Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim in Monsey Closed after putting Jewish Children in a Building that had Dozens of Fire Violations

 

The building is owned by Rabbi Zaks a great-grandchild of the late Chofetz Chayim! 

Town officials in the Rockland County community of Ramapo are ordering a school with no electricity and other safety violations to shut down.

Building inspectors were back at 82 Highview Road on Friday as the town moves forward with efforts to shut down the facility for good.

The building operates as an Orthodox Jewish school, dormitory and day care center for an estimated 55 students, but has recently been slapped with numerous safety violations.

Court filings show photographs taken during inspections showing generators being used to power the building because of a lack of electric service, a tangle of extension cords running into the building that officials claim have no working fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors or smoke detectors.

The town says the building lacks a certificate of occupancy and is otherwise unsanitary in a summons describing it as a "clear and present danger to human life" in its present condition.

There was no comment from administrators in the school but a sign out front says Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim is not operating on the property until further notice.

A court hearing scheduled for next week could determine whether it will ever again.

Parshat Acharei-Kedoshim

 

Jonathan Turley Explains Irony In New York AG Letitia James’ Legal Defense “Karma Is Crushing”

 

GWU law professor Jonathan Turley appeared on Fox Business Thursday to call out a “breathtaking irony” in Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James’ legal defense.

Federal authorities opened a criminal investigation into James after a federal housing official accused her of falsifying mortgage documents. During an appearance on “The Evening Edit,” Turley pointed out what he sees as a glaring double standard in how James is now pleading for the leniency she once denied President Donald Trump.

“So the karma is crushing here. But the greatest irony, of course, is to hear her counsel and her spokesperson say ‘This is just wrong because Trump campaigned on moving against his enemies.’ For those of us who have covered this litigation for years, having those words come out of the mouths of James’ staff really is breathtaking,” Turley told host Elizabeth MacDonald. “She campaigned on a promise to bag Donald Trump on something. She didn’t even bother to name what it was. She literally campaigned on the promise that she would nail him on anything, and then she filled in the violation later.”

Turley explained the contradictions in James’ defense strategy and said that her legal team is now arguing that discrepancies in documents, such as questions about a primary residence and number of units in a building, should be dismissed due to understandable error or misinterpretation.

“The James defense team is saying that there were contradictions that were corrected, that, for example, that home was the primary residence of the other signatory. But there are contradictions here. It’s an ironic defense because they’re saying, ‘Look, if the bank simply looked into this on their own, they could see that these were more units than just for, that this was not the primary residence of James,'” Turley said.

Turley emphasized that James is now leaning on the very arguments she once rejected.

“That’s a type of understanding and leeway that she refused to allow to Donald Trump. She insisted that everything that was signed in her name, and it was signed in his name, I should say, really are bound legally to him,” Turley said. “And so they said you have an obligation to make sure everything filed was absolutely accurate.”

James, who pledged during her 2018 campaign to investigate Trump, announced a lawsuit Sunday accusing his administration of deliberately cutting funds to the Department of Health and Human Services. She filed a separate suit in 2022 alleging Trump inflated the value of his properties to obtain loans, which resulted in a $450 million judgment in early 2024.

James is now facing serious scrutiny over allegations she falsified mortgage filings, an investigation sparked in part by on-the-ground reporting from Nick Pope at the Daily Caller News Foundation. Pope and fellow reporter Myles Morrell were the first journalists to visit the properties in question. They uncovered details that challenge James’ official claims and raise new questions about who actually resides there.

Lindsey Graham will not support a security deal with Saudi without normalization'

US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) addressed reports last night (Thursday) that the Trump administration has decided to drop the demand for normalization with Israel as a condition for a security agreement with Saudi Arabia.

"I have been working on and supportive of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel for years. This historic agreement would effectively end the Arab-Israeli conflict and allow the region to march toward the light and away from darkness, building on the historic Abraham Accords," Graham wrote on X.

He continued, "However, I would like to make it crystal clear that I will never support a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia or other elements of a proposed deal that does not include normalizing the relationship with Israel as a part of the package. Normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel is an essential element."

