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A chareidi yeshiva bochur who moved to Eretz Yisroel from France at the age of 13 says he has been unable to see his parents for an entire year because of restrictions imposed on him over his military draft status, but insists that he will not compromise on his commitment to remaining within the yeshiva world.

In an interview conducted on the streets of Yerushalayim by photographer Shlomi Cohen, the young man, identified as Rafael, described the personal hardships he has endured since being classified by Israeli authorities as a military draft evader.

Rafael explained that his designation has prevented him from leaving Israel, while his parents, who live abroad, are unable to travel to visit him.

“I haven’t seen my parents for an entire year because of the draft law,” Rafael said. “They cannot come here, and they won’t give me permission to travel abroad to see them.”

Despite the painful separation from his family, Rafael said he has no regrets about his refusal to enlist.

Asked how he feels about being officially classified as a draft evader in Israel, he responded that he takes pride in maintaining his position.

“I’m proud of it,” he said. “It feels good knowing that I’m doing what I need to do, but it feels less good when you see how our own people are behaving.”

The interview comes amid growing controversy over the status of thousands of chareidi yeshiva bochurim who face military enforcement measures as Israeli political leaders attempt to negotiate a new arrangement governing military service.

One proposal being discussed in political circles would distinguish between full-time yeshiva students, who would continue receiving exemptions or deferments, and young men who study only part of the day or combine learning with employment, who could be required to enlist.

Rafael, who acknowledged maintaining a more flexible daily learning schedule, firmly rejected such an arrangement, arguing that young men who remain connected to a yeshiva environment should not be forced into military service simply because they are not learning throughout the entire day.

“I don’t agree with that,” he said. “Once a person keeps himself within a yeshiva framework, even if he learns for an hour or two a day and puts on tefillin while davening with a minyan, once he goes into the army, the army will bring him down to places that the rabbonim have forbidden us to go.”

He maintained that the issue extends beyond the number of hours a young man spends learning each day. In his view, remaining within a Torah environment provides essential spiritual protection, and removing a bochur from that framework could jeopardize his religious observance.

“All they want from us is to continue learning and maintain our framework,” Rafael explained. “When a bochur succeeds in controlling himself and maintaining boundaries, that is where he needs to remain. I will do everything not to go to the army.”

The young man also rejected suggestions that specialized military programs designed for chareidi recruits, including the IDF’s Chashmonaim track, could provide an acceptable alternative.

Rafael said he had personally consulted rabbonim about those programs and was advised against participating.

“I asked rabbonim, and they told me that it is not suitable and not right to go there,” he said. “I don’t rely on my own ’emunah’ that I won’t fall, because the yetzer hara is strong and can bring anyone down. Therefore, my obligation is to remain in a place that protects me.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is leaving open the possibility that he will not endorse anyone in the 2028 Republican presidential primary, despite speaking favorably about Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential successors to his leadership of the Republican Party.

During an interview broadcast Sunday on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Trump expressed confidence in the Republican Party’s next generation of leaders but stopped short of committing his support to any particular candidate as the GOP confronts the aftermath of its midterm election losses.

Asked by interviewer Ross Douthat whether he intended to endorse a Republican presidential candidate in 2028, Trump gave an uncertain response.

“Probably. Not necessarily,” Trump responded.

The president explained that his decision would depend partly on the field of candidates, noting that he maintains strong relationships with numerous prominent Republicans who could seek the nomination.

“I don’t know, we have a tremendous bench,” Trump said. “I mean, I have so many people that I have great relationships with.”

When Douthat asked whom Trump considered a possible successor besides Vance, the president immediately mentioned Rubio.

“Well, I think Marco’s great,” Trump said, referring to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Trump also expressed satisfaction with Rubio’s work as secretary of state, indicating that he expected the Florida Republican to continue serving in that role.

“I think so. I mean, he certainly loves it, and he’s doing great. He’s doing a fantastic job,” Trump said.

Although he declined to provide a longer list of potential presidential candidates, Trump suggested that several Republican senators could also emerge as serious contenders for the nomination.

“There’s some senators that are excellent. I know ’em all, I like ’em a lot,” Trump said.

The president then raised the possibility that he might avoid choosing sides altogether, rather than using his considerable influence within the party to support one candidate over another.

“So I may or may not get involved. I don’t know. Maybe I’m better off not getting involved,” he said.

Trump’s remarks come after Democrats captured both the House and Senate in last week’s midterm elections, dealing Republicans a serious setback and raising questions about the party’s direction heading into the next presidential campaign.

The president acknowledged that his personal appeal had not always translated into votes for Republican candidates he supported, suggesting that some voters were dissatisfied with the nominees themselves.

“I think in some cases, they didn’t like the candidates,” Trump said, while also pointing to the war with Iran and higher gasoline prices as major factors behind the Republican defeats.

The discussion then turned to the future of Trump’s Make America Great Again movement and whether it could remain a dominant force in Republican politics once he leaves office.

“Do you think you can have MAGA without you as the leader?” Douthat asked.

“I think so,” Trump replied.

The president maintained that the movement’s strength comes from its political agenda, particularly border security, military strength and economic growth, rather than depending entirely on his personal leadership.

“Because MAGA is basically common sense, you know? MAGA’s strong borders, good military,” Trump said.

Trump also pointed to what he described as extraordinary economic gains under his administration, arguing that the prosperity generated by his policies would remain an important part of the movement’s appeal.

The uncertainty surrounding his endorsement comes as Vance and Rubio increasingly attract attention as potential 2028 contenders. A recent New York Times/Siena University poll found Vance leading among Republican voters with 33% support, followed by Rubio at 23%, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis received 3%.

Trump also emphasized that his endorsement could carry considerable influence in a Republican primary, pointing to his history of helping favored candidates secure party nominations.

“I think it would play a big role if I did, because my endorsement capacity has been very strong,” he said.

President Donald Trump pushed back against accusations that he has improperly enriched himself through his family’s cryptocurrency ventures and personal investments, insisting during a contentious CBS “60 Minutes” interview Sunday that he pays little attention to his wealth and has no direct involvement in the financial transactions raising questions among Democrats.

The president’s defense comes amid heightened scrutiny of his family’s business dealings and new polling indicating that many Americans suspect he has benefited financially from his return to the White House.

During an interview with CBS correspondent Ross Douthat, Trump was questioned about reports estimating that his fortune has grown by roughly $3 billion since he resumed the presidency, as well as substantial foreign investments in World Liberty Financial, the cryptocurrency business associated with his family.

“I devote almost no time to my net worth. I don’t care,” Trump said. “I have a lotta money, and far more than I ever thought I’d have.”

Trump confirmed that he holds an ownership interest in World Liberty Financial, a company that has reportedly received significant financial backing from investors with ties to the United Arab Emirates.

Douthat challenged the president over those arrangements, suggesting that Trump would likely question the propriety of similar foreign financial relationships involving Joe Biden’s family.

“Because I know nothing about it,” Trump responded when asked to explain the distinction.

When the interviewer raised the possibility that overseas investors might view their financial participation as a way to obtain favorable treatment from Washington, Trump answered, “I don’t know.”

The questions reflect growing attention to cryptocurrency as a major source of revenue for the Trump family’s business operations.

According to a Reuters examination of financial disclosures, Trump’s family cryptocurrency activities generated more than $1.4 billion in reported income during 2025. That included nearly $800 million associated with World Liberty Financial and approximately $635 million from Trump-branded meme coins.

Reuters also reported that proceeds from cryptocurrency ventures appeared to be moving into conventional financial holdings, contributing to increases in the family’s stock and bond investments.

