The Jewish state must adopt an “Israel First” doctrine.
By Jonathan Pollard – Special to World Israel News
According to Israeli intelligence sources, Israel would only enter the current conflict between the US and Iran under two conditions: (1) it was hit first, or (2) the US “asked” us to enter the war.
Personally, I don’t see the logic of letting someone hit us first. That’s just plain foolish. I also don’t like the Americans essentially ordering us to commit our forces to help them, as if we’re some tribal levy called up to serve their colonial overlords in a border dispute with a rival colonial power.
In light of my opposition to these two conditions for our entering the American war against Iran, I propose a third option based on what I call an “Israel First” doctrine.
What does this involve? Simply put, instead of waiting like some pawn to get hit first or politely awaiting an order from the US to start fighting the Iranians on its behalf, we should initiate our own independent campaign against Iran – without asking the Americans for permission to do so.
Security camera footage captured the moment the balcony collapsed Monday afternoon onto a business on Keren Kayemet Le'Yisrael Street in Jerusalem's Rehavia neighborhood.
According to the initial investigation, an engineer visited the site earlier that day after defects were discovered in the balcony. Just a few hours later, the balcony collapsed.
Israel Fire and Rescue Services announced that search and rescue operations at the scene have been completed. After prolonged rescue efforts, an approximately 80-year-old man was pulled from the rubble. He was found with no signs of life.
An approximately 80-year-old woman was also rescued. She was conscious and in light condition. Two 16-year-olds-a boy and a girl-were also lightly injured, suffering abrasions to their backs. Three additional people were treated at the scene for anxiety but did not require evacuation to a hospital.
The incident commander, Deputy Fire Commissioner Shay Nehemia, said: "This was an extremely difficult and complex collapse scene. Our firefighters operated professionally to reach the trapped victims as quickly as possible and conducted thorough searches to ensure that no additional people remained beneath the rubble. Despite the tremendous efforts of all the rescue teams on the scene, we were forced to recover one of the trapped victims with no signs of life. We extend our deepest condolences to the family."
Rav Landau has a knack for making outrageous statements — and with his latest one, he certainly doesn’t disappoint.
אבטליון אומר, חכמים, הזהרו בדבריכםAvtalyon said: “Sages, be careful with your words.”
Ironically, since Avtalyon addressed the Chachamim, it seems only natural that some Charedi Chachamim would completely ignore his warning.
Chareidim after hearing the outrageous remarks from their leader, Instead of simply saying, “Well, Rav Landau is just being Rav Landau,” or distancing themselves with, “He doesn’t speak for us,”
What do they do? They blame the media for reporting it. Always playing the victim. mamash insane.
Let’s look at what he actually said in his recent talk with the Roshei Yeshiva of Mir.
Rav Landau sharply criticized the State of Israel — and especially those wearing kippot serugot, the Dati‑Leumi community whose sons enlist in the IDF and are moiser nefesh for Klal Yisrael.
He said:
“There are those wearing kippot serugot who are no less reshaim than the chilonim who are forcing us to join the army.”
He then goes into a diatribe declaring that dati-leumi Jews are a bunch of "evil foolish murderers" who "send soldiers to kill Arabs and not for the sake of protecting lives but for the glory of the State":
In other words he states that the wars —[ October 7 to the ongoing defense against Iran ]— are not fought for hatzalah (saving lives) but for the “honor of the state and its global standing,” calling it outright murder.
Meaning that the IDF is not fighting a defensive war, not fighting to save lives, but just to kill Arabs!
Mamaash words from Hamas!
Since we’re in the Nine Days, I’ll give Rav Landau — may he be healthy and live long — the benefit of the doubt and assume he’s simply disconnected from reality and Klal Yisrael.
He seems unaware that we are in a war we did not choose, that people in his own city of Bnei Brak have been killed, and that multi‑story buildings were bombed, leaving families homeless to this day.
