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Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’ 5+ Hour Speech Nears Record as He Challenges McCarthy’s 8-Hour House Marathon
Columbia University President Privately Suggested Jewish Trustee Be Removed and ‘Arab’ Board Member Be Added
Claire Shipman, who now serves as Columbia University’s acting president, allegedly pushed to add an Arab representative to the school’s board of trustees and privately expressed opposition to keeping a Jewish trustee due to her pro-Israel views, according to internal communications reviewed by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
“We need to get somebody from the middle east [sic] or who is Arab on our board,” Shipman wrote in a WhatsApp message on January 17, 2024. “Quickly I think. Somehow.”
A week later, she criticized trustee Shoshana Shendelman, a vocal opponent of anti-Israel protests on campus, telling colleagues she had been “extraordinarily unhelpful.” Shipman added, “I just don’t think she should be on the board.”
These conversations were revealed in a letter sent Tuesday by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) to Shipman, obtained first by The Washington Free Beacon. The lawmakers asked Shipman to explain the exchanges, which they said “raise troubling questions regarding Columbia’s priorities just months after the October 7th attack, which was the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust,” and flagged possible violations of civil rights law.
The letter noted that if Columbia were to appoint someone to the board “specifically because of their national origin,” the action could “implicate Title VI concerns.”
The documents also detail how, during the pro-Palestinian encampment on Columbia’s campus in 2024, Shipman warned vice-chair Wanda Greene not to engage with Shendelman, whom she claimed was probing for information. “Do you believe that she is a mole?” Greene asked on April 22. “A Fox in the henhouse?” Shipman responded, “I do.”
The Free Beacon reported that Shendelman was among the trustees who urged university leadership to restore order by bringing in law enforcement. Columbia ultimately delayed police involvement until after protesters occupied a building and allegedly held a janitor hostage, leading to dozens of arrests.
During the crisis, Shendelman went to campus to retrieve her daughters and their friends, who were unable to leave Butler Library because of the protest. In a subsequent trustees call, she described the ordeal, but her concerns were allegedly brushed aside. Shipman appeared to reference the incident when writing, “And like driving to campus and loading people into a suv. I just don’t know.”
Other messages revealed further disdain for Shendelman. Greene wrote, “I’m tired of her.” To which Shipman replied, “So so tired.” Shendelman is a biotech CEO whose family escaped Iran during the 1979 revolution.
Lawmakers homed in on the comments about Shendelman, questioning why Shipman appeared eager to oust “one of the board’s most outspoken Jewish advocates at a time when Columbia students were facing a shocking level of fear and hostility.”
A Columbia University spokesperson told Breitbart News the correspondence was being taken out of context. “These communications were provided to the Committee in the fall of 2024 and reflect communications from more than a year ago. They are now being published out of context and reflect a particularly difficult moment in time for the University when leaders across Columbia were intensely focused on addressing significant challenges,” the statement said.
The spokesperson added, “This work is ongoing, and to be clear: Columbia is deeply committed to combating antisemitism and working with the federal government on this very serious issue, including our ongoing discussions to reach an agreement with the Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. Acting President Claire Shipman has been vocally and visibly committed to eradicating antisemitism on campus; the work underway at the university to create a safe and welcoming environment for all community members makes that plain.”
Following publication of the committee’s findings, The New York Post obtained an email Shipman reportedly sent to close contacts, in which she took responsibility for her words. “Let me be clear: The things I said in a moment of frustration and stress were wrong,” Shipman wrote. “They do not reflect how I feel… It was a moment of immense pressure, over a year and a half ago, as we navigated some deeply turbulent times. But that doesn’t change the fact that I made a mistake.”
She also claimed to have offered a personal apology to Shendelman: “I have tremendous respect and appreciation for that board member, whose voice on behalf of Columbia’s Jewish community is critically important. I should not have written those things, and I am sorry.”
In response, Shendelman told Breitbart News, “The cavalier attitude towards student safety and the casual cruelty that is captured within the texts don’t leave much to interpretation and is understandably alarming to parents of college students nationwide. I can’t control what others do, but I will do my best to change things in a positive way for the sake of our students, our universities and our nation. I will continue to lead by example – to work hard and to do the right thing with moral clarity.”
The committee also included a December 2023 message in which Shipman dismissed congressional scrutiny. Writing to then-president Minouche Shafik, she referred to “the capital [sic] hill nonsense”—presumably referencing Shafik’s testimony before lawmakers investigating campus antisemitism.
“Your reference to ‘capital [sic] hill nonsense’ is disturbing given Congress’s role in conducting oversight to ensure universities are fulfilling their obligations to protect Jewish students,” the committee wrote. “Congress’s efforts to ensure the safety and security of Jewish students—who make up almost a quarter of your campus population—is not ‘capital [sic] hill nonsense.’”