Trump maintained that he does not personally direct those transactions, explaining that professional investment managers oversee his financial portfolio.

“I have no idea what the hell they’re buying,” Trump said, describing a computerized investment process involving tens of thousands of securities.

The president said his managers had conducted trading activity involving approximately 40,000 to 50,000 stocks through professionally administered accounts.

He described much of his fortune as being held through established Wall Street investment firms and index funds, while his sons oversee the family’s business operations.

Financial records reviewed by ABC News reportedly identified more than 21,000 securities transactions during 2025, with Trump’s investment accounts holding assets valued at no less than $858 million.

A separate CBS News review found another 3,642 transactions during the first three months of 2026, with reported purchases and sales totaling between $212 million and $695 million.

Among the companies appearing in those transactions were Nvidia, Palantir and several energy businesses operating in industries affected by federal policies, prompting Democratic lawmakers to raise questions about potential conflicts of interest.

The Trump Organization has maintained that outside financial professionals make investment decisions independently and without direction from the president.

Trump also defended the continued business activities of his sons, arguing that their careers should not be suspended simply because their father occupies the White House.

Democratic lawmakers have argued that the president’s continued ownership interests create opportunities for foreign governments and private investors to seek influence through financial relationships with his family.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has called for investigations into a reported $500 million investment in World Liberty Financial by investors connected to the United Arab Emirates, raising concerns about whether the arrangement could affect American government decisions.

“This is corruption, plain and simple,” Warren said in remarks reported by The Washington Post.

Democratic staff members on the Senate Banking Committee have also questioned whether investments associated with the UAE had any relationship to administration decisions concerning the export of advanced artificial intelligence chips.

The White House has rejected allegations of improper influence, maintaining that government policy is determined independently of the president’s private financial interests.

The controversy comes as public opinion surveys indicate widespread skepticism about the financial activities of the president and his family.

An October AP-NORC survey found that 41% of Americans believed Trump had illegally profited from holding the presidency. Separately, exit polling from the November 3 midterm elections indicated that approximately six in ten voters believed the president placed his personal interests ahead of the country’s interests.

With Democrats securing control of Congress in the midterm elections, the president’s financial arrangements could become a major focus of congressional investigations and oversight hearings.

During the CBS interview, Trump rejected the suggestion that his family’s continued business activities represented an unprecedented ethical problem. He argued that presidents have always faced questions involving the financial interests and personal relationships of people close to them, dating back to George Washington.

Douthat also asked why Trump would not simply sell his ownership stake in World Liberty Financial while allowing his sons to continue operating the business.

Trump maintained that his sons should not be required to suspend their careers because he is serving as president, and he reiterated that he does not personally supervise their transactions.

In another exchange, when Douthat questioned how the president’s fortune could have increased by approximately $3 billion, Trump initially suggested that other Americans had also benefited from rising investment values.

After Douthat pointed out that his own wealth had not increased by anything approaching that amount, Trump responded, “Well, you should’ve had stock.”

Forbes has estimated that Trump’s net worth reached approximately $6.5 billion during his second term, although the value of cryptocurrency holdings and other investments can fluctuate substantially.

Former President Joe Biden has revealed that his battle with advanced prostate cancer is increasingly affecting his daily life, forcing him to sharply limit public appearances surrounding the release of his forthcoming presidential memoir.

In a personal message posted Sunday, the 83-year-old acknowledged that although his doctors remain optimistic about his response to treatment, the illness has taken a physical toll and prevented him from maintaining the schedule he had originally envisioned for promoting his book.

Biden, who disclosed his prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025, several months after leaving the White House, said the disease became an unexpected part of his life while he was working on the manuscript.

“While writing the book, I was diagnosed with cancer, a disease known all too well to millions of Americans and their families,” Biden wrote.

He indicated that his medical team remains encouraged by his progress but acknowledged that his condition continues to fluctuate, making it difficult to commit to an extensive schedule of interviews and public discussions.

“Some days are better than others. It hasn’t stopped me. But sometimes it slows me down. What that means is, unfortunately, I won’t be able to do as many conversations about my book as I’d hoped. However, I’m hopeful the words on the page speak for themselves.”

Biden’s memoir, “Promise Me, America,” is scheduled to be released November 17 and will recount his presidency, including the major challenges he confronted and the decisions that shaped his administration.

“It covers my years as President. The challenges we faced, the decisions I made, and why I made them. It’s about who we are as a nation,” Biden said.

“What we stand for. And America’s role in the world. More than anything, it’s about my faith in the American people and the great American experiment in self-governance and democracy.”

The announcement follows a September health update in which Biden urged men to undergo recommended prostate cancer screenings, pointing to the seriousness of his own diagnosis and the importance of detecting the disease before it spreads.

“By the time we found it, it had already spread to my bones,” Biden wrote on social media. “When prostate cancer is caught early, the five-year survival is close to 100%.”

Biden also expressed appreciation for the doctors and medical professionals overseeing his care, saying the radiation therapy he underwent in the fall of 2025 had produced the intended results.

“Their skill, dedication, and compassion mean so much. The radiation treatment from last fall worked as intended, and I continue to do the things I care about, like finishing my memoir,” he said.

Biden completed a course of radiation treatment in October 2025 after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had already spread to his bones. His treatment has also included hormone therapy. Although the disease remains serious, his doctors have indicated that it is responsive to treatment.

His son, Hunter Biden, offered a troubling account of his father’s condition during an August interview, describing the physical suffering associated with the illness.

“The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,” Hunter said. “It’s very painful, and it’s very debilitating in many respects.”

Biden, who will turn 84 on November 20, has maintained a relatively limited public schedule since leaving office. His health has become an increasingly important factor in his activities as he prepares to publish his account of his four years in the White House.

The forthcoming memoir is also expected to address major controversies of his presidency, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and his decision to abandon his 2024 reelection campaign. An excerpt published Monday includes sharp criticism of President Trump over the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and his subsequent pardons of participants.

The book arrives several months after Jill Biden published her own memoir, “A View from the East Wing,” in June, recounting her experiences during her husband’s presidency.

Fox News suffered a dramatic decline in its election night audience, losing approximately 40% of its prime-time viewership compared with the 2022 midterm elections, even as millions more Americans tuned in to watch election coverage across the major television networks.

Nielsen ratings released last week showed that Fox attracted approximately 4.3 million prime-time viewers for the November 3 elections, compared with nearly 7.5 million four years earlier. The sharp decline came despite a 23% increase in overall election night television viewership.

More than 27 million Americans watched prime-time election coverage across six major networks, highlighting the striking difference between the broader increase in election-related viewing and the substantial losses recorded by Fox.

NBC led the networks with approximately 6.8 million prime-time viewers, while CNN experienced a significant increase, attracting roughly 4.2 million viewers compared with 2.6 million during the 2022 midterms.

Newsmax, meanwhile, reported reaching more than 4.6 million viewers over the course of Election Day, although that figure represents total audience reach rather than average prime-time viewership.

Fox’s disappointing election night performance followed several months of declining ratings for the network, which has faced growing criticism from President Donald Trump and other prominent conservative figures.

According to Nielsen’s October figures, Fox averaged approximately 1.1 million viewers throughout the broadcast day, representing a 27% decline from the same month in 2025. Its prime-time audience also fell by approximately 28% compared with the previous year.

The network experienced particularly steep losses among adults ages 25 to 54, a demographic closely watched by television advertisers. Average total-day viewership in that category dropped 32% to approximately 98,000, reportedly marking the network’s weakest monthly showing in about 25 years.

Fox’s prime-time audience among viewers in the same age group declined by an even larger 36%.

