4006-bfa9-7c37c03cec2f-768x614.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rabbi Margeretten with President Trump</figcaption></figure>

New Bureau of Prisons Guidelines Will Leave Jewish Inmates With Less Family, Shul Time

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a 10% minimum tax on imports from all nations, along with increased tariff rates for several countries that have tariffs on US goods.



Speaking at an event in the Rose Garden, Trump presented charts illustrating the tariff rates that the U.S. would impose on various countries, determined by the tariffs those nations currently place on American goods.



The displayed figures indicated that imports from China would face a 34% tax, while the European Union would see a 20% tariff. Imports from South Korea would be taxed at 25%, Japan at 24%, and Taiwan at 32%, among other examples.



Among the highest tariff rates, a 49% tax will be imposed on all goods imported from Cambodia.



Trump stated: “our country has been looted, pillaged&#8230;plundered” by other nations.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="654" height="1024" src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1000034873-654x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10003" srcset="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1000034873-654x1024.jpg 654w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1000034873-191x300.jpg 191w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1000034873-768x1203.jpg 768w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1000034873.jpg 900w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px" /></figure>



To implement the tariffs, the President declared a national economic emergency, predicting that they would generate hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue annually. He assured that these measures would bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. However, the policy carries the risk of an abrupt economic slowdown, as consumers and businesses may buy less if prices rise.



Before the announcement, the European Union, Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea all vowed to retaliate against Trump’s tariffs.

Trump Announces Worldwide Tariffs at 10%, Dozens of Countries Will Pay More in Reciprocal Fees

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir faced strong criticism on Wednesday after visiting and praying on Har Habayis.



The far-right minister’s visit, prohibited by Gedolei Yisrael and the Chief Rabbinate, came after a nearly two-week period during Ramadan in which Jewish visits were restricted.



UTJ MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni condemned the move, calling it “an attack on the sanctity of the holiest place for the Jewish people and on the status quo”— referring the longstanding arrangement governing religious practices at the site.



Gafni says it was it was also an attack on &#8220;all of the Gedolei Yisrael and the chief rabbis of all generations who opposed to the ascent of Jews to the place. Your ascent there involves a strict prohibition of Kares for you and all who accompany you.



“This does not demonstrate sovereignty; on the contrary, it constitutes desecration and causes unnecessary incitement in the Muslim world,” Gafni wrote, urging Ben Gvir to “stop ascending Har Habayis.”



Many acts of murderous terrorism have been associated with Muslims believing that Jews were intending to invade or disrupt the al Aqsa mosque located on Har Habayis.



Jordan also denounced the visit, calling it a “dangerous escalation.”*



In a statement, Jordan’s foreign ministry described Ben Gvir’s visit as a *storming” and an “unacceptable provocation” that could further inflame regional tensions.



Since joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in 2022, Ben Gvir has frequently publicized his visits to Har Habayis. Wednesday’s visit was his first since rejoining the coalition in March, following the government’s renewal of fighting in Gaza.



For decades, the status quo at the site has prohibited Jewish worship, but under Ben Gvir’s ministry, Israel Police have increasingly allowed limited Jewish prayer there.

Ben Gvir’s Har Habayis Visit Sparks Outrage

President Trump&#8217;s social media company, Trump Media &amp; Technology Group, submitted Wednesday documents to the Securities and Exchange Commissionseeking approval for Trump&#8217;s trust to sell nearly 115 million shares of the company’s stock.



The filing follows a surge in Newsmax’s stock price after the conservative media company went public, skyrocketing from $10 to $233 within two days. Truth Social, operated by TMTG, may be looking to benefit from a similar trend.



The SEC filing grants various shareholders the ability to sell stock at different times. Among them, the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust holds 114,750,000 shares, representing its full stake in the company. However, the filing does not indicate when or if these shares will be sold. According to the filing, Donald Trump Jr. manages the trust. TMTG clarified that the filing is a standard regulatory procedure and does not signal an immediate stock sale. The company reiterated that the submission was routine and not an indication of an upcoming transaction.



&#8220;To be clear, these shares were already registered last June on an S-1 form, and today TMTG submitted a routine filing that re-registers them on an S-3 form in order to keep the Company&#8217;s filings effective. In fact, there currently is no open window for any affiliate to sell shares.&#8221;



Following the announcement, Truth Social’s stock dropped 6.5%, reaching $18.93 in early trading. Since Trump assumed office in January, the stock has declined by more than half its value.



