A sharp internal dispute erupted Wednesday night within the chareidi political establishment, as a senior chareidi official involved in legislative negotiations accused Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth of providing misleading assurances regarding the legal viability of the revised Chok HaGiyus.
The tensions surfaced hours after Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara issued a forceful legal opinion rejecting central components of the proposed draft law and its framework for regulating the status of bnei yeshivos. Her stance, while expected, ignited renewed criticism of the legislative process.
According to senior chareidi officials familiar with the behind-the-scenes discussions, the Attorney General’s position came as no surprise. “It was predictable. We knew this was her view. There was never any doubt she would argue that the law is unconstitutional and unequal,” the officials said, noting that no meaningful attempt was made to coordinate with her. “She wants to topple the government, so what’s written in the law is irrelevant.”
But what caught chareidi lawmakers truly off guard was the position of the Knesset’s own legal adviser to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Miri Frenkel-Shor.
A senior chareidi figure expressed anger over what he described as misleading assurances from Bismuth. “Throughout the past two months, Bismuth told us that every clause in the law was coordinated with the committee’s legal adviser, that there would be no surprises. But it appears he lied to us. No less than that,” the official charged.
He pointed to Frenkel-Shor’s firm rejection of the very first core section of the legislation—specifically the attempt to incorporate security-oriented civilian service into the draft quotas. “When the adviser says ‘absolutely not’ on the central opening section, it shows he wasn’t actually in sync with her,” the senior official said. “And this is just the beginning. At this rate, there won’t be a law. We won’t pass legislation that stands in direct opposition to the Knesset’s legal advisers. The damage outweighs any gain.”
Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s detailed fifteen-page opinion, addressed directly to Bismuth, blasted the proposal for prioritizing the needs of the yeshivos over the pressing needs of the defense establishment.
Among her statements, she wrote: “In the described reality, reviewing the committee chair’s proposal shows that not only does it fail to advance the enlistment of the chareidi public into military service, but it contains a negative incentive for enlistment and anchors, for the long term, the inequality between those who serve and those who do not—while deepening it.”
She further argued: “In practice, the proposal rolls back the tools currently available to the government and the army compared to the existing legal framework, undermining the ability to meet the military’s current needs.”
Baharav-Miara contended that the law caters primarily to the yeshivah world by immediately restoring direct and indirect funding, reinstating benefits to bnei yeshivos, canceling draft notices and enforcement measures for draft evaders, and re-establishing the framework that binds chareidi young men to yeshivos until age 26 as a condition for exemption.
At the same time, she stated, the bill fails to provide the military or the state with any effective mechanisms for enforcing enlistment or alleviating the burden currently borne by the reserve corps.
Her opinion concludes that the proposal falls far short of constitutional requirements regarding proportionality, equality, and legitimate purpose. “Its harm to equality is severe,” she wrote, adding that minor revisions will not be sufficient. Instead, she called for a “fundamental overhaul,” beginning with the principle of equal and universal conscription.
{Matzav.com}
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez intensified his criticism of the Gaza war during Mahmoud Abbas’ visit to Madrid on Wednesday, declaring that anyone responsible for the devastation there “must be held accountable.” His comments, quoted by Anadolu, framed justice as the only path toward lasting peace.
The meeting took place at La Moncloa Palace, where Sanchez welcomed the Palestinian Authority chairman on a day he said carried deep meaning: the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He underscored that human dignity remains “an unconditional, unique and non-negotiable value.”
Calling 2025 “a terrible year for the Palestinian people,” Sanchez described the near-total destruction across the Strip, saying that nine out of ten homes have become uninhabitable and that “thousands of lives and families” have been shattered. He argued that the current ceasefire has provided little relief to civilians. “Even today, after the ceasefire (declaration), Palestinians in Gaza are still suffering attacks … We need real peace. Those responsible for this genocide must be held accountable,” he said.
Although Sanchez avoided naming Israel in his remarks, he has become one of Europe’s most vocal critics of Israeli policy. He has repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, drawing sharp responses from Jerusalem and creating diplomatic strain.
The tension worsened in November 2023, when Israel summoned Spain’s Ambassador after Sanchez asserted that “Israel is violating international law and is carrying out indiscriminate killings in Gaza.” Months later, in April, he charged that Israel’s “disproportionate response” risked “destabilizing the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world.”
During Abbas’ visit, Sanchez outlined Spain’s ongoing approach to the conflict, calling for sustained public attention to the Palestinian plight, backing the Palestinian Authority as it attempts to structure governance, and coordinating with European, Arab, and global partners to create security conditions that could “end violence once and for all.”
He closed the meeting with a message of solidarity, declaring that “Spain and Palestine will always walk hand in hand,” and expressing hope that Abbas’ time in Madrid would reinforce dialogue, elevate diplomatic solutions within the framework of international law, and broaden cooperation between the two sides.