The continued deterioration has raised questions about the network’s performance under Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan Murdoch, who addressed the audience losses during a recent earnings call with investors.

Murdoch suggested that the decline reflected exhaustion among viewers following an unusually intense period of political news rather than a migration to competing television networks.

“What we are seeing, though, is some viewer fatigue,” Murdoch told investors.

He maintained that viewers leaving Fox were not necessarily turning to other cable news outlets.

“Those viewers are not going to any other news channel. They’re not switching to MS Now or to CNN,” Murdoch said.

However, both CNN and MS Now reported increased audiences in October, complicating the argument that reduced public interest in television news was solely responsible for Fox’s declining ratings.

The ratings slump has unfolded amid increasingly public criticism of Fox by President Trump, who has accused the network of giving excessive airtime to Democrats and providing unfavorable coverage of Republican candidates.

“FoxNews is spending far too much time putting on the OPPONENTS of Republican Party Candidates,” Trump complained on Truth Social.

In another post, the president charged: “Fox is promoting the Dumocrats, not the Republicans and MAGA. They have totally lost their way!”

Trump has also blamed Fox’s coverage for contributing to Republican setbacks in the November 3 elections and has encouraged conservative audiences to consider competing news organizations, including Newsmax.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has joined the criticism, characterizing the network as “RINO TV every day” and publicly calling on conservatives to stop watching.

“Turn off Fox News,” Navarro declared.

Navarro expanded on his criticism in a Newsmax commentary titled “Why I Turned Off Fox,” in which he challenged the network’s editorial decisions and urged viewers to seek alternative conservative news coverage.

The dispute has also been fueled by the September departure of veteran Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo, whose exit drew a strong reaction from Trump.

The president described Bartiromo as a “total professional” and a “true warrior,” warning that her supporters “will not be happy.”

Despite the substantial losses, Fox retained its position as the most-watched cable news network on election night, narrowly finishing ahead of CNN and MS Now. Final Nielsen figures showed CNN averaging approximately 4.1 million viewers and MS Now attracting 3.7 million, compared with Fox’s 4.3 million.

Additional Nielsen data showed that approximately 31.2 million Americans watched election coverage across 13 television networks, with 57% choosing broadcast networks and 43% watching cable coverage. Fox’s election night audience among adults ages 25 to 54 fell 59% from 2022, while CNN led cable news in that demographic with approximately 1.5 million viewers.

The BBC has unveiled extensive emergency preparations designed to keep broadcasting to millions of people across Britain in the event of a catastrophic nationwide blackout that could disable electricity, internet access, telephone networks, water supplies and other essential services for several days.

The contingency arrangements, detailed in a November 7 report by BBC correspondent David Sillito, are intended to ensure that the British public can continue receiving vital government instructions and emergency information even if much of the country’s modern communications infrastructure becomes unusable.

Known as a “Black Sky” scenario, the emergency plan envisions a prolonged failure of the national electricity grid, potentially leaving households without lighting, heating, running water, mobile communications or access to electronic payments.

At the center of the BBC’s preparations is a specially equipped radio broadcasting facility capable of accommodating approximately 100 employees. The facility is designed to operate independently for at least 72 hours, with its own emergency supplies of food, water, fuel and electricity.

The broadcasting operation would use secure communications systems that do not depend on conventional internet connections, allowing staff to receive and transmit official government announcements even during a widespread digital communications failure.

Some of the emergency guidance has already been made publicly available, including instructions on maintaining adequate drinking water supplies and managing household sanitation if electrically powered sewage and toilet systems stop functioning.

A major component of the strategy involves preserving traditional FM radio broadcasting, which can remain operational even when mobile phone networks, broadband connections and other digital services have collapsed.

BBC transmission facilities are equipped with backup generators and diesel storage tanks holding between 5,000 and 40,000 liters of fuel, depending on the location. The reserves are intended to sustain essential broadcasts for approximately three days without outside power.

Unlike internet-based services, FM radio transmitters can operate through dedicated infrastructure that does not require functioning broadband networks, making conventional radio a potentially critical source of public information during a national emergency.

The BBC has also developed alternative methods for gathering information from emergency response centers across the country. Journalists stationed at those facilities would be able to communicate using satellite broadcasting vehicles and satellite telephones if ordinary networks became unavailable.

Should even those systems fail, the broadcaster has established predetermined procedures and physical meeting locations to maintain contact between its personnel and emergency authorities.

The preparations draw heavily on lessons from a major power failure in Lancaster in December 2015, when flooding from the River Lune disrupted electricity supplies to approximately 61,500 people.

The outage quickly demonstrated how deeply everyday life depends on electrical infrastructure. Residents lost heating and lighting, water supplies were affected where pumping systems relied on electricity, railway operations were suspended, and numerous stores, gas stations and cash machines stopped functioning.

Yet some older communications technologies proved remarkably resilient. Traditional copper-wire landline telephones continued operating in certain areas, while FM radio broadcasts remained available.

A local radio station managed to continue providing residents with emergency updates using a generator and a single functioning telephone connection.

Professor Roger Kemp of Lancaster University, who studied the consequences of the outage, has warned that Britain’s growing dependence on interconnected digital networks and electrically powered systems leaves the country increasingly vulnerable to major infrastructure failures.

Britain’s government is simultaneously encouraging households to prepare for major disruptions through its national “Be Ready” campaign, which recommends keeping at least three days’ worth of essential supplies at home.

The suggested emergency kit includes bottled water, nonperishable food, flashlights, first-aid supplies, necessary medications, cash and a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio. Officials are particularly concerned that electronic payment systems and ATMs could become inaccessible during an extended outage.

The campaign has already prompted increased purchases of emergency equipment. According to British media reports, retailer Robert Dyas recorded a 160% increase in radio sales compared with the previous week, while electronics retailer Maplin reported a 92% increase in radio purchases, a 284% jump in flashlight sales and a 106% increase in portable power banks.

The preparations also follow the widespread blackout that struck Spain and Portugal in April 2025, disrupting transportation, communications and other services across the Iberian Peninsula and parts of southwestern France.

According to a BBC source familiar with the contingency arrangements, the original planning assumed that a nationwide power failure could last between five and seven days. More recent assessments by Britain’s National Energy System Operator suggest that electricity could potentially be restored within two or three days, although recovery times would depend on the circumstances.

Britain is also investing approximately £70 million in developing high-altitude airborne communications platforms capable of providing temporary mobile phone and internet coverage for more than a week if ground-based networks become inoperable.

Another concern involves the planned retirement of Britain’s traditional copper-wire telephone network, scheduled for January 31, 2027. Unlike modern internet-based telephone services, older copper landlines could sometimes continue operating during electrical outages, provided the telephone exchange itself remained functional.

British authorities emphasize that there is currently no specific or imminent threat to the country’s electricity grid. The emergency preparations are intended to address a range of possible disasters, including severe weather, flooding, cyberattacks and major infrastructure failures.

{Matzav.com}

A criminal complaint has been filed against Israeli military police officers accused of violently assaulting and choking a newly married chareidi chosson in front of his kallah during their week of sheva brachos, in an arrest that sparked widespread outrage and demonstrations in Yerushalayim and Beit Shemesh.

The complaint, submitted Sunday by the organization Emes L’Yaakov B’Yisroel through attorney Nosson Rosenblatt, demands a full criminal investigation into the conduct of the military police officers involved in the arrest of Yaari Lieberman, who was detained while traveling with his wife to a family sheva brachos celebration.

The formal complaint was sent to the military police investigative authorities, the IDF Personnel Directorate and the military complaints commissioner, alleging serious misconduct, excessive force and violations of the chosson’s legal rights.

