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A moving and intimate gathering was held Tuesday to mark the publication of a new sefer containing the handwritten Torah commentary of Hagaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l, bringing to light another portion of the extraordinary Torah legacy he left behind.

The new sefer, titled Medrash Avraham Im Biur Ohel Avraham, is a collection of Midrashei Chazal relating to the life of Avraham Avinu, beginning with his birth and continuing through his petirah. The work includes a special commentary written by Rav Chaim himself, offering explanations and insights into the various Midrashim.

The publication was celebrated at a small gathering attended by several of Rav Chaim’s closest talmidim and associates, together with the benefactor who sponsored the first edition.

The project was undertaken by Rav Chaim’s son, Rav Avrohom Yeshayahu Kanievsky, rosh kollel of Orchos Yosher, who has devoted considerable effort to preparing and publishing his father’s Torah writings.

Rav Avrohom Yeshayahu had previously overseen the publication of several of his father’s works on the Megillos and various Midrashei Chazal, including volumes that were released during Rav Chaim’s lifetime.

The newly published sefer represents the culmination of a project that began in 5777 (2017), when Rav Chaim wrote his commentary on a collection of Midrashim that had been assembled according to his specific instructions and guidance.

The work is the latest in a series of seforim devoted to Midrashic teachings, including Medrash Noach, Sefer HaBahir, and other volumes.

The publication of Medrash Avraham required approximately two years of painstaking work to organize and prepare Rav Chaim’s writings for publication.

At Tuesday’s gathering, Rav Avrohom Yeshayahu spoke about the significance of completing the project and the special joy his father had always experienced whenever another sefer of Torah was brought to print.

He expressed his conviction that Rav Chaim was rejoicing in Gan Eden over the publication of the new work, just as he had rejoiced during his lifetime whenever another of his seforim was published.

“Father is rejoicing and happy in Gan Eden,” he said, describing the completion of the sefer as a continuation of his father’s lifelong dedication to Torah learning and the dissemination of Torah.

Among those participating in the gathering were Rav Yeshayahu Epstein and Rav Yitzchok Ohev Tzion.

Also in attendance was Rav Avrohom Moyal, rov of the Eish Hachaim community in New York, a close associate of Rav Chaim who sponsored the first edition of the new sefer.

Rav Moyal and Rav Ohev Tzion addressed the gathering, sharing personal recollections of Rav Chaim and describing his extraordinary dedication to writing and publishing Torah works.

Their remarks recalled Rav Chaim’s lifelong commitment to preserving, explaining, and making accessible the teachings of Chazal, an undertaking that occupied a central place in his daily avodas hakodesh.

Rav Chaim, whose extraordinary mastery of Torah earned him the title Sar HaTorah, authored numerous seforim covering a vast range of Torah subjects. His writings continue to be studied throughout the Torah world, and the publication of previously unpublished material has remained an important undertaking for his family and talmidim since his petirah.

The new volume offers readers an opportunity to study Rav Chaim’s explanations of the Midrashim concerning Avraham Avinu, prepared from the commentary he wrote in his own handwriting.

{Matzav.com}

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul had barely secured a decisive re-election victory Tuesday night before the Democratic Socialists of America and other progressive organizations began demanding that she embrace higher taxes on wealthy residents, setting up a potentially contentious battle over the direction of state government during her second full term.

Hochul defeated Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman by approximately 20 percentage points, a dramatic improvement over her narrow six-point victory against Lee Zeldin in 2022. But the landslide immediately emboldened the Democratic Party’s socialist wing, which is demanding tax increases, expanded government-funded childcare, higher minimum wages, and additional social programs.

The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which elected a record number of members to the state Legislature, is preparing to press Hochul to adopt its economic agenda when lawmakers return to Albany.

“I’m hopeful that Hochul has seen the energy, the excitement that can come from the masses of people who want and deserve a better government, and she takes those lessons and brings them to Albany, and is braver than she has been in past years in terms of standing up for working class New Yorkers,” NYC-DSA co-chair Grace Mauser told The City Reporter on Wednesday.

The Working Families Party, which supported Hochul’s candidacy, is also demanding substantial changes to state tax policy. Jasmine Gripper, the organization’s co-executive director, indicated that the group intends to make higher taxes on wealthy New Yorkers a central demand during the upcoming budget negotiations.

“We will only accept a budget that is equitable and taxes the ultra-rich so that working families can thrive and children have what they need,” Gripper said.

Although Hochul appeared on the Working Families Party ballot line, the NYC-DSA refused to endorse her, accusing the governor of maintaining close relationships with wealthy donors while resisting progressive tax proposals. The organization also criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, after he endorsed Hochul in February.

The DSA accused Hochul of siding “with her billionaire donors while offering working class New Yorkers crumbs.”

Mamdani nevertheless campaigned alongside Hochul during the closing weeks of the election, urging his supporters to back her and praising the governor for becoming more receptive to progressive policies.

At the Democrats’ election-night gathering, Mamdani declared that Hochul “has embraced new ideas,” portraying their partnership as evidence that progressive priorities were gaining influence in Albany.

At a separate DSA celebration in Astoria, Queens, activists reportedly began chanting “tax the rich” after Hochul’s victory was announced.

Among those addressing the gathering was newly elected State Senator Aber Kawas, a Mamdani-backed DSA member who became the first Palestinian-American Muslim woman elected to the New York State Legislature.

Kawas told supporters, “we have always understood that people deserve universal healthcare, fast and free buses, and free education.”

“We have always been able to imagine that world. And this year, folks, is the year where we get to get into the fore and build that world together,” she said.

NYC-DSA co-chair Gustavo Gordillo also urged activists to capitalize on Democratic victories nationwide, declaring, “what comes next, it’s up to us, it’s up to all of you … 2028 is ours for the taking.”

Political analysts, however, cautioned against interpreting Hochul’s overwhelming victory as an endorsement of the socialist agenda. Several argued that her success resulted primarily from widespread dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and Blakeman’s close association with the president.

“Voters turned against the Republican Party,” said pollster Bradley Honan, who noted that Blakeman struggled with limited statewide recognition and was closely identified with Trump among voters who became familiar with him.

“Kathy Hochul benefited from the backlash.”

Political strategist O’Brien “O.B.” Murray similarly attributed the outcome to national political sentiment rather than an ideological shift toward socialism, saying Democrats “showed up like President Trump was on the ballot.”

“Unfortunately for Republicans, local issues were overshadowed by national issues, an affordability message that Democrats delivered to voters, and a President’s second term midterm,” Murray said.

Hochul’s victory was especially significant because she carried Nassau County, Blakeman’s home territory, while also posting substantial gains in New York City and other parts of the state. Democrats also expanded their legislative majorities, strengthening their ability to advance legislation in Albany.

The Working Families Party gained additional political leverage through New York’s fusion voting system, which allows candidates to appear on multiple party ballot lines. Unofficial returns showed more than 364,000 votes for Hochul on the Working Families Party line statewide, nearly 40% more than the approximately 261,000 votes the party received for her in 2022.

Lawrence Levy, dean of Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies, described the election as a major personal and political achievement for Hochul.

“This was a personal and political triumph for Governor Hochul, who established herself not only as the ultimate power broker in New York, but a force to be reckoned with even nationally,” Levy said.

Nevertheless, political observers expect the strengthened socialist faction to challenge Hochul aggressively over taxes and spending, potentially creating serious divisions within the Democratic Party.

“New York Socialists smell blood in the water. The state is going to have real activism,” said Ryan Adams, managing director at the consulting firm Actum. “With this kind of victory secured, expect a much more pronounced civil war among Dems.”

Hochul has previously resisted demands for broad tax increases, maintaining that her administration can fund its priorities without imposing additional burdens on taxpayers. During the final days of the campaign, she declined to commit to the tax hikes sought by Mamdani and his allies.

In a campaign appearance Saturday, Hochul said, “I can fund the programs that we want for healthcare and childcare and healthcare and continue the investments in infrastructure with the current budget that we have. I don’t believe in raising taxes just for the sake of raising taxes.”

Blakeman had repeatedly warned that Hochul would eventually yield to Mamdani’s demands, accusing her of concealing plans to increase taxes until after the election.

