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Israel marked a major technological milestone Sunday morning with a formal event at a Rafael facility, where the IDF officially accepted the “Or Eitan” laser interception system into its arsenal. The platform is the first operational laser-based air defense system anywhere in the world, using high-powered laser beams to counter airborne threats.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Yisroel Katz hailed the breakthrough, saying the achievement “changes the rules of the game and sends a clear message to all our enemies: do not test us-neither in nearby arenas nor in distant ones. Anyone who does will pay a heavy price.”

The system is the product of close collaboration between Rafael and the Ministry of Defense’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development. According to defense officials, it has already undergone an extensive testing program, during which it successfully intercepted rockets, mortar fire, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Amir Baram, Director General of the Ministry of Defense, described the handover as a turning point for the project, noting that it represents the move from research and development into full-scale, serial production.

Once operationally deployed, “Or Eitan” is slated to become part of Israel’s layered air defense framework, augmenting existing systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow missile defense array.

Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar emphasized the strategic importance of the system, calling it a significant accomplishment and the result of years of sustained cooperation focused on strengthening Israel’s defensive capabilities.

An emotional moment came during the ceremony when Dov Oster, one of the system’s developers and the father of the late Capt. Eitan Oster—who was killed in action in southern Lebanon and for whom the system is named—recited Shehecheyanu.

Rafael Chairman Dr. Yuval Steinitz summed up the historic nature of the moment, stating, “Today, Israel becomes the first country in the world to field an operational laser defense system. This is a global scientific breakthrough made possible by Rafael’s unique adaptive optics technology.”

{Matzav.com}

With the end of January approaching and a possible government shutdown on the horizon, President Donald Trump renewed his call for Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster, arguing that the rule is standing in the way of progress. “The filibuster is hurting the Republican Party,” he said in an interview with Politico. “If you get rid of the filibuster, you’re not going to have a shutdown.” He added that without it, “you can do everything.”

Trump went further, saying that major policy goals would be easier to achieve if the procedural hurdle were removed. “You can do great healthcare if you get rid of the filibuster,” he said. “We can do everything we want.” Despite those comments, a number of Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader John Thune, continue to support keeping the filibuster, describing it as an important safeguard that encourages bipartisan cooperation. Ending it would also clear the way for other Republican initiatives, such as voter ID legislation.

In the same interview, Trump argued that the political stakes of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections will largely hinge on economic issues, particularly prices. He said voters will judge the election based on the direction of the country. “I think it’s going to be about the success of our country,” Trump said, speaking to Politico in an interview conducted Friday.

Trump placed responsibility for recent cost-of-living pressures on Democrats under Joe Biden, while insisting his administration is reversing that trend. “They gave us high pricing, and we’re bringing it down. Energy’s way down. Gasoline is way down,” he said.

Recent economic data has bolstered the administration’s argument. Over the past two weeks, a string of reports has suggested inflation is easing, a point the White House has emphasized as Americans continue to voice concerns about affordability. A Politico poll conducted last month found that many people still view everyday expenses — including groceries, utilities, healthcare, housing, and transportation — as too high.

Trump pushed back on that perception, citing falling energy-related costs. He said in the interview that “electricity is down. It’s way down.” He linked those declines to broader energy trends, explaining, “When the gasoline goes down, and when the oil and gas go down, the electricity comes down naturally.” He added, “But it’s all coming down. It’s all coming down. It’s coming beautifully.”

Pointing to broader economic growth, Trump highlighted new GDP figures released Wednesday. “You saw the 4.3%?” he said, referring to data showing the economy expanded at an annualized rate of 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025. He claimed the numbers triggered a strong reaction from political opponents, saying, “The Democrats were exploding. Their heads were exploding.”

Inflation data also showed improvement, with the Labor Department reporting that the consumer price index rose at an annual rate of 2.7% in November, the smallest year-over-year increase since July. Trump has cited those figures as further evidence that his administration is steering the economy in the right direction ahead of the next election cycle.

{Matzav.com}

Iran has launched three advanced Earth-observation satellites — Zafar-2, Paya, and Kowsar-1.5 — into low-Earth orbit aboard a Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Amur region. The satellites are intended for imaging and data-transmission missions.

Israel’s former Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Rav Yitzchok Yosef, sharply criticized the conduct of the Israeli military police regarding the arrest of yeshiva students, charging that the enforcement is discriminatory and disproportionately targets Sephardic youth.

Speaking last night at the start of his weekly shiur at the Yazdim Shul, Rav Yosef addressed what he described as a clear pattern in the recent initiated arrests, noting that all detainees thus far have been from Sephardic backgrounds.

During his remarks, Rav Yosef commented pointedly on the issue, turning to the guest rov next to him and saying: “The rov lives in France. If he were living in Israel, he would learn from the authorities to arrest only Sephardim. There is discrimination. Baruch Hashem, he is in France — there, there is no discrimination.”

Rav Yosef also referenced a recent meeting he held last week with Avraham Malul, a talmid at Yeshiva Or Yehuda, who had been arrested and jailed after being classified as a draft evader and was later released.