According to the allegations detailed in the complaint, three vehicles arrived at the location where Lieberman and his wife were traveling. Several men dressed in civilian clothing, with their faces concealed, emerged from the vehicles and allegedly attacked the chosson without first identifying themselves as military police officers.

The complaint alleges that the officers grabbed Lieberman by the neck and choked him in full view of his terrified kallah. The officers reportedly did not produce an arrest warrant, identify themselves as law enforcement personnel or explain the chosson’s legal rights before taking him into custody.

Because the men were dressed in civilian clothing and wore masks, Lieberman’s wife reportedly feared that her husband was being abducted by criminals. In a state of panic, she attempted to summon the Israel Police, while her cellphone was allegedly taken from her during the confrontation.

The incident occurred as the newlyweds were making their way to a sheva brachos gathering. Lieberman had reportedly just stepped off a bus with his wife when the military police officers moved in to arrest him over his military draft status.

Following his detention, a military court ordered Lieberman held in military prison for 20 days. However, the arrest triggered angry protests in Yerushalayim and Beit Shemesh, with demonstrators demanding the immediate release of the newly married bochur.

Amid mounting public pressure and widespread protests, Lieberman was released from military custody the following day and permitted to return home.

The criminal complaint raises additional questions about the methods allegedly used by military authorities to locate Lieberman before his arrest. The organization is demanding an investigation into whether military police employed covert cellphone-tracking technology to determine his whereabouts and, if so, whether the surveillance was conducted with the necessary legal authorization.

The complaint also includes allegations concerning Lieberman’s treatment while incarcerated, claiming that he was denied adequate heating and basic blankets and subjected to humiliating and disrespectful conduct by prison personnel.

Emes L’Yaakov B’Yisroel is demanding that the IDF investigate all those involved in the operation and pursue criminal and disciplinary proceedings wherever wrongdoing is established. The organization is also calling for immediate measures to prevent similar incidents involving yeshiva bochurim.

The complaint has added another dimension to the controversy surrounding the military’s enforcement of draft requirements against chareidi yeshiva students, particularly in cases involving young men who have recently married.

Following his release, Lieberman visited the home of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who was asked to provide guidance concerning his next steps and whether he should cooperate with military authorities.

Rav Hirsch firmly advised him against taking the proposed course of action, citing three concerns.

“There are three reasons why I hold that you should not do this. Don’t! First, they cannot be trusted! Second, even if they could be trusted, it would lower the morale of many, many bochurim who are still outside and would see that you surrendered! Third, it would undoubtedly lower your own level of Yiddishkeit!”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday issued a public appeal for the formation of a broad national unity government under Likud leadership, calling on Israel’s Zionist parties to set aside their political differences and join forces in confronting the country’s security challenges.

In a video released Monday evening, Netanyahu argued that Israel’s ongoing confrontation with Iran and radical Islamist organizations makes a broad coalition essential, warning against establishing a government that relies on parties he considers sympathetic to Hamas.

Asked what direction Israel should take following the elections, Netanyahu responded: “Unity. Two days ago, I called for the establishment of a unity government, and this is the need of the hour, because you cannot establish a government with Hamas supporters, or a government that depends on Hamas supporters.”

The prime minister maintained that Israel cannot effectively confront its enemies while depending politically on factions that he believes are aligned with radical Islamist movements.

“You cannot fight Iran and its other radical Islamist proxies if you have supporters of radical Islam within the government or on whom you depend. Therefore, a unity government is simply an absolute necessity.”

Netanyahu made clear that his proposed coalition would extend beyond the traditional right-wing bloc, bringing together Likud, the chareidi parties and other Zionist factions, including parties that have previously refused to serve under his leadership.

“This government must include all the parties of the national camp, including the haredi parties, and it must also include all the other Zionist parties.”

Netanyahu also urged rival political leaders to abandon their refusal to cooperate with him, declaring that he was prepared to negotiate with any Zionist party willing to participate in a unity government.

The appeal came one day after President Yitzchak Herzog entrusted Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot with the task of forming Israel’s next government, following the October 27 elections, which left neither major political camp with a clear parliamentary majority.

Eisenkot received the recommendations of 67 Knesset members, including representatives of the Arab parties, while Netanyahu’s Likud emerged as the largest individual party, winning 27 seats. Eisenkot’s Yashar party secured 21 seats.

Netanyahu argued that Likud’s position as the largest party entitled it to lead the proposed unity coalition, despite Herzog’s decision to give Eisenkot the first opportunity to assemble a government.

The prime minister’s proposal would include the parties of his outgoing coalition, including Shas, United Torah Judaism, Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit, alongside Zionist parties currently aligned with the opposition.

However, several opposition leaders have repeatedly rejected serving under Netanyahu, and Eisenkot has indicated that he intends to pursue a government based on the principles established by his own party.

The political uncertainty has been compounded by discussions between opposition figures and the chareidi parties over a possible arrangement addressing the military draft of yeshiva bochurim. United Torah Judaism has withheld its endorsement of a candidate for prime minister, insisting that any prospective coalition provide concrete guarantees protecting the status of those learning Torah.

Eisenkot now has 28 days to assemble a coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension. If he fails, Herzog may give another candidate an opportunity to form a government.

Senior officials in Degel HaTorah are warning that any prospective government seeking the support of the chareidi parties will be required to preserve the religious status quo in Israel without exception, making clear that negotiations over the draft of yeshiva bochurim will not come at the expense of Shabbos, kashrus, giyur or any other matter affecting the religious character of the state.

The warning comes as United Torah Judaism explores the possibility of cooperating with the opposition’s so-called Change Bloc following statements by Yisroel Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman indicating a willingness to discuss arrangements addressing the status of yeshiva students.

Senior chareidi political figures emphasized that while they have been instructed by the Gedolei Yisroel to negotiate with anyone prepared to resolve the draft crisis, no political agreement will be reached without the approval of the Gedolei HaTorah, led by Rav Dov Landau.

A senior UTJ official told Kikar HaShabbat that the party’s willingness to engage with political opponents should not be interpreted as a willingness to compromise on fundamental religious principles.

“We have unequivocal instructions from the Gedolei Yisroel to negotiate with anyone who agrees to regulate the status of yeshiva students, and that is what we will do,” the official said.

The coming days, he explained, will provide an important indication of whether the opposition parties are genuinely prepared to reach an agreement that would protect yeshiva bochurim from military conscription and the accompanying sanctions.

However, he stressed that resolving the draft issue would be only one condition for chareidi participation in a new coalition. Any government seeking UTJ’s support would also have to commit to maintaining existing arrangements governing religious affairs.

“Clearly, the draft law is the central issue,” the official said. “But there is absolutely no question that any cooperation on our part with any political party will require full preservation of the status quo on all matters of religion and state. Anyone who thinks we will receive a draft law and agree to compromise on other issues is mistaken and misleading others. We will not agree to any changes in these matters, from Shabbos and kashrus to giyur.”

The declaration follows reports of preliminary contacts between Lieberman and representatives of the chareidi parties concerning a possible coalition arrangement. According to those reports, discussions have included proposals to halt arrests of yeshiva bochurim classified as draft evaders and establish a committee to reconsider Israel’s military service framework.

The possibility of cooperation with Lieberman, who has long been a fierce political opponent of the chareidi parties, has generated considerable discussion within the Israeli political establishment.

Against that backdrop, a senior Degel HaTorah figure issued an especially forceful warning to anyone anticipating concessions on religious matters under a government supported by Rav Dov Landau.