What’s even more disappointing is how Yeshivishe news sites like the Lakewood based CBN are covering for him — blaming the reporters who played the video for the world to hear, and totally distorting what Rav Landau actually said!
That video came straight from Rav Landau’s own home, leaked by those closest to him, for the sole purpose of putting down Dati-Leumi soldiers. Soldiers who have wives and children who must serve in millium, and he wants them to be considered by the "World of Teirah" as a bunch of murderers!
Even Amit Segal — one of Israel’s most respected journalists and notably known to be fair toward the Charedim — did not escape the twisted wrath of CBN, all because Amit weighed in, reminding everyone that without the IDF, Hamas and Hezbollah would have slaughtered the entire Slabodka Yeshiva. Referencing the 1929 massacre at the Chevron Yeshiva, where leaders of the Chevron community foolishly refused Haganah protection before tragedy struck.
Rav Landau’s words are crystal clear, one doesn't need a Rashi, to explain it
“ those wearing kippot serugot are no less reshaim than the chilonim who are forcing us to join the army.”
CBN, desperate to pacify the Lakewood Bnei Teirah, is twisting itself into knots to reinterpret his statement — claiming he didn’t mean the entire Dati‑Leumi community, only specific individuals “pushing Charedim to enlist.” But let’s be honest — who exactly are these reshaim? These supposed villains have their own poskim, their own gedolim, their own derech. Rav Landau represents a minority of a minority — not the Chassidim, not the Sefardim, not Brisk, not Peleg and certainly not Dati-Leumi!
Listening to the video, one can’t escape the impression that the Rav harbors deep animosity toward frum Jews who encourage enlistment. He calls them murderers. And this isn’t the first time — he’s said far worse about soldiers in general. No amount of spin from CBN or other pandering outlets can hide that.
People aren’t stupid; they see what’s happening
פני דורו כפני כלב
This just in:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in reference to Rabbi Lando’s remarks:
I strongly reject the appalling statements made against IDF soldiers from the religious Zionist community.
IDF soldiers—religious, secular, and ultra-Orthodox—leave their homes, their work, and their families and risk their lives to defend the State of Israel, its citizens, and the entire people of Israel.
They deserve deep appreciation, gratitude, and full support from every part of the public, and certainly from the world of Torah as well.
Latest in
Gafni ,who if you remember, invited MK Michaeli, an extreme leftist a self hating Jew to his daughter's wedding, says that he is offended by Netanyahu comment!
"The words of Gedolei Ha"Torah are the Holy of Holies of Klall Yisrael, and by their word we live. Those who do not live in the dald amos of the Teirah world and do not understand the depth of their words would do well not to rush to interpret them, and certainly not to attack them היזהרו בגלחתן Beware of their glowing coals!"
This is of course an insult to our intelligence, that we should "not rush to interpret Rav Landau's words"
No one has to interpret a signal syllable, even a 5 year old child will tell you that Rav Landau made an outrageous false statement, and the video clearly shows that Rav Landau has no clue to what is going on.
Telling us not to attack this statement by saying היזהרו בגלחתן is a typical tactic of the Bnei-Teirah to scare away any critics, even if the statements are outright false and provocative.
They are playing the victim, but I believe that this latest gaff by Rav Landau is the straw that broke the camel's back and no one is buying this היזהרו בגלחתן stuff anymore!
A 22-year-old Yerushalayim resident has been indicted for allegedly setting fire to equipment at the Yerushalayim light rail construction site on Rechov Bar-Ilan, causing an estimated 700,000 shekels (approximately $200,000) in damage. According to reports, investigators identified the suspect in part because of the distinctive suspenders he was wearing.
Prosecutors allege that the incident occurred late at night about a month ago, when the suspect allegedly set fire to large pipes stored at the construction site. The blaze caused extensive damage to the project, with losses estimated at roughly 700,000 shekels.
