Tuesday, March 31, 2026
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.
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?
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.
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