Antireligious Edict in NJ Senate

 BS"D 

May 27, '26/ Parshas Nosso, 5786

EMERGENCY: NJ Bill S2260/ A2218 Would Criminalize Lo Sa'amod, Endanger Children

S2260 criminalizes Torah-mandated efforts to save kids and others from "transforming" their "gender" - and from committing abortion.

We addressed a slightly earlier variant of this bill on our weekly radio broadcast before Shavuos, see https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/05/nj-amalekism-looming-levinat11.html.

Proponents also try to hide the true nature of this bill (https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2260/bill-text?f=S2500&n=2260_R1).  A reading of the Definitions clarifies that "Reproductive Health Care" is to include transgender "medical" procedures (" to support a person’s alignment with their gender identity or expression") - and abortion-on-demand.  However, if you miss the definition - you wouldn't know about the transgender component by reading other parts of the bill.   So, every time the bill uses the term "Reproductive Health Care" - it's actually including "transgender" as well.

Action Needed:

1) Urge Every NJ Senator to (a) VOTE NO against S2260/ A2218 - and (b) to EXPOSE this as an Antireligious Edict - similar to those evil Greek decrees against which the Maccabees fought to the death to defeat.

Please act NOW, before this THU., May 28.

2) Please share this immediately with anyone you know in NJ.

3) Help get the message out ASAP to every NJ Kehillah (by early next week) - contact us at torahjewsfordecency@gmail.com or call/text 845-642-1679.

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Sample email to legislators to actively oppose  NJ's transgender/abortion-at-whim-tyranny Gezeira al-HaDas S2260/ A2218