In another exchange dated October 30, 2023, Shipman acknowledged concerns from the Jewish community but seemed to downplay their validity: “people are really frustrated and scared about antisemitism on our campus and they feel somehow betrayed by it. Which is not necessarily a rational feeling but it’s deep and it is quite threatening.”
The committee criticized this description as dismissive, especially “considering the violence and harassment against Jewish and Israeli students already occurring on Columbia’s campus at the time.”
Reacting to Columbia’s claim that the messages were taken out of context, Rep. Walberg pushed back forcefully. “Two years ago, college and university administrators famously stated ‘it depends on the context’ to defend their lack of response to antisemitism on their campuses. Now, Columbia University is using this tired practice of blaming ‘context’ for their acting president’s questionable texts and emails,” he told Breitbart News. “Americans are smarter than these institutions seem to think and can see through this overused line.”
The disclosures come as Columbia tries to recover from a loss of $400 million in federal funding, which the Trump administration revoked in March, citing the university’s failure to protect Jewish students from harassment. In June, federal officials also alleged that Columbia was out of compliance with accreditation requirements and in violation of anti-discrimination laws.
Shipman has reportedly accepted some of the administration’s conditions to restore funding, including a campus mask ban and authorization for university police to detain and remove students as needed, according to The New York Post.
In a private letter, Shipman wrote that Columbia is “committed to restoring our critical partnership with the federal government as quickly as possible, so that thousands of our faculty and researchers and students can get back to the essential work they do on behalf of humanity.”
{Matzav.com}
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Ministers’ Committee Approves Bill Aimed at Ending Discriminatory Enforcement Against Chareidim
In a significant step toward ensuring equal enforcement of protest-related laws across all sectors of Israeli society, the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a bill on Wednesday aimed at eliminating selective law enforcement against certain populations, including the chareidi community.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by MK Moshe Roth, is designed to establish a clear and equal standard of enforcement for public protests, regardless of the protesters’ background. It seeks to enshrine the principle that the basic right to demonstrate must be upheld fairly for all citizens.
“There is nothing more corrosive to a society than when its citizens feel they are being treated unequally,” the bill states, citing a 1987 Supreme Court ruling. “The feeling of inequality is one of the most damaging. It undermines the forces that unite society and harms an individual’s sense of identity.”
The proposal comes against a backdrop of years-long claims of systemic bias by law enforcement authorities—especially the police, state prosecution, and attorney general’s office—toward certain communities. These include chareidim, residents of the yishuvim (settlements), and members of the Ethiopian-Israeli community.
One case cited in the bill is a February 2025 ruling by Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court Judge Avital Mold, who dismissed charges against a chareidi minor due to what she called “selective enforcement.” The judge noted that similar charges were not brought against non-chareidi youth involved in passive protests.
The bill further claims that protests involving visibly chareidi demonstrators were met with harsher police tactics—such as water cannons laced with foul-smelling “skunk” liquid—while protests on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv, despite road blockages and violent behavior, did not face the same response.
MK Roth’s bill affirms that all protestors must be treated equally, including in matters such as road blockages, demonstrations near the homes of public officials, the use of crowd control tools, and decisions involving detentions, investigations, arrests, or indictments for disorderly conduct.
To enhance transparency and oversight, the proposal requires law enforcement agencies to report twice a year to the Knesset’s National Security Committee. These reports must include detailed statistics on investigations, arrests, case closures, and indictments related to protests—broken down by demographic group and protest location.
Additionally, the attorney general will be obligated to appear before the committee annually to report on enforcement policies related to protests and to answer lawmakers’ questions.
“This bill sets a fundamental principle: the right to protest belongs equally to everyone, and law enforcement must act accordingly,” said MK Roth. “The law will require regular reporting to the Knesset and allow for real oversight. Selective enforcement is an injustice that must be eliminated.”
{Matzav.com}
Trump Administration Freezes $6 Billion in Education Grants Over Leftwing Agenda Concerns
From Jerusalem Estates to Ir Olam — A Vision That Reshapes the City
[COMMUNICATED]
When Akiva Zuravin set out to develop Jerusalem Estates, he wasn’t simply building luxury apartments—he was making a statement. Tucked into the historic Schneller compound in the heart of the frum neighborhoods and within walking distance of prominent Chassidic centers, Jerusalem Estates became more than just a sought-after address. It became a symbol of what’s possible when vision, values, and execution align.
“We weren’t just creating buildings,” Zuravin reflects. “We were shaping something that felt deeply connected to its surroundings—authentic, beautiful, and thoughtfully done.”