In September, Trump stated that he had no plans to sell his shares in the company, emphasizing that he did not need the money.

Trump’s Social Media Company Files to Sell 115 Million Shares

A frum resident from Toms River, New Jersey, who also holds Israeli citizenship, was arrested by the IDF earlier this week while on his way back to the United States. He was held in military prison for several days before being released, Belaaz can exclusively report. The arrest was due to his avoidance of mandatory IDF service for several years. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="521" src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-02-at-1.32.46-PM.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-9977" srcset="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-02-at-1.32.46-PM.jpeg 900w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-02-at-1.32.46-PM-300x174.jpeg 300w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WhatsApp-Image-2025-04-02-at-1.32.46-PM-768x445.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">IDF’s Prison Four located in Central Israel</figcaption></figure>



According to information obtained by Belaaz, the 33-year-old New Jersey resident, father of five, was arrested at the beginning of this week after arriving in Israel to attend a family simcha. He was detained at Ben Gurion Airport while making his way back to the United States.



A source involved in the case tells Belaaz that since his arrest, efforts have been made by Askanim and lawyers to secure his release before Pesach. Baruch Hashem, the man was just released a few hours ago and is now on his way back home to the United States.



It is surprising that he was not arrested immediately upon his arrival in Israel, but rather only detained at passport control when he attempted to return home.



The frum man holds an Israeli passport but and did not regularize his status with the IDF for over a decade. He was held in military prison, and following extensive efforts by Askanim and lawyers in Eretz Yisroel, he has now been released and is on his way to reunite with his family.

EXCLUSIVE: Frum Father from Toms River Arrested in Israel for IDF Draft Avoidance, Released After Several Days.

President Donald Trump has informed his inner circle, including Cabinet members, that Elon Musk will soon step back from his role as a key partner, vocal supporter, and head of DOGE, Politico reported Wednesday.



While Trump remains pleased with Musk’s contributions—particularly through DOGE —both have recently agreed that it’s time for Musk to return to his businesses and take on a supporting role, according to three Trump insiders who spoke with Politico on condition of anonymity about the evolving relationship.



Musk’s impending departure comes amid growing frustration from both Trump administration insiders and outside allies who view his unpredictability as a political liability. This concern was underscored on Tuesday when a conservative judge backed by Musk lost a Wisconsin Supreme Court race by 10 points.



The shift marks a dramatic change from just a month ago when White House officials and allies predicted Musk was “here to stay” and expected Trump to bypass the 130-day limit on his status as a special government employee.



A senior administration official indicated that Musk is likely to maintain an informal advisory role and remain a familiar presence at the White House. Another insider warned that those expecting Musk to vanish from Trump’s orbit are “fooling themselves.”



“Elon, I want to thank you—I know you’ve been through a lot,” Trump said, referencing death threats and vandalism of Tesla vehicles before calling him “a patriot” and “a friend of mine.”



Trump and Musk both later hinted at the transition in public statements. When asked by Fox News on Thursday whether he’d step down once his special government employee status expired, Musk suggested his mission was nearly complete: “I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion within that time frame.”



On Monday night, Trump noted Musk’s impending departure to reporters: “At some point, Elon’s going to want to go back to his company. He wants to. I’d keep him as long as I could keep him.”

Trump Reportedly Tells Cabinet Members That Musk Will Leave Washington Soon

U.S. President Trump is set to meet Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa during his upcoming visit to the Middle East in mid-May, a Syrian source told i24 News on Wednesday. 



 According to the report, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was personally involved in facilitating the meeting.



Trump, in the first foreign visit since the beginning of his second term, will visit Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar during his trip, but the exact dates are not confirmed yet.



“The president will be heading to Saudi Arabia in May. As for specific dates and details, we will be reading those out to you as soon as we possibly can,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Report: Trump to Meet Syria’s Al-Sharaa During Mideast Trip

After a series of intense overnight strikes in southern Gaza, the IDF have reentered Khan Younis and Rafah, while another division was deployed in the area, as Defense Minister Yisrael Katz says that the military is expanding its offensive against the Hamas terror group.



Palestinian media sources reported heavy airstrikes in Rafah and Khan Younis throughout Tuesday night, followed by advancing ground forces in Rafah Wednesday morning.



