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U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has warned senior officials in Washington that President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace initiative could face serious difficulties because of inadequate staffing, uncertain funding arrangements, and unresolved questions about military support, according to a diplomatic communication obtained by Politico.

The warning comes as the Pentagon prepares to scale back its involvement in an American-led coordination center in Israel, potentially transferring critical responsibilities to civilian personnel who may not yet have the resources or manpower needed to carry them out.

Huckabee outlined his concerns in a cable transmitted Thursday from the U.S. Embassy in Yerushalayim to senior State Department officials. The communication, which bore the ambassador’s signature, raised questions about whether the American diplomatic mission and Trump’s newly established Board of Peace are equipped to oversee the complicated process of disarming Hamas, establishing security arrangements, and rebuilding Gaza.

At the center of the concerns is the International Gaza Support Center, known as the IGSC, which serves as the primary American-led coordination operation connecting the United States, Israel, and international partners involved in implementing the administration’s Gaza initiative.

The Pentagon is planning to reduce the number of military personnel assigned to the center over the next year, with civilian officials gradually taking over duties currently performed by American military representatives.

Huckabee cautioned that neither the embassy nor the Board of Peace presently has the personnel necessary to assume those responsibilities without additional preparations.

“Embassy Jerusalem is not currently staffed to assume these roles, but can be if it has an idea of the human, financial and logistical resources that will be needed,” Huckabee wrote.

“The BoP is working to increase staff but its ability to cover all functions at the IGSC remains unclear.”

The Board of Peace, created by Trump and officially inaugurated in February, was established to coordinate major elements of the administration’s proposed postwar framework for Gaza.

Working under a United Nations mandate, the body is tasked with organizing international financial assistance for reconstruction while helping establish new security and governing structures in the territory.

Although several European governments declined to formally join the organization, some have nevertheless agreed to cooperate with its activities, allowing the board to maintain working relationships with countries outside its membership.

The IGSC is also expected to provide important operational support for the International Stabilization Force, a multinational security contingent that the Board of Peace intends to deploy in Gaza as part of the broader peace arrangements.

The center was originally established last year by U.S. Central Command as the Civil-Military Coordination Center, before being reorganized and given its current name.

According to the diplomatic cable, which was designated “sensitive but unclassified,” the organization is now undergoing another transition after the Board of Peace assumed responsibility for its financing on October 11.

The shift in funding and oversight has created questions about how the center will function once American military personnel begin withdrawing and civilian representatives are expected to take their places.

Huckabee was particularly concerned about the potential consequences for coordination with the Israeli military, especially in areas involving sensitive security information.

He warned that the replacement of American military officials with civilian personnel “could complicate the coordination dynamic” with the IDF, “especially on the intelligence-sharing front.”

Such concerns are significant because the center is intended to coordinate operations involving multiple governments, military organizations, and civilian agencies, all of which must cooperate to implement the Gaza arrangements.

The ambassador sought specific guidance from Washington on how responsibilities would be divided among the Pentagon, State Department, and Board of Peace during the proposed transition.

“How will roles and responsibilities shift to State and the BoP as DoW reduces its presence?” Huckabee asked.

“How will we keep critical IGSC workstreams running and what conditions should be met before this transition begins?”

His questions reflect uncertainty over whether the administration has established a sufficiently detailed plan for transferring responsibilities without disrupting ongoing operations.

The concerns also come at a sensitive stage in the Gaza initiative, with disarmament arrangements, reconstruction efforts, and the establishment of an international security presence all dependent on coordination among the United States, Israel, and other participating countries.

The Board of Peace, however, has not acknowledged the organizational changes described in Huckabee’s communication.

In a response to Politico, the organization said it had not seen the cable and disputed any suggestion that it was unprepared to carry out its responsibilities.

The board said it was “confident in the highly detailed plans that have been developed for improved humanitarian assistance, security, governance, the rule of law, infrastructure development, and reconstruction in Gaza. Our capacities and systems in place are strong and ready for implementation.”

The Pentagon referred questions about the reported cable to the State Department, which declined to provide a comment.

The staffing concerns emerge against the backdrop of other obstacles confronting the Gaza reconstruction initiative. In September, the Board of Peace presented international diplomats with a six-month recovery program involving 66 projects and approximately $2.45 billion in proposed expenditures. However, implementation remains dependent on securing financial commitments and establishing the necessary security arrangements.

There have also been difficulties in preparing for the deployment of international forces. Reports earlier this month indicated that Israel had not authorized construction of a proposed Gaza base intended to accommodate an initial contingent of stabilization troops from Morocco and Kosovo. The proposed facility would house approximately 150 personnel drawn from a larger force.

At the same time, efforts to secure Hamas’s disarmament remain a central unresolved issue. Israeli officials have expressed concern that Hamas continues rebuilding its military capabilities, while the international arrangements intended to replace the terrorist organization’s control of Gaza have yet to become fully operational.

Huckabee himself has previously emphasized that the success of the administration’s Gaza initiative depends heavily on eliminating Hamas’s military capabilities. Earlier this month, he accused the terrorist organization of obstructing progress by refusing to surrender its weapons.

The latest diplomatic communication highlights a separate problem facing Washington: Even if political agreements can be reached and security arrangements finalized, the American-led organizations responsible for implementing them must have sufficient personnel, funding, and operational capabilities to function effectively.

With the Pentagon preparing to reduce its role, Huckabee’s questions leave Washington facing a consequential decision about how quickly military responsibilities can be transferred to civilian authorities without jeopardizing coordination with Israel or disrupting the broader Gaza initiative.

A fragment of a Sefer Torah stolen from a Polish shul during the Holocaust and reportedly used by a Nazi SS soldier as wrapping paper for a package sent to Germany will be preserved by a Holocaust remembrance organization in San Diego, following an international uproar over plans to sell the sacred parchment at an auction in Norway.

The fragment, which still reportedly bears military identification information and the address of the package’s recipient on its reverse side, had been scheduled for sale by Valkyrie Historical Auctions in Oslo. The proposed auction sparked widespread condemnation from Jewish organizations and Israeli officials, who objected to the commercial sale of a sacred Jewish artifact desecrated during the Holocaust.

Following the protests, the auction house withdrew the item from sale. Within 48 hours, representatives of RUTH – Remember Us The Holocaust, a San Diego-based Holocaust education and remembrance organization, worked with collaborators to arrange for the parchment to be donated for preservation and eventual public exhibition.

The organization announced Wednesday that it had secured an agreement for the donation and would undertake the necessary conservation work before placing the fragment on display.

According to earlier reporting by Ynet, the parchment originated in a synagogue in Poland and was taken during the Holocaust. At some point, an SS soldier reportedly cut or removed a portion of the sacred scroll and used it to wrap a parcel destined for Germany.

The surviving writing on the back of the parchment, including information identifying the soldier’s military unit and the address to which the package was sent, provides a disturbing reminder of the manner in which the Nazis desecrated Jewish religious objects while systematically destroying Jewish communities across Europe.

The planned auction drew a particularly forceful response from Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which described the proposed sale as a “moral atrocity” in a statement published on X.

The World Jewish Restitution Organization also intervened, urging Norwegian authorities to prevent the sale and take steps to ensure that the artifact would be returned to appropriate custodians rather than treated as a commercial collectible.

The controversy raised broader questions about the handling of Jewish religious artifacts stolen, confiscated, or desecrated during the Holocaust, particularly items that subsequently entered private collections and the international memorabilia market.

For Jewish communities, a Sefer Torah carries profound religious significance, and the use of its parchment as ordinary wrapping material represents an especially painful example of the Nazis’ contempt for Jewish religious life.

Sandra Scheller, founder, curator, and president of RUTH, said her organization immediately recognized the importance of ensuring that the fragment would be treated with the dignity appropriate to both its religious significance and its historical background.

“We recognized the importance of this fragment and the urgency of helping secure its donation,” Scheller said.

“Once it has been inspected and appropriately restored, we will be honored to display it alongside the histories of Holocaust survivors. As we grow from an exhibition into a museum, we hope this effort will open doors to collaboration with organizations around the world dedicated to preserving and respectfully exhibiting Holocaust artifacts.”

The organization said it intends to present the parchment as part of its broader effort to preserve Holocaust history through authentic artifacts and the personal accounts of survivors.

Dr. Moises Salinas Fleitman, RUTH’s executive director, emphasized that the fragment must be handled with particular sensitivity because it is both a sacred religious text and physical evidence of Nazi persecution.

“We acted because this Torah fragment deserves preservation, careful study, and a place where people can learn from its history,” Salinas Fleitman said.

“Our responsibility now is to care for this fragment as both a sacred Jewish text and historical evidence, and to ensure that its exhibition respects both.”

To assist with that responsibility, RUTH has enlisted Dr. Adolfo Roitman, a prominent expert in ancient Jewish manuscripts and former curator of the Dead Sea Scrolls and head of the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in Yerushalayim.

Roitman will provide guidance on the appropriate conservation, handling, and exhibition of the parchment, with particular attention to the religious considerations involved in displaying a fragment of a Sefer Torah.

His involvement is expected to help the organization navigate the delicate balance between preserving the fragment as a historical artifact and maintaining the respect due to a sacred Jewish text.

The parchment will undergo a professional examination to determine its physical condition and identify the conservation or restoration measures necessary to prevent further deterioration.

Because the fragment has survived for more than eight decades and was reportedly subjected to improper handling during the Holocaust, specialists will need to assess its stability before determining how it can safely be transported and displayed.

RUTH has not yet announced when the fragment will be available for public viewing. The organization said that a timetable will be established after conservation experts have completed their initial examination and provided recommendations concerning its treatment.

According to the auction listing, the fragment measures approximately 64 by 46 centimeters, or about 25 by 18 inches, and is made of calfskin parchment bearing handwritten Hebrew text. The listing described fire damage and other deterioration, and said the fragment had been discovered at a flea market in Poland several years ago.

The auction had originally estimated the fragment’s value at between $1,500 and $2,000. Online bidding records subsequently displayed a winning bid of $8,500, which would have brought the total to $10,625 after the auction house’s 25% buyer’s premium.

However, the auction house later maintained that the transaction had not been completed. Separate reporting indicated that the auctioneer had intervened to prevent the parchment from passing into the hands of a private collector.

The auction itself had featured other disturbing Holocaust-related items, including tefillin, a garment bearing a yellow Star of David, and striped clothing associated with a concentration camp. Their inclusion intensified concerns about the commercial trade in personal and religious possessions connected to Nazi persecution.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry also criticized the proposed sale against the backdrop of reports that Norway was considering withdrawing financial support for student visits to former Nazi extermination camps. Israeli officials pointed to the contrast between the commercial sale of Holocaust artifacts and the possibility of reduced educational visits to sites where millions of Jews were murdered.