“Anyone dreaming of compromises on religion and state does not know Maran Rav Dov Landau,” the official declared.

“A government established by his decision will not change anything, anything! It will have to demonstrate far greater loyalty than Netanyahu’s government.”

The remarks were intended to dispel suggestions that the chareidi parties might be prepared to trade concessions on religious legislation or public policy in exchange for an arrangement exempting yeshiva bochurim from military service.

UTJ chairman MK Yaakov Asher has similarly emphasized that political negotiations will remain entirely subordinate to the decisions of the Gedolei Yisroel.

“Of course, every proposal will first be brought before the decision of the ‘mechutanim’ — the Gedolei Hador, shlita,” Asher wrote in recent days.

Despite the increased political activity, senior UTJ officials are cautioning that a breakthrough is unlikely in the immediate future. The negotiations involve complicated political and ideological differences, and the parties remain far apart on several important questions.

“This will take time, perhaps a long time,” the senior official said.

He also expressed doubt that a binding agreement could be reached while Gadi Eisenkot holds the presidential mandate to form the next government.

“It is doubtful whether any agreement will be reached while the mandate is in Gadi Eisenkot’s hands,” he said.

The official further rejected attempts to classify UTJ as belonging to either Netanyahu’s bloc or the opposition’s Change Bloc, insisting that the party’s political decisions are guided exclusively by the interests of the Torah community.

“We are not part of the ‘Netanyahu bloc,’ but it is important to clarify that we are also not part of the ‘Change Bloc.’ We are only one bloc: the bloc of those who learn Torah, and that is our only mission — to regulate the status of yeshiva students.”

{Matzav.com}

How much do we really know about the kashrus of the food we eat every day? Behind the familiar hechsherim on our groceries, the ingredients in our kitchens, and the food served at simchos lies an extraordinarily complex world of halachic questions, practical challenges, industry standards, and fascinating realities that most consumers rarely have an opportunity to explore.

Now, the Kashrus Awareness Project is making that world more accessible than ever with the release of a special USB collection featuring all 160 episodes of its popular “Let’s Talk Kashrus” series.

The collection brings together the entire series in one convenient format, allowing listeners to explore an extensive library of discussions covering the principles and practical applications of kashrus, all without the need to search for individual episodes or rely on an internet connection.

What distinguishes “Let’s Talk Kashrus” is its approach to understanding the subject from multiple perspectives. Rather than limiting its discussions to theoretical halachic questions, the series brings listeners directly into the realities of the kashrus world, combining the guidance of leading poskim and dayanim with the firsthand knowledge of professionals who encounter these issues every day.

The interviews feature individuals from across the spectrum of kashrus supervision and food preparation, including mashgichim, caterers, party planners, and specialists familiar with the intricate workings of their respective industries. Together, they offer a clearer understanding of the facts, the varied minhagim, and the practical considerations that shape the decisions made by rabbonim and kashrus professionals.

The result is a collection that goes beyond explaining what is permitted and what is prohibited. It provides listeners with an opportunity to understand why particular standards exist, how halachic principles are applied in real-world situations, and what actually takes place behind the scenes to ensure the kashrus of the food reaching Jewish homes and institutions.

For those who have followed the series from its earliest episodes, the new USB offers a convenient way to revisit previous discussions and build a personal reference library. For newcomers, it provides an opportunity to discover the full breadth of the project and explore subjects they may never have considered.

The 160-episode collection is especially valuable for families, yeshiva bochurim, avreichim, educators, and anyone interested in developing a deeper appreciation for the halachos and practical realities of kashrus.

Hosted by Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger, “Let’s Talk Kashrus” has become a valuable educational resource for consumers seeking to become more knowledgeable and informed about the food they eat. Its discussions have explored everything from food preparation and commercial kashrus supervision to modern kitchen appliances, food delivery, travel, and the questions that arise in homes, schools, and simcha halls.

The complete 160-episode mega USB is now available at BMG, local Judaica stores, and online at Torah2GoUSBs.com.

For additional information about the Kashrus Awareness Project and its growing collection of educational resources, visit www.KashrusAwareness.com or call 678-8KASHRUS (678-852-7478).

Israeli police launched a sweeping nationwide operation early Monday morning, deploying approximately 500 officers and special forces personnel in coordinated raids against organized crime networks accused of extorting millions of shekels from construction contractors and business owners.

The operation, dubbed “Shadow Guardians,” resulted in the arrest of at least 50 suspects, including a sitting local council chairman in northern Israel and a suspected leader of a major criminal organization. The raids followed an extensive 10-month undercover investigation into protection rackets operating across northern and central Israel.

The investigation was conducted by the Israel Police Coastal District’s Central Investigations Unit, working alongside Lahav 433’s specialized anti-extortion investigators and the State Attorney’s Office. Authorities examined approximately 15 separate cases involving contractors allegedly forced to pay criminal organizations for fraudulent security services.

According to investigators, the suspects approached construction companies and demanded that they hire security firms controlled by the criminal networks. Contractors were told that the payments were necessary to protect their construction sites, equipment and property from vandalism, theft and other criminal activity.

In many cases, however, police believe the supposed security services were entirely fictitious. No guards were stationed at the properties, no patrols were conducted, and no surveillance equipment was installed. Instead, investigators suspect that the individuals collecting the payments were themselves responsible for threatening the businesses.

Contractors were allegedly forced to pay between 8,000 and 15,000 shekels per month for each construction site, with some companies making payments for multiple properties simultaneously.

Police said the extortion schemes had serious financial consequences extending beyond the contractors themselves. Investigators estimated that the additional expenses imposed on construction companies ultimately increased the cost of individual apartments by as much as 100,000 to 200,000 shekels, as developers passed the payments along to homebuyers.

The investigation also uncovered suspected incidents of arson and theft at construction sites where contractors allegedly refused to comply with the payment demands.

Among those arrested was a northern local council chairman suspected of operating a security company that provided financial cover for the extortion activities. The official, a former police officer, previously received a police commendation for his actions during a dangerous incident involving a booby-trapped vehicle in 2002.

Investigators also targeted suspects associated with several prominent criminal organizations, including the Abu Latif, Khaldi, Hamdoun, Hariri and Sawaed networks.

Police officials said one of the most significant aspects of the investigation was the willingness of contractors to cooperate with authorities despite concerns about retaliation.

That cooperation enabled investigators to document alleged criminal activity, trace payments and gather evidence during the months-long undercover operation.

The coordinated raids began overnight Sunday into Monday, with police and Border Police units simultaneously entering dozens of locations throughout the country. Specialized units were deployed to apprehend suspects and search properties associated with the alleged criminal networks.

Authorities said the investigation had exposed how protection rackets provided a steady stream of income for organized crime groups, enabling them to finance additional criminal activities and expand their influence over legitimate businesses.

The suspects were taken for questioning at police facilities operated by the Coastal District and Lahav 433. Because of the unusually large number of detainees, arrangements were made for two judges at the Haifa Magistrate’s Court to hear police requests to extend their detention.

Attorneys representing one of the suspected criminal organization leaders denied their client’s involvement, maintaining that he was innocent and expressing confidence that the court would reject the allegations against him.

Police emphasized that Monday’s arrests represent a major effort to dismantle the financial infrastructure supporting organized crime, particularly in the construction industry, where contractors have long complained about intimidation and demands for protection payments.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests or charges may follow as authorities examine the evidence collected during the raids.

A United Airlines flight carrying 230 passengers and 13 crew members from Tel Aviv to Newark was forced to make an emergency landing in Athens early Monday morning after an unusual burning smell was detected inside the aircraft, raising concerns about a possible fire or technical malfunction.