At a press conference Wednesday, Mamdani urged progressive activists to intensify their efforts following the Democratic victories.

“Foot on the gas. This is the moment where we are seeing people across this country vote for a politics that will mean something,” Mamdani said. “I think it’s a time for delivery.”

Asked whether he would now directly pressure Hochul to raise taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, the mayor avoided making an explicit commitment.

“I think what it does is show that the constituency that is fighting for working people is only growing, and we’re excited to grow that coalition every single day,” Mamdani said.

The immediate test will come during the next state budget negotiations, when Hochul must decide whether to accommodate the demands of the increasingly influential progressive faction or maintain her longstanding resistance to higher taxes.

{Matzav.com}

The Torah community of Or Akiva, Eretz Yisroel, is mourning the petirah of Rav Yitzchok Malul zt”l, one of the pioneering builders of Torah life in the city and a beloved marbitz Torah and baal chessed who devoted decades to bringing Yidden closer to Torah and mitzvos. He was 87 years old.

Rav Malul, who was niftar suddenly, was widely known and revered throughout Or Akiva, Chadera, and Zichron Yaakov for his exceptional dedication to harbotzas haTorah, chinuch, and chessed. Over the course of his life, he established Torah learning programs, brought hundreds of children closer to Yiddishkeit, delivered countless shiurim, and served as one of the region’s most experienced mohalim, performing brisos for thousands of Jewish children.

His petirah marks the loss of a remarkable talmid chochom whose life’s work helped transform the spiritual landscape of Or Akiva and its surrounding communities.

Rav Malul was born in Morocco, where he began his Torah education and developed the deep commitment to limud haTorah that would characterize his entire life. As a young bochur, he learned in a yeshiva in Marrakesh under Rav Eliezer Lopian zt”l.

While still a bochur, he made the journey to Eretz Yisroel on his own, leaving behind his family and familiar surroundings to continue his growth in Torah.

Upon arriving in Eretz Yisroel, he entered the renowned Lomza Yeshiva in Petach Tikvah, where he immersed himself in learning with extraordinary hasmadah.

Following his marriage, his uncle, Rav Menashe Malul zt”l, who was then the rov of Or Akiva, encouraged him to settle in the city and help strengthen Torah observance among its residents.

At the time, Or Akiva was still developing, and its Torah infrastructure was limited. Rav Malul accepted the challenge, dedicating himself to building a stronger foundation of Torah and yiras Shomayim in the community.

Rather than waiting for families to approach him, Rav Malul personally went from house to house, speaking with parents and encouraging them to provide their children with a Torah education.

His efforts were driven by a deep concern for the spiritual future of every Jewish child. He invested enormous time and energy in reaching families who had little exposure to Torah learning, patiently explaining the importance of chinuch and helping parents recognize the opportunities available to their children.

He subsequently established a special Torah educational program for children and teenagers, where he personally delivered shiurim and introduced young people to the beauty of Torah and mitzvos.

Through this undertaking, hundreds of children were brought closer to Torah observance, and Rav Malul became a central figure in the development of religious life in the city.

One particularly moving account, recalled by longtime residents of Or Akiva, illustrates the extraordinary mesirus nefesh with which he pursued his mission.

Approximately 45 years ago, the educational program operated in close cooperation with Rav Chaim Greineman zt”l, author of Chiddushim U’Biurim.

On one occasion, Rav Greineman arrived at the facility accompanied by a prominent donor, intending to show him the Torah learning taking place there.

When they reached the building, however, they discovered that the entrance was completely dark. Believing that nobody was inside, they were about to leave.

At the last moment, they decided to enter and investigate.

What they discovered left them astonished.

Inside the darkened building, rows of children were seated at their places, each with an open sefer before him and a small candle illuminating the pages.

It emerged that the facility’s electricity had been disconnected because of a lack of funds. But Rav Malul had refused to allow the financial setback to interrupt the children’s Torah learning.

Instead, he arranged for the children to continue their studies by candlelight.

The incident became an enduring illustration of Rav Malul’s determination to ensure that Torah learning would continue regardless of the obstacles.

Alongside his extensive work in chinuch and kiruv, Rav Malul maintained a demanding schedule of shiurim throughout Or Akiva.

He delivered Torah classes in local shuls every day and continued teaching on Shabbos, becoming a familiar and cherished presence among residents of the city.

His influence extended well beyond the formal classroom. Generations of families came to regard him as a spiritual guide, a source of encouragement, and a person to whom they could turn for assistance and advice.

Rav Malul was also renowned for his work as a mohel. Regarded as the senior mohel in Or Akiva and the surrounding region, he performed brisos for thousands of Jewish children over the decades, approaching the mitzvah with tremendous dedication.

He also trained numerous avreichim in the practice of bris milah, ensuring that others would be equipped to continue this important mitzvah.

Throughout his life, Rav Malul was known for his humility and willingness to undertake difficult work without concern for personal honor. Whether visiting homes to encourage Torah education, teaching children under challenging conditions, or traveling to perform a bris, his focus remained on serving Klal Yisroel.

In his later years, he endured severe suffering, which he accepted with remarkable emunah, love, and quiet fortitude.

Rav Malul leaves behind a distinguished family of children, sons-in-law, and grandchildren who continue his legacy of Torah and avodas Hashem.

His sons are Rav Dovid Yosef Malul, one of the roshei yeshiva of Yeshivas Ohel Yosef in Modiin Illit; Rav Eliyahu Malul, a senior official in the administration of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate; and Rav Shimon Malul, a senior figure in the Yerushalayim kashrus system.

His sons-in-law include Rav Shaul Buskila, a community rov in Modiin Illit; Rav Shimon Monsonego, a prominent lecturer involved in kiruv; Rav Shimon Cohen, a ram at Yeshivas Halevi in Yerushalayim; Rav Yosef Shitrit, a respected avreich in Brachfeld; and Rav Nehorai Peretz, a respected avreich in Beit Shemesh.

His levayah took place Tuesday at the cemetery in Or Akiva, where a large crowd of local residents, talmidim, and others whose lives he had touched gathered to accompany him to his final resting place.

The outpouring of grief reflected the profound impact he had made on the community over many decades, particularly among families whose connection to Torah and mitzvos had been strengthened through his personal efforts.

The family is sitting shivah at the home of the niftar, 125 Rashi Street, Or Akiva.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Arab Joint List is expected to recommend Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, to President Isaac Herzog on Thursday as its preferred candidate to form the next government, while simultaneously presenting a series of demands in exchange for supporting efforts to replace Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.

According to a report Wednesday evening by Kan 11 News, the Joint List is preparing to endorse Eisenkot without attaching any preliminary conditions to its recommendation for prime minister. However, the party intends to demand significant parliamentary positions and policy commitments before agreeing to support the anti-Netanyahu bloc’s effort to install a new Knesset speaker.

The expected endorsement comes after the Ra’am party announced its support for Eisenkot, strengthening his position in the competition to secure the largest number of recommendations during President Herzog’s consultations with the newly elected Knesset factions.

Joint List representatives are scheduled to meet with Herzog on Thursday at 4:45 p.m. Israeli time. The party is expected to hold a final internal meeting Thursday morning before formally announcing its decision.

While the Joint List is reportedly prepared to recommend Eisenkot without conditions, its support for replacing Ohana would come at a substantial political price.

Among its central demands is the chairmanship of one of three influential Knesset committees: the Finance Committee, the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, or the Education Committee.

The Joint List is also seeking three seats on the Knesset Finance Committee, which plays a central role in overseeing government spending, budget legislation, and financial policy.

In addition, the party wants the establishment of a special parliamentary committee dedicated to advancing the interests of Israel’s Arab population, with the committee to be chaired by a representative of the Joint List.

The party’s demands extend beyond parliamentary appointments to several major policy initiatives.

According to the report, the Joint List is seeking approval of a new five-year government development plan for Arab communities, including a comprehensive program to address crime and violence.

The party is also demanding temporary legislation that would freeze the demolition of buildings, an issue that has long generated disputes between Arab political representatives and Israeli authorities over construction enforcement and unauthorized building.

The demands could complicate efforts by the anti-Netanyahu bloc to coordinate its parliamentary strategy, particularly as its leaders are already struggling to agree on who should replace Ohana as speaker.

