Trump discloses identity of Iran contact

 

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

President Donald Trump revealed on Monday the answer to the question he raised about whom he was speaking with inside Iran: Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the New York Post reported.

The Post’s national security correspondent Caitlin Doornbos reported that Trump “confirmed to me today that the U.S. is negotiating with Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, saying we’ll ‘find out in about a week’ whether he is someone America can truly work with.”

Earlier in the week, Trump raised speculation about the identity of the person or people he was speaking with in Iran. On Truth Social, he said that “VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS” were underway with Iran while declining to identify the counterpart.

At the time, he told reporters, “A top person. Don’t forget, we wiped out the leadership, phase one, and phase two and largely phase three. But we’re dealing with a man who I believe is the most respected and the leader. It is a little tough. We’ve wiped out everybody.”

He denied it was Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei and wrote, “No, not the supreme leader. Nobody has heard of the second supreme leader, the son. We have not heard from the son,” and raised doubts about whether he is still alive.

Ghalibaf rejected Trump’s claim and wrote on X, “Iranian people demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors. All Iranian officials stand firmly behind their supreme leader and people until this goal is achieved.”

He added, “No negotiations have been held with the U.S., and fake news is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the U.S. and Israel are trapped.”

The Jerusalem Post had earlier reported that Ghalibaf was the figure in question.

Trump later reiterated that a decision on whether progress is possible would come soon, saying, “We’re gonna find out. I’ll let you know that in about a week,” and adding, “You’ll see shortly” when asked about a potential U.S. response to Iranian strikes on energy facilities in Israel and Kuwait.

16 Year old Carries his Grandmother up & Down 4 Flights During Sirens

 

*Heart Of Gold: 16-Year-Old Carries His Grandmother Up and Down Four Flights of Stairs to Shelter During Sirens After She Lost Grandson on October 7*

Amid relentless sirens and fear, a 16-year-old boy is showing extraordinary strength and devotion by carrying his grandmother, Rosa,  up and down four flights of stairs to safety every time a siren sounds.

The situation is even more heartbreaking: Rosa, fell into a deep depression after her grandson was murdered in Nova and has struggled to function since. Now her other grandson has taken on the role of protector, stepping up in the face of trauma and responsibility far beyond his years.

Despite the physical strain and emotional weight of losing a family member in Oct. 7th , he never hesitates. For him, it’s not a burden, it’s a duty rooted in love, gratitude, and resilience.

“Look there’s a lot of pressure that if there’s a siren I need to carry my grandmother to the shelter and because of that I don’t really sleep but life goes on there nothing else to do. My grandmother did so much for me and I’m glad to have the Zchut (privilege) to give back to her and give back for all the years she gave me.”

Israel revealed its true colors after ugly Palm Sunday screw-up

 

Holy Week in the Holy Land began with online hysteria.

After Catholic Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and three prelates were wrongly denied access to Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre at a police barrier, internet outrage spiraled into an international incident.

But what could have been a diplomatic catastrophe showed the opposite: Israel apologized, kept its word — and demonstrated what makes it America’s model ally.

Israeli police set events in motion by erecting a wooden barrier outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the faith’s most revered site, as a safety measure.

On Palm Sunday, one of Christianity’s holiest days, it inadvertently became a symbol of ill intent.

Official restrictions amid the war with Iran, whose regime has launched more than 400 missiles at the Jewish state in the last month, limit the size of all religious gatherings in Jerusalem’s Old City to fewer than 50 people.

It’s a prudent, life-saving precaution: Just two weeks ago, debris from an intercepted Iranian missile landed in the basilica’s close vicinity.

The tomb of Christ and the ancient structure atop it were not built to be bomb shelters.

Importantly, the cardinal and his fellow priests were not leading a public Palm Sunday procession; they only intended to celebrate a private mass, as has been done for millennia.

Yet overzealous officers from the David Precinct wrongly turned Pizzaballa away — and the social-media outrage went into overdrive.

French President Emmanuel Macron instantly condemned the “violation,” while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called it an “unjustified attack” on religious freedom itself.

Strong words from Macron, an infrequent churchgoer, and Sánchez, an avowed atheist.

While both leaders found time to condemn Israel on Palm Sunday, they were entirely silent about a real attack: the shocking slaughter of at least 12 Christians in Nigeria that same day.