United Airlines Flight UA168 departed Ben Gurion Airport shortly before 1 a.m. Israel time aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, bound for Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Approximately 90 minutes into the transatlantic journey, while flying over the Mediterranean, the crew detected an unexplained odor resembling smoke.

The pilots declared an emergency and diverted the aircraft to Athens International Airport in Greece rather than continue the lengthy flight across Europe and the Atlantic Ocean.

According to aviation reports, the aircraft transmitted the international emergency code 7700, alerting air traffic controllers to the situation. The plane descended from its cruising altitude and maneuvered toward Athens, where emergency crews and firefighting vehicles were positioned as a precaution.

The aircraft landed safely shortly before 3 a.m. local time. All 243 people aboard disembarked without incident, and no injuries were reported.

United Airlines confirmed the diversion in a statement.

“United flight 168 from Tel Aviv to Newark diverted to Athens and landed safely to address an odor in the cabin. Passengers deplaned normally, and we are arranging for a different aircraft to take them to Newark.”

Initial reports suggested that the odor might have been associated with an electrical malfunction, although the airline has not identified the source of the smell. An inspection found no evidence of an actual fire aboard the aircraft, but the plane was referred for additional maintenance checks.

Some aviation reports indicated that the aircraft may have released fuel before landing to reduce its weight, a procedure sometimes used when a long-distance flight must land shortly after departure. However, that detail has not been independently confirmed by United Airlines.

The unexpected diversion disrupted travel plans for passengers heading to the New York metropolitan area, including those connecting through Newark to other destinations.

United said it was working to arrange alternative transportation to Newark. The airline had not provided a confirmed departure time for a replacement aircraft in its initial statement.

The incident marks another disruption involving United’s Tel Aviv–Newark service. On September 25, a different United aircraft operating the same route was diverted to Athens. No connection between the two incidents has been established.

The aircraft involved in Monday’s emergency remained in Athens for inspection as investigators and maintenance personnel worked to determine what caused the unusual odor.

United has not reported any injuries or confirmed that a fire occurred aboard the flight.

A sharply worded editorial published Monday in Hamodia, the newspaper affiliated with Gerer Chassidus, signals that United Torah Judaism is prepared to consider supporting a government outside Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s traditional right-wing bloc, provided it receives binding guarantees protecting the status of yeshiva bochurim and ending the sanctions imposed on the Torah community.

The editorial explains the reasoning behind UTJ’s unprecedented decision not to recommend any candidate for prime minister during consultations with President Yitzchak Herzog, making clear that the party’s position is driven by the increasingly urgent crisis surrounding the draft of yeshiva bochurim.

According to Hamodia, the chareidi representatives have adopted a firm policy under which political support will be extended only to a candidate capable of delivering an actual resolution to the difficulties facing the olam haTorah.

The newspaper stresses that the decision to withhold a recommendation was deliberate and reflected a fundamental change in the party’s approach to coalition negotiations. UTJ, it explains, is no longer prepared to rely on political promises that may ultimately prove unenforceable.

In particularly pointed language, the editorial declares that written coalition agreements, even when formally signed, are no longer sufficient. Previous commitments have failed to produce the necessary protections, and the chareidi parties will now insist upon meaningful guarantees before agreeing to help establish a government.

The message represents a significant departure from the longstanding political alignment between the chareidi parties and Netanyahu’s right-wing allies. Rather than treating membership in the so-called religious bloc as an overriding consideration, the editorial places the immediate welfare of yeshiva bochurim and avreichim at the center of every political calculation.

The article also takes direct aim at right-wing politicians and commentators who have been pressuring the chareidi parties not to entertain cooperation with the opposition.

According to Hamodia, appeals to ideological loyalty and warnings against abandoning the right-wing camp do nothing to address the actual hardships confronting the chareidi public.

The newspaper argues that lectures about remaining loyal to the religious bloc will not secure the release of a single imprisoned yeshiva bochur, restore financial stability to a yeshiva or kollel, or resolve the mounting difficulties faced by chareidi families.

It further points to the consequences of government restrictions and sanctions, including difficulties obtaining daycare assistance, limitations affecting travel abroad and continuing discrimination against the chareidi community.

The editorial maintains that these are not abstract political disputes but serious problems affecting the daily lives of thousands of families. The party’s responsibility, it argues, is to obtain concrete relief rather than accept declarations of solidarity from political allies who have been unable to deliver results.

The newspaper’s position is being interpreted as a clear indication that UTJ is leaving open the possibility of joining a government led by members of the opposition, including figures who have previously been regarded as political adversaries of the chareidi parties.

The development comes amid reports of contacts between Yisroel Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman and chareidi political representatives concerning possible cooperation in forming a new governing coalition.

According to those reports, preliminary understandings have been discussed that could include an immediate halt to arrests of yeshiva bochurim classified as draft evaders and the establishment of a committee to reconsider Israel’s military service arrangements.

Reports published Sunday night provided further details of the possible arrangement, including proposals to give UTJ control of the Housing and Interior Ministries. UTJ chairman Yaakov Asher was reportedly being considered for the housing portfolio, while the Interior Ministry could go to a representative associated with Degel HaTorah.

However, Lieberman’s office strongly denied the reports, dismissing the claims as false. Lieberman has also insisted that any legislation addressing military service must withstand scrutiny by Israel’s Supreme Court.

The reported negotiations have encountered resistance within the opposition itself. Democrats Party chairman Yair Golan publicly criticized the possibility of a government that would agree to halt the draft of chareidi yeshiva students, exposing disagreements among the parties seeking to replace Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, separate reports indicate that Shas is also examining the possibility of joining a coalition outside the traditional right-wing bloc, in coordination with UTJ and subject to the direction of the Gedolei HaTorah.

For now, no coalition agreement has been finalized, and the reported negotiations remain uncertain. But Monday’s Hamodia editorial makes one point unmistakably clear: UTJ is demanding enforceable protections for the olam haTorah before committing its support to any candidate for prime minister.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Qatar’s prime minister in Washington on Monday as diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with Iran continue amid warnings from senior American officials that a breakthrough remains unlikely in the immediate future.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani is expected to hold discussions with Trump and Vice President JD Vance as Doha attempts to narrow the differences between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program, American sanctions and the ongoing military confrontation.

The meeting comes after several rounds of indirect negotiations in which Qatar has served as a key intermediary between the United States and Iran. Despite public expressions of optimism from Qatari officials, significant disagreements remain over the conditions necessary to advance negotiations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cautioned that an agreement is not imminent, describing Iran’s demands as unrealistic and indicating that the administration remains unwilling to accept Tehran’s insistence on substantial economic concessions before meaningful nuclear negotiations begin.

Iran has demanded relief from American sanctions, an easing of the U.S. blockade affecting Iranian commerce and access to frozen financial assets. Iranian officials have also raised the issue of compensation for damage sustained during the conflict.

Washington, meanwhile, insists that any agreement must directly address Iran’s nuclear activities and establish restrictions capable of preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

The disagreement over which side must act first has repeatedly complicated the diplomatic process.

Qatar has nevertheless continued its mediation efforts, with Al-Thani recently expressing confidence that negotiations have made progress and that an agreement remains possible.

The Qatari leader has argued that both countries should concentrate on achievable terms rather than allow disagreements over a comprehensive settlement to prevent an initial understanding.

The diplomatic initiative comes at a sensitive moment for the Trump administration following last week’s midterm elections, in which Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress.

Trump has maintained that the United States is prepared to pursue a negotiated resolution but has also left open the possibility of additional military action if Tehran refuses to accept American conditions.