It was that mindset that set Jerusalem Estates apart—and that continues to define Zuravin’s approach today. With Ir Olam, his most ambitious development yet, the goal is even broader: not just to build homes, but to shape the rhythm of modern life in Jerusalem.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Located adjacent to Givat Shaul, Kiryat Moshe, and Beit Hakerem, and minutes away from Har Nof, Ir Olam rises from the grounds of the old flour mill—once an industrial area and now envisioned as one of Jerusalem’s most forward-looking quarters for living, working, and gathering.
Where Jerusalem Estates was a residential landmark, Ir Olam is a full-scale quarter, featuring three luxury residential towers, two LEED Platinum-certified office buildings, a boutique shopping boulevard, green rooftops, shuls, co-working areas, a school, and a central piazza designed to foster everyday connection.
But beyond design and functionality lies a deeper intention: community. At Jerusalem Estates, Zuravin prioritized buyers who shared common values—people who could not only live alongside one another but thrive together. That same care is being applied at Ir Olam.
“When people share the same rhythm of life,” Zuravin explains, “the entire experience becomes more meaningful. The gym, the shul, the party room—they’re not just amenities. They’re points of connection.”
In Ir Olam, where residents will share workspaces, rooftops, lounges, and lifestyle services, community isn’t just a feature—it’s part of the architecture. The goal is a natural, respectful cohesion that allows for privacy and belonging to coexist.
The project was conceived by Yashar Architects, whose signature blends functionality with elegance, and is being built to international standards of environmental sustainability and urban planning. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered, with user experience at the core.
Crafted for those who know.
Shas Yiden Flatbush Learns 180 Days/Year MORE Than the Average Kollel
Report: Chareidi Parties Expected to Oppose Upcoming Draft Bill, But Will Remain in Coalition
Despite increasing pressure to introduce new draft legislation in the coming days, the chareidi parties are expected to oppose the proposed bill, but without threatening the stability of the coalition government, according to a report by Kan News.
With a ticking political clock, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s inner circle is under mounting pressure to present a draft of the new giyus (IDF draft) law to avoid a coalition crisis and fulfill promises made to the chareidi factions. A failure to bring a bill forward by next Wednesday could escalate tensions, as chareidi representatives have warned of taking stronger action if no legislative progress is seen.
According to Kan, a draft version of the law is expected to be submitted in the coming days and presented to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Negotiations with the chareidi parties are in their final stages and are expected to continue tomorrow as part of the process of presenting an initial draft.
One significant change reportedly included in the bill is a clause mandating the enlistment of over 4,800 chareidi men in the first year of implementation, a point of concern within the chareidi community.
While there has been vocal opposition from United Torah Judaism and Shas regarding any legislation that would require thousands of bochurim to enlist in the IDF, senior chareidi sources told Kan that they do not intend to leave the coalition over the introduction of the bill, signaling a pragmatic approach despite ideological objections.
This political development comes as Netanyahu appointed MK Yisrael Eichler as Minister of Housing, under pressure from Agudas Yisrael to return control of the ministry to the party. Eichler will serve in this role until Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf, who stepped down temporarily, is able to resume his position.
Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office have expressed hope that Goldknopf will soon return to his ministerial duties, a move that would further stabilize the coalition and reinforce the government’s efforts to advance the draft law before the looming deadline next Wednesday.
{Matzav.com Israel}
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Knesset Committee Warns of Sanctions Over Core Curriculum Noncompliance in Chareidi Schools
The Knesset’s State Control Committee, chaired by MK Mickey Levy, convened yesterday for the ninth time to discuss the enforcement of core curriculum studies in chareidi educational institutions, amid ongoing tensions between government oversight bodies and the chareidi school system.
The hearing was initiated by MK Moshe Kinley Tur-Paz, who opened with strong criticism: “The State of Israel transferred funds to the chareidi education system, yet a report submitted to the High Court reveals that core curriculum subjects were not taught. Specifically, 616 standardized hours were allocated to the Chinuch Atzmai network and not returned. A review showed that 9 out of 42 schools in the network did not teach the core subjects, despite receiving funding for them.”
According to MK Tur-Paz, representatives from the school network responded by saying, “It depends on the gedolei Yisrael — if they approve, we will make the correction.” He continued, “This implies that funds taken from the state for these studies will only be properly used if permitted by rabbinic authorities — irrespective of state funding guidelines.”
He added that while the chareidi education network submitted its portion of the report to the High Court this past Sunday, the legislative branch itself has yet to receive it. “In nine schools, it is explicitly written that any correction will be made only with the approval of the gedolim. In other words — we took the money, didn’t do what was required, and now say we’ll only comply if the rabbis agree,” Tur-Paz said.