The Joint List’s potential role in the effort became more apparent Tuesday, when Democrats chairman Yair Golan met with senior Joint List figures Yousef Jabareen and Ahmad Tibi.

The meeting was considered unusual because it marked the first reported direct meeting between a senior representative of the anti-Netanyahu bloc and leaders of the Arab faction during the current post-election negotiations.

During the discussions, Joint List representatives reportedly signaled their willingness to support the effort to replace Ohana, provided their demands are addressed.

Golan has emerged as the principal channel of communication between the anti-Netanyahu parties and the Arab factions, as the bloc attempts to coordinate parliamentary moves without creating additional internal disagreements.

The arrangement is particularly sensitive because leaders of the anti-Netanyahu bloc have agreed, at least for now, to avoid direct negotiations with Balad, one of the three parties comprising the Joint List.

Balad is expected to hold three seats in the next Knesset, making its participation an important factor in the broader political calculations.

The decision to maintain indirect contacts reflects the political difficulties facing the bloc as it seeks support from Arab lawmakers while attempting to preserve unity among parties with differing positions on cooperation with those factions.

The struggle over the Knesset speakership has become one of the first major tests of the emerging parliamentary balance following last week’s election.

Although leaders of the anti-Netanyahu bloc have agreed on the need to replace Ohana, disagreements remain over the identity of his successor, with Yair Lapid, Eisenkot, and Naftali Bennett’s party all figuring in the discussions.

The Joint List’s willingness to support the move could strengthen the bloc’s ability to replace Ohana, but its demands introduce another layer of negotiations involving parliamentary influence, government funding, and policy commitments.

For Eisenkot, the expected recommendation from the Joint List would represent another step toward securing the support needed to receive the presidential mandate to form a government.

However, a recommendation to the president does not necessarily translate into support for a governing coalition, and the Joint List’s reported demands concern a separate parliamentary effort to replace the Knesset speaker.

The United Nations General Assembly and Security Council elected five judges Wednesday to serve on the International Court of Justice in The Hague, prompting sharp criticism from Israel over the backgrounds of several of the incoming and returning jurists, including individuals who previously participated in legal proceedings against the Jewish state.

The five judges were elected to terms beginning in 2027 and continuing through 2036. Their appointments come at a particularly sensitive time for Israel, as the court continues to consider South Africa’s case accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention during its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Israeli officials expressed concern that several of the judges have previously taken legal or political positions critical of Israel, raising questions about their ability to approach pending cases with impartiality.

Among the most controversial selections is Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud of Jordan, who has served on the court since May 2025 and was elected to a new term.

Hmoud previously served as Jordan’s ambassador to the United Nations and as legal adviser to the Jordanian Foreign Ministry. During his diplomatic and legal career, he played a prominent role in Jordan’s participation in international proceedings concerning Israel.

He was involved in the 2004 proceedings before the International Court of Justice concerning Israel’s security barrier and in the legal proceedings that culminated in the court’s 2024 advisory opinion addressing Israel’s presence in Yehuda and Shomron and eastern Yerushalayim.

Hmoud also attracted criticism in Israel for remarks he made at the United Nations Security Council in late October 2023, just weeks after Hamas terrorists carried out the October 7 massacre.

During those discussions, he accused Israel of committing “war crimes” and “ethnic cleansing,” statements that Israeli officials now cite as evidence of his previously expressed positions concerning the Jewish state.

Two other judges elected Wednesday have also participated in international legal proceedings involving Israel.

Professor Dapo Akande of the United Kingdom, a prominent international law scholar at Oxford University, previously provided legal advice to Japan in connection with proceedings concerning the legal consequences of Israel’s policies in Yehuda and Shomron.

Professor Phoebe N. Okowa of Kenya, a professor at Queen Mary University of London who has served on the International Court of Justice since November 2025, advised Namibia in proceedings related to the same 2024 advisory opinion.

Both Akande and Okowa have extensive backgrounds in international law and have served on the United Nations International Law Commission, an expert body responsible for promoting the development and codification of international law.

Their previous involvement in legal proceedings concerning Israel has nevertheless generated concern among Israeli officials, who question whether those roles could create difficulties when the court considers future cases involving the Jewish state.

The remaining two judges elected Wednesday are François Alabrune of France and Rena Lee of Singapore.

Alabrune is a French diplomat and international legal expert with experience in major cases involving allegations of genocide, including proceedings brought by Ukraine against Russia and by The Gambia against Myanmar.

Lee is a Singaporean legal expert specializing in international negotiations and the law of the sea. She has held senior positions within Singapore’s legal and diplomatic establishment and has extensive experience in international legal matters.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, strongly criticized the election results, arguing that the professional backgrounds of some of the judges raise serious questions about judicial independence.

Danon said their previous activities were “troubling and raise questions,” particularly given the sensitive nature of the proceedings currently pending before the court.

He questioned how Israel could expect an impartial hearing from a judge who accused the country of grave international crimes only weeks after the October 7 massacre, or from a judge who had previously served as a legal adviser in proceedings challenging Israeli policies.

“The decision made today in the General Assembly,” Danon said, “is simply another example of the UN’s inherent bias against the State of Israel.”

The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, consists of 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and Security Council. Judges serve nine-year terms, with elections held periodically to fill positions on the bench.

The court hears legal disputes between countries and issues advisory opinions on questions of international law referred to it by authorized United Nations bodies.

Unlike the International Criminal Court, which prosecutes individuals accused of international crimes, the International Court of Justice considers disputes involving states.

The composition of the court has become especially consequential for Israel because of the ongoing proceedings initiated by South Africa in December 2023.

South Africa alleges that Israel violated the Genocide Convention through its military operations in Gaza following the October 7 attacks. Israel has rejected the allegations, maintaining that its military campaign was directed against Hamas terrorists and that it has acted in accordance with international law.

The court has issued provisional measures in the case, but it has not delivered a final ruling on South Africa’s central allegations.

The selection of the five judges comes as the proceedings remain unresolved, with the court’s future composition potentially influencing how the case and other matters involving Israel are considered.

Israeli officials are particularly concerned that judges who previously participated in legal efforts challenging Israeli policies may now be called upon to consider related questions from the bench.

Although the judges are required to act independently and impartially, Danon’s criticism reflects broader Israeli concerns about the treatment of the Jewish state within United Nations institutions and international legal bodies.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Video circulating on social media reportedly shows sweets being handed out to children in the Gaza Strip in celebration of the election of anti-Semitic Abdul El-Sayed, an outspoken critic of Israel who defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s closely watched U.S. Senate race on Tuesday.

The footage shows a man distributing candy to children in Gaza, with the individual who uploaded the video describing the gathering as a celebration of El-Sayed’s victory. The precise location, date, and circumstances surrounding the recording have not been independently verified, and it remains unclear how many people participated.

El-Sayed’s victory represents a historic development in American politics, making the 42-year-old Democrat the first Muslim elected to the United States Senate. He will succeed retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters.

The Michigan contest attracted national attention because of El-Sayed’s progressive political positions, his outspoken criticism of Israel and support of jihad, and the controversy surrounding his statements about the war in Gaza.

El-Sayed, the American-born son of Egyptian immigrants, has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights and has sharply criticized Israeli military operations. His positions on Israel became a central issue during the campaign, drawing opposition from Republicans and some members of his own party.

The controversy was particularly pronounced after Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed defeated in the primary, withdrew her support and endorsed Rogers in the general election.

Stevens, a strong supporter of Israel, said Wednesday that she did not regret her decision, explaining that she had initially hoped El-Sayed would moderate his positions but believed he had instead moved further in the opposite direction.

El-Sayed also faced criticism over his response to an attack on a synagogue and his association with controversial political commentator Hasan Piker. His critics argued that his statements and political alliances raised concerns about his approach to Israel and antisemitism.

President Donald Trump strongly opposed El-Sayed’s candidacy, publicly urging Michigan voters to support Rogers and accusing the Democrat of holding extreme views.

El-Sayed rejected those attacks, arguing that Republicans had sought to turn his religion and Egyptian heritage into political liabilities.

Following his victory, he told supporters in Detroit that voters had rejected the campaign against him and celebrated his election as a milestone for Muslim Americans.