Reuters reported yesterday that the United States has reportedly dropped its requirement that Saudi Arabia normalize ties with Israel as a condition for advancing civil nuclear cooperation. This change in approach comes as US President Donald Trump prepares for a diplomatic visit to the kingdom, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Previously, nuclear negotiations were linked to a broader deal involving a US-Saudi defense agreement and the normalization of Saudi-Israel relations. However, Saudi officials have maintained that they will not formalize ties with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state, a position that has gained further traction amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Despite revived engagement, a civil nuclear deal remains elusive. One of the primary obstacles is Saudi Arabia’s reluctance to accept the nonproliferation requirements outlined in Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act. This legislation restricts uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing, both of which are viewed as pathways to nuclear weapons development.

IDF soldiers Yishai Elyakim Urbach and Yam Frid fell in Gaza

 The IDF on Friday morning cleared for publication the names of two soldiers who fell in battle in Gaza.

- Sergeant Yishai Elyakim Urbach, aged 20, from Zikhron Ya'akov, a soldier in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.

 Staff Sergeant Yam Frid, aged 21, from Sal'it, a soldier in the Golani Reconnaissance Unit of the Golani Brigade, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.

This brings the total number of fallen soldiers since the start of the war to 856.

During the incident in which Sergeant Yishai Elyakim Urbach fell, a soldier in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade was severely injured. Another soldier was moderately injured.

During the incident in which Staff Sergeant Yam Frid fell, a combat officer from the Golani Reconnaissance Unit, a combat officer from the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade, and a soldier from the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade were severely injured. Another soldier was moderately injured.

On Monday, the IDF cleared for publication that Sergeant Major (Res.) Dejen Daniel Sahalo, aged 41, from Rehovot, was killed in a car accident during operational activity in the area of the communities near the Gaza Strip.

Sergeant Major (Res.) Sahalo was a combat soldier in the 5067th Engineering Battalion, Combat Engineering Corps.

Stamford Hill Charedim Arrested in $18.7M Crypto Fraud Bust

 Two men from Stamford Hill’s Charedi community have been arrested as part of a sweeping police operation targeting a $18.7 million (£15 million) cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering scheme.

The men, aged 24 and 36, were taken into custody early Wednesday morning following coordinated raids on six residential properties across Hackney. The Metropolitan Police’s Territorial Support Group led the operation, descending on Castlewood Road — a quiet, tight-knit Orthodox Jewish neighborhood — just after dawn.

Images from the scene showed officers unloading riot gear and tactical equipment from marked vans as they executed search warrants. A police spokesperson later confirmed the arrests were part of Operation Galafarm, an ongoing investigation by the Met’s Economic Crime Command into fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes that allegedly lured victims with false investment promises.

According to investigators, over £15 million in stolen funds — equivalent to roughly $18.7 million — was funneled through a complex web of shell companies used to mask the source of illicit proceeds.

“Two men have been arrested as part of a Metropolitan Police investigation into a multi-million-pound fraud and money laundering scheme,” a police spokesperson said. “It is alleged more than £15m in stolen funds was laundered through a set of shell companies.”

The suspects, both residents of Stamford Hill, remain in custody as detectives continue questioning them. Sources familiar with the operation say the arrests follow months of intelligence gathering and forensic financial analysis.

Castlewood Road, where several of the raids occurred, is home to a significant Charedi population and was reportedly cordoned off for several hours during the police activity.

Local residents expressed shock at the scene, with one passerby describing the heavy police presence as “totally out of place” for the normally quiet area.

Operation Galafarm remains ongoing, and police say further arrests or charges may follow as the investigation unfolds.

Trump Drops "Israel Normalization" Demand in Saudi Nuclear Talks

 

The United States is no longer conditioning civil nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia on the kingdom recognizing Israel, Reuters reports. The shift marks a major policy reversal and raises concerns in Jerusalem and on Capitol Hill.

During President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Riyadh, a centerpiece of the discussions will be a framework for civil nuclear development in the kingdom. But unlike in prior negotiations under both Trump’s and Biden’s previous terms, normalization with Israel is no longer on the table as a prerequisite.

Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the talks, said the move reflects Riyadh’s firm stance: no diplomatic ties with Israel without a pathway to Palestinian statehood. That condition has only hardened as the war in Gaza continues to inflame public opinion in the Arab world.