According to i24NEWS reporter Shlomi Heller, investigators were able to identify the suspect based on several unique articles of clothing, including the suspenders he was wearing. Police also reportedly relied on the testimony of a passerby who said the suspect had asked him for a lighter just minutes before the fire was ignited.
In a separate but related development, Yerushalayim police and firefighters were called Tuesday to the Banks Junction area of the city after reports of explosions and a fire near another light rail construction site.
Emergency crews discovered that electrical cables at the construction site had been set ablaze, causing a widespread power outage that affected nearby homes and businesses.
Firefighters succeeded in extinguishing the blaze, while police launched an investigation and began searching for those responsible.
BREAKING: An Israeli security source told Saudi news outlet Al-Hadath that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is no longer inside Iran.
The source further claimed that recent statements released in Khamenei’s name are allegedly being drafted and issued by IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi and his associates rather than by Khamenei himself.
"Are you a Mossad agent?"
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) July 17, 2026
Sarah, a Malaysian Muslim woman, sat down with CNN to discuss her accusations against the ICC chief prosecutor, Karim Khan.
Showing her face for the first time, she details the heartbreaking allegations. During the interview, she had to dispute claims… pic.twitter.com/qZyil3w1fk
This footage is from 1935 and shows Jews praying at the Western Wall. It comes from the Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive. pic.twitter.com/71KQigoopc
— Haim gozali (@HAIM__GOZALI) July 18, 2026
וַתִּקְרְב֣וּן אֵלַי֮ כֻּלְּכֶם֒ וַתֹּאמְר֗וּ נִשְׁלְחָ֤ה אֲנָשִׁים֙ לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ־לָ֖נוּ אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ"All of you then approached me and said " Send men ahead of us to explore the land."
ותקרבון אלי כלכם. בְּעִרְבּוּבְיָא; וּלְהַלָּן הוּא אוֹמֵר (דברים ה') "וַתִּקְרְבוּן אֵלַי כָּל רָאשֵׁי שִׁבְטֵיכֶם וְזִקְנֵיכֶם וַתֹּאמְרוּ הֵן הֶרְאָנוּ וְגוֹ'", אוֹתָהּ קְרִיבָה הָיְתָה הוֹגֶנֶת – יְלָדִים מְכַבְּדִים אֶת הַזְּקֵנִים וּשְׁלָחוּם לִפְנֵיהֶם, וּזְקֵנִים מְכַבְּדִים אֶת הָרָאשִׁים לָלֶכֶת לִפְנֵיהֶם, אֲבָל כָּאן "וַתִּקְרְבוּן אֵלַי כֻּלְּכֶם" בְּעִרְבּוּבְיָא – יְלָדִים דּוֹחֲפִין אֶת הַזְּקֵנִים, וּזְקֵנִים דּוֹחֲפִין אֶת הָרָאשִׁים (ספרי):
“In confusion; but later it says (Deuteronomy 5): ‘And you approached me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders, and you said: Behold, the Lord has shown us…’ —
that approach was proper: the children honored the elders and sent them forward, and the elders honored the leaders by letting them go before them. But here (Deuteronomy 1): ‘And you all approached me’ — in confusion: the children pushed the elders, and the elders pushed the leaders.” (Sifrei)
There are gatherings that are leshem Shamayim — filled with respect, order, and purpose. Children honor elders, elders honor leaders, and each person knows their place. Such gatherings create clarity, unity, and blessing.
But then there are gatherings of “b’irbuvya” — confusion, pushing, noise, ego. Children shove elders aside, elders push past leaders, and everyone rushes forward without thought or humility. Nothing good can emerge from such chaos.
Moshe is telling them: The failure of the Meraglim didn’t begin with the spies. It began with you — with the way you approached the conversation. A gathering without kavod, without patience, without humility, cannot produce a holy decision.
The Sifri is teaching us a timeless truth: The tone of a gathering determines the destiny of its outcome. When we come together with respect and purpose, we merit siyata d’Shmaya. When we come together in chaos, even the best ideas collapse.