In an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday, El-Sayed said Michigan voters had rejected what he described as “a hateful, spiteful campaign” that focused on his identity rather than the issues facing the state.

The reported celebration in Gaza comes amid broader reactions across the Middle East to the Democratic Party’s sweeping gains in the American midterm elections.

The Associated Press separately reported that some Palestinians in Gaza welcomed the election results, viewing the Republican losses as a rejection of Trump’s foreign policy, particularly his administration’s approach to the Middle East.

In Khan Younis, Gaza resident Abdel Kareem Al-Najjar expressed satisfaction with the Democratic victories, criticizing Trump’s policies and describing the results as a consequence of his administration’s actions.

In Israel, meanwhile, the election results have prompted concern among some residents about the implications for American support of the Jewish state, particularly as lawmakers critical of Israeli policy gain influence in Washington.

{Matzav.com}

A senior official in Israel’s Transportation Ministry was questioned Wednesday by the Lahav 433 police investigative unit as authorities expanded their investigation into alleged security failures involving Flydubai flights, according to a report by Channel 13 News.

The official, who holds a senior position in the ministry’s security division, was questioned on suspicion of a conflict of interest connected to the aviation security affair. The investigation is examining whether serious deficiencies in the oversight and operation of flight security arrangements developed over several years.

Police are also investigating possible improper relationships between officials responsible for aviation security and foreign airlines operating in Israel, raising questions about whether private business interests interfered with their professional responsibilities.

According to the report, investigators have broadened their inquiry in recent days and are preparing to question additional senior Transportation Ministry officials and others involved in managing and supervising aviation security operations.

Two additional individuals have emerged as subjects of the investigation.

Avri Cohen is expected to be questioned over allegations that he served as a security officer for the Israel Airports Authority without obtaining the required authorization. Investigators are examining whether his employment in that capacity violated applicable security requirements.

Another official, Dvir Rubinstein, who serves as director of the Aviation Security Operations Center, is expected to face questioning over suspected conflicts of interest.

In Rubinstein’s case, investigators are focusing on his connections with foreign airlines and his private business dealings with those companies. Police are examining whether those relationships created conflicts with his official duties or compromised his ability to properly supervise flight security arrangements.

The investigation has raised broader concerns about the effectiveness of the oversight mechanisms responsible for ensuring that aviation security personnel comply with professional standards and regulatory requirements.

Authorities are examining how the alleged irregularities were permitted to continue and whether officials responsible for monitoring the system failed to identify or address potential problems.

The case centers on security arrangements involving Flydubai, the Dubai-based airline that operates flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The reported investigation is focused on the conduct of Israeli officials and the security oversight system, rather than on allegations of wrongdoing by the airline itself.

Police are expected to continue collecting testimony and examining the activities of additional individuals as they attempt to determine the extent of the alleged security failures and establish who may bear responsibility.

No findings of criminal wrongdoing have been established against the individuals named in the report, and the allegations remain under investigation.

A kosher bakery in Montreal, Canada, sustained extensive damage early Wednesday morning after a fire tore through the building in what police believe was a deliberate arson attack, raising concerns that the establishment may have been targeted because of its Jewish identity.

Montreal police have launched an investigation into the incident, with the department’s hate crimes unit joining arson investigators to determine whether antisemitism played a role in the attack.

The fire broke out at approximately 12:30 a.m. Wednesday at a bakery located on Saint-Louis Street in Montreal’s Saint-Laurent borough. Emergency services received reports of flames engulfing the establishment, prompting a large response from police and firefighters.

By the time officers arrived, the building was already burning intensely. Approximately 60 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, battling the flames for nearly two hours before bringing the blaze under control.

The bakery suffered substantial damage, although the full extent of the destruction has not yet been determined.

According to Montreal police, evidence collected at the scene strongly suggests that the fire was intentionally set rather than caused by an accident.

Investigators are also examining a troubling connection to an earlier incident at the same location.

Police revealed that the bakery had been targeted Monday night at approximately 11:30 p.m., less than two days before Wednesday’s fire. That earlier incident reportedly caused no significant damage, but authorities are now investigating whether the two attacks were connected.

The fact that the same establishment was targeted on consecutive nights has heightened suspicions that the bakery was deliberately singled out.

Because the business is a kosher establishment, investigators are examining whether the suspected arson was motivated by antisemitism. However, police have not yet established a motive, and the incident has not been formally confirmed as a hate crime.

Montreal police have assigned both their arson division and hate crimes unit to the investigation. Detectives are working to identify those responsible and determine the circumstances surrounding both incidents.

As of Wednesday evening, no arrests had been announced, and authorities had not publicly identified any suspects.

The attack has raised fresh concerns about the security of Jewish businesses in Montreal, where the possibility of an antisemitic motive is being treated as a serious component of the investigation.

Police are continuing their investigation into the suspected arson and the earlier attack as they seek to establish who targeted the bakery and why.

{Matzav.com}

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York announced Wednesday that he is seeking to become the next speaker of the House of Representatives, moving to secure the chamber’s top leadership position following the Democratic Party’s victory in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Jeffries formally launched his candidacy in a letter circulated to Democratic lawmakers, asking for their support as the party prepares to take control of the House in the new Congress.

“I write to humbly request your support in connection with my candidacy to serve as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Jeffries wrote in the letter, which was obtained by Axios.

The New York Democrat argued that his party’s electoral success gives it a responsibility to pursue substantial changes in Washington and respond to voters’ concerns.

“We must now deliver the dramatic change the American people are demanding in the majority,” he wrote.

Jeffries, who entered Congress in 2013 after winning his first election in 2012, has led House Democrats since 2023, succeeding Nancy Pelosi in the party’s top leadership role after she stepped aside following the 2022 elections.

If elected speaker, Jeffries would become the first Black lawmaker in American history to hold the position.

In his appeal to colleagues, Jeffries promised that “every single member of our majority will play a meaningful role” in shaping the party’s legislative agenda.

He also outlined three priorities for the incoming Democratic majority, pledging to help lawmakers “act decisively in three key areas: (1) Affordability (2) Accountability and (3) American Values.”

Although Jeffries is widely regarded as the leading candidate for speaker, his election is not yet guaranteed.

Axios reported that several newly elected Democrats, including progressive lawmakers and representatives from districts that traditionally favor Republicans, have not committed to supporting him.

Nevertheless, Jeffries is expected to face limited resistance within the Democratic caucus. The party’s reported gains in Tuesday’s elections could also provide him with greater flexibility in securing the votes necessary to win the speakership.

The size of the Democratic victory may prove especially important in determining how much influence the party’s progressive wing can exercise over Jeffries. Some incoming left-wing lawmakers had hoped to use a narrow majority to demand votes on proposals involving healthcare, immigration enforcement, and restrictions on American aid to Israel. A larger Democratic majority would make it considerably more difficult for a small group to pressure party leadership.

Democrats are projected to hold a commanding majority, with some estimates placing their eventual total at approximately 255 seats. The party captured districts that had strongly supported President Trump, expanding its gains well beyond the competitive races that had initially been expected to determine control of the House.

Jeffries also received a public endorsement from Pelosi, who congratulated him following the election and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the chamber.

Meanwhile, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson announced that he would not seek another term as his party’s House leader following the election defeat. His decision has opened the way for a Republican leadership contest, with Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan among the prominent figures being discussed.

The new Congress is scheduled to convene on January 3, 2027, when House members will formally elect their speaker. Jeffries must still secure the necessary votes on the House floor before assuming the position.

{Matzav.com}

A growing dispute over who will serve as the next Knesset speaker is creating fresh tensions among the parties seeking to replace Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, with Naftali Bennett reportedly demanding that the position go to his Beyachad party or to a mutually acceptable candidate outside Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party.

According to a report Wednesday evening by Michael Shemesh of Channel 13 News, Bennett is preparing to insist that his party receive the influential parliamentary position rather than allowing Eisenkot’s faction to determine who will replace current Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.

The report comes amid an increasingly public disagreement between Eisenkot and Yair Lapid over the position, with senior Yashar officials opposing Lapid’s appointment despite support for his candidacy from Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman.

Sources close to Bennett denied the Channel 13 report, insisting that the question of who will serve as Knesset speaker has not even been raised during coalition negotiations.