Senator Lindsey Graham pushed back, writing on X: “I will not support any defense agreement with Saudi Arabia that doesn’t include recognition of Israel.”

Despite the loosened conditions, a deal remains elusive. Saudi Arabia refuses to sign a Section 123 Agreement — a standard U.S. non-proliferation requirement that would bar the kingdom from enriching uranium or reprocessing spent fuel, two potential paths to nuclear weapons.

One workaround reportedly under discussion is a “black box” arrangement, where only U.S. personnel would control enrichment technology on Saudi soil.

Meanwhile, a senior U.S. official told families of Israeli hostages this week that the window for Israeli involvement in a broader regional pact is rapidly closing.

“If Israel doesn’t come to its senses,” the official said, “the price of missing out will be higher than ever before. The Deal of the Millennium will be finalized without them.”

The warning, reported by Israel’s Channel 12, rattled families who fear that American leverage over Hamas and regional actors may wane if Washington sidelines Jerusalem to close other strategic deals.

The urgency is driven in part by economic incentives. Saudi Arabia wants nuclear power to free up oil for export, while Trump is urging the kingdom to finalize a U.S. investment package of up to $1 trillion. In return, Riyadh could receive over $100 billion in American arms.

Also looming: Iran. Vice President J.D. Vance told reporters that U.S.-Iran nuclear talks are “so far, so good,” as Washington tries to contain Tehran’s uranium enrichment and reintroduce Iran to the global economy — another variable that could reshape the Middle East power balance.

As for Israel, one senior negotiator said bluntly: “The train is already moving. Whether Jerusalem gets on is up to them.”

Trump sidelines Netanyahu in Middle East policy as relations deteriorate

 

Sources close to US President Donald Trump report that he is disappointed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Relations between Prime Minister Netanyahu and the US president have reached a low point with mutual disappointment on both sides. Sources in the president's inner circle report that he has grown increasingly frustrated with the Israeli prime minister.

Earlier this week, we reported that Netanyahu was frustrated with Trump. Now it appears the American president has also lost patience with his Israeli counterpart. Two senior figures in Trump's circle stated in recent closed-door conversations, whose contents reached Israel Hayom, that Trump has decided to stop waiting for Israel and instead move forward with Middle East initiatives without Netanyahu.

The sources explained that the president wishes to make decisions he believes will advance American interests, particularly regarding Saudi Arabia and Gulf states. Israel was supposed to participate in some of these steps, referring primarily to normalization with Saudi Arabia. However, according to Trump's perspective, Netanyahu is delaying making the necessary decisions. Given this situation, the president refuses to wait until Israel takes its expected actions and is proceeding without Israeli participation.

It should be noted that as part of normalization with Israel, Saudi Arabia expects an end to the war in Gaza and an Israeli declaration about a "horizon for a Palestinian state," or similar terminology. Minister Ron Dermer, who manages this issue, has spent numerous hours crafting language related to Israel's willingness to establish a "Palestinian state" in the future, given public opposition to the concept and the political sensitivity of the term in Israel.

Furthermore, Trump is furious about what he views as an attempt by Netanyahu and his team to pressure National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who has since been dismissed from his position, toward military action in Iran. Netanyahu claimed in response to the publication of this matter in The Washington Post that he spoke with Waltz only once. However, Trump remained unconvinced.

The president's anger likely explains Israel's exclusion from both the announcement regarding the ceasefire with the Houthis and Israel's inclusion in the agreement. It's worth noting that even after Trump announced the agreement with the Houthis, Israeli representatives handling relations with the US were unable to obtain information from White House officials about developments for a full 24 hours. Beyond Israel's exclusion, Trump is not currently scheduled to visit Israel during his regional trip next week.

The disconnect between Trump and Netanyahu appears to be the backdrop for statements by the prime minister and Defense Minister Israel Katz over the past day, suggesting they are preparing for a scenario where Israel stands alone. When asked by his spokesman, "Can Israel fight alone against the Houthi threat?" Netanyahu responded that "the rule I have established is that Israel will defend itself by its own forces." On Thursday morning, Defense Minister Katz stated that "Israel must be able to defend itself by its own forces against any threat and any enemy. This was true facing many challenges in the past, and will also be true in the future."