The auction house subsequently defended its handling of the controversy, saying that questions surrounding the ownership and origins of Holocaust-era artifacts are often complicated. A representative suggested that the Torah parchment might have been abandoned during the war rather than conclusively stolen, although the original auction description itself had identified the fragment as having been taken by German SS soldiers.

The World Jewish Restitution Organization’s intervention underscored the importance of establishing the provenance of such objects and ensuring that artifacts connected to Jewish communities destroyed during the Holocaust are handled appropriately.

For RUTH, the acquisition represents an important step in its efforts to establish a permanent Holocaust museum in San Diego.

The organization currently focuses on preserving survivor testimonies, collecting authentic historical artifacts, and educating the public about the Holocaust, particularly through the experiences of survivors who settled in San Diego and Southern California.

Its long-term plans call for a permanent museum that will bring together personal histories and original artifacts, allowing visitors to understand the Holocaust through the experiences of those who endured it.

The organization operates under the guiding principles “Memory needs an address” and “Never again for anyone, anywhere,” emphasizing the importance of preserving Holocaust history for future generations.

The Torah fragment will eventually become part of that educational mission, with its exhibition intended to explain both the destruction of Jewish religious life under Nazi rule and the responsibility to preserve the surviving remnants of that world.

A new survey of Israel’s chareidi electorate suggests that voter participation could climb sharply in next Tuesday’s Knesset elections, potentially strengthening the established chareidi parties while making it increasingly difficult for smaller political movements to cross the electoral threshold.

The survey, conducted by Super Data and published by Kikar HaShabbat, projects turnout among chareidi voters at approximately 88%, compared with 75% in a survey conducted roughly a week and a half earlier.

The findings come amid an intense campaign by rabbonim and chareidi political leaders to encourage voters to support the established parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, rather than independent lists challenging their leadership.

Pollster Avi Widerman said the projected increase in turnout could have significant consequences for smaller parties attempting to enter the Knesset.

According to his calculations, higher participation across the electorate could raise the number of votes needed to cross the electoral threshold from approximately 167,000 in the previous election to between 185,000 and 190,000.

That would present an especially difficult challenge for new chareidi parties seeking to win seats by attracting voters dissatisfied with the established political leadership.

The survey also examined the influence of rabbinic guidance on voting decisions, finding that 70% of respondents regard following the instructions of their rabbonim in elections as a religious obligation.

Another 33% said they would experience substantial feelings of guilt if they voted contrary to those instructions.

These findings suggest that rabbinic endorsements remain a major factor in shaping chareidi voting behavior, even as independent candidates attempt to appeal to voters frustrated by the handling of the military draft controversy and other issues affecting the Torah community.

The poll also reflects the growing importance of the military draft controversy in the election campaign. Arrests of yeshiva bochurim, uncertainty over the legal status of full-time Torah learners and the failure to enact new legislation have generated considerable frustration among chareidi voters.

Independent parties have attempted to capitalize on that dissatisfaction, arguing that the established chareidi factions have failed to deliver sufficient protection for the yeshiva world.

However, the renewed emphasis by gedolei Yisroel on voting for the established parties could complicate those efforts, particularly among voters who regard electoral participation as an obligation determined by their rabbonim.

The survey’s findings should nevertheless be interpreted cautiously. A stated intention to vote does not guarantee actual turnout, and the projected electoral threshold will ultimately depend on nationwide participation and the number of valid votes cast.

The complete survey methodology, including its sample size and margin of error, was not available in the material reviewed.

With the election approaching, the central question is whether the apparent increase in intended turnout will translate into stronger support for Shas and United Torah Judaism, or whether some voters will still direct their ballots toward alternative chareidi parties.

{Matzav.com}

Travelers flying between Eretz Yisroel and New York are finally seeing significant relief from the soaring airfares that have dominated the route in recent years, with ticket prices dropping by an average of 25% over the past six weeks and some round-trip flights now available for as little as $600 with a connection, or $650 nonstop for select dates in early 2027.

The dramatic decline follows the return of major American airlines to Ben Gurion Airport and the introduction of additional flights by Israeli carriers, bringing renewed competition to one of Israel’s busiest international travel markets.

According to a new analysis by the Israeli financial newspaper Globes, the average round-trip fare between Tel Aviv and the New York area across five airlines has fallen to approximately $1,223. The findings suggest that travelers who postponed booking during the expensive Yom Tov season may now be able to save hundreds of dollars.

The turnaround is particularly striking because, just six weeks ago, prices remained exceptionally high despite the anticipated return of American carriers. At the time, El Al and Arkia were the primary airlines operating nonstop service between Israel and New York, and demand continued to exceed the available supply of seats.

That situation changed in September when Delta Air Lines and United Airlines resumed flights to Israel following a suspension of more than six months. Israir also entered the transatlantic market, launching its first New York service on September 15 and becoming the third Israeli airline serving the route.

The increased competition initially did little to reduce fares because of heavy travel demand surrounding the Yomim Noraim and Sukkos. With the busy holiday period now over, however, the additional seats are beginning to translate into lower ticket prices.

Data collected by the Israeli travel platform lastminute.co.il shows that Delta has experienced the steepest decline. Six weeks ago, the average round-trip Delta ticket for post-holiday October travel, including baggage, cost approximately $1,980. A new examination of fares for the second half of October found that the average had fallen to $1,245, representing a 37% reduction.

United Airlines recorded a similarly dramatic decline, with average fares dropping 33%, from $1,844 to $1,237.

The Israeli carriers also lowered their prices, although the decreases were less pronounced. El Al’s average fare fell 13%, from $1,459 to $1,270, while Arkia’s declined 7%, from $1,359 to $1,265.

Looking ahead to November, the average price across all five airlines stands at $1,223, with Israir offering the lowest average fare at $1,135. United follows at $1,190, Arkia at $1,230, Delta at $1,265, and El Al at $1,295.

Asaf Grinberg, vice president of marketing at lastminute.co.il, said the shift has been particularly noticeable among the American airlines, which were substantially more expensive than their Israeli competitors at the beginning of September.

“Within a month and a half, there has been a dramatic change,” Grinberg said. “The American airlines, which were significantly more expensive at the beginning of September, have dropped by more than 30%, and today their prices are almost identical to those of the Israeli airlines.”

He noted that the lower prices are continuing into November, suggesting that the decline is broader than a temporary promotion involving a handful of flights.

Grinberg also pointed to the strengthening of the Israeli shekel against the dollar, which has made dollar-denominated airfare less expensive for Israeli travelers paying in shekels.

Beyond the average fares, the survey uncovered several particularly attractive deals for passengers who can be flexible with their travel dates.

United Airlines was offering round-trip tickets starting at approximately $790 for flights during the final week of November. Israir had a limited number of tickets available from approximately $990 for selected dates in late October and November.

Travelers willing to make a connection rather than fly nonstop can find even cheaper options. According to the Israeli airfare-deals platform Secret Flights, round-trip tickets on Condor, involving a connecting flight, have been advertised for $600 or less.

The savings could be especially significant for families traveling between Eretz Yisroel and the United States, where purchasing several tickets at once can make even a modest difference in airfare amount to hundreds or thousands of dollars.

The lower prices are also extending into the winter travel season, with several airlines offering round-trip tickets below $1,000 for selected dates in early 2027.

A survey by Israeli tourism company Gulliver identified Delta tickets for mid-January at approximately $878 and El Al flights for early March at approximately $773.

Secret Flights also reported finding nonstop Delta round-trip tickets for dates early next year starting at approximately $650, a price considerably below the fares that travelers have faced during much of the past year.

The advertised bargains are date-specific and may be available only in limited quantities. Actual prices can change as seats are sold, and travelers should examine baggage allowances, connection times, ticket restrictions, and other conditions before booking.

Another promotion has been introduced by SuperFly, the travel credit-card club associated with the Rami Levy group. The company recently advertised New York tickets for $909 for eligible cardholders and new members, with travel dates extending through March 2027.

According to the company, the offer includes a checked suitcase weighing up to 23 kilograms, approximately 50 pounds, along with a carry-on bag. SuperFly said hundreds of tickets were available under the promotion.

Despite the substantial reductions, industry analysts caution that the lower fares do not necessarily represent an unprecedented collapse in ticket prices.

SkyGini, a digital travel agency that tracks airline pricing, found that October fares were approximately 18% below summer levels. However, the agency attributed much of that decline to normal seasonal patterns, noting that airfare typically falls after the summer and holiday travel periods.

According to SkyGini, prices on the New York route remain broadly comparable to those recorded in previous years, suggesting that the current reductions reflect a combination of seasonal demand and renewed airline competition.

The timing of Israel’s upcoming elections may also be influencing demand. With Israelis preparing to vote, some travelers may be postponing trips abroad, adding downward pressure on fares.

Israir CEO Uri Sirkis, speaking at a recent investment conference, emphasized that the reduction in ticket prices is occurring despite significantly higher airline operating expenses.

“People need to remember that fuel prices have risen significantly compared with last year, by around $700 per ton,” Sirkis said.

He explained that a wide-body aircraft consumes approximately six tons of fuel per flight hour, meaning that fuel expenses on a long-haul flight can reach roughly $80,000.

Sirkis argued that when those increased expenses are considered, a ticket selling for $1,200 today represents a considerably better deal than the same nominal price would have been last year.

He estimated that without the return of additional carriers, fares on the route could have remained around $1,800.

The latest developments mark a sharp contrast with conditions earlier this year, when airline service between Israel and the United States was severely restricted.

Delta and United suspended their Israel operations during the conflict with Iran in March, leaving travelers with fewer options and contributing to elevated prices.

Both airlines resumed service in September, with Delta returning to the Tel Aviv–JFK route and United restoring flights between Ben Gurion Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

Israir’s entry into the market further increased available capacity. The airline invested approximately $85 million in two Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft and associated preparations to establish its long-haul operations.

Its initial New York flights began in September, after the company received the necessary regulatory approvals from Israeli and American authorities.

The carrier has also outlined plans to expand its long-haul fleet, including the use of additional leased aircraft and the eventual introduction of another independently operated wide-body plane during the second half of 2027.

American Airlines, meanwhile, remains absent from the route. The company previously postponed its planned return to Israel until late March 2027, after having suspended regular Tel Aviv–New York service following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.