According to the report, Bennett has not endorsed Lapid for the position and may instead favor another candidate, potentially someone from his own party. His reported involvement introduces another complication into efforts by the anti-Netanyahu parties to establish a united parliamentary front following last week’s elections.

The struggle over the speakership began even before President Isaac Herzog opened formal consultations with the political parties regarding the formation of Israel’s next government.

Initially, Eisenkot himself was mentioned as a possible candidate for Knesset speaker, as opposition leaders explored ways to gain control of the parliamentary agenda before a new government could be established.

The situation changed Monday when Lieberman announced that he would support Lapid for the position. That declaration immediately encountered resistance from senior figures in Eisenkot’s Yashar party, who made clear that they would not agree to Lapid’s appointment.

According to a separate report by Channel 12 News, one of the reasons for Yashar’s opposition was Eisenkot’s desire to preserve the possibility of forming a national unity government with Likud. Installing Lapid as speaker could complicate efforts to negotiate such an arrangement.

The disagreements continued Tuesday when leaders of the anti-Netanyahu bloc met to discuss their next steps following the election.

Although the party leaders agreed that they should move quickly to replace Ohana, they were unable to reach an agreement on who should succeed him.

Following the meeting, Bennett publicly called for an immediate effort to remove Ohana from the speakership and urged that Eisenkot receive the presidential mandate to form the next government.

The speakership has become a particularly important position in the current political environment because the speaker exercises substantial influence over the Knesset’s proceedings and parliamentary agenda. Securing the position would give the parties seeking to replace Netanyahu greater influence over legislative activity even before the formation of a new coalition.

However, the emerging disagreements demonstrate the difficulties facing the parties attempting to coordinate their parliamentary strategy.

While Lieberman is backing Lapid, Eisenkot’s party is resisting that choice, and Bennett is now reportedly considering a demand that would place the position in the hands of his own faction or another agreed-upon candidate.

For now, the parties remain united in their stated desire to replace Ohana, but they have yet to agree on who should take his place.

{Matzav.com}

Israel and the United States are working on plans to establish a new military aviation facility in southern Israel that would allow American fighter jets to remain in the country for extended periods, potentially marking a significant expansion of the U.S. military presence in Israel.

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12 News, Israeli and American military teams have begun developing plans for dedicated infrastructure that would accommodate U.S. aircraft alongside Israeli Air Force fighter jets. The proposed facility would provide the necessary conditions for American aircraft and additional military equipment to be stationed in Israel for prolonged deployments.

The initiative is being considered because Israel’s existing air bases are not currently equipped to accommodate the proposed number of American aircraft for extended periods. Establishing a separate facility would address those limitations and provide additional capacity for joint military operations and deployments.

The proposed complex would be located in southern Israel, although the precise site has not been publicly disclosed. Military planners from both countries are examining the infrastructure requirements, construction arrangements and operational framework for the facility.

The project remains in its preliminary stages, and construction has not yet begun. Israeli officials, however, are reportedly interested in advancing the initiative in the coming months.

The proposal is part of a broader Israeli effort to strengthen the American military presence in the region beyond the current conflict with Iran. Israeli defense officials have increasingly viewed closer operational cooperation with Washington as an important element of the country’s long-term security strategy.

In March, Israeli officials reportedly raised the possibility of relocating American military bases from other parts of the Middle East to Israel. That proposal was considerably broader than the facility now being discussed and has not been implemented.

American military aircraft have already operated from Israeli facilities during the conflict with Iran. Earlier this year, U.S. F-22 stealth fighters were deployed to Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, while American refueling aircraft were stationed at several Israeli airports.

In September, two additional American fighter squadrons reportedly arrived at Ovda as part of a broader repositioning of U.S. military forces in the Middle East. Israeli security officials said at the time that the deployments did not necessarily indicate preparations for a new escalation with Iran.

The extended American deployments have also highlighted the limitations of Israel’s existing aviation infrastructure. Large numbers of military aircraft have occupied space at civilian airports, including Ben Gurion Airport, creating operational challenges for commercial aviation.

The proposed southern military complex could provide a more suitable location for American aircraft, reducing reliance on facilities that were not designed to accommodate prolonged U.S. deployments of the proposed scale.

For now, the discussions are focused on creating the infrastructure needed to accommodate American fighter jets and other military assets for extended periods. No construction timetable, final agreement or permanent deployment arrangement has been publicly announced.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli security forces have thwarted an alleged major terrorist attack in Yerushalayim involving an explosive device at Lion’s Gate followed by a shooting rampage on Har Habayis, according to details of a joint Shin Bet and police investigation disclosed Wednesday.

A 19-year-old resident of East Jerusalem was arrested on suspicion of preparing the attack over a period of approximately two years. Investigators say the suspect intended to target Jewish civilians and police officers, inflict as many casualties as possible, and escape following the assault.

The investigation, conducted jointly by the Shin Bet and Israel Police, uncovered what authorities described as extensive preparations for the planned attack. A serious indictment was filed against the suspect in recent days, according to a report by i24NEWS.

Under the alleged plan, the attacker would first detonate an explosive device near Lion’s Gate, one of the principal entrances to the Old City. He then intended to proceed onto Har Habayis and open fire on Jewish visitors and security personnel.

Investigators believe the suspect spent considerable time studying the locations where he intended to carry out the attack, making repeated visits to the Old City to gather information about security arrangements.

According to the investigation, he regularly traveled to the area on Fridays, using those visits to examine the placement of surveillance cameras and observe the deployment of police officers and other security forces.

The suspect also allegedly attempted to obtain a firearm through the dark web as part of his preparations.

The investigation also revealed that the suspect had begun taking martial arts lessons in recent months, allegedly preparing himself to attack people physically if he was unable to obtain a weapon or carry out the bombing and shooting operation as planned.

During questioning, the 19-year-old reportedly admitted that he had intended to carry out the attack. He told investigators that his decision to pursue the terrorist plot came after watching footage of the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre in southern Israel.

Authorities also obtained testimony from individuals acquainted with the suspect, which investigators said supported the allegations against him.

Following the completion of the joint Shin Bet and police investigation, prosecutors filed a serious indictment against the suspect in recent days.

The suspect’s identity and the specific charges contained in the indictment were not disclosed in the initial report. No indication was provided that he had succeeded in obtaining a firearm or assembling an explosive device before his arrest.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s chareidi parties adopted sharply different positions Wednesday as President Isaac Herzog began consultations over the formation of the next government, with Shas formally endorsing Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu while both Degel HaTorah and Agudas Yisroel decided not to recommend any candidate until the status of yeshiva bochurim is addressed.

The developments came amid intense efforts by Netanyahu and Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot to secure enough support to receive the mandate to form a government following last week’s Knesset elections. The unresolved military draft issue remains central to the chareidi parties’ calculations, while Shas chairman Aryeh Deri announced that he would remain at the helm of his party after the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah rejected his request to step down.

Herzog opened the consultation process Wednesday afternoon, with representatives of the smaller Knesset factions appearing first and the larger parties scheduled for the conclusion of the proceedings.

Religious Zionism was the first faction to meet with the president and recommended Netanyahu. During the discussion, tensions arose between Herzog and the party’s representatives over their opposition to including Arab parties in a governing coalition.

Shas representatives, led by Michael Malkieli, subsequently informed Herzog that the party was endorsing Netanyahu in accordance with the instructions of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah. Malkieli criticized the treatment of the chareidi community during the outgoing government’s term, while Herzog raised the possibility of reaching an agreement on the draft issue as part of a broader coalition arrangement.

Malkieli emphasized that Shas was not ruling out a national unity government, although its official recommendation remained Netanyahu.

Yisrael Beiteinu, meanwhile, endorsed Eisenkot. Party chairman Avigdor Lieberman made clear that supporting Eisenkot for prime minister did not mean agreeing to a minority government dependent on Arab parties. Ra’am also announced its intention to recommend Eisenkot, while Zehut joined the parties backing Netanyahu.

A major development unfolded within Shas itself after Deri, who had largely remained out of public view since the election, informed senior rabbonim that he wished to withdraw from political life.

Shas suffered a severe electoral setback, dropping from 11 Knesset seats to six, prompting questions about the party’s leadership and future direction. However, the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah issued a directive, published Wednesday evening in the Shas-affiliated newspaper Haderech, instructing Deri to remain chairman.