Here's a medium-length sample email, for the NJ Senate vote tomorrow:

~~~~~~~~  ~~~~~~~~  ~~~~~~~~  ~~~~~~~~  

"BS"D

May 27, '26

Senator Bob Singer

732-987-5669

sensinger@njleg.org

Dear Senator Singer,

As a voter living in Lakewood, I urge you to please:

(a) VOTE NO against S2260/ A2218 - and 

(b) to EXPOSE this evil bill - which criminalizes Torah-mandated efforts to stop abusive and barbaric "transgender" procedures and abortion-at-whim - as an Antireligious Edict - similar to those evil Greek decrees against which the Maccabees fought to the death to defeat.

A Yeshiva Rebbe, Rov, Rosh Yeshiva, Principal, Teacher/Morah, Social Worker, mental health professional, therapist, chevrusa, mentor - perhaps even a parent - could potentially face massive fines - and hefty jail time - for merely:

• trying to verbally convince a girl or boy out of getting drugs or surgery to "become" (sic) that which they are not, or

• convince a young woman not to murder her preborn infant (and pursue adoption if need be), or even for just 

• saving her/him from remaining under the influence of evil parties (e.g. predatory therapists, "eductors," social workers, coaches, "medical" staff, mental health professionals, "friends") - grooming susceptible, often disadvantaged victims into their anti-Torah, heretical transgender/abortionism worldview.

Whether this evil decree passes or not, we cannot allow our representatives to remain on the sidelines in this governmental war being waged against our youth and against our Torah.

Thank you in advance for employing genuine leadership when truly needed."

Name,

Town,

Email Address

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Contact Info for Lakewood:

Call & email Assemblyman Avi Schnall today at:

848-245-9486 / Asmschnall@njleg.org.

Email Assemblyman Sean Kean:

asmkean@njleg.org.

State Senator Bob Singer: 

732-987-5669 / sensinger@njleg.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Passaic residents, and others, are asked to urge Assemblyman Gary Schaer to vote NO - and to use his influence to lead on this issue:

973-249-3665 / asmschaer@njleg.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To identify, or get contact info on your rep:

 

NJ Legislative Info For Senate & Assembly:

v: 609-847-3905 or (800) 792-8630 

e: LegInfo@NJLeg.org 

w: www.NJLeg.state.nj.us 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even if the bill would pass regardless of what we do, our silence - and worse - provides it the moral cover needed to pass as an acceptable form of legislation.

In the merit of such a communal Kiddush HaShem, may we merit to be saved from unrelenting tzoros.

Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter,

Executive Director,

Help Rescue Our Children

For more information:

Direct: 771.215.8892

torahjewsfordecency@gmail.com

Trump risks losing Senate as 'Colbert Dem' surges

Antisemitic House Democratic candidate loses Texas race

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/427659

Texas Democrat Johnny Garcia wins primary runoff, defeating rival Maureen Galindo who threatened to jail Zionists.

A highly volatile intra-party conflict concluded in Texas on Tuesday, with mainstream Democrats successfully blocking an extremist congressional hopeful who sparked national outrage with overt antisemitic threats.

The rejection of Galindo's candidacy resonated across the full spectrum of the Democratic Party, uniting both establishment figures and prominent left-wing progressives in disgust.

Did Donald Trump Just Hand Texas to Democrats?

 https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-ken-paxton-john-cornyn-democrats-james-talarico-11994199

President Donald Trump got another endorsement win under his belt when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the state's U.S. Senate primary on Tuesday, but it could deliver a defeat Republicans haven’t seen in over 30 years.

Trump wants allies in the Senate, and he’s used his platform and power to persuade voters to kick Cornyn out of office for being “very disloyal.” But Cornyn voted with Trump over 99 percent of the time, according to his campaign, and now, Trump risks losing a Republican in the Senate—however disappointed he may be with them—because an open seat is much easier for Democrats to flip than ousting an incumbent.

But Republicans are nervous about the upcoming election.

"I think the chances of the Democrats winning in Texas are better now than they've been in 25 years," Republican strategist Mike Madrid previously told Newsweek. "You have to have a favorable political environment for the Democrats. You have to have a remarkable Democratic candidate with crossover appeal, and they have that. And the third is you have to have a remarkably damaged Republican candidate, and they have that."

Trump demand for Gulf countries to recognise Israel reportedly met with stunned silence | ABC NEWS

A ruse, a brave gamble or a fantasy? Why Trump’s most puzzling Iran move yet is unlikely to work

 https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/26/politics/trump-iran-war-peace-deal-analysis

If Donald Trump’s search for a way out of the Iran war was not difficult enough, he’s added a new goal that threatens to vastly complicate the Middle East’s already splintered politics.

The president said Monday he’d asked Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to join his first-term legacy deal, known as the Abraham Accords, which is designed to forge historic ties with Israel.

Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have longed grasped for huge goals in the Middle East and Ukraine and have so far fallen short, leading critics to question the wisdom of sending two business tycoons to unpick knotty diplomatic problems. Their relative lack of success has undermined the central conceit of Trump’s presidency: that he’s a masterful negotiator and historic dealmaker who can nail breakthroughs that would have been beyond past presidents.