Israeli officials are closely monitoring the negotiations, given the potential implications of any agreement for Iran’s nuclear capabilities, missile program and ability to rebuild military infrastructure damaged during the conflict.

For Israel, a central concern is whether a future agreement would impose sufficiently strong restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities and prevent Tehran from using sanctions relief to restore its military capabilities.

The administration has not announced any agreement, and there is no indication that the two sides have resolved their fundamental differences.

Monday’s White House discussions are expected to focus on whether Qatar can identify a diplomatic formula acceptable to both Washington and Tehran without requiring either side to abandon its principal demands.

Trump has also indicated that he sees no immediate reason to escalate the war if diplomacy can produce an acceptable agreement, while warning that the United States has identified additional Iranian infrastructure targets should military operations resume.

According to a newly reported proposal being discussed by regional mediators, Washington would first lift its naval blockade and release some frozen Iranian funds. Tehran would then invite international nuclear inspectors to damaged nuclear facilities, followed by the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of broader nuclear negotiations. The proposal remains under discussion and has not been accepted by Washington.

[Video below.] Sen. Bernie Sanders is warning Democrats against turning their newly won congressional majorities into a nonstop campaign of investigations against President Donald Trump, arguing that the party risks squandering its election victory unless it concentrates on lowering living expenses and improving conditions for working Americans.

Appearing Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the Vermont independent said Democrats should investigate allegations of wrongdoing by administration officials but must resist allowing those investigations to dominate their agenda when voters are demanding relief from soaring housing, healthcare and everyday expenses.

Host Kristen Welker asked Sanders whether two years of congressional investigations could undermine the party’s promise to address affordability. The senator agreed that it was a serious concern.

“Yes, I do.”

“Do we want to hold the Trump administration accountable for their corruption, for their illegal, unconstitutional actions? Absolutely,” Sanders said.

But he cautioned that Democrats would be making a major mistake if they treated investigating the president as their principal responsibility.

“At the end of the day, when you’ve got the highest rate of childhood poverty in America, of any major country, when 20% of our seniors are trying to survive on $15,000 a year, when people are scared to death that Elon Musk and the other billionaires are pushing AI down our throats with cataclysmic impacts on the economy, our privacy rights, on our health, and — and imposing an existential threat to humanity, we cannot spend all of our time investigating Trump,” he said.

“We’ve got to stand up for working-class families, make a real difference in their lives,” Sanders continued.

The comments came as Democrats celebrated their midterm victories, which gave them control of both the House and Senate beginning in January. Throughout the campaign, Democratic candidates emphasized the financial pressures facing American households, blaming Trump’s tariffs and the war with Iran for worsening inflation and pushing energy costs higher.

According to AAA figures cited Sunday, the nationwide average gasoline price had climbed to $4.02 per gallon, nearly a dollar above its level a year earlier. The increase became a major campaign issue as voters expressed frustration over the cost of groceries, transportation, housing and medical care.

Despite that economic message, several prominent Democrats have already announced plans for extensive investigations once the new Congress convenes.

Rep. Robert Garcia of California, who is expected to lead the House Oversight Committee, indicated Sunday that the panel could examine Trump’s presidential pardons and scrutinize senior administration figures and allies, including Elon Musk and White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

Garcia had already signaled an aggressive approach following the election, declaring that Democrats were “ready to take on the crooks, the con men, and the Trump crime family.”

“Lawyer up,” he added.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, widely expected to become the next speaker, similarly pledged that his party would pursue investigations of alleged misconduct within the administration.

Jeffries said Democrats are “going to bring accountability to those who have visited unprecedented corruption on this country.”

“Because if you have people in high office who are so focused on enriching themselves, their family members, their friends or their donors, then they’re not focused on making life better for the American people. But House Democrats will put the American people first,” he continued.

Sanders, however, argued that Democrats should interpret their election victory as a demand for sweeping economic changes rather than merely an opportunity to confront Trump.

“What I think this election was about, is the American people not only expressing disgust with Trump and his policies, but are demanding real change, no more tinkering around the edges,” said Sanders. “And what the American people are saying: ‘Look, we are working long hours. We’re worried about our kids. We can’t afford healthcare. We can’t afford housing. Meanwhile, the wealthiest people in America have never, ever had it so good.’ And right now is the moment where the Democrats have got to stand up to big money, create an economy and a government that works for all of us,” Sanders said.

The Vermont senator also suggested that Democrats should pursue ambitious healthcare legislation, including his longstanding proposal for Medicare for All, rather than confining their efforts to congressional oversight hearings. He called for moving forward with the legislation during the first year of Democratic control, although the proposal faces significant political obstacles.

Sanders also offered an unusual assessment of Trump, criticizing the president’s temperament while suggesting that the two sides might nevertheless find common ground on raising the federal minimum wage and expanding healthcare coverage.

“Trump is many things. I personally believe he is mentally unbalanced, erratic, but he’s not stupid, and he is a good politician. And I think, when Trump looks out in the world and he sees millions of people working for starvation wages, he might not be unsympathetic to raising the minimum wage to a living wage. He would love, I think, to take credit for doing what every other major country does, guaranteeing healthcare to all people. Do I think we can work with Trump? Maybe. I’m, by no means, guaranteeing it. But it is certainly worth the effort,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

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An extraordinary scene unfolded this past Shabbos, Parshas Chayei Sarah, at the bais medrash of the Kretchnifer Rebbe of Yerushalayim, where dozens of bochurim awaiting their shidduchim received aliyos to the Torah as part of a longstanding segulah passed down from the Rebbe’s father, the previous Kretchnifer Rebbe, Rav Tzvi Hirsch zt”l.

The special minhag, which has become an eagerly anticipated occasion among the chassidim, is rooted in the significance of Parshas Chayei Sarah, which recounts the search for a wife for Yitzchok Avinu and the eventual shidduch with Rivkah Imeinu.

The tradition was established by the previous Rebbe, affectionately known as Reb Hershele, who would arrange for older bochurim seeking their zivugim to receive aliyos during the reading of Parshas Chayei Sarah. The aliyos would extend from the beginning of the parsha until the posuk “Vatomer eileich,” in the fifth aliyah, when Rivkah Imeinu declares her willingness to accompany Eliezer and marry Yitzchok Avinu.

The minhag is based on the concept of “krias haTorah me’oreres es hazeman,” that the reading of the Torah awakens the spiritual influence associated with the events being recounted, bringing a special opportunity for yeshuos in the area of shidduchim.

The custom has a particularly meaningful history within the Kretchnifer Rebbe’s own family.

The previous Rebbe first practiced the segulah when his eldest son, the current Kretchnifer Rebbe of Yerushalayim, was himself a bochur of marriageable age. His father called him to the Torah during Parshas Chayei Sarah, with the aliyah concluding at the words “Vatomer eileich.”

A short time afterward, the young bochur became a chosson.

Approximately four years ago, in 5783, the minhag was renewed on a broader scale when six bochurim from the chassidus received aliyos in the Rebbe’s bais medrash. According to members of the chassidus, all six subsequently became chassanim during that year, an outcome regarded by the chassidim as a remarkable demonstration of the segulah.

This past Shabbos, dozens of bochurim hoping for their own yeshuah gathered to participate in the special kriyas haTorah.

During the regular leining in the main bais medrash, the Rebbe, who personally serves as the baal korei, divided the reading leading up to the fifth aliyah into two portions, allowing two of his grandsons who are of shidduch age to receive aliyos.

Following Birchas Hachodesh, the Rebbe proceeded to an adjoining shtiebel, where an additional minyan had assembled for kriyas haTorah.