Deri subsequently issued his first public response since the election, declaring, “All my life I was raised and educated to obey Daas Torah,” and stating that he accepted the rabbonim’s decision “without hesitation or doubt.”

Deri also visited the home of Rav Moshe Maya, the senior member of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, in a meeting attended by Rav Shmuel Betzalel. Photographs from the visit marked Deri’s first public appearance since the election.

The Shas chairman announced that he would convene the party’s Knesset members and senior municipal representatives Thursday for a meeting devoted to examining the election results and determining the movement’s next steps.

Although Deri will remain party chairman, he is considering relinquishing his Knesset seat while continuing to direct Shas from outside parliament.

Another noteworthy development came from Rav Moshe Maya, who indicated that Shas could consider a unity government involving both Netanyahu and Eisenkot, despite the party’s formal endorsement of Netanyahu.

In an interview with Mishpacha, Rav Maya said a rotation arrangement between the two political leaders could produce an excellent government. A recording broadcast Wednesday evening by i24NEWS further indicated that he was open in principle to a rotation agreement, provided legislation was enacted to protect the status of yeshiva students.

The remarks suggested that Shas’s recommendation of Netanyahu did not necessarily rule out participation in a broader coalition that included Eisenkot.

Meanwhile, the leadership of United Torah Judaism reached a significant decision of its own, declining to recommend Netanyahu or Eisenkot during the presidential consultations.

In Degel HaTorah, Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch instructed the party’s representatives to withhold their endorsement from both candidates. The decision followed growing frustration over the failure to pass legislation securing the status of yeshiva bochurim.

Agudas Yisroel adopted a similar position, with the Gedolei Yisroel directing party chairman Yitzchok Goldknopf not to recommend any candidate. The decision was consistent with commitments made during the election campaign that political support would depend on resolving the draft issue.

However, the position of MK Meir Porush and incoming MK Elyakim Stark, who represent the separate Chomas Toras Yisroel faction, remained unresolved Wednesday evening. Some chassidic courts were reportedly considering instructing their representatives to recommend Netanyahu despite the decisions reached by the other UTJ factions.

Netanyahu had spent recent days attempting to secure the support of United Torah Judaism, including a conversation with party chairman Yaakov Asher and separate contacts involving Porush and Stark.

The decision to withhold recommendations represents a significant departure from UTJ’s longstanding political alignment with Netanyahu and leaves the party with greater flexibility to negotiate with either prospective coalition.

The consultations at the President’s Residence will resume Thursday at 8:30 a.m. with United Torah Judaism. Representatives of Otzma Yehudit, the Democrats and Ra’am are scheduled to follow, with the Joint List and Beyachad appearing later in the day.

Eisenkot’s Yashar party will meet Herzog during the evening, followed by Likud, which will conclude the consultation process.

Once the meetings are completed, Herzog must decide which Knesset member has the strongest prospect of assembling a governing coalition. Current political assessments favor Eisenkot receiving the first mandate, although neither he nor Netanyahu has secured the 61 seats necessary to establish a government.

The candidate selected by Herzog will initially receive 28 days to form a coalition, with the possibility of an additional 14-day extension.

{Matzav.com}

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Wednesday that the Republican Party’s crushing defeat in the midterm elections could have consequences lasting well beyond President Donald Trump’s remaining time in office, describing the Democratic victories as “close to an extinction-level event for Republicans across the country.”

Speaking at a morning press conference in Tallahassee, DeSantis said Republicans were confronting a political setback of extraordinary proportions, with Democrats capturing both chambers of Congress and making significant inroads into states that have traditionally formed the foundation of Republican electoral strength.

The Florida governor cautioned that the results could reshape the national political landscape for years, particularly if Republicans fail to regain the confidence of voters in states they have long depended upon.

“Let’s just be clear, that is going to hurt — not just for the next two years,” he said. “That is something that can reverberate for the next decade or more.”

The Democratic victories extended into states including Iowa, Kansas and Texas, where Republicans had previously enjoyed substantial electoral advantages. The results represented a sweeping rejection of the GOP in the first national election since Trump began his second term.

DeSantis acknowledged that Republicans had anticipated a difficult election night but said the magnitude of the losses exceeded even the more pessimistic expectations within the party.

“We knew it could be worse. I don’t think most of us thought it would be this bad,” DeSantis said.

The governor reserved his strongest warning for Texas, arguing that the party’s devastating losses there could jeopardize its ability to win national elections in the future.

“Over my lifetime, Texas has been the crown jewel of Republican politics,” DeSantis said. “No one holds a candle on the Republican side to the Lone Star State. If the Republican party doesn’t have Texas as an anchor, we won’t be viable nationally going forward.”

Texas delivered some of the most striking Democratic victories of the election, with Gina Hinojosa defeating Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and James Talarico winning the U.S. Senate race against Republican Ken Paxton. Democrats also captured other major statewide offices, ending decades of Republican dominance in the state.

DeSantis warned that the consequences of the Republican losses would extend to Washington, where Democratic control of the Senate could prevent Trump from securing confirmation for conservative Cabinet nominees or a Supreme Court appointment if a vacancy arises.

He described the national results as the political equivalent of a meteor strike, saying Republicans had fallen into a deep political hole that could take multiple election cycles to escape.

Florida, however, proved to be a notable exception to the nationwide Democratic surge. Republicans retained the governorship, with Congressman Byron Donalds defeating Democrat David Jolly, while Republican Sen. Ashley Moody also won reelection. The GOP held other major statewide offices, although Democrats made gains in legislative contests.

DeSantis credited Florida’s Republican organization and its record in state government with helping the party withstand the national political environment. He said Republicans had developed enough voter support to survive an election in which the political mood was overwhelmingly unfavorable to the GOP.

The governor also rejected the idea that Democrats had necessarily secured a lasting endorsement of their policies, arguing that the results reflected public dissatisfaction with Republicans in Washington rather than widespread enthusiasm for the opposition party.

With DeSantis preparing to leave office in January, his remarks amounted to a stark warning that Republicans cannot assume traditionally conservative states will remain safely in their column without rebuilding public confidence.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issued his first public statement since Israel’s elections on Wednesday evening, urging the establishment of a broad national unity government under Likud leadership while warning against a minority coalition dependent on Arab parties. Netanyahu accused opposition leaders of placing political considerations ahead of Israel’s security and deliberately imposing conditions that would prevent the formation of a wider government.

The prime minister’s remarks came as political parties began maneuvering over the composition of the next government following an election that left the country’s political leadership facing difficult coalition decisions.

Netanyahu framed the debate over the next coalition as a matter of national security, arguing that Israel faces an ongoing threat from radical Islamist movements both beyond its borders and within the country’s political system.

“Radical Islam is the challenge that is tearing countries in Europe apart today. It is the challenge that threatens us as well. It threatens us from outside through Iran and its proxies, and it threatens us from within through Islamist parties that support terrorism,” he said.

The prime minister accused the Islamist parties he was criticizing of seeking to weaken Israel’s Jewish character and restrict the country’s ability to defend itself.

“They seek to erase the Jewish identity of the State of Israel – and they say so openly. They seek to deprive us of the ability to defend ourselves against our enemies,” Netanyahu continued.

According to Netanyahu, the question of which parties form the next government cannot be separated from Israel’s ability to respond to threats from Iran and other hostile forces.

“I ask a simple question. Who will be able to confront this challenge? The one government that certainly will not be able to confront the threat of radical Islam is a government that depends on radical Islam.”

He also alleged that representatives of the parties in question had publicly expressed support for terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre.

“All you have to do is listen to what their representatives openly say. They dedicate their electoral achievements to the despicable Nukhba terrorists who are sitting in our prisons,” he added.

Netanyahu warned that a coalition relying on those parties would not merely face difficulties implementing security policies but could also deepen divisions within Israeli society.

“Not only would such a government fail to fight our enemies, it would simply tear us apart from within.”

Offering an alternative, Netanyahu urged parties across the Zionist political spectrum to join a Likud-led coalition, saying a wider government would be better positioned to address Israel’s security challenges.

“There is a government that can confront this challenge – a broad national government led by Likud under my leadership, which would include all components of the national bloc and all Zionist parties that wish to join.”

