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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a Statement of Interest supporting Orthodox Jewish developers who allege that Forestburgh, New York, engaged in an anti-Semitic campaign to block a major housing project. The lawsuit, in the Southern District of New York, claims that town officials used zoning laws to prevent Lost Lake Holdings, LLC from building 2,627 homes intended for Chasidic families.

The DOJ argues that Forestburgh’s actions constitute religious discrimination, citing inflated tax assessments, denied permits, and the reopening of a 14-year-old environmental review as deliberate efforts to halt the project. Troubling emails from town officials reveal their intent to block the development, including one from a Planning Board Chairman stating: “Please don’t be scared about the [H]asidic threat—we’re energized and have the cash to fight.” Another email, forwarded by officials, disparaged the Orthodox Jewish community as a “sect notorious for misogyny and child abuse.”

The DOJ’s intervention highlights the severity of the case, rejecting Forestburgh’s efforts to dismiss it. Agudath Israel and other Jewish representatives have repeatedly appealed to the Town Board to stop its discriminatory policies, but with no success. The developers claim millions in losses due to the town’s actions.

The European Union has urged its citizens to stockpile enough food and other essential supplies to sustain them for at least 72 hours if crisis happens, the European Commission has said. “In case of extreme disruptions, the initial period is the most critical,” the document says, setting out possible scenarios, from war to cyber attacks and deadly disease to climate-driven floods, reports Politico.

Brussels wants to ensure every citizen is equipped for 72 hours of self-sufficiency as fears mount over the threat of continental conflict. EU citizens will be instructed to stock up on a dozen key items as part of their “resilience” kit. These include matches,

ID documents stored in a waterproof pouch, bottled water, energy bars and a flashlight.

Red Alert sirens were sounded around 8:00 am this morning (Friday) in some of Israel’s northern border communities – Margaliot, Misgav Am, Kiryat Shmona and Tel Hai.

The IDF said that two launches by Hezbollah terrorists from Lebanese territory were detected. One launch was intercepted and the other fell in Lebanese territory.

Magen Dacid Adom (MDA) said that no calls were received regarding casualties as a result of Hezbollah launches.

Defense Minister Israel Katz responded to the shooting from Lebanon: “Kiryat Shmona is treated like Beirut. If there is no peace in Kiryat Shmona and the Galilee communities, there will be no peace in Beirut either. The Lebanese government bears direct responsibility for any shooting at the Galilee. We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7th. We will ensure the security of the residents of the Galilee and will act forcefully against any threat.

A powerful letter signed by around one hundred of the leading Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbanim from the Olam HaTorah of Sephardic Jewry in Eretz Yisroel.

In the letter, the Gedolei Yisroel call on all bnei Torah to come together under the leadership of Rosh HaYeshiva HaGaon HaRav Moshe Tzadkah shlita, to protest the gezeiras of the draft law being pushed in the Knesset. With a strong and clear demand, they are insisting on the full restoration of the Toraso Umenuso status, which was upheld for years until the interference of the Supreme Court.

Among the Rabbanim signing this letter are some of the most choshuve names in the Sephardic Olam HaTorah, including those who have not previously joined protests outside of the Shas political framework.

Qatar has presented Hamas with a new US proposal to restore the ceasefire in Gaza through the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, a senior Arab diplomat told The Times of Israel on Thursday.

In exchange for Alexander’s release, US President Donald Trump would issue a statement calling for calm in Gaza and the resumption of negotiations for a permanent ceasefire, the diplomat said, confirming reports on Channel 12 and the Axios news site.

The Arab diplomat expressed skepticism that Hamas would agree to release Alexander for only a statement from Trump and said the terror group would likely ask for something more substantial, given its skepticism regarding Israel’s willingness to adhere to agreements. Alexander is one of the remaining 59 hostages — 24 of whom are still alive, according to Israeli intelligence assessments.

Hamas has already refused a proposal from US special envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff, which sought to extend the first phase of the ceasefire. The group has insisted on sticking to the terms of the deal signed in January, which should’ve entered its second phase on March 2. That phase envisions the release of all remaining living hostages in exchange for a full IDF withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to end the war until Hamas’s military and governing capabilities have been dismantled and has accordingly

refused to enter the second phase, instead pushing for an extension of the phase one temporary ceasefire. After more than two weeks in a holding pattern, Israel renewed intensive military operations throughout Gaza on March 18.

Egypt subsequently worked to convince Hamas to accept a proposal largely similar to the one proposed by Witkoff earlier this month, which envisioned the release of five living hostages in exchange for an extension of phase through April 19 during which the sides would hold talks on the terms of the phase two permanent ceasefire.

Coalition lawmakers passed a highly controversial law on Thursday morning greatly increasing political power and influence over the judicial appointments process in Israel, following a stormy overnight debate.

The measure, which changes the composition of the committee that selects judges, passed almost completely unopposed after the opposition boycotted the final vote, walking out of the Knesset plenum in protest.

Throughout the evening, lawmakers quashed an unprecedented 71,023 objections filed by the opposition before finally voting 67-1 in favor of the legislation in the third and final reading, passing it into law.

The measure will only come into effect in the next Knesset, meaning after Israel’s next general elections, which are currently scheduled for October 2026.

It will also need to survive a series of petitions immediately filed against the law by opposition parties and a government watchdog.

For the UK Jewish Orthodox Community
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Erev Shabbos

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