“It’s not entirely clear what President Trump himself has to show for, by way of his track record in running or managing this war, that he feels able to impose such a demand on, on regional countries,” Alhasan said.

Blessing G-d

 Berachos (07a) I once entered into the innermost part [of the Sanctuary] to offer incense and saw Akathriel Jah, the Lord of Hosts, seated upon a high and exalted throne. He said to me: Ishmael, My son, bless Me! l replied: May it be Thy will that Thy mercy may suppress Thy anger and Thy mercy may prevail over Thy other attributes, so that Thou mayest deal with Thy children according to the attribute of mercy and mayest, on their behalf, stop short of the limit of strict justice! And He nodded to me with His head. Here we learn incidentally that the blessing of an ordinary man must not be considered lightly in your eyes.

After four years: Famous personality who refused divorce, gives in to ultimatum

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/427574

The Tel Aviv Rabbinic Court has ordered a get (divorce document) to be given to S. after a long struggle with her husband, a famous personality, who refused to divorce her for four years.

The decision came after the court posed an ultimatum to the husband, that if he did not grant the get, harsh legal and financial sanctions would be considered. Among the sanctions on the table were the termination of his employment with his employer and the publication of his name in public.

Attorney and rabbinic advocate Tehila Cohen, who represents the woman in the process, asked the court to apply direct pressure on the get refuser.

She asked that his place of work fire him and that his identity be cleared for publication to end his refusal. Later in the hearings, the husband's employer appeared before the court to consider the possible steps.

The judge, Rabbi Shlomo Shtessman, notified the husband that he was to issue the get by April 30th. The judge made clear that if he did not do so, he would consider the attorney's request for sanctions positively.

Following uproar: Amshinov hassidic court clarifies Temple Mount ruling

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/427582

An official statement published by the Rebbe's son, Rabbi Moshe Milikowsky, stressed that the interpretation given to the halachic words spoken in the Rebbe's house was totally distorted.

According to Rabbi Milikowsky, "We were amazed by how the Rebbe's words about the Temple Mount were taken out of context. The Rebbe did not, G-d forbid, allow the ascention to the Temple Mount in opposition to the opinions of all the halachic scholars. They took an internal halachic discussion held at the Rebbe's home a year ago, which was published in an internal publication of the hassidic court, and was meant for those who understand the Rebbe's style of answers, and dishonestly published it as if the Rebbe permits or instructs to visit the Temple Mount in practice, something that would never cross his mind."

The Rebbe's son further clarified that the Rebbe's position is in line with that of all halachic scholars, that it is currently forbidden to enter the Temple Mount in practice, an action that, according to the statement, could easily lead to sins bearing the punishment of "Kareth."

The uproar follows statements first published on Arutz Sheva, which included quotes from the Amshinov court's newspaper, Yirah Vesimcha

Trump says ‘mandatory’ for Muslim nations involved in Iran deal to join Abraham Accords

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-says-mandatory-for-muslim-nations-involved-in-iran-deal-to-join-abraham-accords/

US President Donald Trump insisted on Monday that six Muslim-majority countries join the Abraham Accords normalization agreements with Israel ahead of any deal between the US and Iran to end the war, negotiations on which he said were “proceeding nicely.”

“It may be possible that one or two have a reason for not doing so, and that will be accepted, but most should be ready, willing, and able to make this Settlement with Iran a far more Historic Event than it would, otherwise, be,” he added.

If countries do not sign, he said, they should not be involved in any deal with Iran as “it shows bad intention.”

Trump’s post suggested that he was seeking to offer Israel an upside in the nascent deal to end the war with Iran, whose reported terms have set off alarm bells in Jerusalem. Channel 12 reported on Sunday that senior Israeli officials have warned that, “As it seems, [the agreement] does not serve Israel’s interest.” Other officials have been quoted as calling it a bad deal and highly problematic for Israel.

Israeli officials are concerned that the deal, which would reportedly begin with a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, does not address Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs or its support for regional proxies, delaying negotiations on these and other key war goals. According to the report, officials fear the deal would grant Iran time for economic and military recovery, after which “it will be hard for the Americans and us to go back and fight.”

Trump demands Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan join Abraham Accords as part of Iran deal

 https://www.jpost.com/international/article-897249

"By copy of this TRUTH, I am asking my Representatives to begin, and successfully complete, the process of signing these Countries into the already Historic Abraham Accords," Trump posted on his Truth Social account.

The request was directed at Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Pakistan, with Trump noting that the other countries involved were already parties to the accords.

"It should be mandatory that all of these countries, at a minimum, simultaneously sign onto the Abraham Accords," said Trump