The appeal came amid complicated coalition negotiations following the October 27 election. Likud emerged as the largest individual party with 27 seats, but Netanyahu’s bloc secured only 53 seats, short of the 61 required for a Knesset majority. The four principal Jewish-led opposition parties hold 48 seats, while the two Arab lists won a combined 19.

Opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Yair Golan and Avigdor Lieberman met Tuesday in Herzliya and agreed to begin coalition negotiations aimed at replacing Netanyahu. However, disagreements remain over whether a government could rely on Arab-party support, with several opposition figures publicly rejecting such an arrangement.

Netanyahu accused those leaders of pursuing a narrow coalition while simultaneously establishing conditions that would make a national unity government impossible.

“The leaders of the left-wing bloc are busy establishing a narrow minority government, a government that depends on these supporters of terrorism, and they are declaring from every platform impossible conditions designed to thwart in advance any possibility of establishing a broad national government.”

Eisenkot has proposed several principles for prospective coalition partners, including recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, universal national service and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization. Opposition leaders have also expressed strong reservations about serving under Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, President Isaac Herzog began consultations Wednesday with the parties elected to the Knesset to determine which candidate should receive the mandate to attempt to form the next government. Neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot currently has an assured parliamentary majority.

Netanyahu ended his statement by accusing his political rivals of allowing their opposition to his leadership to take precedence over the country’s broader interests.

“They prefer their political interests over the national interest,” Netanyahu concluded.

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri has reversed his decision to relinquish the party leadership after the Shas Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah instructed him to remain in his position. Deri is nevertheless expected to resign from the Knesset, allowing him to continue directing the party’s political activities without serving as a member of parliament.

The development came Wednesday following a meeting between Deri and Rav Moshe Maya, the senior member of the Shas Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah. The meeting followed reports that Deri was considering stepping aside from the leadership after the party’s disappointing performance in Israel’s elections.

The Moetzes made its position clear in a statement published in Haderech, the newspaper affiliated with Shas, declaring that “the Council supports the movement’s chairman and forbids him from resigning.”

In explaining their decision, the rabbonim pointed to the ongoing struggle over the status of yeshiva bochurim and the need for experienced leadership at a particularly difficult time for the chareidi community.

The statement said the present circumstances demanded “the most experienced general to win the war.” Citing halachic principles and the Rambam, the rabbonim maintained that Deri could not abandon his responsibilities while the battle over the future of Torah learning remained unresolved.

The Moetzes also expressed appreciation for Deri’s decades of public service and his efforts on behalf of the Shas movement and the broader Sephardic Torah community.

In their message, the rabbonim pledged that Shas would continue using every available political and public avenue to secure the status of yeshiva students and combat what they described as the persecution of those devoted to Torah learning.

They also extended their appreciation to the approximately 300,000 people who voted for Shas and urged the party’s elected representatives to continue serving the public despite the electoral setback.

Shas suffered a severe defeat in last week’s election, falling from 11 Knesset seats to just six, its poorest showing in decades. The result prompted intense discussions within the party about Deri’s future and whether changes were necessary in its leadership.

Earlier Wednesday, reports indicated that Deri had sought permission from the Moetzes to leave his position entirely. Shas initially disputed reports that he had formally submitted his resignation, while senior rabbonim discussed the possibility of his continuing as chairman without retaining his Knesset seat.

According to additional reports in the Israeli media, Deri’s anticipated departure from the Knesset could also affect the composition of Shas’s parliamentary delegation. There has been discussion of a possible resignation by Moshe Abutbul as well, potentially allowing Ariel Busso, who was placed eighth on the party’s election list, to enter the Knesset. Those arrangements have not been finalized.

The decision to retain Deri at the helm follows more than three decades in which he has been one of the most influential figures in Shas and a central participant in Israeli coalition politics.

For now, the arrangement being discussed would leave Deri responsible for the movement’s overall political direction while transferring his parliamentary seat to another Shas representative.

President Donald Trump acknowledged Wednesday that the war against Iran played a major role in the Republican Party’s sweeping midterm election defeats, agreeing with Vice President JD Vance that the conflict had driven voters away from the GOP. Nevertheless, Trump insisted that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons was worth the political consequences and that he would launch the military campaign again if faced with the same decision.

The president’s remarks came one day after Democrats made major gains in the House and Senate, leaving Republicans facing a dramatic loss of political power. The election results have intensified debate within the administration over the war’s economic consequences and its effect on voters who supported Trump in 2024.

Asked about Vance’s conclusion that the Iran conflict was responsible for the Republican losses, Trump acknowledged that the vice president’s assessment was substantially correct.

“Well, I think it’s largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short term.”

Trump immediately defended the military operation, arguing that the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions left Washington with no acceptable alternative.

“If I had it to do again, I’d have to do it again, because long term it’s the only answer. You can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”

When pressed on whether the operation justified the political damage suffered by his party, Trump replied, “I do, yeah,” and maintained that the consequences of allowing Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons would have been far more serious.

“I thought the oil would go up a lot more, and I did it on that basis. You have no choice. You have to do it. You can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon, or everything that you see here someday might not exist,” Trump said.

The president also argued that energy supplies had recovered from the disruption caused by the fighting, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for international oil shipments.

“We have tremendous oil flowing out of the Hormuz right now. At the beginning there was none,” Trump said.

His comments suggested that he viewed higher fuel costs as a central reason for the Republican defeat, even as he continued to defend the broader objectives of the war.

Trump also signaled a willingness to negotiate with the incoming Democratic congressional leadership, despite the sharp political divisions exposed by the election.

“I’ll get along probably with the Democrats unless they want to be destructive,” he said, revealing that Democratic officials had already approached him about possible discussions.

The president’s comments followed an unusually direct assessment from Vance, who published an extensive statement on X examining why so many Americans who voted Republican in 2024 supported Democratic candidates this year.

According to Vance, the principal concerns driving those voters included ending the Iran war, reducing inflation and living expenses, prioritizing American interests, and reconsidering the United States’ relationship with Israel.

The vice president argued that Republican losses could not simply be explained by insufficient participation among the party’s traditional supporters. Instead, he said, substantial numbers of voters had actively changed their political allegiance.

“The main problem is not turnout. The main problem is that many people who voted for Trump/Vance in 2024 voted for Democrats in 2026,” he wrote.

Vance said internal polling had also identified dissatisfaction with Washington’s relationship with Israel as an important concern among voters who abandoned Republicans. He did not elaborate on precisely what changes those voters favored.

He was particularly emphatic in identifying the Iran war as the decisive factor behind the Democratic victories.

“The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night.”

The vice president’s remarks drew attention because of their unusually candid acknowledgment of the political damage caused by a military operation that the administration has repeatedly defended as essential to American national security.

Trump, however, rejected any suggestion that Vance had been disloyal or that his public assessment represented a disagreement with the White House.

“I thought it was good. I knew that when I went in. We stopped them from having a nuclear weapon, and they’ll never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump stated.

The president’s explanation also highlighted the economic pressures that have accompanied the conflict. Rising energy costs became a prominent campaign issue as Democratic candidates criticized the administration over gasoline prices and household expenses.

Preliminary national voter polling, however, suggested that the election reflected a broader range of concerns. An ABC News voter survey found that 55% of House voters considered government corruption crucial to their decisions, compared with 49% who cited the cost of living and 34% who identified the Iran war.

The election defeat has also raised questions about the future of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose leadership of the Pentagon has attracted scrutiny throughout the military campaign.

CBS News reported that Trump had discussed the possibility of replacing Hegseth with advisers following the Republican losses, although no final decision had been made.

Asked directly about the defense secretary Wednesday, Trump expressed confidence in his performance.

“I think he’s doing a very good job.”

The president’s public defense of Hegseth came as Republicans began assessing the consequences of losing control of both chambers of Congress, a development that will give Democrats greater authority over military spending, congressional investigations and oversight of the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict.

{Matzav.com}

The results of Tuesday’s Teaneck Township Council election have produced a significant political shakeup, with all three candidates from the Teaneck First slate leading the field and Avi Berliner narrowly holding the fourth and final available seat, according to unofficial election returns released by the township.