The current price reductions therefore reflect competition among five airlines rather than a complete restoration of all the carriers that previously served the market.

Tamar Gerzon, CEO of Gulliver, said the return of American carriers and the expansion of Israeli airline operations have substantially improved the options available to passengers.

“The return of the American aviation giants, alongside the Israeli companies that have begun operating on the route, is a significant development for the flight market to the United States,” Gerzon said.

She noted that the shortage of available seats had previously been reflected in both higher prices and fewer travel choices, while the addition of airlines and flights is now beginning to restore competition.

For travelers considering trips to New York in the coming months, the latest figures indicate that the expensive conditions of the recent Yom Tov season have eased considerably, particularly for those able to adjust their departure and return dates.

{Matzav.com}

A Chabad shul in Monsey has publicly denied any involvement in the distribution of anonymous booklets criticizing the religious atmosphere in Crown Heights, following speculation about the source of the publications and their connection to the local Lubavitch community.

Congregation Tzemach Tzedek of Monsey issued a statement distancing itself from the material, making clear that neither the shul nor its leadership had authorized or participated in the initiative.

The clarification followed the circulation of booklets raising concerns about standards of religious observance and communal life in Crown Heights, the Brooklyn neighborhood that serves as the international center of Chabad-Lubavitch.

The publication, titled “I sent my son to Crown Heights for Shiur Daled,” was distributed in Crown Heights and mailed to homes in other communities. It was presented from the perspective of a parent concerned about the spiritual environment encountered by young bochurim who travel to Crown Heights to learn near 770 Eastern Parkway.

The booklet carried no author’s name and did not identify any sponsoring organization. However, it included a return address associated with Congregation Tzemach Tzedek in Monsey, prompting questions about whether the shul or individuals connected to it were responsible for the publication.

After the matter received publicity, a member of the shul’s board contacted COLlive to deny any connection.

“This pashkvil did not come from us,” the board member said. “Somebody used our address without permission.”

The congregation subsequently issued a formal statement addressing the matter.

“Congregation Tzemach Tzedek of Monsey wants to state clearly that we had no involvement in the anonymous booklet recently distributed in Crown Heights and mailed to homes elsewhere, as reported in your article ‘Who Is Behind the Mystery Booklet Decrying Crown Heights?’”

The statement continued:

“We did not write, fund, authorize, or distribute it, and we did not know our address would appear on it.”

The congregation also emphasized its longstanding relationship with Crown Heights and the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s neighborhood.

“Our shul has deep ties to Crown Heights and the Rebbe’s shechunah, and we do not endorse the booklet or the way it was put out.”

The controversy has generated considerable discussion within the Lubavitch community, with some readers arguing that the concerns raised in the publication deserve attention regardless of who wrote it, while others have questioned the decision to circulate anonymous criticism of an entire neighborhood.

The booklet’s focus on young bochurim arriving from outside Crown Heights has added sensitivity to the discussion. Crown Heights is home to numerous Chabad educational institutions and attracts talmidim from communities around the world, particularly those seeking to spend time learning in the vicinity of 770.

The anonymous publication raised questions about the responsibility of a community that hosts visiting bochurim and the religious atmosphere those talmidim encounter outside the walls of the yeshiva.

At the same time, the decision to use an established shul’s address without its knowledge has created a separate controversy over the methods employed by the unidentified publishers.

The Monsey congregation’s statement leaves little ambiguity about its position: the shul denies having written, financed, authorized or distributed the material and rejects the suggestion that its address establishes any connection to the publication.

As of Thursday, the identity of the person or group responsible for the booklet remained unknown, and no evidence had emerged publicly establishing who arranged its printing or distribution.

President Donald Trump has demanded that NBA superstar LeBron James apologize to the American people and the nation’s fallen military heroes after the basketball player was seen making shooting gestures and swinging his arms during the national anthem ahead of his debut with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The incident occurred before the 76ers’ game against the New York Knicks, as singer Avery Wilson performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Rather than standing still throughout the anthem, James appeared to imitate shooting motions and move his arms, drawing criticism from Trump, who accused the veteran basketball star of showing disrespect toward the United States.

Trump posted footage of the incident on Truth Social, accompanied by a sharply worded condemnation of James’ behavior.

“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country,” Trump wrote.

The president went on to demand an apology, invoking the sacrifices of American servicemen and women who gave their lives defending the nation.

“LeBron James should apologize to all of ​those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the ​American Flag, and all that our Country stands for!” Trump declared.

As of Thursday afternoon, neither James nor the Philadelphia 76ers had publicly responded to the president’s criticism.

The confrontation marks another chapter in Trump’s longstanding disputes with prominent professional athletes over their conduct during the national anthem, an issue he has repeatedly framed as a matter of patriotism and respect for the American flag.

Trump was among the most outspoken critics of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose decision to kneel during the anthem in protest of racial injustice sparked a nationwide controversy over patriotism, free speech, and the responsibilities of professional athletes.

During his first administration, Trump also canceled a planned White House celebration honoring the Philadelphia Eagles following their 2018 Super Bowl victory. The decision came amid disagreements over anthem protests and whether players should be expected to stand during the performance.

The president has consistently maintained that professional athletes representing American sports organizations should demonstrate respect for the national anthem and the flag, particularly in recognition of military personnel who have sacrificed their lives for the country.

James’ actions come amid renewed controversy surrounding anthem observances in professional basketball.

The Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream of the WNBA recently faced criticism after players from both teams left the court before the national anthem during the first three games of the league’s Finals.

The teams rejected suggestions that their departures represented a new form of political protest, explaining that leaving the court before the anthem had long been part of their established pregame routines.

“We’ve been doing that,” Valkyries guard Veronica Burton told reporters before Game 2. “That’s just our pregame routine. We’ve been doing that since last year.”

The controversy has also highlighted differences between professional sports leagues in their policies governing player conduct during the national anthem.

The WNBA does not require its players to remain standing for the anthem, allowing teams greater flexibility in their pregame routines.

The NBA, by contrast, has a longstanding rule requiring players, coaches, and trainers to stand in a dignified posture during the national anthem.

The NFL similarly requires players and team personnel who are present on the sideline to stand during the anthem, although individuals who prefer not to participate may remain in the locker room.

Additional reporting Thursday identified the movements as resembling a golf swing followed by a basketball jump shot. James was standing with his Philadelphia teammates, most of whom remained motionless as the anthem played.

The controversy overshadowed an otherwise successful beginning to James’ Philadelphia career. The 41-year-old, now entering his record 24th NBA season, contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists as the 76ers defeated the Knicks 106-100 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.

James joined Philadelphia this summer after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. His move to the 76ers has attracted considerable attention as he continues one of the longest and most accomplished careers in NBA history.

The dispute also revives the longstanding personal and political tensions between Trump and James, who has frequently criticized the president and supported Democratic candidates. James has used his public platform to speak about racial inequality, voting rights, and other political issues.

Germany has summoned an Iranian diplomatic representative following a court case involving an alleged Iranian-backed plot against prominent Jewish figures, including Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and Volker Beck, a former German parliamentarian and leading Jewish communal official.

The diplomatic confrontation follows the conviction and sentencing of two men connected to the alleged operation, which German authorities have linked to Iranian intelligence activity. The case has renewed concerns about Tehran’s use of operatives and criminal intermediaries to intimidate or attack Jewish and Israeli targets on European soil.

Schuster, who heads Germany’s principal Jewish representative organization, and Beck, president of the German-Israeli Society, were among the individuals identified in reporting about the alleged plot.

The case is particularly significant because of the positions held by the intended targets. Schuster has been one of Germany’s most prominent voices against antisemitism, while Beck has been outspoken in his support for Israel and his criticism of the Iranian government.

On October 15, the Higher Regional Court in Hamburg sentenced the principal defendant, a 54-year-old Danish national identified as Ali S., to eight years and six months in prison for his role in preparing assassination and arson attacks.

His accomplice, 43-year-old Afghan national Tawab M., received a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence.

According to German prosecutors, Ali S. received instructions in early 2025 from operatives associated with the Quds Force, the foreign operations branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The assignment involved gathering intelligence on Schuster and Beck, monitoring their movements and identifying opportunities to carry out attacks.

Investigators also determined that the operation included surveillance of Jewish-owned grocery businesses in Berlin, with preparations for a possible arson attack against a kosher establishment.

The principal defendant subsequently recruited Tawab M., who was accused of helping arrange an attacker and obtain a weapon for an assault on Beck.

The two men were arrested in Denmark in 2025 and subsequently extradited to Germany to face prosecution.

In announcing its verdict, the Hamburg court said the evidence established that the principal defendant had been recruited by Iranian intelligence and incorporated into an operation intended to carry out state-sponsored terrorism in Germany.

Presiding Judge Petra Wende-Spors declared that Iran was attempting to export terrorism to Germany, conduct the court considered unacceptable.

The German Foreign Ministry responded on Monday, October 19, by summoning Iranian Ambassador Majid Nili Ahmadabadi to protest Tehran’s involvement in the operation.

In a public statement, the ministry said, “We will not tolerate attacks on Jewish life and those who defend it—anywhere, least of all in Germany.”

The diplomatic protest prompted a response from Tehran, which summoned Germany’s ambassador to Iran, Axel Wilhelm Dittmann, and rejected the allegations against the Iranian government as baseless.

Schuster welcomed the court’s verdict but warned that the case reflected a much broader danger.

“With the now proven commissioning of these two spies, the regime in Tehran has once again shown its true face. The masterminds are in Iran, and the danger they pose to our open society remains great as long as the mullahs’ regime exists,” Schuster said.

He described the case as “the tip of the iceberg.”

Beck, who was placed under heightened police protection after German security authorities learned of the plot, called for a stronger diplomatic response, including the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador and most of its diplomatic personnel.

According to Beck, he spent six weeks under the highest level of personal protection, during which even routine activities outside his home required police security.

The former Green Party lawmaker said Germany should leave only a minimal Iranian diplomatic presence sufficient to maintain the embassy building.

The convictions have intensified scrutiny of Iranian intelligence operations in Europe, particularly those directed against Jewish communities and individuals publicly associated with Israel.

German officials have repeatedly warned about threats to Jewish institutions, and the Hamburg proceedings provided a documented example of an operation that investigators say moved beyond threats to concrete preparations for violence.

The two defendants have the right to appeal their convictions. Further details of the court’s findings are expected to become available when the complete written judgment is released.

The case has also renewed calls among Jewish communal leaders for stronger measures against Iranian intelligence activity, as Germany confronts the prospect of foreign-directed attacks against Jewish individuals and institutions within its borders.