There, the Rebbe once again served as baal korei, dividing the parsha into numerous aliyos so that every bochur awaiting his shidduch could be called to the Torah.

The special leining continued until all the participating bochurim had received their aliyos. The Rebbe then returned to the main bais medrash for Mussaf.

Following davening, a kiddusha rabba was held, during which the Rebbe addressed the assembled chassidim with warm words concerning the importance of shidduchim and the tremendous zechus of establishing a Jewish home.

The Rebbe bestowed heartfelt brachos upon the bochurim, wishing each of them the zechus to find his zivug hagun speedily and to establish a bayis ne’eman b’Yisroel founded upon Torah, yiras Shomayim, and the traditions of chassidus.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump acknowledged Sunday that Vice President JD Vance was largely correct in blaming the war with Iran for Republicans’ devastating midterm election losses, but insisted that preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons was more important than the political consequences of losing control of Congress.

Speaking with Ross Douthat during an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Trump addressed Vance’s unusually candid assessment of the Republican defeat, which the vice president attributed to the prolonged conflict with Iran, rising living expenses and growing dissatisfaction with America’s relationship with Israel.

“I don’t disagree with it,” Trump said during a CBS 60 Minutes interview.

The president revealed that Vance had consulted him before publishing his criticism on X, indicating that the vice president had not blindsided the White House with his remarks.

“He asked me what do I think,” Trump said.

“I said, ‘You write what you want. By the way, what are you going to write?’”

Trump said his principal disagreement concerned what Vance had left unanswered: whether the administration should have launched the military campaign against Iran in the first place, knowing the political damage that would follow.

“The only thing I wish he would’ve said there, if he felt it,” Trump said.

The president made clear that he would authorize the operation again, maintaining that the threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran outweighed the electoral consequences.

“My answer is an emphatic yes, because you can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.

Trump acknowledged that the decision had damaged his party’s immediate political prospects but argued that its historical significance would ultimately outweigh the short-term backlash.

“I think, historically, this will be a very good decision. Is it a good decision for today and tomorrow? Maybe not,” he said.

“I have to go with what’s right for our country. If they had a nuclear weapon during my term, I would be excoriated far worse than what’s happened.”

The exchange followed a disastrous election for Republicans, who lost control of both the House and Senate as Democrats captured at least seven Senate seats and more than two dozen House districts. The defeats included races in traditionally Republican territory, raising questions about the administration’s political standing and the direction of the GOP ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

Vance had offered his assessment Wednesday, arguing that Republican leaders needed to confront the central reason voters had abandoned the party rather than attribute the losses primarily to turnout or campaign strategy.

“The real reason we lost is obvious to almost everyone,” Vance wrote on X. “The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night.”

The vice president pointed to polling suggesting that many Americans who supported Trump in 2024 had switched to Democratic candidates because of frustration over the Iran conflict, inflation, the cost of living and Washington’s relationship with Israel.

He also challenged fellow Republicans to acknowledge the political price of the war, even if they believed the military campaign had been justified.

“If you’d like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so,” Vance said. “Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that’s at least honest. But everyone knows why we lost.”

The conflict, which began in late February, has continued for more than eight months despite initial expectations of a much shorter campaign. The fighting has driven up energy prices, adding pressure to American households already struggling with inflation.

Earlier in the week, Trump similarly acknowledged that the war had contributed to the Republican defeat by temporarily pushing gasoline prices higher. He nevertheless maintained that military action was necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

In his CBS interview, Trump also cited his own absence from the ballot, dissatisfaction with some Republican candidates and weaknesses in the party’s economic messaging as contributing factors in the losses.

Despite Vance’s pointed criticism of the administration’s handling of the war and its political consequences, Trump made clear that he did not regard the vice president’s assessment as a personal challenge, while remaining unwavering in his defense of the decision to attack Iran.

The New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center has hosted the gala banquet of the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries for years now, and every year the room has somehow found more space.

This year it quite nearly ran out. Some 6,500 shluchim and their guests filled the 150,000-square-foot hall to capacity on Sunday afternoon. Tables pressed to the walls, the mood in the hall was one of joy, celebration and responsibility, as the frontier keeps moving forward.

The banquet closed out the 43rd International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries, the Kinnus Hashluchim, the culmination of five days of workshops and study, prayer and reunion, that drew Chabad emissaries from more than 100 countries and every U.S. state.

The following photos of the event are courtesy of COLlive.com photographers Itzik Roytman, Mendy Krief, Yossi Jerufi, Tzvi Levenhartz and Shalom Ross, providing extensive coverage of the banquet.

VIDEO:

PHOTOS:

[Video below.] President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his administration may have gone too far in deporting illegal immigrants who were employed and had no other criminal offenses, suggesting that the aggressive enforcement policy may have contributed to Republican losses in last week’s midterm elections.

During an interview with Ross Douthat on CBS’s “60 Minutes” that aired Sunday evening, Trump defended his record on border security and removing criminal illegal immigrants but conceded that deportations involving longtime workers had generated political opposition.

“I think it might be too tough, yeah,” Trump told Ross Douthat.

The admission followed a difficult election for Republicans, who lost their congressional majorities to Democrats, prompting renewed debate over the administration’s immigration policies and their impact on voters.

When asked what legislation he would be interested in pursuing with the incoming Democratic majority, Trump identified immigration as an area where he would welcome action.

“I’d love to do something on immigration,” he said.

Douthat subsequently questioned whether the administration’s enforcement measures had damaged Republican candidates at the polls. Trump said the policy had produced both political benefits and drawbacks.

“I think it both helped and hurt,” Trump responded. “I think I got an A+ for closing up the border. I get very high marks for getting the bad ones out.”

Trump then acknowledged that the removal of immigrants whose only offense was entering the United States illegally had drawn criticism, particularly when those individuals were otherwise productive members of the workforce.

“But I get hurt because we also took people that had good jobs, that created one violation, or breaking of the law, and that was that they came into the country illegally,” Trump said.

The president said Americans remain divided over how to handle illegal immigrants who have established themselves in the country, maintained employment and, in some instances, paid taxes.

“Now, there is a large part of the country that think that they should be put out,” Trump said.

“And there’s a large part of the country that think that they should be allowed to stay if they’re good people working in a landscaping company, or workin’ in a hotel, or doing something, right? And in some cases, paying taxes.”

Trump’s comments reflected a distinction between deporting immigrants with criminal records and removing individuals who entered the country illegally but have since maintained steady employment.

When Douthat asked directly whether the administration had pursued deportations too aggressively, Trump offered a brief acknowledgment.

“Too tough,” he said.

Pressed again on whether his immigration policy had been excessively harsh, the president reiterated his assessment.

“I think it might be too tough, yeah.”

Although Trump suggested that some enforcement decisions had gone further than necessary, he did not announce any changes to deportation procedures or propose suspending removals.

His remarks nevertheless represented a notable change in emphasis from the sweeping immigration enforcement promises that helped define his 2024 presidential campaign.

In additional remarks during the interview, Trump indicated that he believed a bipartisan immigration agreement was possible, including discussions about some form of legal status for certain undocumented workers. He cited hotel employees and other workers who had spent years in the United States as examples of people whose deportations had raised concerns.

The president’s comments came amid evidence of voter dissatisfaction with his immigration crackdown. Exit polling cited by CBS News found that 58% of voters believed the administration’s immigration actions had gone too far, while Republicans suffered particularly significant losses in heavily Latino areas that had supported Trump in 2024.

Trump’s willingness to discuss a compromise comes as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress, although his administration has not announced a change in immigration enforcement policy.
WATCH:

{Matzav.com}