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's post. The other countries cited by Trump did not immediately respond to the Abraham Accords post.

The hasidic rebbe's surprising ruling

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/427564

The Amshinov hasidic newspaper Yirah Vesimcha, published a conversation between the Amshinover Rebbe and his son, regarding the issue of ascending the Temple Mount during the current period.

During the conversation, the Rebbe was asked whether it is forbidden today to ascend the Temple Mount, and he replied, "A person who is impure from contact with the dead is permitted to enter the Temple Mount itself. Only the cheil, which is beyond the Temple Mount, is forbidden."

"Can someone who immerses in a regular mikveh (ritual bath) enter the Temple Mount?" his son asked. The Rebbe answered: "Yes, but again, only the beginning of the Temple Mount."

The Administration noted that police currently also allow a short route for those who wish to enter only the area near the entrance to the Mount from the gate at the wooden bridge by the Kotel, walking close to the Western Wall from the inside and immediately exiting through the exit gate used by all those leaving the Temple Mount, without completing the full circuit around the Mount.

Why one Trump critic says latest Iran deal feels like "surrender is the endgame"

Israel alarmed as Iran deal takes shape

 https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/05/24/israel-alarmed-as-iran-deal-takes-shape/

Following reports of progress in talks in Pakistan, concern is mounting in Israel, as the Israeli leadership has been almost completely cut off from updates on what is happening behind closed doors in the critical negotiations. Security officials and coalition faction leaders took part in the meeting.

Two Israeli security sources told Israel Hayom that the Israeli leadership had been almost completely cut off from updates on what was happening behind closed doors in the critical talks. They added that, because of the lack of information, Israel had to rely on diplomatic sources as well as intelligence sources within the Iranian regime.

The US has no victory image, and that is bad news for Israel

 https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/05/24/the-us-has-no-victory-image-and-that-is-bad-news-for-israel/

The only real news in the emerging deal at this stage is the mutual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic. All the other disputed issues are being deferred to negotiations that are supposed to begin between the sides at an unknown date. The Iranian regime achieved the goal it set for itself and survived. By contrast, the US administration has not achieved any of its declared objectives.

All the other disputed issues between the countries, which are large, far-reaching and of critical importance to Israel's security, are being deferred to negotiations that are supposed to open between the sides. No one knows whether such negotiations will actually t place. It is even more doubtful that they will mature into any agreement, let alone within two months.ake

In other words, realistically speaking, the result we are likely to reach is the reopening of the straits and a return to the conditions that prevailed before Operation Rising Lion and Operation Epic Fury. Beyond that, it can be assumed that the sides will tread water until further notice.

Trump Defends Iran Deal Amid Republican Criticism

 https://www.newsweek.com/iran-media-says-deal-touted-by-trump-inconsistent-with-reality-11987756

President Donald Trump has defended the peace deal he says the U.S. is nearing with Iran following backlash from hardliner Republican lawmakers saying the agreement would appear to be weaker than what was established before the war.

Reported elements of the draft agreement so far suggest that the U.S. and Iran could agree to end the war without immediately addressing Iran's nuclear program - which had been one of the justifications the White House had raised for launching the war in February.

Critics, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, say such an arrangement would not be "America First" and that it appeared similar to the Obama-era nuclear deal, which Trump withdrew from in his first term in office.

Trump said to assure Netanyahu he will thwart Iran nuke program as Israel fears ‘very bad’ deal

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-said-to-assure-netanyahu-he-will-thwart-iran-nuke-program-amid-jitters-over-emerging-deal/

US President Donald Trump sought to reassure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call that a final agreement with Iran will fully dismantle Tehran’s nuclear program, a senior Israeli official said in a statement on Sunday, as details emerged of a deal being cobbled together with Iran that appeared to leave central Israeli and American demands unmet and prompted profound concerns in Jerusalem.

According to multiple reports, confirmed by Israeli officials, the initial deal will focus on extending an existing ceasefire for another 60-days and opening the choked Strait of Hormuz to vital shipping, with the key issue of Iran’s nuclear activities relegated to discussions during that period, and no requirement for Iran to export its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. In addition, the plan is said to include a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, but does not include disarming the Iran-backed group.

Trump “clarified that he will stand firm in the negotiations on his longstanding demand for the dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of all enriched uranium from Iranian territory, and that he will not sign a final agreement without these conditions being met,” the unnamed senior official said.

Haredi kollel accused of major fraud

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/427503