Karoline Leavitt has offered a blunt assessment of Katie Zacharia’s brief and troubled tenure as White House press secretary, declaring that the highly demanding position simply was not suited for her successor, who lasted just five days before leaving the Trump administration.

Speaking to Fox News, Leavitt addressed Zacharia’s rapid departure and acknowledged that even a carefully selected candidate can struggle when confronted with the pressures of representing President Donald Trump before the national media.

Leavitt explained that the position “takes a lot of preparation and sometimes you don’t know how someone will perform until they go out there.”

“We wish Katie the best. The job obviously was not for her, but we wish her and her family well,” she added.

Zacharia’s departure followed a turbulent introduction to the White House briefing room, where she appeared visibly uncomfortable and nervous during her first appearance before reporters. Her performance quickly attracted widespread attention, and her tenure ended before she had completed a full week in the position.

Since returning to her home in California, Zacharia has largely avoided public discussion of her experience in Washington. She has been photographed exercising outdoors and walking through Los Angeles, including an appearance this week in which she wore a Make America Great Again hat.

Leavitt’s comments, however, have angered people close to Zacharia, who believe the previous press secretary should refrain from publicly criticizing the woman selected to replace her.

“It’s unfair for the former press secretary to continue brutalizing President Trump’s hand-picked successor,” a source familiar with Zacharia’s thinking told the New York Post.

The source emphasized that Zacharia has deliberately avoided interviews and opportunities to defend herself publicly because she does not want her brief tenure to distract from the administration’s work.

“Katie has been adamant about not taking any interviews with friendly or hostile press, has declined profile pieces and would like for the coverage to focus on President Trump’s hard work,” the source continued. “She will not go on a self-promotion tour because it does not benefit the president. And she remains ruthlessly loyal while facing unprecedented attacks against her.”

Some administration officials have privately acknowledged that Zacharia was placed in an unusually difficult position, having been given almost no time to familiarize herself with the responsibilities of one of Washington’s most demanding communications jobs.

Her introduction to the administration began when she traveled from California to meet with Trump on the Friday before her appointment. Following the interview, she returned home to prepare for the move and then flew back to Washington over the weekend.

Monday was largely consumed by the administrative requirements associated with entering federal government service, including paperwork, background information, and other onboarding procedures.

By Tuesday morning, essentially her first full working day, Zacharia was already standing behind the White House podium, facing reporters who regularly challenge administration officials on domestic policy, international developments, and the president’s latest statements.

The rushed transition has become a central argument among Zacharia’s defenders, who maintain that she was never afforded a reasonable opportunity to prepare for the role.

Despite the circumstances surrounding her departure, Zacharia has continued to express strong support for Trump and his administration.

“I have always been deeply thankful for the opportunity to support President Trump and his agenda in the media in the years before he asked me to serve as Press Secretary,” Zacharia told the New York Post.

“There is no other president in history like him. He has single-handedly saved America with his effective policies, and no one has been more relentlessly attacked by the media than President Trump.”

She continued: “He deserves fair coverage of the real wins he is delivering for Americans — historic border security, massive new investments in manufacturing and energy, and the women’s health initiative he and the First Lady just launched. I continue to fully support the incredible work he is doing for the American people and for America’s interests around the world.”

The White House is now searching for another press secretary, although administration officials have indicated that an appointment is unlikely before the November midterm elections.

“I wouldn’t expect anything new pre-midterms,” a source familiar with the administration’s plans told the Post.

Leavitt confirmed that she has been involved in discussions about finding a suitable replacement and has offered to assist Trump in identifying someone capable of handling the intense demands of the position.

She described the White House press secretary role as “one of the hardest jobs in politics,” pointing to the extensive preparation, political knowledge, and personal resilience required to succeed.

“I’ve offered my help to the president to help him select someone who can serve him and the country well,” Leavitt told Fox News.

Although she acknowledged participating in the selection process, Leavitt declined to identify any potential candidates or disclose the names being discussed within Trump’s circle.

“I’ll keep my private counsel to the president private, but I do obviously talk to him about what the job entails, and he knows it very well. Nobody understands the press better than Donald Trump. He knows he needs someone who is tough, who is smart, who understands his policies, who is loyal, and who can go out there and put up a fight,” Leavitt said.

“There’s plenty of people who want the job… It’s just up to the president to make that decision.”

Leavitt herself earned considerable praise from Trump supporters for her aggressive defense of the administration and her ability to respond forcefully to hostile questioning during White House briefings.

She stepped down from the position in August after returning from maternity leave, explaining that she wanted to devote more time to her family, including her two young children.

Her departure from the White House did not mark an end to her involvement in Trump’s political operation. She continues to work as a spokesperson for the president’s political organization and remains an influential voice within his circle of advisers.

On Wednesday, Leavitt appeared in Manchester, New Hampshire, at an event associated with the Make Heaven Crowded Tour, where she discussed the preparation that went into her appearances before the White House press corps.

Reflecting on her earliest days in the position, she explained that she devoted considerable time to studying administration policies and consulting senior officials before appearing before reporters.

“I prepared like heck for that first briefing especially,” Leavitt said. “I poured myself into my preparation. I read. I studied. I talked to every cabinet member. I talked to the president.”

Leavitt has previously spoken about the difficult atmosphere inside the White House briefing room, where exchanges between reporters and administration officials can become heated.

During an interview last year with Miranda Devine on the Pod Force One podcast, Leavitt said maintaining professionalism and providing accurate information were essential even when reporters challenged the administration aggressively.

“The press briefing room can be combative, and sometimes it is behind the scenes as well, but I tell our team that we need to be professional and get them facts, and nobody does that better than President Trump,” she said.

Zacharia’s difficulties extended beyond her performance at the podium. Her first White House briefing lasted approximately 14 minutes, during which she answered only three questions, and she subsequently faced questions about her professional credentials.

Although Zacharia graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law, she acknowledged that she had failed the California bar examination and was not licensed to practice law in the United States. The disclosure attracted scrutiny because she had previously been described as an attorney, including in Trump’s announcement of her appointment.

Zacharia defended her professional background, explaining that she had pursued a different career path and had worked in China. She maintained that she had not presented herself as a licensed practicing attorney when providing legal commentary.

The controversy added to concerns within the administration about whether she could effectively handle the relentless scrutiny associated with the position.

Trump himself publicly suggested that Zacharia reconsider remaining in the job, while also expressing sympathy over what he considered harsh treatment by the press.

Before her brief White House tenure, Zacharia had worked as a communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social. She had also served for several weeks in a public affairs position at the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year.

Despite the criticism and her abrupt departure, Zacharia has insisted that accepting the White House appointment was the right decision.

“I’m proud I said yes, stood firm in what I believe, and kept supporting the president even when the circumstances weren’t ideal for me — showing my children what courage looks like in the face of criticism,” she told the California Post.

The search for her replacement continues, with Trump expected to make the final decision after consulting advisers about who can best represent his administration before the White House press corps.

Israel’s Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has informed the High Court of Justice that approximately 90,000 chareidi men are now subject to military draft enforcement proceedings, calling for additional judicial intervention to compel government ministries to implement financial penalties against yeshiva bochurim and others who have not complied with enlistment requirements.

The figures, submitted to the court Wednesday, provide a detailed picture of the growing confrontation over the military draft, with the attorney general accusing government agencies of failing to implement measures previously ordered by the judiciary.

According to the submission, 110,330 Israelis had either been formally classified as draft avoiders or were subject to advanced enlistment enforcement proceedings as of September 8. Approximately 90,000 of those individuals were identified as belonging to the chareidi community.

The filing specifically identified 67,230 chareidi men who had been classified as draft avoiders or had failed to report after receiving military summonses. An additional group, representing approximately 21 percent of the overall total, was also described as chareidi, although the filing did not clearly explain why those individuals were counted separately.

Baharav-Miara argued that the government has failed to establish a comprehensive enforcement policy despite repeated Supreme Court rulings requiring action.

“Enforcement efforts across various fields are far from being fully exhausted, both in the realm of criminal enforcement and due to the absence of a coherent government policy regarding the revocation of benefits for draft-eligible individuals who fail to enlist,” the attorney general wrote.

Her office is asking the High Court to issue further binding instructions requiring government ministries to implement economic restrictions that have been discussed or ordered in previous proceedings.

Among the measures under consideration are the cancellation of municipal property tax discounts, known as arnona reductions, and subsidized public transportation fares for individuals who have not resolved their military draft status.

The attorney general’s representatives also addressed subsidized after-school programs, which provide substantial financial assistance to families with young children.

According to the court submission, the Attorney General’s Office has instructed the Education Ministry to terminate certain after-school subsidies for families of draft avoiders beginning January 1, 2027.

Education Ministry Director General Meir Shimoni has reportedly maintained that implementing the measure is not feasible under the current arrangements.

Legal officials argued that removing the subsidies could exert considerable financial pressure because the benefit may exceed 1,000 shekels per month.

The filing characterized the proposed restrictions as financial incentives intended to increase enlistment rather than criminal punishments.

However, the proposed measures have encountered resistance and administrative delays within several government ministries.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Interior Ministry Director General Yisrael Uzan were identified in reports concerning the submission as officials whose ministries have not completed the steps necessary to implement certain restrictions.

The Attorney General’s Office contends that those delays have prevented the government from carrying out the court’s instructions.

The latest submission also included updated figures concerning actual military enlistment among chareidi men.

According to the IDF’s counting methodology, 4,298 chareidi men enlisted during the recruitment year ending in June 2026, compared with 2,811 during the preceding year.

That represents an increase of approximately 53 percent.

The attorney general acknowledged the increase but maintained that enlistment remains substantially below the military’s manpower requirements.

Professional assessments cited in the filing attributed the rise partly to the expansion of military programs designed for chareidi recruits and to increased enforcement activity.

The new figures arrive amid continuing disputes over the arrest of yeshiva bochurim who have not reported to military recruitment offices.

Earlier this week, 42 chareidi travelers were detained at Ben Gurion Airport during a Military Police operation targeting individuals returning to Israel from the United States.

Forty of those detained were subsequently released after making commitments concerning their enlistment status.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu criticized the operation, describing it as a “deliberate attempt to harm the process of drafting Haredim without coercion.”

The arrests drew sharp criticism from chareidi representatives and contributed to renewed demonstrations against the military draft.

The broader enforcement campaign has also been complicated by disagreements between the IDF and Israel Police concerning responsibility for conducting arrests and providing sufficient personnel.