Spain, along with Norway and Ireland, formally recognized the “State of Palestine” in May 2024, cementing its role as one of the most vocal European advocates for Palestinian statehood.
{Matzav.com}
In a sweeping escalation of the border strategy launched at the start of President Donald Trump’s term, the administration on Wednesday unveiled yet another federally controlled defense zone—this time covering a wide expanse of California’s boundary with Mexico. The decision adds the Golden State to a rapidly growing network of militarized sectors along the southern border.
According to the Department of the Interior, responsibility for most of California’s borderlands will now shift to the Navy, a move the agency says reinforces “the historic role public lands have played in safeguarding national sovereignty.” Officials characterized the region as a corridor heavily used by those attempting to cross into the United States unlawfully, making it, in their view, a logical addition to the expanding defense grid.
The designation hands on-the-ground authority to military bases situated near the border. Troops stationed there will now be able to detain individuals who cross illegally—powers that would normally be restricted by federal law preventing the military from engaging in civilian law enforcement. The administration maintains that the national emergency declared by President Donald Trump on his first day in office provides the legal foundation for this shift.
This California zone follows the blueprint introduced earlier this year, first along a 170-mile section of New Mexico’s frontier and later extended into parts of Texas and Arizona. The newest stretch spans nearly the entire length from the Arizona border westward to the Otay Mountain Wilderness, cutting through the Imperial Valley and passing communities such as Tecate, California, directly across from its Mexican counterpart.
More than 7,000 troops are currently positioned along the southern border, supported by drones, helicopters, and broad surveillance systems. Under the rules governing these militarized areas, U.S. forces are allowed to detain people accused of trespassing onto Air Force, Army, or Navy installations. Individuals picked up within these zones may also face enhanced criminal penalties, including possible jail time.
Federal officials argue that the additional layers of military oversight are essential for tightening weak points in border security and disrupting human smuggling operations and powerful drug cartels. As Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said, “By working with the Navy to close long-standing security gaps, we are strengthening national defense, protecting our public lands from unlawful use, and advancing the President’s agenda.”
The announcement came just hours after a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration must halt its deployment of California National Guard troops to Los Angeles, ordering that control of those forces revert to state leaders. That legal battle erupted after more than 4,000 California Guard members were activated in June without the approval of Gov. Gavin Newsom, a move the state argued was an unlawful attempt to draw them into federal immigration enforcement efforts.
{Matzav.com}
A pre-Chanukah reception in the U.S. Capitol brought shared purpose to Washington, as lawmakers from both parties stepped away from political crossfire to mark the occasion together.
Hosted by House Speaker Mike Johnson in the Rayburn Room, the gathering expressed solidarity with the Jewish community.
The ceremony was conducted by Rabbi Levi Shemtov, who led the crowd in the traditional lighting as participants listened and reflected while the brachos were recited.
The moment drew a diverse group of senior figures from across government. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stood alongside House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Republican Representatives Craig Goldman and Randy Fine were among the many lawmakers, staff members, and invited guests who joined the celebration.
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A dramatic maritime operation off Venezuela’s shoreline has become the latest flashpoint in Washington’s escalating enforcement campaign, after President Donald Trump acknowledged that U.S. forces intercepted a massive oil tanker earlier Wednesday. CBS News reported the confirmation shortly after Trump referenced the mission during a White House roundtable.
Bloomberg broke the story of the intercept, and Trump alluded to it in striking terms, describing the action as “seized for a very good reason.” He emphasized the scale of the operation, remarking, “As you probably know, we’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large. Largest one ever seized, actually. And other things are happening, so you’ll be seeing that later and you’ll be talking about that later with some other people.”
When pressed about the fate of the crude aboard the vessel, Trump responded without hesitation: “Well we keep it, I guess. I assume we’re going to keep the oil.”
The ship at the center of the action—The Skipper—was boarded just after dawn in a coordinated military and federal strike supported by two helicopters and a combined deployment of Coast Guard personnel, Marines, and special operations forces. The early-morning maneuver unfolded at 6:00 a.m.
U.S. officials said The Skipper has been on Treasury’s sanctions list since 2022, accused of serving networks linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah. The tanker, now two decades old, has carried multiple identities over its lifespan, previously bearing the names Adisa and, in 2005, The Toyo.
Attorney General Pam Bondi released footage of the seizure, underscoring the tanker’s alleged role in prohibited oil movement. She wrote that the ship was “used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran” and confirmed the coordinated effort by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Coast Guard, “with support from the Department of War.” Bondi added, “For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations.”
Senior officials signaled that the administration is now exploring additional missions modeled on Wednesday’s high-profile operation. Trump has openly warned that the U.S. is prepared to broaden its efforts, even suggesting that the ongoing crackdown on drug-running vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific may soon extend to land-based targets inside Venezuela.
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President Donald Trump sent a personal letter to the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, and the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg, Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, extending his warm wishes to the community as they marked the annual Chof Alef Kislev celebrations.