On X, the performative firestorm was even more hysterical, as influencers like Jack Posobiec framed the procedural screw-up as a civilizational betrayal.

MK blasts opponents of death penalty for terrorists ..."the bill doesn't have to be perfect to be effective"

Limor Son Har-Melech

MK Limor Son Har-Melech (Otzma Yehudit), who led the legislative process of the Death Penalty for Terrorists Bill, on Tuesday evening commented on the attacks on the initiative and made it clear that she will not be deterred by legal opinions or petitions to the Supreme Court.

Son Har-Melech rejected the criticism from former senior defense officials and left-wing organizations, who claimed that the law does not provide a retroactive solution for the Nukhba terrorists or for Arab Israelis.

“These are empty claims coming from Yair Lapid and the left," she said. “Their tactic is to demand a 101% perfect law just to sabotage any real deterrence. We are not waiting - we are taking action."

Son Har-Melech further stated that this is a historic moment and a moral correction: “We have touched a point that no one dared touch out of fear. This law is deterrent and excellent, and with God’s help, we will see it implemented and result in the hanging of despicable terrorists."

She concluded her remarks by stating that the alliance between left-wing organizations and former senior officials against the bill is “the best proof of the justice of our path and the restoration of national pride."

 

A million Jews in Judea and Samaria

 For decades, Israelis have debated the future of Judea and Samaria. Some speak about borders, others about diplomacy, and still others about security arrangements. But after the trauma of the October 7 attacks, one truth has become unmistakably clear: 

Israel cannot afford illusions about geography, sovereignty, or demography.

The next two years present a rare and historic window of opportunity. With Donald Trump serving as President of the United States, Israel has an administration in Washington that has previously demonstrated unprecedented understanding of Israel’s historical rights and security needs. During his previous term, the United States recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and acknowledged Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. These moves broke decades of diplomatic stagnation and affirmed a simple truth: reality on the ground matters.

Today, Israel must apply that lesson to Judea and Samaria.

The Land of the Jewish People

First and foremost, Judea and Samaria are not foreign lands. They are the cradle of Jewish civilization. Hebron, Shiloh, Beit El, and countless other places in this region are where the Bible unfolded and where the Jewish nation first took root. For the Jewish people, these hills are not merely strategic terrain-they are sacred inheritance.

For thousands of years, Jews prayed to return to the land promised to our forefathers. The connection between the Jewish people and this land is recorded in Scripture, reaffirmed through centuries of exile, and realized in the rebirth of the State of Israel. Building Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria is therefore not an act of expansion-it is an act of return.

The Security Lesson of October 7

But history alone is not the only reason. Security demands it.

The horrors of October 7-when terrorists from Hamas invaded Israeli communities near Gaza-exposed the dangers of leaving strategic territory vulnerable to hostile forces. For years, many believed deterrence, fences, and intelligence would be enough. October 7 proved otherwise.

If Israel withdraws from territory or leaves it sparsely populated, enemies will fill the vacuum.

The narrow coastal plain-where the majority of Israel’s population lives-lies only a few kilometers from the highlands of Judea and Samaria. Ben-Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, and Israel’s economic heartland are all within easy range from those hills. Whoever controls the high ground controls the security reality of the entire country.

A dense, thriving Jewish population across Judea and Samaria is therefore not merely ideological-it is a strategic shield.

The Million-Jew Plan

Israel should adopt a clear national goal: bring one million Jews to Judea and Samaria within the next two years.

This is ambitious-but entirely achievable.

Israel has done it before. In the 1990s, the country absorbed nearly a million immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Entire cities were built in a decade. Infrastructure expanded rapidly. The same determination can transform Judea and Samaria.

Such a plan would include:

Accelerated housing construction

New cities alongside expanded existing communities

Major investment in roads, transportation, and industry

Incentives for young families and new immigrants

Relocation of government institutions and economic centers

Within a short time, the region could become home to a vibrant population approaching one million Jews.

Creating Irreversible Reality

Diplomacy often follows demographics.

A million Jews living across Judea and Samaria would create an irreversible reality. The question of “withdrawal" would become as implausible as abandoning Haifa or Be’er Sheva. The international debate would gradually shift from hypothetical borders to acknowledging the permanence of Jewish life in the heartland of Israel.

History shows that facts on the ground shape the future.