The kollel received over 40 million shekels over a decade for hundreds of students, but a covert audit revealed that only a few dozen students were studying there.

The Israeli Ministry of Education has filed a major lawsuit against a kollel in Ashkelon, alleging what officials describe as one of the largest cases of fraudulent reporting ever uncovered in a Torah study institution.

At this stage, the Ministry of Education is seeking approximately 3 million shekels from the organization, representing government support funds transferred at the beginning of 2022 during the period when inspections were conducted.

The alleged fraud was uncovered in 2022 during a covert inspection conducted at the organization’s institutions. Inspectors reportedly found that only a few dozen students were present at the site.

‘Nightmare for Israel’: Senior GOP senators criticize alleged terms of emerging Iran deal

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/nightmare-for-israel-senior-gop-senators-criticize-alleged-terms-of-emerging-iran-deal/

After Iran says nuclear issues aren’t part of current talks, former secretary of state Mike Pompeo compares terms to 2015 Iran deal, says it will let Tehran ‘terrorize the world’

Senior US senators from the Republican Party voiced criticism on Saturday over the reported terms of the deal that US President Donald Trump, who is also a Republican, is negotiating with Tehran to end the Iran war.

Iran, meanwhile, said that nuclear issues were not part of the current negotiations.

Wicker, on Friday, blamed Trump’s advisers for pushing him to make a deal with Iran “that would not be worth the paper it is written on” rather than allowing the president to “finish the job he started.”

Why Gaza’s civilian rule cannot begin while Hamas still holds weapons and power

 https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/rkqxtpylzg

Four months after the Trump administration unveiled its most ambitious postwar framework for Gaza, the civilian governance architecture at its center has effectively ceased to function.

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, the technocratic body tasked with replacing Hamas as the strip's administrative authority, remains stranded in Cairo, unable to enter the territory it was designed to govern.

Senior committee members are threatening resignation. Every phase of the roadmap is frozen.

And the reason, stripped of diplomatic euphemism, is straightforward: Hamas is still there, still armed and still capable of vetoing any political arrangement it dislikes through the credible threat of violence.

What's inside the Iran deal Trump is close to signing

 https://www.axios.com/2026/05/24/iran-deal-strait-hormuz-sanctions-nuclear

The agreement the U.S. and Iran are close to signing involves a 60-day ceasefire extension during which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, Iran would be able to freely sell oil, and negotiations would be held on curbing Iran's nuclear program, according to a U.S. official.

 The deal would avoid an escalation of the war and decrease the pressure on the global oil supply. However, it's unclear whether it will lead to a lasting peace agreement that also addresses President Trump's nuclear demands.

Trump Has Lost the Governing Plot

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/trump-has-lost-the-governing-plot-4879dd64?mod=hp_opin_pos_1

His personal obsessions and campaign of retribution are damaging his Presidency and his party.

 Republicans don’t want to say this publicly, but privately they do: President Trump’s personal political obsessions are hurting his Presidency, harming the chances for further policy gains the rest of this year, and putting control of the House and Senate in jeopardy.

That’s the backdrop to the GOP revolt this week in Congress on war powers and funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Trump’s unrelated priorities are handing Democrats gift after gift and forcing Republicans to take difficult votes that could cost them in November. His desire for political revenge is also alienating Members of Congress he will need this year.

Tulsi Gabbard resigns as director of national intelligence

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/05/22/tulsi-gabbard-resigns-director-national-intelligence/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=acq&utm_campaign=RH-ACQ&utm_content=dtpmonthly_20260522_RH&campaign_id=18247939

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is resigning from the Trump administration, she said Friday, after her husband was diagnosed with an extremely rare bone cancer.

Her departure ends a stormy 15-month tenure in which the former Democratic congresswoman was largely excluded from President Donald Trump’s inner national security circle, even as she pushed his political priorities on election security, declassification and Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential contest.

A person familiar with the situation said that Williams’s diagnosis notwithstanding, Gabbard had been pressured to depart by White House officials increasingly unhappy with her actions, which had brought unwelcome publicity or diverted attention from Trump’s messages. The person, like some others interviewed, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration dynamics.

Returning A Goy's lost Property

Sanhedrin (76b)  One who marries his daughter to an old man or takes a wife for his infant son, or returns a lost article to a Cuthean, concerning him Scripture sayeth, that he bless himself in his heart saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart to add drunkedness to thirst: The Lord will not spare him.

Rashi (Sanhedrin 76b) והמחזיר אבידה לכותי - השווה וחבר כותי לישראל ומראה בעצמו שהשבת אבדה אינה חשובה לו מצות בוראו שאף לכותי הוא עושה כן שלא נצטווה עליהם: 

Sinai Source of Religious Hatred