MK Avraham Betzalel pushed back against the tone of the discussion. “There are people with no real connection or understanding of the chareidi education system who are using a professional discussion as an excuse to repeatedly bash the chareidi public,” he said. “Over the past 70 years, others far more sophisticated have tried to change the chareidi community — and failed. What we saw here today was a thorough and professional presentation from the chareidi education division.”
Despite repeated requests from the committee, the Ministry of Education has refused to transfer the full report detailing compliance with core curriculum standards in primary chareidi schools. Committee Chairman MK Mickey Levy condemned the ministry’s silence: “The failure to submit the report is a serious violation of the Knesset’s role and its oversight authority. If the report is not delivered within the coming week, I will file a petition with the High Court.”
In response to the concerns raised, the head of the chareidi education division within the Ministry of Education pledged a dramatic shift starting in the upcoming school year, including stricter enforcement and oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance with national education standards. He noted that institutions failing to uphold their commitments would face sanctions.
{Matzav.com Israel}
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New Hostage Deal Details Emerge: 10 Living Captives, 18 Bodies to Be Released Over Five Stages; Two-Month Ceasefire, Release of Security Prisoners Included
As optimism grows in Israel over the possibility of a breakthrough in ceasefire talks and a hostage release deal, key details of the proposal currently on the table have been revealed. Under the plan, Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others in five separate phases. In return, Israel would agree to a two-month ceasefire and to the release of high-level Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli officials said Thursday morning that a sense of cautious optimism surrounds the negotiations. According to those close to the process, Hamas appears to be showing signs of “flexibility,” and should the terror group respond positively to the revised proposal, an Israeli delegation is expected to travel to Qatar by the weekend to begin direct negotiations.
Senior American officials, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff, are working urgently to finalize the deal ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to the White House next week.
The proposed framework includes a two-month suspension of Israeli military activity in Gaza. If serious negotiations on ending the war are underway at the end of that period, the ceasefire would continue. President Donald Trump has pledged to serve as guarantor of the agreement, ensuring that Israel extends the ceasefire as long as meaningful talks toward a permanent end to the conflict are ongoing.
According to the new terms, Hamas would release eight of the living hostages during the first week of the ceasefire. The remaining two would be freed on the 50th day. Meanwhile, the bodies of 18 fallen hostages would be returned in three separate batches throughout the 60-day truce.
In a significant concession, Israel would release a number of convicted Palestinian terrorists with blood on their hands—prisoners it had previously refused to free.
Reports in Arab media overnight stated that Hamas is “satisfied” with the revised proposal and is expected to deliver its official response by Friday.
In an official statement issued late Wednesday night, Hamas said, “Mediators are making intensive efforts to bridge the gaps between the parties and reach a framework agreement by opening a serious round of negotiations.”
The statement added, “We are acting with the utmost responsibility and are consulting with the Palestinian factions regarding the proposals forwarded by the mediators, in the hope of reaching an agreement that will bring an end to Israeli aggression, ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and secure the flow of supplies to Gaza residents.”
U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the talks Wednesday, saying, “My representatives held a long and productive meeting today with the Israelis about Gaza. Israel has agreed to the terms necessary to implement a 60-day ceasefire, during which we will work with all parties to bring an end to the war.”
He added a warning directed at Hamas: “The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked hard to advance peace, will convey this final offer. I hope, for the sake of the Middle East, that Hamas will accept the deal, because the situation will not get better—it will only get worse. Thank you for your attention to this important matter!”
{Matzav.com Israel}
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Iran Accuses French Couple of Spying for Israel Amid Mounting Tensions
A French couple, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who have been detained in Iran for more than three years, are now facing new charges of espionage on behalf of Israel and conspiring to overthrow the regime, according to reports by the AFP news agency citing a Western diplomatic source. The source emphasized there is “no basis” for the allegations.
The French Foreign Ministry issued a swift and strong condemnation, calling the couple’s detention “completely arbitrary” and demanding their release.
This development comes on the heels of recent reports that a group of Jews residing in Iran had also been arrested by the regime and cut off from contact with family and acquaintances. Rumors spread suggesting they were accused of spying for Israel and maintaining ties with Israeli agents, against the backdrop of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
The reports have sparked serious concern among Iran’s Jewish community, which fears the regime’s notorious record of false accusations and summary executions. However, Homayoun Sameh, the Jewish community’s representative in the Iranian parliament, dismissed the claims.
Sameh stated that the detained individuals were not arrested for espionage, but rather for holding unauthorized family celebrations, and that their release is expected shortly. “Their arrest has nothing to do with spying,” he said.
He added that during the recent “12-day war,” several Iranian Jews were killed and referred to as “martyrs of Zionist aggression,” asserting that this fact demonstrates the local Jewish community’s loyalty and support for Iran.
{Matzav.com}
Top Trump Vaccine Official Limits COVID Vaccines for Healthy People, Defying FDA Scientists
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