Nazi Descendants Perform for Hundreds of Holocaust Survivors in Germany

A powerful and emotional rally took place in Berlin this week as hundreds of Holocaust survivors and their descendants marched through the Brandenburg Gate, lighting candles in memory of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. The event ended with a concert under the banner of: “Israel, you are not alone.”

The gathering featured prayer, speeches, and live performances—including traditional Israeli dance—by descendants of Nazis who publicly denounced their ancestors’ crimes and voiced their support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Their participation was both symbolic and striking, highlighting the possibility of generational reckoning and solidarity.

The concert quickly went viral on social media, drawing a wide range of responses—some deeply moved, others skeptical. Ilana Israelov asked:

“Descendants of those who murdered our 6 million brothers and sisters, grandfathers and grandmothers? I don’t understand why give them a stage.” Elad Daniel responded warmly:

“They’re so sweet and talented.” Sushie S remained unconvinced:

“They will never be able to apologize! No behavior from them will help.”

Al Rosenberg offered a more generous view: “Kudos to them for standing on the right side of history!

They are ashamed of the horrific acts their great-grandfathers did and choose to stand with Israel—and in many cases stand against their families. Worthy of appreciation.”

Ofer Koren posed a reflective question:

“If it’s possible to get to this with the descendants of Nazis, why not with the descendants of Palestinians?”

As tensions around Israel continue to escalate globally, this rally served as a poignant reminder of historical responsibility, moral courage, and the enduring hope for unity in the face of darkness.

Zionist ban Avoda Zara bonfires on Lag Ba'omer

The Zionist Government will ban bonfires on Lag Ba'omer, this will finally stop Chareidim from worshipping Avoda Zara! 

Serious Gedoilim are meeting to discuss whether to thank the Zionists for preventing The Charedie "Yeherag velo Gayus" guys from worshipping fires!! 

Below is the Government announcement and below that is an e-mail from EMAILIM BATORAH that suggests that this minhag of dancing around the fire is "darkei amoiri" 

Israel’s Fire and Rescue Commissioner, Chief Fire Officer Eyal Caspi, has signed an emergency order banning the lighting of bonfires and open fires across the country due to extreme weather conditions that significantly increase the risk of wildfires.

The order takes effect Thursday and will remain in force until Saturday, May 18, including and affecting the Lag Ba’omer holiday. The ban applies to all open areas and includes bonfires, burning of vegetation and trimmings, and any technical work that may cause ignition.The Fire and Rescue Authority emphasized that the coming days are expected to bring heatwave conditions posing a serious risk that fires will ignite and spread, particularly in open areas, forests, and woodlands.The ban does not apply to fire use in designated cooking facilities, such as barbecues, or in areas specifically prepared and approved for this purpose by local authorities, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, or Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL), and which have received authorization from the Fire and Rescue Authority.

Authorities urged the public to act responsibly and avoid discarding flammable waste — especially coal, cigarettes, and other combustible materials — in open areas.

Serious Gedoilim are meeting to discuss whether to thank the Zionists for preventing The Charedie "Yeherag velo Gayus" guys from worshipping fires!! 

THE LAG BAOMER DARKEI EMORI FIRE DANCE The תוספתא (Shabbos 7:1) enumerates practices that are אסור to do because they are considered דרכי אמורי. One of them is clapping or dancing in front of a fire. Dancing in front of a fire would be an איסור דאורייתא of ובחקתיהם לא תלכו. Some might claim that dancing in front of a fire on ל"ג בעומר is an accepted מנהג בישראל, and they will argue that it can't be wrong when you have thousands of Yidden & Rebbes dancing around the fire. The same argument was probably also used when there  were thousands of Yidden worshipping the עגל הזהב. Perhaps, those planning to dance in front of the fire should consult their מורה הוראה if this איסור דאורייתא is no longer applicable today, and why not?   see below excerpts of שו"ת שבט הלוי ח"ז קל"ו

NYPD and Boro Park IDF Nab Duo Who Swindled $7K in Fake Dubai Jewelry Schemefrom Naive Chareidim

DIN: I don't get it, how does a "yungerman" get scammed out of $7,000 and another "yungerman" almost for much more?