Moshe’s message to the generation entering Eretz Yisrael is Moshe’s message to us: If we want our decisions, our communities, and our future to be blessed — we must begin with kulchem in the right way: united, respectful, and leshem Shamayim.
Vance is trying to shift the blame for his failed negotiations onto others, making one false claim after another simply to avoid admitting that the talks with the Islamic Republic failed because of his own naïveté and his lack of understanding of how the ayatollahs’ regime operates.
Because of his misplaced optimism toward the ayatollahs, Vance gave this terrorist regime a major opportunity to humiliate the United States on the world stage.
Vance also appears to have little understanding of the Iranian people. He seems to view Iranians—who are victims of the regime and are fighting for freedom and democracy—as a threat, while treating the ayatollahs’ regime as a trustworthy negotiating partner.
Vance is a loser in every sense of the word. He fails miserably in talks the Islamic regime (as expected) and instead of owning his failure, he claims that ISRAEL pays to activate a smear campaign against him. 😂
— Emily Schrader - אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) July 15, 2026
Sure JD, sure. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/AW9aICguBn
Qatar buying America with hundreds of billions of dollars, yet the Woke Reich and their Marxist-Islamist comrades focus on Israel because they are driven by Jew-hatredhttps://t.co/azQ1IEdzDB
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) July 16, 2026
by Rochel Sylvetsky
Remember those math lessons years ago about the X-axis (north-south) and Y-axis (east-west) that are perpendicular to one another but intersect at the “origin" - called point (0,0)?
Well, on a recent day’s trip to three Israeli geographic start-ups, more commonly known as hilltop communities, each hilltop I reached seemed point (0,0) of just such a coordinate system, and from it I looked at what was to the north, south, east and west.
These were hilltops in Gush Etzion, the historic and thriving Etzion Bloc south of Jerusalem. The hiilltops are part of Area C in Judea and Samaria, under complete Israeli governance according to the Oslo Accords, are located about 15-45 minutes south from the more familiar city of Efrata and not far from the city of the Patriarchs, Hevron.
What was the catalyst for the proliferation of these hilltop communities, farms and sheep ranches in Judea and Samaria - a count of a whopping 360 outposts and agricultural farmsas of mid-2026? And what made Israel’s current government, at the initiative of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, whose other position is additional minister within the Ministry of Defense for civil issues, encourage them (except for when it doesn't, see below)?
It began in 2009, when Salaam Fayyad, then Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, told the NY Times:
In an interview with The New York Times, published Saturday, Mamdani said, "I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court."
Mamdani also said that he is in "active conversation" with NYC's legal officials on whether he may arrest a foreign leader, adding, "Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do, but we won’t be writing our own laws to that end."
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said: "Mamdani is failing to govern New York. Instead of focusing on his responsibilities as mayor and confronting the rising wave of antisemitism in his city, he has chosen to incite hostility and generate headlines by attacking the State of Israel."
"It will not change a thing. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will come to New York, address the United Nations General Assembly with pride, and stand before the world to state Israel’s truth and its unwavering right to defend its citizens.
"And if anyone should be arrested, it is NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani."
Israeli Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis responded to Mamdani's statements, saying, "The mayor of New York City has no authority to order the arrest of the Prime Minister of Israel. Instead of dealing with matters over which he has no authority, he should start running New York City and only New York City."
This is not the first time Mamdani has made such a statement: In October 2025, before Mamdani was elected, he promised to "exhaust every legal option" to ensure Netanyahu is arrested.
Mamdani has been vehemently anti-Israel for many years. He criticized Israel immediately after the October 7 massacre committed by the Hamas terrorist organization and has claimed that Israel's retaliation against Hamas was "genocide." He has also refused to call for the disarmament of Hamas and to denounce the phrase "globalize the Intifada," a call for violence and murder against civilians, particularly Jews.