Recent military figures indicate that although tens of thousands of individuals have been classified as draft avoiders, only a relatively small number have been arrested or criminally prosecuted.

Military authorities have explained that criminal prosecution is subject to procedural requirements, including a lengthy period following an individual’s failure to respond to an initial enlistment summons.

The legal confrontation stems from the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling that the government lacked a lawful basis to continue granting blanket military service exemptions to yeshiva students.

Since that decision, the Attorney General’s Office has repeatedly pressed the government to expand recruitment efforts and impose additional consequences on individuals who do not comply.

{Matzav.com}

Federal prosecutors have identified Rep. Ilhan Omar under a different surname in newly filed court documents, adding another development to an immigration fraud investigation examining longstanding allegations that the Minnesota Democrat married a man who was actually her brother.

In a filing submitted Wednesday to federal court in Washington, prosecutors referred to the congresswoman as “Ilhan Nur Said Elmi, a/k/a Ilhan Abdullahi Omar,” using the same surname as Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, the man she legally married in 2009 and divorced in 2017.

The designation has attracted particular attention because Omar has spent years denying allegations that Elmi is her biological brother and that their marriage was arranged to help him obtain immigration benefits. The appearance of the Elmi surname in a federal document does not, by itself, establish a family relationship or prove that any immigration laws were violated.

According to a source familiar with the investigation, Omar was born with the surname Elmi rather than Omar, raising additional questions about the identity information appearing in her immigration and citizenship records. Fox News first reported the claim concerning her original surname.

Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the development Thursday, suggesting that prosecutors would have relied on information gathered during their investigation when identifying Omar in the court filing.

“I don’t think [Assistant United States Attorneys] would make up names,” Blanche told the New York Post when questioned about the use of the surname associated with Omar’s former husband.

“Evidence that’s collected is used in motions,” Blanche added.

The investigation is examining whether Omar submitted inaccurate personal information on federal immigration documents, including applications involving citizenship, passports, or other government records. Prosecutors and legal experts have indicated that investigators are examining potential offenses that could fall within a ten-year statute of limitations.

Authorities are reportedly considering whether the use of an alternative identity or an incorrect birth date on official paperwork within that period could provide grounds for criminal charges. No determination of wrongdoing has been established by the information publicly disclosed.

Omar has consistently rejected accusations that her marriage to Elmi was intended to circumvent immigration laws. Her office has previously characterized the allegations as baseless attacks that have followed her since her entry into Minnesota politics.

The controversy resurfaced this week when Omar appeared on MS NOW and was questioned directly about whether she had any family relationship with her former husband.

“Not to my knowledge,” she responded.

Her answer immediately drew criticism from political opponents who questioned why she had not offered a more categorical denial.

President Donald Trump commented on the exchange Thursday, suggesting that Omar’s wording was significant.

“That tells you a lot right there,” Trump said when asked about the interview.

“No, she’s — I’ve never been a big fan of her. I’ll be honest. Let’s see how it all works out. But that statement tells you a lot,” the president added.

Trump has repeatedly criticized Omar and raised the possibility of criminal prosecution over the allegations surrounding her immigration history.

The congresswoman’s latest remarks contrasted with a statement she issued in August 2016, when she was still legally married to Elmi and faced similar questions during her campaign for the Minnesota House of Representatives.

“Insinuations that Ahmed Nur Said Elmi is my brother are absurd and offensive,” Omar declared at the time.

Omar and Elmi subsequently divorced in 2017, ending a marriage that had remained the subject of controversy for years.

Before her marriage to Elmi, Omar had entered into a religious marriage ceremony with Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi, although the couple did not legally marry until 2018. Their relationship ended the following year.

In 2020, Omar married political consultant Tim Mynett, who had previously worked on one of her congressional campaigns.

The latest revelations emerged as federal authorities continued examining the congresswoman’s immigration records and financial affairs, with investigators seeking access to documents and electronic evidence connected to the inquiry.

Washington, D.C., U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office submitted Wednesday’s court filing in an effort to keep a federal search warrant under seal while investigators complete its execution. News organizations, including the New York Times, have sought access to the warrant.

The warrant was partially carried out on October 12, when Homeland Security Investigations agents searched Omar’s Washington residence and removed several items, including her cellphone, computer, passport, and additional materials collected in evidence boxes.

The search marked a significant escalation in the investigation, bringing federal agents directly to the home of a sitting member of Congress.

Federal authorities in Minnesota are also reportedly pursuing evidence concerning Omar’s family background and immigration history. Their efforts have included interviews with relatives and the collection of DNA evidence that investigators believe could help determine whether Omar and Elmi are biologically related.

The reported DNA collection has renewed attention to allegations that first emerged publicly during Omar’s 2016 campaign for the Minnesota Legislature.

The congresswoman has faced questions about her personal history and immigration documentation for approximately a decade. Federal authorities previously examined allegations involving her during Trump’s first administration, although no criminal charges resulted from those earlier inquiries.

Investigators are now reportedly focusing on whether Omar misrepresented information about her birth, family relationships, or immigration status in documents submitted to federal agencies.

Another issue involves the circumstances surrounding Omar’s acquisition of American citizenship following her family’s arrival in the United States as refugees from Somalia.

Omar has explained that her original birth certificate was destroyed amid the upheaval that engulfed Somalia during the early 1990s. Her family fled the country in 1991 and spent approximately four years in a refugee camp in Kenya before eventually resettling in America.

Her father, Nur Omar Mohamed, became a naturalized American citizen in 2000. Under the citizenship rules applicable at the time, Omar’s eligibility to derive citizenship through her father depended in part on whether she was younger than 18 when he naturalized.

According to the birth date currently associated with her official biography, Omar would have been 17 at the time.

However, records previously maintained by Minnesota’s legislative library reportedly listed a birth date that would have made her at least 18 when her father became a citizen, potentially affecting her eligibility for derivative citizenship.

That discrepancy became another subject of scrutiny after records showed that Omar’s congressional staff requested a correction to the legislative library’s birth-date entry in 2019, following her election to Congress.

The circumstances surrounding the original entry, the subsequent correction, and the documentation used to establish her age have become part of the broader controversy over her immigration history.

The Justice Department’s investigation has also prompted a legal dispute over how much information the public should be allowed to see while the inquiry remains active. Prosecutors maintain that releasing the warrant and its supporting materials prematurely could interfere with investigative work that has not yet been completed.

According to the government’s latest filing, the October 12 search warrant has still not been fully executed. Prosecutors have requested additional time before responding to applications seeking disclosure of the records, including requests submitted by multiple news organizations and Judicial Watch.

The investigation has drawn particular scrutiny because it involves a sitting member of Congress just weeks before the November 3 midterm elections. Justice Department procedures traditionally discourage overt investigative actions involving political candidates close to an election, although exceptions are permitted.

Additional reporting has revealed that the federal judge who authorized the search imposed restrictions on investigators’ access to certain materials because of constitutional protections covering congressional activities.

Omar, meanwhile, has maintained that she committed no wrongdoing and has accused the Trump administration of using federal law enforcement to intimidate a political opponent. She has also said she intends to move from her Washington residence following the search, citing concerns about her family’s safety.

The congresswoman has continued campaigning and recently appeared in a video requesting donations from supporters as the investigation attracts national attention.

The government has not publicly explained why prosecutors used the name Ilhan Nur Said Elmi in the court filing, and the designation alone does not establish that Omar was born under that name or that she is related to her former husband. No criminal charges have been announced.

The next major developments are expected to come from the court’s handling of the requests to unseal the search warrant, the continuing examination of immigration and family records, and any decision by federal prosecutors about whether the evidence supports criminal charges.

New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry will be eliminated by June 2028 after the City Council voted overwhelmingly Thursday to outlaw the longtime Central Park attraction, bringing an end to a tradition dating back more than 150 years and setting the stage for a major legal confrontation with carriage drivers who say the city is destroying their livelihoods without providing adequate compensation.

The legislation passed by a veto-proof margin of 40-7, with two council members abstaining, following an unsuccessful last-minute effort to delay the prohibition until 2030. The measure will prohibit horse-drawn carriage operations throughout all five boroughs beginning June 1, 2028, effectively eliminating an industry that has been part of New York City’s identity for generations.

Approximately 200 carriage drivers and owners face the prospect of losing their businesses, with many having invested substantial sums in city-issued licenses, horses, carriages, and other equipment. Their union has announced plans to challenge the measure in federal court, arguing that the city cannot eliminate the value of their businesses without providing meaningful financial compensation.

The Transport Workers Union, which represents carriage industry workers, immediately condemned the council’s decision and warned that the legislation contains serious constitutional deficiencies.

“This bill is a train wreck of constitutional and due process violations,” Transport Workers Union president John Samuelsen said in a statement.

“It offers nothing concrete for blue-collar drivers and carriage owners who will be financially crushed, stripped of their jobs, their licenses, expensive city-issued medallions, small businesses, and way of life,” he added.

“It is not progressive. It is anti-worker. It’s theft.”

The measure, known as Romanch’s Law, was named in memory of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, an Indian tourist who died in June following a terrifying incident involving a runaway horse-drawn carriage in Central Park.

Mahajan had been riding with his family when the horse pulling their carriage suddenly became frightened and bolted. During the incident, Mahajan was thrown from the carriage and suffered fatal injuries. His death intensified a longstanding campaign by animal rights activists and elected officials seeking to eliminate the carriage industry.

His family subsequently called on city officials to prohibit the rides, arguing that earlier efforts to ban the industry could have prevented the tragedy.

“If [the prior legislation] had passed, the carriages would have stopped on June 1, 2026 — Romanch died on June 17,” his father, Deepak Mahajan, told a City Council hearing in July.

“This was not an unpredictable accident. Let his death not be in vain,” he added.

The fatal accident followed years of controversy surrounding the treatment of carriage horses, including several highly publicized incidents in which animals collapsed or died while working in the city. Animal welfare organizations have repeatedly argued that forcing horses to operate amid traffic, noise, extreme temperatures, and crowded streets is dangerous for both the animals and the public.

The latest legislative effort gained decisive momentum earlier this month when Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin reached an agreement to support the industry’s elimination. Both cited public safety and animal welfare concerns in backing the measure.

The agreement succeeded where previous administrations had failed. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio had pledged to eliminate horse-drawn carriages shortly after taking office, but his effort collapsed amid opposition from labor unions, carriage operators, and supporters of the longstanding tourist attraction. His successor, Eric Adams, also considered restrictions and a possible ban but never secured the necessary political support.