Shabbos (89a)  One of the Rabbis asked R. Kahana: Hast thou heard what the mountain of Sinai [connotes]? The mountain whereon miracles [nissim] were performed for Israel, he replied. Then it should be called Mount Nisal? But [it means] the mountain whereon a happy augury [siman] took place for Israel. Then it should be called, Mount Simanai? Said he to him, Why dost thou not frequent [the academy of] R. Papa and R. Huna the son of R. Joshua, who make a study of aggadah. For R. Hisda and Rabbah the son of R. Huna both said, What is [the meaning of] Mount Sinai? The mountain whereon there descended hostility [sin'ah ] toward idolaters. And thus R. Jose son of R. Hanina said: It has five names: The Wilderness of Zin, [meaning] that Israel were given commandments there; the Wilderness of Kadesh, where the Israelites were sanctified [kadosh], the Wilderness of Kedemoth, because a priority [kedumah] was conferred there; the Wilderness of Paran,because Israel was fruitful [paru] and multiplied there; and the Wilderness of Sinai, because hostility toward idolaters descended thereon. Whilst what was its [real] name? its name was Horeb. Now they disagree with R. Abbahu, For R. Abbahu said: its name was Mount Sinai, and why was it called Mount Horeb? Because desolation [hurbah] to idolaters descended thereon.

Rashi (Shabbos 89a) Hatred  for idolaters (the nations of the world): Since they did not accept the Torah. 

Derashos HaRan (7) All of our quarrels with the nations stem from our difference in faith, as our sages stated (Shabbath 89a):The meaning is that because the Blessed One separated us from all the nations, not to intermarry with them and not to eat forbidden foods, this furthering and separation from them has inevitably caused this hatred. This is the intent of "When I liken you, I shall console you." That is, when I liken you with the other nations, so that they will all be of the same faith with you, I will console you. For then the consolation will be complete, with no subsequent worry of war or of the hatred of the aforementioned nations against us

Iran is winning by losing: how Tehran turned Gulf victims into its biggest lobbyists

 https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/bj5yw3c1ml

Something extraordinary happened on Monday that no analyst predicted and no diplomatic textbook describes. The leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, three countries whose territory Iran has been striking for weeks, picked up the phone and called Donald Trump to beg him not to bomb Tehran. They succeeded. The scheduled American military assault on Iran, set for Tuesday morning, was called off. Not by negotiations. Not by Iranian concessions. By the very nations bearing the brunt of Iranian aggression.

Trump said Monday evening he had planned a very major attack but put it off, for a little while, hopefully maybe forever, after receiving requests from Gulf leaders to give negotiations more time. He said the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had each personally urged him to delay the planned strike, citing ongoing negotiations with Tehran and expressing confidence that a deal would be reached. Trump, framing the concession as deference to allies rather than weakness, agreed to stand down.

This is the paradox at the center of the current ceasefire. Iran attacks the Gulf states. The Gulf states then lobby Washington for restraint on Iran's behalf. Tehran fires at the hand that feeds the argument for its survival. And the hand, rather than withdrawing, extends further.

'Bibi's hair was on fire:' Inside the call between Trump, Netanyahu on Iran ceasefire talks - Axios

 https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-896906

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had a difficult conversation on Tuesday about ceasefire talks, Axios reported on Wednesday. 

Trump reportedly called Netanyahu on Tuesday to inform him that mediators were working on a "letter of intent" to end the war and launch a month-long period of negotiations, which would include matters such as Iran's nuclear program and opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Two Israeli sources stated that the two leaders were in clear disagreement about how to deal with Iran moving forward. One US source briefed on the call told Axios that "Bibi's hair was on fire after the call." 

Trump says Netanyahu will ‘do whatever I want’ on Iran after pair said to hold tense call

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/irgc-threatens-war-will-spread-far-beyond-the-region-if-us-renews-attacks-on-iran/

US President Donald Trump asserted Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will do “whatever I want” when it comes to a potential military strike on Iran, in remarks made a day after the pair reportedly held a tense call on the subject.

The two leaders disagreed on the path forward during the call, as Netanyahu was highly skeptical of the framework, believing the US should continue applying military pressure on Iran to further weaken the regime by destroying its critical infrastructure, two Israeli sources said.

The US source said that Netanyahu’s “hair was on fire after the call,” though Israeli sources noted that Netanyahu “is always concerned” about how negotiations with Iran will go, even during stages that previously failed.

Iran Sticks to Its Guns as Trump’s Threats Begin to Lose Power

 https://www.newsweek.com/iran-sticks-to-its-guns-as-trumps-threats-begin-to-lose-power-11967826

Almost three months into the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran and nearly five weeks since President Donald Trump announced a blockade of the Islamic Republic, a defiant Tehran shows little sign of budging in the face of the White House's fiery threats.