Addressing the matter further during the meeting, Rav Yosef said: “Unfortunately, we see that they are mainly arresting Sephardic boys, residents of the periphery. Hashem should save us.”

In recent months, Rav Yosef has repeatedly spoken out on the issue during his weekly shiurim, delivering especially forceful criticism of the nighttime arrests. In one such address, he said: “They are arresting mainly Sephardim. They know the mother is weak, the father is weak. You need to strengthen yourselves. What is this, Russia? Is this a communist regime? Bolsheviks? They go and arrest yeshiva boys in the middle of the night, banging loudly on the door. If they knock, look through the peephole. You need to be strong. Hashem should help that this period pass. It is a very difficult period.”

The criticism was echoed by Rav Yehuda Cohen, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah of Shas and rosh yeshiva of Be’er HaTalmud, who spoke in particularly blunt terms. “Listen — all of those arrested are Sephardim only. Only Sephardim!” he said. “Those who choose them in all those parties should know well how much they love Sephardim.”

He added: “They don’t dare arrest Ashkenazim — only Sephardim. I already said two years ago: they are Ashkenazim, they will never touch them. Only the Sephardim. They think we are nothing, absolutely nothing.”

{Matzav.com}

Palestinians entering Israel illegally were seen near the Atarot area and the Palestinian town of Al-Ram the same area from which the terrorist who carried out last Friday’s terrorist attack entered Israel.

Secretary Turner: “At HUD, this year alone, we have helped over 1 million first-time homebuyers… cutting red tape, taking down burdensome regulations… these policy actions that have been taken will continue to happen to bring down [costs].”

Unverified reports emerging from Tehran claim that trading activity has effectively collapsed, following a sharp spike in the prices of gold and the U.S. dollar. According to the reports, the sudden surge has triggered panic in financial markets, leading to widespread disruption in commerce. Iranian authorities have not issued any official confirmation, and the situation […]

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Jonathan Karl: What side of Russia-Ukraine is Trump on? GOP Rep. Mike Turner: I, you know, clearly, ummp, Trump is on the side of peace.

TRUMP: I am pleased to announce that the breakout fighting between Thailand and Cambodia will stop momentarily, and they will go back to living in PEACE, as per our recently agreed to original treaty.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Miami for a meeting with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

Israel’s High Court has rejected petitions against the appointment of David Zini as head of the Shin Bet, upholding the nomination in a 2–1 ruling. The majority justices said the court should show restraint regarding senior security appointments, especially when they have already been reviewed by the advisory committee. Chief Justice Yitzhak Amit dissented, saying […]

Clashes erupted in Syria’s coastal city of Latakia during demonstrations calling for a transition to a federal system, with protesters confronting Syrian security forces. Syrian media report at least three people were killed — including a security officer — and around 60 others, both civilians and security personnel, were wounded.

Israel’s Ministry of Defense and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have delivered the first operational Iron Beam high-power laser system to the Israel Defense Forces, marking the technology’s transition from development to active deployment, the ministry said.

United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf sharply criticized the Likud after the party released an official statement during Shabbos, calling the move a serious affront to religious sensitivities.

The statement in question was issued Friday night by Likud spokesman Guy Levy, after the onset of Shabbos. The message reiterated accusations against Qatar Gate suspect Eli Feldstein, who previously served as military spokesman in the Prime Minister’s Office, while at the same time expressing support for another Qatar Gate suspect, Yonatan Urich, an adviser to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

Goldknopf said the decision to publish the announcement at that time was entirely unnecessary and should never have been done on Shabbos.

“Publishing an official political message at the height of Shabbos crosses a red line and constitutes severe harm to Shabbos’ sanctity and to the status quo, which are basic values of the State of Israel as a Jewish state,” he said.

He added that beyond the substance of the statement itself, the timing reflected a troubling disregard for the Shabbos-observant public. “In addition to the contents of the statement, the very decision to publish such a statement on Shabbos expresses contempt for the Shabbos-observant public and severe harm to the public. There is no justification, not political and not media-related, to violate Shabbos for the sake of managing denials and political spins.”

{Matzav.com}

HAPPENING NOW: A Peleg Yerushalmi protest has begun on Route 4 at the Coca-Cola Junction, with the roadway currently blocked to traffic. Heavy traffic congestion is also being reported throughout Bnei Brak, particularly on routes leading out of the city, as motorists experience significant delays.

A family was rescued earlier today by Southern District firefighters after their vehicle became partially submerged in floodwaters on Route 80.

ELON MUSK TRUTH: “Democrats are trying to import voters. That’s why there’s no voter ID.” “The biggest outcry is from the Dems, who don’t want the waste and fraud to be turned off, because it is a gigantic magnet to attract illegal immigrants!”

Tzvachi Havkin, a retired police detective, was identified on Sunday as the former investigator in the cases against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who is suspected of criminal ties to the Musli crime family. The Jerusalem District Court lifted a gag order on his identity on Sunday morning. Havkin and three other police officers were arrested […]