Thursday’s vote marked a dramatic reversal for an industry that had survived repeated attempts to remove it from Central Park.

Under the legislation, existing carriage licenses will expire at the end of May 2028, and the city will no longer permit the industry to operate. The measure also requires the Mamdani administration to develop a transition plan by April 1, 2027, outlining employment assistance and possible financial support for affected workers and business owners.

That plan is expected to include job placement assistance, career counseling, educational opportunities, and potential employment in the transportation and hospitality industries. However, the legislation does not guarantee that carriage operators will receive compensation for the value of their businesses, licenses, or equipment.

That omission has become a central point of contention for workers who say their entire financial futures are tied to the industry.

Some carriage medallions have been purchased for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and owners fear those investments will become worthless once the prohibition takes effect. Many drivers are immigrants who have spent decades establishing their businesses and have few comparable employment opportunities available to them.

Longtime carriage driver Atakan Aktay recently challenged Mamdani over what he described as an inconsistency between the mayor’s previous support for struggling taxi medallion owners and his current position toward carriage operators.

“Before you became mayor, you participated in a 15-day hunger strike to support yellow taxi medallion owners facing financial ruin,” Aktay said last week. “Now you are mayor, and we face the prospect of losing our businesses without guaranteed compensation.

“Where is that same compassion for us? How can you fight for one group of medallion owners while allowing another group to face financial devastation? To us, that feels hypocritical and humiliating,” Aktay added.

Other drivers have questioned why City Hall has singled out horse-drawn carriages while allowing electric bicycle delivery workers and pedicab operators to continue operating despite frequent complaints about dangerous driving and traffic violations.

Industry representatives have also maintained that carriage horses are already subject to extensive regulations governing their working hours, veterinary care, rest periods, and exposure to extreme weather. They argue that the city could strengthen enforcement of existing protections rather than eliminate the industry altogether.

The union has indicated that it intends to seek a temporary restraining order against the legislation, arguing that the prohibition violates constitutional protections against the taking of private property without just compensation.

Attorneys representing the union have specifically challenged the loss of valuable city-issued medallions and the restrictions that would prevent owners from selling their horses to other carriage businesses.

The city’s Law Department has expressed confidence that the legislation can withstand a legal challenge.

President Donald Trump also weighed in on the controversy Thursday, criticizing the decision to eliminate an attraction he described as a “Great Tradition.”

Trump questioned the reasoning behind shutting down an entire industry because of a tragic accident, arguing that similar logic could be applied to other forms of transportation involved in fatal incidents.

His comments added a national political dimension to a controversy that has divided New Yorkers over animal welfare, public safety, workers’ rights, and the preservation of the city’s historic character.

Meanwhile, questions remain about the future of the horses currently used by carriage operators. Although the legislation requires humane treatment and prohibits selling or transferring the animals for slaughter or use in another horse-drawn carriage business, it does not establish a fully funded program to relocate them.

Animal welfare organizations have proposed sending the horses to rescue farms and sanctuaries throughout the country, where they would no longer be used for commercial carriage rides. Several organizations have already expressed willingness to help arrange placements.

The animal rights group NYCLASS, which has spent years campaigning against the industry, celebrated the council’s decision as a major victory.

“New York City is finally ending deadly horse carriage rides,” the organization declared following the vote.

“We will work with the administration to ensure the horses retire to safe, loving rescue farms where they can finally run free.”

{Matzav.com}

Congressman Mike Lawler received the endorsement of the Skverer Rebbe and the leadership of the Skverer kehilla during a visit to New Square on Wednesday, adding another prominent chassidishe endorsement to his reelection campaign in New York’s 17th Congressional District.

Lawler met with the Rebbe on Wednesday afternoon, October 21, as candidates across Rockland County continued meeting with rabbonim and communal leaders ahead of the November 3 elections.

Following the meeting, the Skverer kehilla’s leadership confirmed its support for Lawler’s bid for another term in Congress.

The endorsement comes during a closely watched congressional contest between Lawler, a Republican seeking his third term, and Democratic challenger Cait Conley.

The 17th Congressional District includes significant portions of Rockland and Westchester counties, where the frum community represents an important constituency.

Lawler has maintained relationships with Orthodox Jewish communities throughout his time in Congress, frequently addressing concerns involving antisemitism, Israel and issues affecting religious institutions.

His campaign has emphasized his record on combating antisemitism and supporting Israel, while Conley has criticized aspects of the Trump administration’s policies and Lawler’s alignment with the president.

The congressional race has attracted considerable attention because of its potential implications for the balance of power in the House of Representatives.

The Skverer endorsement follows several other announcements of support for Lawler from chassidishe communities and rabbonim in Rockland County.

Earlier this week, Rav Chaim Schabes, Rav of Knesseth Israel in New Hempstead, issued a letter endorsing Lawler, State Senate candidate Joe Rand and Assemblyman Aron Wieder.

The Viener kehilla and its mosdos in Monsey also announced their support for the three candidates, emphasizing their relationships with the community.

Separately, the Vizhnitzer kehilla and its voting committee announced endorsements that included Lawler, Rand and Wieder.

The latest meeting also comes just days after Governor Kathy Hochul visited New Square and met with the Skverer Rebbe as part of her own reelection campaign.

The Skverer kehilla previously announced its support for Hochul, reflecting the community’s practice of considering candidates individually rather than endorsing an entire party ticket.

During Hochul’s Monday visit, the governor also discussed the State Senate race with Skverer leadership, and the kehilla subsequently endorsed Joe Rand.

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A remarkable discovery in the archives of Ford Motor Company has saved Yeshivas Oholei Torah in Crown Heights an estimated $200,000 and up to eight weeks of construction-related work, after a former talmid helped locate original architectural plans for a building that the yeshiva is preparing to transform into a major new Torah campus.

The discovery came as Oholei Torah moved forward with plans to develop its new Rabbinical Campus at 402 Eastern Parkway, a historic property originally constructed by Ford in 1916 as an automobile showroom.

More than a century later, the building is being prepared for an entirely different purpose: accommodating hundreds of bochurim as the yeshiva continues to expand.

The project, which is expected to encompass more than 100,000 square feet, will include three large batei medrash, a modern mikvah, classrooms, dedicated rooms for mashpiim, a student lounge and additional facilities.

But as architects and engineers began planning the extensive renovations, they encountered a costly problem. The building’s original structural drawings were nowhere to be found.

Oholei Torah had retained New York Major as its owner’s representative and contractor, together with the architectural firm FMA, which specializes in educational facilities and has extensive experience designing yeshivos.

The team began examining the existing structure to determine how it could be adapted to meet the needs of the growing yeshiva.

Original architectural plans were essential to that process. Without them, engineers would have to conduct extensive measurements, structural testing, scanning and investigative work to determine how the building had been constructed.

The yeshiva initially hired a company to search records maintained by the New York City Department of Buildings. Although some documentation was located, the original plans were missing.

Officials then turned to the New York City School Construction Authority.

The building had been leased by the Department of Education for approximately four decades and used as a public school, raising hopes that the city’s school construction records might contain the necessary drawings.

The authority was able to provide additional documents, including plans from previous renovations, but the original structural blueprints remained elusive.

With the project facing weeks of additional investigative work and substantial expenses, an unexpected possibility emerged during a planning meeting.

Rav Mendel Blau, the yeshiva’s rosh mosad, recalled that a former classmate from his Oholei Torah bais medrash years, Shlomo Kleinman, was employed by Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan.

He mentioned the connection to Rav Yehoshua Lustig, the yeshiva’s menahel klali.

Since Ford had originally constructed the Eastern Parkway building, perhaps the company’s archives still contained its century-old architectural drawings.

Rav Lustig contacted Kleinman, who readily agreed to help his former yeshiva.

“I have such great memories of my years in Oholei Torah Beis Medrash,” Kleinman said. “It means a lot to me to play a part in preparing a new Zal for the next generation of Oholei Torah bochurim.”

Kleinman reached out to Leslie Armbruster of the Ford Motor Company Archives department and explained what the yeshiva was attempting to locate.

Armbruster began searching the company’s extensive historical records.

To the delight of the yeshiva’s construction team, the search was successful.

The original architectural drawings for the building at 402 Eastern Parkway had been preserved in Ford’s archives for more than 100 years.

“I was delighted to find the drawings of your building, and am happy to have been able to save your organization both time and money. It’s a lovely reminder of the importance of the work that my team and I do in the Ford Motor Company Archives,” Armbruster said.

The financial implications were substantial.

According to Yiddi Nussensweig of New York Major, having the original plans available will save the yeshiva approximately $200,000 and eliminate six to eight weeks of investigative work.

Although engineers will still need to conduct certain physical tests, scans and structural examinations, the newly discovered drawings provide detailed information about the building’s original construction, significantly reducing the scope of that work.

The discovery comes at a particularly important time for Oholei Torah, which has experienced significant enrollment growth.

This year, the yeshiva welcomed 540 bais medrash talmidim, an increase of 75 over the previous year.

Despite efforts to expand its existing facilities, the yeshiva was unable to accommodate more than 100 additional applicants.

The planned Rabbinical Campus is intended to address that shortage and provide sufficient space for future growth.

The yeshiva hopes to open the new campus for the 5789 school year, with the current architectural planning and design process expected to continue for approximately four more months.

Rav Lustig expressed appreciation to Ford Motor Company and the individuals who helped locate the documents.

“We are deeply grateful to Ford Motor Company for generously responding to our request and making these historic plans available to us,” he said. “We especially appreciate the support of Ford Archives and Leslie Armbruster, along with Shlomo Kleinman for helping connect us with the right team. Ford’s generosity has saved the Yeshiva valuable time and resources and helped move us closer to opening the new campus.”

The discovery has also highlighted an unusual chapter in the history of the Eastern Parkway property.

Constructed during the early years of America’s automobile industry, the building originally served Ford’s commercial operations in Brooklyn before eventually becoming a public school.

Now, the same structure is being prepared to house a major center of Torah learning.

And thanks to a former talmid who remembered his yeshiva and a Ford archivist who located drawings preserved for more than a century, the institution has avoided an estimated $200,000 in expenses as it prepares the building for its next chapter.

{Matzav.com}

Israel Railways has announced that passengers will be able to travel by train free of charge beginning Monday evening, October 26, as part of special transportation arrangements for the Knesset elections scheduled for Tuesday, October 27.

The free-travel program will begin at 8 p.m. Monday and continue throughout Election Day, allowing eligible passengers to reach their polling locations without paying regular train fares.