A Generation’s Responsibility

Every generation of Jews has faced defining moments. Our grandparents rebuilt the Jewish state. Our parents defended it in war and built its economy.

Our generation faces a different challenge: securing the heartland and ensuring that the horrors of October 7 can never be repeated.

Populating Judea and Samaria with a million Jews would not only fulfill the historic bond between the Jewish people and their land. It would also ensure strategic depth, strengthen Israel’s security, and protect the nation’s future.

The opportunity exists now. The question is whether we have the vision-and the courage-to seize it.

Rabbi Yonaton Behar is originally from Queens, NY, and lives in Har Bracha, where he is a marketing and public relations expert. He also translates many of the writings of Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Eliezer Melamed into English.

Baby Bnei-Brak dies after circumcision, mohel arrested

 

A mohel from Bnei Brak was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of negligent homicide after an infant died two weeks after undergoing circumcision.

The police stated that investigators from the Bnei Brak-Ramat Gan station opened an investigation upon receiving a report of the infant's death due to alleged complications of the circumcision performed by the mohel.

The investigation found that the infant underwent circumcision earlier this month. After an infection developed at the site of the incision, the infant was brought to a physician who referred him immediately to the emergency room. The hospital then pronounced the infant dead.

The police stated that the mohel was taken for questioning on suspicion of negligent homicide of a minor. Following his interrogation, he was jailed, and tomorrow he will be brought before the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court for a hearing.

Woman seriously injured by cluster warhead in Bnei Brak area

 

A cluster warhead missile fired from Iran toward the Tel Aviv metropolitan area (Gush Dan) this morning (Wednesday) hit multiple sites in Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan.

MDA director Eli Bin reported that an approximately 11-year-old girl was seriously injured in Bnei Brak, along with two others lightly injured. In the city, a building was also damaged, causing a gas leak, which fire crews handled.

In Holon, a fire broke out in an open area due to debris, and in Petah Tikva, interceptor missile fragments fell in an open area.

So Far Iran Launched 1,350 Missiles, Lebanon 3,900 at Israel! .... 82,708 Sirens

 

Israel stops all defense deals with France

 

Israel’s Defense Ministry has halted all defense procurement from France due to what it views as Paris’s hostile stance toward Jerusalem in the aftermath of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, Hebrew media reported on Tuesday.

Israeli Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram decided to end all contracts with France and instead rely on Israeli-made equipment and purchases from friendly countries, according to Israel’s Channel 12 News.

The move follows French restrictions on Israeli participation in defense exhibitions and its support for a UN resolution calling for an arms embargo on Israel.

In the middle of the June 12-day war with Iran, Israel accused the French government of blocking parts of the Israeli pavilion at the Paris Air Show, breaking understandings reached on Israel’s participation and the principles of equality.

Baram at the time called the move “absolutely, bluntly antisemitic” and accused France of “commercial exclusion to prevent successful Israeli industries from competing with French ones.”

In a statement then, the Defense Ministry said the French government’s action “comes at a time when Israel is fighting a necessary and just war to eliminate the nuclear and ballistic threat facing the Middle East, Europe and the entire world.”

In 2024, a Paris court struck down restrictions on Israeli companies requested by the French Defense Ministry regarding the Eurosatory 2024 defense show, ruling they violated the principles of equality.

Egypt strongly condemns Israel’s death penalty law for terrorists ...This year Egypt Executed 83

 Egypt strongly condemned Israel’s approval of the death penalty law  for terrorists.

It should be noted that the death penalty is anchored in Egyptian law. 

According to Amnesty data, Egypt carried out at least 83 executions in 2021, and in 2024 Egyptian courts issued 504 death sentences, though not all were carried out.

Footage shows the moment a cluster bomb struck in Bnei Brak Six people were lightly wounded.

 

Trump Done With Strait of Hormuz, tells EU if you want to pass through "Just Take it"

 

Spain Blocks U.S. Airspace Access Over Iran War — Trump Fires Back

 

In yet another move that signals Spain’s antipathy to anything that benefits Israel, Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced Monday that Spain has closed its airspace to the United States, going beyond its previously stated position of blocking the use of jointly operated military bases in Spain. As a result of the closure, U.S. military planes now must find a way to circumvent Spain to reach the Middle East.

“We don’t authorize either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” she said at a press conference in Madrid.

Carlos Cuerpo, minister of the economy, said in an interview, “This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law.”

Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has fiercely criticized the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, calling it reckless and illegal. President Donald Trump has in turn threatened to cut off trade with Spain in response to its denial of U.S. military bases in Spain.

Trump also blasted NATO for not joining the U.S. push to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s stranglehold on the vital chokepoint for transit of a fifth of the world’s oil supply has caused oil prices to skyrocket globally.

“So easy for them to do, with so little risk,” he posted to Truth Social last week. “COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!”

“Without the USA, NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!” he added.

The Passover program industry has become A $1.5 Billion a year industry

 The Passover program industry has quietly become A $1.5 Billion a year industry, one of the most fascinating niches in the global travel market.

Every year, roughly 300,000 Jews around the world spend Passover at fully kosher, all-inclusive resorts instead of preparing the holiday at home. What started decades ago in the Catskills has evolved into a global luxury travel industry. Today there are roughly 100–150 Passover programs worldwide, taking place across: • The United States • Mexico & the Caribbean • Israel • Europe • Morocco • Dubai • Costa Rica and more These programs typically run 10–12 days and include: • Glatt kosher gourmet meals • Seders and holiday services • Celebrity speakers & rabbis • Concerts and entertainment • Kids and teen programs • Chol Hamoed excursions • Luxury resort amenities The appeal is simple: Pesach preparation is extremely intense. Preparing a kosher-for-Passover home can take weeks of cleaning, koshering kitchens, and cooking dozens of meals. Many families choose to outsource the entire experience.

Prices vary widely. Budget programs may cost $5,000–$8,000 per family, while mid-tier programs often run $10,000–$15,000. Luxury programs can exceed $40,000–$60,000 per family. A typical mid-sized program might host 400–600 guests, generating $3M–$6M in revenue in just 10 days. Large luxury programs with 800+ guests can generate $10M–$15M+. When you add everything together, the industry becomes massive. Estimated annual totals: • ~150,000 participants worldwide • 200 programs globally • Average spend: $3k–$5k per person That puts the direct Passover program industry at roughly $1.5B annually. And that doesn’t even include the massive surrounding ecosystem: • Kosher catering companies • Entertainment & speakers • Flights and travel • The kosher-for-Passover food market (a $1B+ seasonal industry on its own) For one holiday lasting just over a week, Passover has created one of the most unique travel industries in the world. A billion-dollar market built around matzah, maror, and the Seder table.

Eric Swalwell Trying to stop FBI from releasing his affair with Spy Fang Fang

 

Breaking news: Attorneys for Rep. Eric Swalwell demanded in a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel that the bureau refrain from releasing decade-old investigative files involving the congressman’s purported ties to a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. https://t.co/AfBzYylPJn

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 30, 2026

Did Trump Inspire the Feuding Satmar Rebbes to Strike a Deal After 20 Years?

 We can all see that the 20 year-old battle was all about the Benjamins! 

כסף יענה את הכל

The feuding brothers are quick to say to Israeli Jews that they shouldn't take any money from the Medina, but they for 20 years were not "mevateir" a peruta! 

They follow all "chumrois" except when it comes to the $$$$$$!

I sincerely hope this brings to "Shulim" but knowing both personally, I doubt it! 

In a stunning development, both factions of Satmar—led by the two brothers, HaRav Aharon from Kiryas Yoel, and HaRav Zalman Leib from Williamsburg—have jointly signed a dramatic and historic letter calling for the immediate return of all items belonging to the estate of the previous Rebbe, their father, known as the “Beirach Moshe”.

The letter, signed by all sons and sons-in-law, comes nearly 20 years after the petirah of the Beirach Moshe, and signals a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to finally arrange the yerusha in a proper and equal manner.

In the strongly worded kol koreh, the family writes that as they began organizing the yerusha, it became clear that many valuable items are missing—including seforim, kisvei yad, and cheftzei kodesh passed down from previous doros.

“We hereby inform that we do not forgo or forgive any item… and anyone holding them is considered to be in possession of stolen property,” the letter states clearly, emphasizing the serious halachic implications.

The signatories stress that this applies to any item connected to the estate—even those that may have circulated over the years—and explicitly state that no item should be returned to any individual Rebbe. Rather, everything must be returned to the general estate so it can be divided equally among all the yorshim.

 Behind the scenes, extensive efforts have been ongoing for a long period between representatives of both sides, working toward resolving the long-standing dispute over both monetary assets and priceless heirlooms.