How are these guys so naive?

And the answer is simple! These Charediim have no smartphones and have no clue of the scams out there! 

But I believe and I hope I'm wrong, that it was greed! To get a frum Jew in a car where two  Goyim are sitting and to get him to withdraw thousands of $$$$ can only come from greed! And they have no clue of what is going on around them, disconnected to other Jews and to the world around them, they could have easily been kidnapped C"V ! 

I really hope that nothing happens to them! 

 A wild con game came to a crashing end Wednesday afternoon when Boro Park IDF/Shomrim and the NYPD caught two scammers red-handed—right in the middle of trying to pull off the same fake Dubai jewelry scam that had already cost another victim $7,000.

It began Monday evening on New Utrecht Avenue, when a well-dressed duo in a luxury vehicle flagged down a Yungerman. Claiming to be visitors from Dubai who had been robbed, they spun an elaborate tale—saying they had valuable jewelry but no cash, and begged for a loan, offering the “jewels” as collateral until they could repay.

Convinced by their smooth story and appearance, the victim actually got into their car, rode with them to a bank on 13th Avenue, and withdrew $7,000 in cash. In return, he received what turned out to be worthless, fake jewelry. It wasn’t until he discussed it with a friend that he realized he had been conned—and immediately called Boro Park IDF/Shomrim.

The IDF/Shomrim notified the NYPD and helped file an official police report to launch a formal investigation. At the same time, the IDF/Shomrim intelligence unit jumped into action, combing through surveillance footage and tracking down a clear image of the suspects’ vehicle and license plate. That info was blasted out to IDF/Shomrim volunteers  across the neighborhood.

Then, on Wednesday afternoon, a IDF/Shomrim volunteer on patrol spotted the suspects—back at it again. They had a new victim already in their car and were on the way to another bank, attempting the same exact scam. But this time, they got nervous and bailed—leaving the victim behind.

The IDF/Shomrim members stayed on their tail, updating the NYPD 66th Precinct in real time. Moments later, NYPD officers stopped the vehicle at Fort Hamilton Parkway and 77th Street. The suspects were taken into custody, and the original victim positively ID’d them at the scene.

The NYPD is continuing the investigation and urging the public to be alert for similar scams.

Netanyahu shocked? Israel left in the dark before Trump announcement of US truce with Houthi terrorists

 

US President Donald Trump did not inform Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before he announced the US would stop attacking the Houthis, a source told The Jerusalem Post.

Trump declared that strikes on Houthi targets would stop after they reportedly agreed not to interfere with shipping routes.

The president made the remarks in the Oval Office during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Netanyahu was likely shocked by Trump’s statement, especially coming on the same day that Israel “destroyed” the Houthi-controlled international airport in Sanaa, Yemen.

However, there has been no official reaction from Israel.

Trump said that the Houthis were tired of fighting but did not add any details.

“They said please don’t bomb us anymore, and we’re not going to attack your ships,” Trump said.

“We will honor that, and we will stop the bombings,” The president said, referring to US and Israeli strikes against the Houthis after the terror group had repeatedly disrupted shipping in the Red Sea and launched missiles against Israel.

“They have capitulated, but more importantly, we will take their word…they say they will not be blowing up ships anymore,” Trump said.

There was no immediate response from the Houthis.

A US defense official confirmed that they had been told late Monday night to cease strikes against the Houthis.

Israel has made decisive strikes against the Houthis, including the Hodeidah port on Monday and an airport in Sanaa, Yemen, on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Netanyahu said, “I have said many times that whoever attacks the State of Israel will pay the price. Yesterday, I said that the Houthis’ attack would not be met with a ‘one-and-done’ response but several responses. We gave one response yesterday: A severe strike on the port of Hodeidah. Today, our planes attacked the airport in Sanaa, an airport that enables the terrorist army and allows for the entry by air to the terrorist state, which enables the firing of missiles at us.”

Netanyahu added, “President Trump said it a month and a half ago. I am also saying it today – we will settle accounts with whoever attacks the State of Israel.”

" The masses (the Pusheter Yid) may have greater access to divine revelation than Talmudic scholars. "

by Scott Kahn from Orthodox Conundrum Commentary 

Sometimes, too much scholarship can be a detriment to determining the right thing to do.