On Monday, the IDF issued a broad evacuation notice for the entire Rafah region and a large stretch of land between Rafah and Khan Younis—an area where ground troops had not previously been deployed since the ceasefire began.



Recently, the IDF announced that its 36th Division had been assigned to the Southern Command in preparation for operations in Gaza. Early Wednesday morning, troops from the division entered southern Gaza.



Katz emphasized that forces will work to eliminate threats, move to clear areas “of terrorists and infrastructure, and capture extensive territory that will be added the State of Israel’s security areas.”



He urged residents in Gaza to “act now to overthrow Hamas and return all the hostages.”



Meanwhile, the United States is bolstering its military presence in the Middle East by sending an additional aircraft carrier to the region. The Pentagon confirmed early Wednesday that the USS Carl Vinson will join the USS Harry S. Truman with the goal of &#8220;continuing to promote regional stability, deter aggression, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region,&#8221; Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement.

IDF Expands Ground Offensive in Gaza, Deploys Additional Troops

Senior Trump Administration officials, including national security advisor Mike Waltz, used private Gmail accounts for government matters, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.



The administration’s management of sensitive information is already under scrutiny, after officials added a journalist to a group chat that discussed attacks on Houthi terrorists.



However Gmail has even less security than Signal, the app used to discuss the strike on the Houthis. Waltz reportedly used Gmail for tasks such as managing his calendar and handling unclassified work documents. While these materials are not as sensitive as the attack plans discussed in Waltz’s widely criticized Signal thread, experts told The Post that they should still be stored in a more secure system than personal email.



Another senior national security aide used Gmail for &#8220;highly technical conversations with colleagues at other government agencies regarding sensitive military positions and powerful weapons systems linked to an ongoing conflict,&#8221; The Post reports.



NSC spokesman Brian Hughes told The Post that Waltz ensures compliance with federal records laws by copying his official email when pre-existing contacts send work-related messages to his Gmail. &#8220;Waltz didn&#8217;t and wouldn&#8217;t send classified information on an open account,&#8221; Hughes stated.

Report: Senior Trump Admin Officials Used Personal Gmail Accounts for Government Matters

Israel has decided to raise its alert level at various sites abroad, according to reports this evening. The decision comes in the wake of an overnight assassination in Beirut of Hassan Ali Badir, a Hezbollah operative who had recently been directing Hamas members and helping them plan an imminent attack targeting Israeli civilians.



The IDF and Shin Bet released a joint statement, saying: “IDF fighter jets, guided by the Shin Bet, recently struck a Hezbollah terrorist in the Dahiyeh area of Beirut. He had been directing Hamas operatives in recent weeks and assisting them in advancing a serious and imminent terror attack against Israeli civilians. The terrorist posed a real and immediate threat, which is why the IDF and Shin Bet acted to eliminate him. The IDF and Shin Bet will continue to take action to remove any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel.”



Today, the National Security Council (NSC) published its assessment regarding the threat level to Israelis abroad, emphasizing that Iran is actively working to harm Israelis outside the country. The NSC urged the public to act responsibly when traveling abroad, to check the status of travel warnings, and to follow the issued recommendations.



The NSC noted that Iran is trying to attack Israeli and Jewish targets around the world, partly in retaliation for the elimination of senior Iranian, Hezbollah, and Hamas figures during the ongoing war. Over the past year, numerous terror plots directed by Iran have been exposed and thwarted, including attempted attacks and kidnappings. A photo reveal Badir&#8217;s close ties to Iranian leadership, showing him aboard a plane with Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of Iran&#8217;s Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a senior Iraqi militia figure. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="713" height="730" src="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GncERSjbcAARoyl.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-9959" srcset="https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GncERSjbcAARoyl.jpeg 713w, https://api.belaaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GncERSjbcAARoyl-293x300.jpeg 293w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 713px) 100vw, 713px" /></figure>

Israel Thwarts Major Terrorist Attack on Israelis Overseas, Heightens Security Alert at International Locations.

The new Syrian regime is trying to establish backchannel ties with Israel aimed at potential normalization, despite Israeli officials&#8217; public stance against the Islamic rebels who overthrew the previous regime of Bashar al-Assad, Channel 12&#8217;s Ariel Oseran reported Tuesday.



Oseran, citing a Syrian source with knowledge of the situation, says that &#8220;These efforts are aimed at laying the groundwork for potential normalization between Syria and Israel, and are taking place with the support of Saudi Arabia.&#8221;



Oseran cautioned his viewers that despite the timing, the report was not an April Fool&#8217;s joke.