Railway officials have emphasized that passengers must obtain special paper tickets from station ticket machines to take advantage of the arrangement. Travelers should not use their regular Rav-Kav cards or electronic payment applications for these journeys, as doing so could result in ordinary fares being charged.

The transportation plan also includes expanded service on the heavily traveled railway line connecting Yerushalayim and Tel Aviv.

Between noon and 8 p.m. on Election Day, trains are scheduled to operate three times per hour in each direction between Yerushalayim’s Yitzchak Navon station and Tel Aviv, providing additional capacity for voters traveling between the cities.

The expanded schedule is intended to accommodate increased passenger traffic as Israelis travel to their registered polling locations.

An important additional requirement applies to passengers traveling to or from Yerushalayim. Under instructions issued by Israel Police, the number of passengers permitted aboard these trains will be limited, and travelers must obtain a reservation voucher in advance for the particular train they intend to board.

The voucher requirement is separate from the paper ticket needed to travel free of charge. Passengers heading to Yerushalayim should therefore arrange both before their journey.

The additional trains will operate between Yerushalayim’s Yitzchak Navon station and Tel Aviv’s Hahagana station, increasing the regular frequency from two trains per hour to three during the designated afternoon and evening hours.

The free-travel arrangement applies to all Israel Railways routes, without a distance restriction, and is available to the general public.

In addition to the railway service, free transportation will be offered on qualifying intercity bus routes covering distances greater than 15 kilometers. Passengers using those routes will not need to present identification or obtain a special ticket.

Local bus trips and intercity journeys of 15 kilometers or less will remain subject to regular fares.

The arrangements were approved by the Central Elections Committee to make it easier for citizens to travel between communities and exercise their voting rights.

Travelers are advised to check schedules before departing, as certain bus routes will operate on modified timetables for Election Day, while some services ordinarily used by schools will not operate.

Israel Railways is directing passengers to its official website and application for information about the Yerushalayim reservation vouchers, updated timetables and station arrangements.

Additional information is available through the railway’s customer-service hotline at \*5770. Passengers seeking details about eligible intercity bus routes can contact the national public transportation information center at \*8787.

The free transportation arrangements will conclude when regular public transportation service ends Tuesday night, October 27.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump warned Thursday that the United States could carry out further military strikes against Iran, raising the possibility of another round of attacks as reports indicate that American and Israeli military planners have prepared options for renewed operations following the November 3 midterm elections.

Speaking with reporters outside the White House before traveling to Iowa for a campaign rally, Trump defended his decision to wage war against Iran, arguing that earlier administrations had failed to take the steps necessary to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat.

Trump described his actions as “doing what should have been done by other presidents. There’s a price to pay, which I knew immediately when I did it.”

.@POTUS on Iran: "We've knocked the hell out of them — and we may do it a little bit further." pic.twitter.com/FP0pIsJiSk

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 22, 2026

The president acknowledged that the war has prompted mixed reactions among Americans, but insisted that preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons outweighs those concerns.

“But we can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon. I mean, in one way, people probably don’t love it. But many people, many great patriots really love it.”

Trump then delivered his clearest indication that the American military campaign may not yet be finished, suggesting that Washington could order additional attacks if necessary.

“This should have been done a long time ago by other presidents, the Iran war. And we’ve knocked the hell out of them. And we may do it a little bit further.”

His comments came just one day after he told supporters at a campaign appearance in South Carolina that he believed the conflict was approaching its conclusion. Nevertheless, Trump indicated that the administration was reluctant to end its military operations without confidence that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been sufficiently weakened to prevent the threat from resurfacing.

The war, he stated, will “end very soon. We could leave now, but we want to make sure it lasts for a long time. Now, if you look at that, it’s amazing what we did. Our military is unbelievable.”

The president’s latest remarks have taken on additional significance amid reports that Washington is examining the possibility of further attacks in coordination with Israel.

According to a report published Wednesday by The New York Times, American and Israeli military officials have already prepared detailed operational plans for another round of strikes against Iranian targets.

The newspaper reported that a renewed offensive could be launched after the November 3 congressional elections, although Trump has not given authorization for such an operation.

The planning reportedly reflects ongoing discussions within the administration about how to bring the conflict to an end while ensuring that Iran is unable to rebuild or advance its nuclear weapons program.

The distinction between preparing military options and approving an attack remains significant. Although the reported plans would provide the president with the ability to order further strikes, no final decision to launch another operation has been announced.

The White House has declined to confirm the reported preparations.

Asked about the newspaper’s account, a White House official said the administration does not discuss military plans “that may or may not exist.”

The official emphasized that Trump continues to reserve the right to pursue whatever measures he considers necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Taken together, the president’s remarks and the reports of military planning suggest that Washington is keeping the possibility of additional military action open even as Trump publicly expresses confidence that the war could soon conclude.

Additional reporting indicates that the preparations have advanced beyond preliminary discussions. American and Israeli forces have reportedly intensified military exercises, including flights over Iraq designed to rehearse possible attack missions against Iran.

Potential targets under consideration include Iranian nuclear installations, energy infrastructure, missile production facilities, and drone stockpiles. Some American officials believe a concentrated campaign could further damage Iran’s economy and pressure Tehran into accepting diplomatic concessions.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also traveled to Israel this week, meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to discuss the possibility of renewed strikes.

Separate reporting indicated that Netanyahu had considered launching a major Israeli operation against Iran earlier this month, but Trump opposed resuming large-scale attacks before the American elections. Netanyahu subsequently disputed reports suggesting that Trump had blocked Israeli military action, calling those accounts “incorrect.”

The Pentagon has reportedly examined options for a brief but intensive operation lasting approximately three days. However, Trump has rejected previous proposals to resume major combat operations, leaving considerable uncertainty over whether the latest preparations will result in actual strikes.

Iranian officials, meanwhile, have warned that another American or Israeli offensive could trigger a broader response, potentially extending attacks beyond military targets to additional infrastructure across the region.

The prospect of renewed fighting has also heightened concerns about global energy supplies, particularly amid continued tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices climbed to their highest levels in several months Thursday as markets reacted to the possibility of further military escalation.

For now, Trump has left both possibilities open: ending the conflict in the near future or authorizing another round of attacks intended to prevent Iran from recovering its nuclear and military capabilities.

His warning that the United States may strike Iran “a little bit further” suggests that even as the administration discusses bringing the war to a close, the possibility of another major confrontation remains firmly on the table.

A Bnei Brak resident in his 30s has been indicted for allegedly setting fire to an occupied residential building in the chareidi city, causing extensive damage to several apartments and forcing residents to evacuate as flames spread through the property.

The indictment, reported Thursday, accuses the suspect of deliberately igniting a fire in the courtyard of a three-story apartment building on Rav Meshulam Roth Street, creating a dangerous situation for families living inside.

According to prosecutors, the defendant entered the building’s courtyard carrying flammable material, which he poured near a storage area before setting it alight and fleeing the scene.

The flames quickly spread from the courtyard toward the building’s upper floors, reaching balconies and threatening the apartments above.

Residents were forced to leave their homes as the fire intensified, while emergency personnel worked to prevent the blaze from spreading further.

The fire caused substantial damage to three apartments, including burned balconies and damage to portions of the building’s structure.

The indictment alleges that the defendant deliberately started the blaze despite the obvious danger to residents of the occupied building.

The case has raised particular concern because the fire was allegedly started in a shared residential area, where flames could spread rapidly to adjoining apartments and endanger families who might be unaware of the developing emergency.

Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the blaze and gathered evidence that ultimately led prosecutors to file criminal charges against the suspect.

The precise motive for the alleged arson has not been publicly established in the available reporting.

A growing concern among immigrant communities, including Orthodox Jewish families, involves lawful permanent residents who have lived in the United States for decades but face questioning, detention, or possible deportation when returning from trips abroad, Matzav.com has learned.

The issue is particularly troubling for green card holders who have built their entire lives in America, raising families, operating businesses, paying taxes, supporting charitable organizations, and participating in their local communities, only to discover that their immigration status does not provide the same protections as American citizenship.

Matzav.com has learned of instances of frum travelers being detained at airports despite possessing valid green cards. Immigration attorneys told Matzav.com that lawful permanent residents can face serious consequences when returning to the United States if certain legal issues arise.

A green card permits a foreign national to live and work permanently in the United States. However, it does not confer citizenship, and permanent resident status can be challenged or lost under circumstances established by federal immigration law.

For travelers who have spent most of their lives in America, that distinction can come as a shock.

The danger has become more pronounced amid stepped-up immigration enforcement and a recent Supreme Court ruling that expanded the government’s authority to scrutinize certain returning permanent residents.

In June, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Blanche v. Lau that immigration officers do not need to establish by clear and convincing evidence, at the airport itself, that a returning green card holder committed a disqualifying offense before treating that individual as someone seeking admission to the country.

The ruling does not mean that every green card holder can be detained or deported at will. However, it has raised concerns among immigration attorneys that travelers with old criminal convictions, pending charges, or other immigration complications could face greater difficulties upon returning from overseas.

The case involved a Chinese national who had held a green card for nearly two decades. After facing federal charges involving counterfeit merchandise, he traveled abroad and encountered immigration problems when he returned to the United States.

The decision underscored a reality that many longtime residents may not fully appreciate: A person can have a home, family, business, and decades of history in America and still be subject to immigration laws that do not apply to U.S. citizens.

The issue is no longer merely theoretical.

An investigation published in September by the San Francisco Chronicle found that more than 400 international travelers had been held at American airports for longer than 72 hours since January, including 146 individuals with valid green cards.

At San Francisco International Airport alone, 25 people were held for more than three days through July, 19 of whom were green card holders. Eighteen of those 25 individuals were subsequently transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities.

One case involved a 67-year-old lawful permanent resident who had lived legally in the United States for approximately 50 years. After returning from Mexico, he was detained by federal officers and held at the San Francisco airport for eight days before being transferred to an ICE detention center.

The man described sleeping upright in a chair under lights that remained on throughout the night, without a change of clothing. His attorneys eventually secured his release after several months in detention.

Other cases have involved green card holders who arrived in America as young children, grew up in the United States, and established families here, only to face detention after returning from international travel because of criminal matters dating back many years.

Immigration attorneys emphasize that even an old conviction, including one for which a person served no jail time, can sometimes create serious complications under federal immigration law.

A conviction that appeared to have been resolved decades earlier may still have immigration consequences. Certain offenses involving controlled substances, fraud, theft, or other categories specified in immigration law can affect a permanent resident’s ability to return to the country.

Even travelers who have previously passed through American airports without difficulty may encounter problems on a subsequent trip.