As is well known, the Beirach Moshe had entrusted his loyal meshamesh, Reb Moshe Friedman—known as “Moshe Gabbai”—with responsibility over the estate. However, following the well-known split between the brothers after the Rebbe’s Petira, the division of the yerusha remained frozen for nearly two decades.

In recent years, renewed efforts have gained momentum. Approximately two years ago, many of the items were transferred to a secure location, where they were carefully catalogued and evaluated. The collection reportedly includes rare manuscripts and cheftzei kodesh tracing back generations—from the Yismach Moshe to the Divrei Yoel—with an estimated value of millions of dollars.

The publication of this kol koreh marks a transition from quiet negotiations to a public call to action.

A firm deadline has been set: all items must be returned by Lag BaOmer. The letter notes that those who comply by the deadline will receive mechila gemura, and arrangements have been made for items to be returned discreetly through designated shluchim, without any questions asked.

Additionally, anyone unsure whether an item in their possession belongs to the yerusha is urged to contact the appointed representatives, who will facilitate a private בירור עפ״י דין תורה with rabbonim.

The kol koreh has already made waves throughout Satmar, as many are now taking stock of items in their possession.

Observers note that beyond the immediate issue of inheritance, the coordinated letter signed by both sides may signal a broader warming of relations after years of deep division—particularly in light of recent subtle gestures of mutual respect between the camps.

For now, all eyes are on whether the missing items will be returned—and whether this dramatic move will finally bring closure to one of the most complex and emotional chapters in Satmar’s modern history.

The Meek Israeli President Urges Crackdown on Jews Finally taking Revenge

 

נשיא המדינה @isaac_herzog במכתב למנהיגים יהודיים בתפוצות שפנו אליו בדחיפות בנוגע לאלימות הקיצונים ביהודה ושומרון: pic.twitter.com/cfBHnpwtLt

— Office of the President of Israel (@IsraelPresident) March 30, 2026

 I think we should worry more about Arab Terror than a few rowdy kids burning cars and being blanket labeled as "settlers" to make everyone else look bad. How about all the murder going on between Arabs in those Mafia run neighborhoods

The Cowardly "Diaspora Jewish Leaders" should mind their own business! 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday addressed concerns raised by Diaspora Jewish leaders over reported violence in Judea & Samaria , saying such incidents are incompatible with Israeli law and Jewish ethical values.

In a response to a collective letter signed by rabbis and communal figures abroad, Herzog said he strongly condemns violence against civilians and said it undermines both the rule of law and the moral foundations of the state. He stressed that Israeli society is grounded in longstanding Jewish principles, including the obligation to protect human dignity and human life.

Herzog said he has been in contact with security and law enforcement officials in recent weeks, urging action against those responsible and calling for enforcement to prevent further incidents. He warned that unlawful violence complicates broader security efforts and harms Israel’s international standing at a time of heightened regional tensions.

The Diaspora letter, coordinated through the London Initiative, said  attacks against Palestinians in Jida & Samaria have increased and called for stronger government enforcement, including arrests and prosecutions. Signatories said the situation has worsened and argued that insufficient action risks normalizing such behavior.

The letter also cited comments by Israel’s military leadership, including IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who has described violence against civilians and soldiers as unacceptable and a security threat.

Herzog said such actions damage Israel’s ability to confront broader security challenges and fuel criticism of the country abroad. He urged consistent enforcement of the law “without exception,” particularly in the context of ongoing security pressures.

The exchange comes as Israel continues military and security operations under the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, while tensions in the Judea & Samaria remain elevated.

Herzog like the meek coward that he is, concluded by thanking Diaspora Jewish leaders for raising their concerns and extended Passover greetings to Jewish communities worldwide.

MKs in letter to Chief of Staff: Reinstate Battalion 941 for operational duty immediately

 

Zamir

Dozens of Knesset members have appealed to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, demanding the immediate reinstatement of Reserve Battalion 941 - composed of alumni of the haredi Netzach Yehuda battalion - to operational duty. The battalion was temporarily removed following an incident involving a CNN journalist.

The initiative was led by MK Tzvi Sukkot, following a report published yesterday on Arutz Sheva-Israel National News about the battalion’s removal from operational activity. Sukkot drafted the letter that was signed by dozens of Knesset members.