Rather, the conflict appears thus far to be emboldening Iranian leadership. Despite the loss of their supreme leader, the killing of other key commanders and decision-makers and the destruction of considerable firepower, Iranian officials have largely put domestic divisions aside and closed ranks to maintain a hefty set of demands to end the war on their own terms.

It's a costly bet. Yet the price for the White House, the region and the world is adding up as well.

"I think that the Trump administration has led itself into a very tight corner," Saikal said. "It has kept changing its goalposts and doesn’t really know how to end the war. President Trump has pathologically never been able to accept defeat. He has now narrowed his objective to ‘no nuclear weapons’, despite the fact that Tehran has always said that it won’t produce nuclear weapons."

Trump national Shabbat divides America’s Jews ahead of National Mall prayer rally

 https://jewishpostandnews.ca/uncategorized/trump-national-shabbat-divides-americas-jews-ahead-of-national-mall-prayer-rally/

As part of a 250th anniversary celebration of the United States, President Donald Trump is calling on Americans to pray together in a nine-hour marathon on the National Mall Sunday featuring a host of Christian speakers — and one rabbi.

But first, Trump is calling on Jews to mark Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest from sundown Friday to nightfall Saturday, and encouraging other Americans to consider embracing the ritual as well.

The exhortation has received mixed reviews from the American Jewish community. Some Jews have said they appreciate the gesture and recognition of a central tradition to Judaism, and even are promoting their own Shabbat services as part of “Shabbat 250.”

Others say Trump is appropriating Judaism to promote conservative political goals and Christian nationalism, a movement backed by a portion of Trump’s base that scholars say could push the country in a direction that is less hospitable to Jews.

Support for the initiative has been strongest among Orthodox Jews, who tend to be more politically conservative. Rabbi Josh Joseph, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, endorsed Trump’s call soon after it was made

Trump announced a national Shabbat — and a giant celebration of Christianity the very next day

 https://forward.com/culture/824974/shabbat-250-rededication-trump-christianity/

To celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States, President Trump has announced several religious ceremonies. This weekend is Shabbat 250, in honor of Jewish Heritage month, beginning Friday night and carrying into Saturday.

“We celebrate the contributions that Jewish Americans have made to our way of life, we honor their role in shaping the story of our Nation, and we remember that religious devotion, learning, and service to others are enduring pillars of a thriving culture,” the announcement says.

But that recognition of Judaism is followed the very next day by Rededicate 250, a celebration “about the history and the foundations of our nation, which was built on Christian values,” as Paula White-Cain, Trump’s senior faith advisor, said in a webinar earlier this month for the National Faith Advisory Board, adding that attendees shouldn’t worry the event might include “praying to all these different Gods.”

“The vast majority of the speakers are Christian,” Baldwin said. “If you do see another religion represented, it would probably be in a modest way, talking about religious freedom.”

All this is certainly mixed messaging as far as  the place of Jews in the nation’s celebrations is concerned.

Rededicate 250 will feature dozens of Christian speakers including pastors; figures such as Dr. Larry Arnn, the founder of Hillsdale College, a private, conservative Christian school; members of the Trump administration including Pete Hegseth, who has openly voiced support for Christian nationalism; Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus on the hit Christian show The Chosen; and a selection of Christian musical performers. Rabbi Meir Soleveichik is the sole non-Christian slated to participate.

Cassidy becomes fourth GOP senator to back Iran war powers measure limiting Trump

 https://thehill.com/homenews/5886024-bill-cassidy-iran-war-powers/

Sen. Bill Cassidy, who lost his bid for a third term in Saturday’s Louisiana Senate Republican primary, on Tuesday became the fourth Republican senator to vote to advance a war powers resolution directing President Trump to withdraw U.S. armed forces deployed against Iran.

“Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again,” Trump posted on Truth Social after the January vote.

US, Israel planned to install Ahmadinejad in Iran and helped him escape country

 https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bka4o351fx

The New York Times reported overnight Tuesday that the United States and Israel had an unexpected candidate for that “someone from within” — perhaps the last person anyone would have imagined as suitable, or willing: former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, long considered one of Israel’s bitterest enemies.

According to officials in Washington, the extraordinary plan was developed by Israel and later joined by U.S. intelligence officials. But senior American officials said it quickly went awry. Officials briefed on the matter and a person close to Ahmadinejad told the paper that the Israeli strike on the first day of the war at Ahmadinejad’s home in Tehran was meant to free him from the house arrest he was under. But after he nearly was killed in the strike, and was wounded, he changed his mind and decided, at least at that point, not to take part in the coup operation.

The American and Israeli choice of Ahmadinejad to replace Iran’s leadership was unusual, to say the least. During his presidency from 2005 to 2013, he repeatedly threatened to “wipe Israel and Zionism” off the map. He was known as a Holocaust denier and did not hesitate to use blatant antisemitic rhetoric.