Another concern involves permanent residents who have spent extended periods outside the United States. Immigration authorities may question whether such individuals have abandoned their American residency, although an extended absence does not automatically terminate green card status.

For members of the frum community, these issues are especially relevant for families flying to Eretz Yisroel and elsewhere for Yom Tov, family simchos, weddings, and visits to relatives.

Someone who has lived in Lakewood, Boro Park, Monsey, or another American community for 30 or 40 years may naturally regard the United States as home. His children may have been born here, his grandchildren may be American citizens, and his entire livelihood may be based in this country.

But if he never completed the naturalization process, he remains a lawful permanent resident rather than a citizen.

Paying taxes, owning a home, volunteering at a local food bank, contributing to communal institutions, and maintaining an otherwise exemplary record do not automatically provide the legal protections associated with citizenship.

Even participation in civic activities does not change immigration status. In fact, ordinary jury service is generally restricted to U.S. citizens, and a green card holder who mistakenly claims citizenship in connection with jury service or another official process could create additional immigration complications.

Immigration attorneys are therefore urging green card holders to review their circumstances carefully before traveling abroad, particularly if they have ever been arrested, charged with an offense, convicted of a crime, or spent substantial time outside the country.

They also caution permanent residents against signing documents surrendering their immigration status without first obtaining legal advice.

One particularly important document is Form I-407, which is used to voluntarily abandon lawful permanent resident status. A traveler presented with that form should understand that signing it can have serious consequences.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association advises permanent residents facing questions about their status to request legal assistance and avoid voluntarily relinquishing their green cards without understanding their rights.

Importantly, immigration officers cannot simply erase a person’s lawful permanent resident status because they question that person’s eligibility. The law provides procedures for contesting removal and abandonment allegations, although the availability and scope of those protections depend on the circumstances.

Attorneys also stress that detention is not the same as deportation. A person taken into immigration custody may still have substantial legal defenses and opportunities to challenge the government’s allegations.

For permanent residents who are eligible to become American citizens, the developments have renewed attention to the naturalization process.

In most cases, lawful permanent residents may apply for citizenship after five years, provided they meet the applicable requirements. Certain spouses of American citizens may qualify after three years.

Naturalization requires an application, background review, and satisfaction of other legal conditions, including residency and eligibility requirements. Individuals with complicated immigration or criminal histories should obtain qualified legal guidance before applying.

The broader warning is that possession of a green card, even one held for decades, should not be confused with citizenship.

For families whose lives are deeply rooted in America, the possibility that an ordinary overseas trip could end with a loved one in immigration detention is a concern that deserves serious attention.

{Matzav.com}

France is preparing for another potentially volatile weekend of demonstrations, with President Emmanuel Macron announcing restrictions on protests organized by groups his government considers illegitimate, authorities extending a nighttime curfew in parts of Paris, and soldiers being deployed to protect sensitive locations following violent unrest that reportedly left thousands of businesses looted and nearly 1,000 police officers injured.

The security measures follow a wave of demonstrations that erupted into widespread violence last weekend, when protests over the rising cost of living and conditions in educational institutions escalated into clashes with police, vandalism, and looting.

More than 2,700 people were reportedly arrested during the disturbances, while approximately 3,000 businesses were looted or damaged. The reported scale of the violence has prompted French authorities to prepare a substantially larger security response ahead of demonstrations planned for Saturday.

Macron announced that protests organized by what he described as “illegitimate organizations” would be prohibited, with the restrictions reportedly directed at far-left groups that government officials accuse of encouraging last weekend’s violence.

Authorities in Marseille and Lyon have announced outright bans on demonstrations within their jurisdictions on Saturday, reflecting concerns that renewed gatherings could lead to further confrontations.

In Paris, however, a court authorized a peaceful demonstration despite the government’s restrictions. Thousands of people subsequently gathered for a stationary protest, which reportedly concluded without major incidents.

Meanwhile, officials extended the nighttime curfew covering the Place de la République and Les Halles areas of central Paris. The restrictions, in effect from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m., are scheduled to remain in place through Monday morning.

The French Culture Ministry also announced the closure of several major museums over the weekend, including the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, citing the need to protect visitors, employees, and valuable works of art.

The government has acknowledged that security forces were inadequately prepared for the previous demonstrations, which reportedly attracted approximately one million participants nationwide.

This time, officials are promising a massive deployment of police personnel, supported by soldiers assigned to Operation Sentinelle, France’s domestic counterterrorism security mission.

Under the security arrangements described by officials, soldiers will guard sensitive sites, freeing police officers to concentrate on managing demonstrations, preventing looting, and responding to outbreaks of violence.

The atmosphere of uncertainty is particularly evident among business owners in Paris, many of whom have begun boarding up storefront windows and installing additional protective barriers.

Merchants are also purchasing weapons and self-defense equipment amid fears that their businesses could again become targets.

Yves Gola, a Paris firearms dealer, said demand at his store has increased dramatically, with sales rising tenfold and his inventory of guns designed to fire rubber projectiles completely exhausted.

“They are arming themselves because they are terrified,” Gola said.

The current demonstrations are reportedly being organized by UNEF, France’s principal student union, together with participants associated with the Yellow Vest protest movement.

The unrest has also intensified political tensions ahead of France’s presidential election next year.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and other government figures have accused Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the prominent far-left political leader, of contributing to the atmosphere of unrest. Those accusations remain political claims rather than established findings of responsibility for the violence.

Macron has also rejected assertions portraying the demonstrations as an attempt at an Islamist takeover of France, describing such claims as a “complete lie.”

The restrictions are aimed at particular demonstrations and organizers, rather than a nationwide prohibition on all protests. Recognized groups, including trade unions, may still hold demonstrations, although authorities can change routes or impose local restrictions to protect businesses and public safety.

France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez previously acknowledged that police had lost control in several major cities during the October 17 disturbances. Macron subsequently rejected Nuñez’s offer to resign, while the government began reviewing its intelligence and policing failures.

The restrictions have drawn objections from opposition figures, who argue that the government is responding to grievances over living costs and public services with security measures rather than policy changes. Government officials maintain that peaceful protest remains permissible and that the additional restrictions are necessary to prevent further violence.

The next major demonstrations are scheduled for Saturday, October 24, with authorities preparing to deploy police, specialized security units, armored vehicles, and military personnel to prevent another round of rioting and looting.

For now, French authorities face the challenge of preventing another outbreak of violence while navigating court rulings protecting peaceful demonstrations. The coming weekend will provide an important test of whether the expanded security deployment and protest restrictions can prevent a recurrence of the widespread destruction reported during last week’s unrest.

Nearly four years after more than 100 gemachim applied for government licenses, the overwhelming majority are still awaiting final approval, raising concerns about the slow pace of regulatory oversight in a sector that handles billions of shekels in loans and deposits for Israel’s chareidi community.

New figures obtained through freedom-of-information requests reveal that just 19 of the 109 gemachim that submitted licensing applications to Israel’s Capital Market Authority in 2022 have received licenses. The remaining 90 have yet to complete the approval process.

The findings, first reported by journalist Nati Tucker of TheMarker, have drawn attention to the challenges facing regulators as they attempt to supervise a financial network that plays an essential role in the daily lives of thousands of frum families.

The gemach system, built around interest-free lending and communal assistance, provides financing for weddings, housing expenses, family emergencies and other significant needs. Many institutions also accept deposits from individuals who place money with a gemach to support its lending activities.

The combined financial activity of the sector is estimated at approximately 5 billion shekels, making the licensing delays particularly consequential.

Although the government introduced a licensing framework intended to establish clearer oversight of gemachim, the latest figures suggest that implementation has proceeded far more slowly than anticipated.

The licensing delays have been a subject of dispute between government regulators and Knesset members for years. Representatives of the gemachim have complained that the absence of licenses has complicated their relationships with banks, even when the institutions have been operating for years and have submitted the required applications.

At a Knesset Finance Committee hearing in December 2025, lawmakers pressed the Capital Market Authority over the prolonged delays. Officials explained that the necessary anti-money-laundering regulations had to be finalized before licenses could be issued.

During that hearing, a senior authority official clarified that gemachim operating before the licensing framework took effect in 2022, and which had submitted the appropriate applications, could continue operating while their applications were reviewed.

That distinction is significant. The fact that an institution has not yet received a final license does not necessarily mean it is operating unlawfully.

The regulatory process has begun moving forward in recent weeks. In September, the authority issued its first seven licenses to qualifying gemachim. By October 20, the number had increased to 19.

The authority says additional applications are undergoing review and that it intends to continue issuing licenses to institutions meeting the requirements.

The government has also formally initiated a two-year transition period for new anti-money-laundering obligations. Under the framework, licensed gemachim will eventually be required to implement procedures for identifying customers, documenting transactions, monitoring financial risks and reporting certain activities to regulators.

The transition period follows the publication of an official notice announcing the commencement of licensing, with the new requirements scheduled to take effect in October 2028.

Regulators say the rules are intended to protect depositors and borrowers while preserving the distinctive character of gemachim, which operate without charging interest and often depend heavily on donations and volunteer administrators.

The Capital Market Authority has acknowledged that gemachim occupy a unique position in Israel’s financial system, providing interest-free loans through institutions generally built around close-knit communities and longstanding relationships of trust.

Unlike conventional financial institutions, many gemachim rely on guarantors rather than interest-based lending arrangements to manage financial risk.

The authority says its supervisory framework is designed to account for those differences while introducing standards intended to protect the public and prevent financial misconduct.

At the same time, regulators have begun enforcement proceedings against institutions suspected of violating existing requirements, including issuing notices of hearings to certain operators.

The licensing issue has attracted particular attention from chareidi lawmakers, who have argued that excessive bureaucracy could interfere with a system of communal assistance that provides critical financial support to families.

During previous Knesset discussions, MK Moshe Gafni and MK Simcha Rothman urged officials to expedite the process and permit gemachim to receive licenses while the remaining regulatory requirements were being implemented.

Rothman accused regulators of creating a situation in which institutions were being denied licenses because the government had not yet completed the regulations necessary to issue them.

The latest figures underscore how much work remains. With only 19 licenses issued and 90 of the original 109 applicants still awaiting approval, the process is far from complete.

For the thousands of families who depend on gemachim to finance weddings, purchase homes or manage major expenses, the outcome of the regulatory process could have substantial consequences.

The central challenge facing Israeli authorities will be to establish meaningful financial oversight without undermining the interest-free lending institutions that have served as a cornerstone of chareidi communal life for generations.

{Matzav.com}