The concept of natural morality - that is, that people intuitively know certain basic moral concepts - is debated by Jewish and non-Jewish philosophers alike. 

One of the most famous examples of a Jewish scholar championing natural morality is the Ramban in his commentary to Vayikra 19:2, which we will read this coming Shabbat. He explains that the biblical directive to “be holy” prohibits actions which are not otherwise proscribed by the Torah, but which would allow someone to act in a despicable manner without technically violating any written prohibition. Many assume that we know which prohibitions are included in this mitzvah through natural morality.¹ 

This is in line with the Ramban’s explanation of why the people of Noah’s generation were punished for hamas, meaning stealing and exploitation: “Because this is a logical mitzvah, without need for a prophetic warning.”²

Beit Shemesh Leads in Combat Recruitment: New IDF Data on the City

 

According to newly released IDF data, Beit Shemesh ranks among the top major cities for male enlistment into combat roles — 60.7% of male recruits from the city (born in 2003) chose combat positions, a significantly higher rate than the national average of 48.7%. This reflects a continued upward trend in recent years.

Among female recruits, 22.6% enlisted in combat roles, compared to the national average of 14.1%.

The overall enlistment rate in Beit Shemesh for 2023 (born in 2005) stands at 28.2%, marking a 2.5% decrease from 2022.

The rate of becoming officers among male recruits in the city is low at 4.3%, compared to a national average of 7.1%. However, among female recruits, the officer rate is 8.1%, above average, and up 2.7% from 2022.

Ehud Barak Calls for Civil Insurrection to Collapse Government

 Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Saturday repeated his call for a civil insurrection to topple the Netanyahu government.

“We need to get to a civil insurrection,” said Barak, during an appearance on “Moriah & Berko,” a Channel 13 news show co-hosted by Moriah Ashraf and Eyal Bercovic. Asked to explain what that meant, Barak said he meant hundreds of thousands taking to the streets guided by political, academic, high-tech and market leaders, among others. When Ashraf asked what the limits of the insurrection should be, Barak said, “The limits are the shutdown of the country until the government falls.”

Barak, who served as prime minister from 1999 to 2001, and later as deputy prime minister and minister of defense in a Netanyahu government 2009 to 2013, has become a bitter opponent of the current prime minister. Speaking at an anti-government protest rally in Tel Aviv in July 2024, Barak urged the thousands present to engage in “nonviolent civil noncompliance.” Israeli prosecutors at the time mulled whether to prosecute Barak on charges of incitement and sedition. At a rally in Jerusalem in April of last year, he said that his goal was to use mass protests as a pressure lever to bring about early elections to replace the Netanyahu government.

My message is elections now,” Barak told JNS.

Heartbreaking.... little girl who lost her father on Oct 7 singing at his grave

 She lost her father on October 7th—and now she sings at his grave. So many children became orphans that day. So many hearts shattered. The pain didn’t end on October 7th—it ripples through every child, every family, every future that will never be the same. Never forget what Hamas did. Never forget the victims. 💔

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The BBC Documentary that Paints Every Israeli as an Extremist

 

Louis Theroux’s new BBC ‘Settlers’ documentary claims impartiality. What it delivers is a slick propaganda film: Israel as aggressor, settlers as sociopaths, Palestinians as voiceless victims. Let’s talk about what Theroux really chose to show—and what he left out. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/ITMjNAB5vj

— HonestReporting (@HonestReporting) April 30, 2025

 By Rachel O’Donoghue, Honest Reporting

Louis Theroux first visited Judea and Samaria in 2011 to film a documentary titled Louis and the Ultra-Zionists, part of his long-running series for the BBC. Back then, he at least seemed to possess a trace of journalistic curiosity. Even the title signaled a degree of editorial caution, framing his subjects as a small, ideological fringe rather than as representative of Israeli society as a whole.

At the time, Theroux made an effort to clarify that he was profiling a narrow segment of Israelis. He showed legally purchased Jewish homes (sold by Arab landowners, no less) and acknowledged the regular — and at times deadly — terror attacks faced by Israeli civilians living in the area, often requiring military protection. There was condescension, certainly. But there was also context.

Footage of IAF striking Sana'a Airport