In the letter, the MKs began by expressing strong support for the IDF and its operations in the war. They noted that under Zamir’s command, IDF forces are fighting terrorism “in a manner that is astonishing the entire world."

Nevertheless, the signatories sharply criticized the decision to pull the battalion from operational duty, which they claim was taken in direct response to media coverage. They stated that this is an unusual decision that could severely damage the trust of fighters and reservists - particularly at a time when a broad mobilization of forces is urgently needed.

The letter emphasized that the decision carries far-reaching implications, both operationally and on the public and family levels. The Knesset members warned against harming the morale of soldiers, public confidence in the defense establishment, and efforts to integrate additional populations into military service.

At the conclusion of the letter, the MKs called on the Chief of Staff to reverse his decision and order the battalion’s immediate return to full operational activity.

MK Tzvi Sukkot described the decision as “outrageous," adding that considerations of media image must not be allowed to override the need to back fighters who are risking their lives for the country’s security. He stated that it is the duty of Knesset members to oversee such decisions and prevent damage to the reserves system.

Among the signatories were MKs Zvika Foghel, Ariel Kallner, Nissim Vaturi, Amit Halevi, Tally Gotliv, Simcha Rothman, David Bitan, Galit Distel Atbaryan, Akrám Hasson, Mishel Buskila, and others.

US will respects Israel’s new death penalty for terrorists

 

The United States refrained from condemning the Death Penalty for Terrorists Bill, which was approved in the Knesset on Monday.

“The United States respects Israel’s sovereign right to determine its own laws and penalties for individuals convicted of terrorism," said a State Department spokesperson in a statement.

“We trust that any such measures will be carried out with a fair trial and respect for all applicable fair trial guarantees and protections," the spokesperson added.

The new legislation seeks to transform the death penalty from a theoretical option into an applied punishment tool, while creating a distinction between regions.

In Judea and Samaria, the death penalty will be the "default" for murder offenses under terrorist circumstances. Unanimous consent of the judges will not be required (unlike the current situation), and there will be no possibility of pardon or commutation of the sentence by the commander-in-chief.

Within the Green Line, the court can only impose the death penalty or life imprisonment on someone who intentionally causes the death of a person with the aim of harming the state.

The law was criticized even before the votes in its second and third readings. Earlier on Monday, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom called the law "inhumane" and "degrading"

Last week, the European Union (EU) criticized the Israeli government for advancing the bill, saying it “is deeply concerning" and adding that the EU “opposes capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances."

In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry noted that the EU is intervening in a sovereign country’s legislative process.

“Israel, as a sovereign state, legislates its own laws. Unbelievably, the European Union is intervening in the midst of a sovereign state’s legislative process," the ministry said.

“Israel is facing murderous and brutal terrorism on a scale unmatched anywhere in the world. Palestinian terrorism is fueled by payments from the Palestinian Authority, as well as by abductions that lead to shortened prison terms for terrorists," it continued.

The statement noted that “Israeli law already permits capital punishment, and under the proposed new law, discretion over its application will remain with the courts."

“EU double standards: as always, the EU obsessively singles out Israel - we haven’t seen a tweet like this when it comes to capital punishment in the United States, Japan, India, Egypt, or other countries," the Foreign Ministry concluded.

Trump ready to end Iran war even if Hormuz stays closed

 

 President Donald Trump told aides his willing to end the military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing administration officials.

In recent days, Trump and his aides assessed that a mission to pry open the chokepoint would push the conflict beyond his timeline of four to six weeks, according to the report. He decided that the US should achieve its main goals of hobbling Iran’s navy and its missile stocks and wind down current hostilities while pressuring Tehran diplomatically to resume the free flow of trade.

If that fails, Washington would press allies in Europe and the Gulf to take the lead on reopening the strait, the officials said.

Trump last Saturday gave Iran an ultimatum of 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its power plants.

He has since extended that ultimatum twice to allow for negotiations with Iran, most recently on Thursday, when he gave Iran ten additional days.

On Monday, Trump claimed that the US is in "serious discussions" with a new regime in Tehran to end the war in Iran.

"The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran," he wrote on Truth Social.

"Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately 'Open for Business,' we will conclude our lovely 'stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet 'touched.'"

He added, "This will be in retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regime’s 47 year 'Reign of Terror.' Thank you for your attention to this matter."