The results could substantially alter the balance of power on the Township Council and potentially affect the leadership of Mayor Mark Schwartz, whose allies faced a difficult election night.

According to the township’s unofficial November 3 results, George Fernandez Jr. received 3,447 votes, placing first among the candidates. Denise Belcher followed with 3,361 votes, while Duane Harley received 3,164 votes. All three ran together on the Teaneck First slate.

Berliner, who ran on the Schwartz-backed One Team, One Teaneck slate, placed fourth with 2,802 votes, narrowly ahead of his running mate Sharon Kolb, who received 2,710 votes. The 92-vote difference leaves the final council seat potentially vulnerable to changes as outstanding ballots are counted.

Amrit Ramjattan received 2,632 votes, while incumbent Councilwoman Hillary Goldberg trailed with 1,595 votes.

The election carries particular significance for Teaneck’s Orthodox Jewish community, which has taken a strong interest in the township’s political leadership and municipal affairs. Berliner’s apparent success would secure him a seat on the council, although the narrow margin separating him from Kolb means the outcome is not yet final.

The strong showing by the Teaneck First candidates also represents a setback for the political coalition associated with Schwartz. With three candidates from the opposing slate positioned to win seats, the election could reshape the council’s internal alliances and influence the selection of the township’s next mayor.

Unlike municipalities where voters directly elect the mayor, Teaneck operates under a system in which councilmembers choose the mayor from among themselves. Consequently, the composition of the council following the election will play an important role in determining who holds the township’s top leadership position.

The results remain unofficial and are subject to additional ballot counting and certification. While Fernandez, Belcher and Harley hold substantial leads, the contest for fourth place remains considerably closer, with Berliner ahead of Kolb by just 92 votes.

Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday blamed the Trump administration’s war with Iran for the Republican Party’s devastating midterm election losses, as Democrats celebrated their capture of both chambers of Congress and House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that he would not seek to lead Republicans in the new minority.

Vance’s assessment represented a significant acknowledgment from within the administration that the military conflict, now in its ninth month, had become a major political liability for Republicans. The party suffered defeats across the country Tuesday, losing control of the House and Senate and surrendering seats in states that had long been considered Republican strongholds.

“If you’d like to argue it was worth it,” Vance said of the war, “then do so.”

President Donald Trump also acknowledged Wednesday that the conflict had contributed to the Republican defeat, although he defended his decision to launch military operations against Iran.

“I think a part of it was Iran,” Trump told Fox News. In a separate interview with The Wall Street Journal, the president said, “Iran was a piece of it.”

Despite the political consequences, Trump insisted that he remained convinced the military campaign was justified.

“I did the right thing,” he told the Journal. “I would have done it again.”

The war has been deeply unpopular with American voters since American and Israeli forces began their military campaign against Iran in February. Democrats spent much of the election season connecting the conflict to rising gasoline prices, increased household expenses and broader concerns about the administration’s foreign policy.

The results suggested that those arguments resonated well beyond traditional Democratic constituencies. Republicans suffered losses in suburban communities, rural areas and states where Trump had won comfortably in the 2024 presidential election.

Democrats captured Senate seats in Kansas, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas, while also winning a substantial majority in the House. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in a historic Senate upset, while Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa unseated Republican Governor Greg Abbott.

The scale of the losses has triggered an immediate reckoning among Republican leaders, who entered the election confident that Trump’s political influence and the party’s legislative accomplishments would help them maintain control of Washington.

The most significant leadership development came Wednesday when Johnson informed his staff that he would not pursue the position of House minority leader when the new Congress convenes in January.

Johnson, who became speaker in October 2023 following the removal of Kevin McCarthy, had spent the campaign insisting that Republicans could overcome the traditional difficulties facing the president’s party in midterm elections.

Instead, Democrats are preparing to take control of the House with a commanding majority, leaving Republicans to select a new leader as they return to the minority for the first time since 2022.

Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is among those expected to compete for the leadership position. Johnson is expected to remain in Congress but relinquish his leadership responsibilities.

The Republican collapse has also dramatically altered the political landscape for the final two years of Trump’s presidency.

With Democrats controlling both chambers beginning January 3, 2027, the administration will face substantial obstacles in advancing its legislative agenda. Democratic lawmakers will gain control of congressional committees, the ability to issue subpoenas and expanded authority to investigate the administration’s policies and activities.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is positioned to become the next speaker, promised that the incoming majority would focus on reducing living expenses and holding the administration accountable.

“We hear you,” Jeffries said in response to the election results. “We’re going to work hard to deliver on the dramatic change that you deserve.”

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, whose party secured a majority in the upper chamber, also celebrated the results.

“Five words for the American people: Relief is on the way,” Schumer declared.

Democrats have indicated that their initial legislative priorities will include efforts to lower gasoline and grocery prices, reverse reductions in federal healthcare programs and conduct extensive oversight of the Trump administration.

California Congressman Robert Garcia, who is expected to lead the House Oversight Committee, delivered a brief warning to administration officials: “Lawyer up.”

The Democratic Senate will also be able to block presidential nominations, including judicial appointments, presenting Trump with an additional challenge as he enters the second half of his term.

The president has signaled that he is prepared to work with Democrats on certain issues but warned that he would use his veto authority to reject legislation he considers unacceptable.

“I don’t want to be just sitting there for two years vetoing everything,” Trump told Politico.

For Republicans, the immediate challenge is determining how to recover from an election in which opposition to the Iran war and frustration over the cost of living overwhelmed much of the party’s campaign message.

The administration had entered office promising to avoid new foreign conflicts, but the prolonged military campaign against Iran became a defining issue of the midterms. Trump has offered varying assessments of the war’s objectives and duration, at times threatening additional strikes while also suggesting that an end to the fighting could be within reach.

The election results were welcomed by Iranian officials. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf responded Wednesday by declaring, “Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message.”

Republicans will retain control of Congress until the new lawmakers take office in January, giving the party several remaining weeks to address unfinished legislative business before Democrats assume power.

{Matzav.com}

A massive billboard in Tehran’s Revolution Square has displayed an explicit death threat against President Donald Trump, featuring an enormous image of the American president gripping prison bars alongside the words “We Will Kill Trump.”

The provocative display, erected at one of the Iranian capital’s prominent public gathering places, shows Trump with his head lowered and his hands wrapped around the bars of what appears to be a prison cell. The words “We Will” appear in large white lettering, followed by “Kill” in red and “Trump” in white.

The billboard also includes a message in Persian expressing the same threat, making the display unmistakably directed at the American president.

The threatening imagery represents another example of the openly hostile rhetoric directed at Trump by elements within Iran, where calls for retaliation against the United States have featured prominently in political messaging.

The billboard was unveiled Tuesday, November 3, amid renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran following American military strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump confirmed Tuesday that U.S. forces had struck an Iranian anti-aircraft installation on Qeshm Island, describing the operation as a limited military action. The strikes followed reports of Iranian forces firing at an American aircraft.

The new billboard was accompanied by other threatening displays throughout Tehran. Another large poster depicted Trump alongside Vice President JD Vance, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, showing the four leaders with bloodied faces and torn clothing against damaged American and Israeli flags.

Dozens of Iranians gathered in Revolution Square carrying red flags and banners bearing the warning “There will be blood,” while demanding revenge for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the American-Israeli strikes that began on February 28.

Since the outbreak of the war, Iranian authorities have repeatedly used public displays to ridicule Trump and promote threats of retaliation. Previous installations have depicted the president inside a coffin, while other exhibits have portrayed him injured or imprisoned.

In northern Tehran’s Tajrish Square, an outdoor exhibition featured paintings showing Trump bloodied on the ground and another depicting an explosive device covering his face. A nearby installation included a replica prison cell occupied by an actor impersonating the American president.

The latest threats come as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent another major escalation between the United States and Iran. Despite the renewed military activity, Trump has indicated that an agreement with Tehran remains possible.

Iranian officials, however, have continued issuing warnings. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a leading Iranian negotiator, declared that the country was prepared for renewed fighting, while Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi asserted Iran’s right to respond militarily to American attacks.

Iran has long used enormous billboards and murals in prominent public locations to communicate political messages, particularly against the United States and Israel. Such displays have been a regular feature of the country’s political landscape since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.