Report: New Syrian Regime Trying to Establish Backdoor Channels with Israel

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is preparing for a political comeback, registering a new party as part of his preparations for the next national elections. Bennett, who left politics in 2022 after serving as prime minister for just over a year, is reportedly planning to run for the premiership once again.



On Monday, Bennett’s team confirmed the registration of a political party under the temporary name “Bennett 2026”—a clear sign of his intent to return to the political arena, likely in the lead-up to elections expected next year.



While Bennett has traditionally been positioned on the right of the political spectrum, his future party’s ideological stance remains uncertain.Until now, It appears he will try to focus on the right-wing public disappointed with Netanyahu and the centrist voters seeking a fresh alternative.



Since the start of the war in Gaza, Bennett has largely remained silent, refraining from taking clear positions on divisive national issues. Notably, he has avoided commenting on the controversial hostage release deal, a subject that has deeply divided Israeli society.



However, Bennett’s recent statements suggest that his campaign may focus on one highly sensitive issue: drafting all yeshiva students, is recentstatements indicate.



Recent polls show Bennett receiving as many as 15 seats in the Knesset, positioning him as a serious contender for leadership. His return to politics is expected to draw support away from centrist and secular parties such as those led by Avigdor Lieberman, Benny Gantz, and Yair Lapid. Political analysts believe the Netanyahu bloc would remain largely unaffected.

Former PM Naftali Bennett Registers New Party in Anticipation of 2026 Israeli Elections

A Mt. Sinai doctor who referred to Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists as “noble resistance and freedom fighters” has been dismissed following an internal investigation after Brooklyn City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov pressed the hospital to take action to secure the safety of Jewish patients.



Dr. Lila Abassi, an assistant professor of medicine at the hospital, was terminated after scrutiny of her social media activity, which had been under review even before the Oct. 7 massacre but escalated in response to the attacks.



Abassi, 46, had posted statements such as “Long Live Hamas and Hezbollah,” labeled the IDF a “plague,” accused Israel of “slaughtering babies,” and both downplayed and, paradoxically, endorsed the Oct. 7 massacre.



“I found out through a constituent of mine who’s also a doctor at the hospital. He sent me a bunch of information—social media pages and more,” Vernikov told Belaaz. “Physicians Against Antisemitism [an online antisemitism awareness group] posted about it, and I asked my constituent to verify it because she uses an alias on social media.”



The doctor had been using the pseudonym “Kluver Bucy,” a reference to a rare neurological disorder affecting memory and behavior.



“They showed me a photo of her wearing a jacket with her name on it. We shared it on our social media, then contacted the hospital, urging them to investigate. We kept following up—calling and emailing. They told us they had launched an investigation. We continued pressing them, and eventually, they responded, saying they had spoken to her and that she had deleted her social media.”



Unhappy with the lenient response, Vernikov, a Republican, pushed for Abassi’s ouster. 



“I told them that simply deleting her social media didn’t mean her hatred was gone,” Vernikov said. “I insisted she needed to be fired because my constituents are Jewish, and they wouldn’t feel safe being treated by a doctor who wants to kill them.”



Vernikov said that the hospital was very responsive throughout the process, which took about two months to be resolved.



When asked whether the Trump administration’s actions to tackle antisemitism influenced the hospital’s decision, Vernikov remarked, “They used to cancel everyone—if you were any other kind of racist, you got canceled. Cancel culture was rampant. But I think in this case, it’s a mix of the current climate, the crackdown, and other factors.”

Mt. Sinai Doctor Fired for Praising Hamas Amid Pressure From Councilwoman

Just 24 hours after it was announced that Maj. Gen. Eli Sharvit would be appointed head of the Shin Bet, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office officially confirmed late Monday night that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to cancel the appointment.



According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, the prime minister met again yesterday with Maj. Gen. Sharvit regarding his potential appointment to head the Shin Bet. “The Prime Minister thanked Maj. Gen. Sharvit for his willingness to answer the call of duty but informed him that, after further consideration, he intends to explore other candidates” — effectively cancelling the appointment.



As exclusively reported by Balaaz, while some sources attempted to frame the cancellation as a diplomatic move meant to avoid angering the Trump administration due to past negative remarks made by Sharvit about the former president, the real reason appears to lie in opposition to the appointment from within Netanyahu’s own family.