Chof Alef Kislev commemorates the miraculous rescue of the Satmar Rov, Rav Yoel Teitelbaum, from the horrors of the Holocaust in 1944. His escape allowed him to rebuild Satmar from the ashes of Europe. The annual celebration is one of the most significant dates on the Satmar calendar.
In his letter, President Trump praised the enduring legacy of the Satmar Rov and the vibrant faith of his followers. “This time of remembrance does not just commemorate Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum’s escape from the Holocaust—it also celebrates the triumphant faith that continues to inspire the flourishing Satmar community in the United States and around the world,” he wrote. He noted that generations of Satmar families “are guided by his teachings and rooted in a commitment to faith and scholarship.”
The president also highlighted the role of the community in shaping future generations. “Through instilling the importance of faith, prayer, and conviction in tomorrow’s leaders, you help forge a promising future that will continue to guide and uplift generations to come,” he said. Trump emphasized his administration’s commitment to protecting religious liberties, ensuring that “all people may live out their faith freely, openly, and without fear of persecution.”
The letter concluded with his heartfelt blessing: “May the Almighty bless you, and may He continue to bless the United States of America.”
Trump’s outreach to both Satmar courts came on a night when tens of thousands of chasidim gathered at parallel events led by the two brothers, the Kiryas Yoel Rebbe at the Waterfront in Williamsburg and the Williamsburg Rebbe at the Brooklyn Armory in Crown Heights.
{Matzav.com}
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The House Foreign Affairs Committee heard testimony on Wednesday about the “historical, strategic and political dynamics” of Judea and Samaria and that territory’s relationship to the term “West Bank.”
Eugene Kontorovich, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, pointed to the international law doctrine of uti possidetis, which holds that international boundaries of a successor state revert by default to whatever territory the preceding sovereign boundaries included.
“When Israel gained independence, the preceding geopolitical entity was Mandatory Palestine, which included Judea and Samaria. That’s not in dispute,” said Kontorovich, who is also a professor at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School and executive director of its Center for the Middle East and International Law.
Judea and Samaria is the biblical and contemporary administrative name in Israel for the territories that Israel captured from Jordan in 1967, excluding eastern Jerusalem. It is commonly referred to as the “West Bank,” a name promulgated by Jordan during its occupation of the territory to refer to the lands it held west of the Jordan River.
More than 2 million Palestinians live in the area, which, along with Gaza, would make up the core territory of any future Palestinian state, even as many Israelis and some American supporters of Israel assert that it is the heartland of biblical Israel and that parts of the territory should be annexed into Israel proper.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), acting ranking member of the subcommittee, said that he rejected maximalist territorial claims on both sides of the question.
“If we turn to any nationality and say, ‘You define your borders based on the maximum you ever controlled in history,’ then Mongolia would control half of the world, the Greeks would control Anatolia, the Germans would be restored to East Prussia and the Chumash would own my condo in the San Fernando Valley,” Sherman said. (The Chumash are a Native American people in California.)
Sherman asked Kontorovich and Morton Klein, national president of the Zionist Organization of America, about comments from Heritage’s president, Kevin Roberts, defending Tucker Carlson following Carlson’s interview with the neo-Nazi influencer Nick Fuentes and calling Carlson’s critics part of a “venomous coalition” of the “globalist class.”
“Are you part of a venomous coalition of the globalist class when you call for the denunciation of Mr. Fuentes?” Sherman asked Klein.
“Yes,” Klein said. “Mike Huckabee is part of the venomous coalition—President Trump, Mark Levin. This was an outrageous statement.”
Asked if he is comfortable remaining at Heritage, Kontorovich said that there was no dispute at Heritage about denouncing Fuentes and that “our work to combat antisemitism has vastly expanded in the past couple years.”
None of the experts on Wednesday’s panel believed that either full annexation of Judea and Samaria or a two-state solution creating a Palestinian state would be viable at this time.
“I think that we have to think less about, ‘How do we draw the border?’ and we have to think more about, ‘How do we create a two-state solution that changes the meanings of some phrases?’” said Jon Alterman, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “The phrases you have to change are ‘two’ and ‘state’ and ‘solution.’”
“Nobody in Israel is talking about annexing the West Bank,” Kontorovich said. “There have been proposals to extend Israeli civil law to those areas where Jewish communities are, in other words to incorporate under Israeli law parts of Judea and Samaria.”
The otherwise staid proceedings of the hearing briefly devolved into shouting when Sherman accused the subcommittee chairman, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), of taking additional time to comment on Sherman’s questions and the responses from witnesses.
“Mr. Chairman, I will insist upon an equal amount of time,” Sherman shouted. “Mr. Chairman, you cannot seize time. Each side of this aisle gets the same time. I’ve been on this committee for 29 years. You should know the rules.”
“No,” Lawler replied.
After the hearing, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) posted on social media about the “fireworks” in the hearing.
“You got the paid protesters. They’re there to disrupt, and they do their thing, and anyway, and you got the committee chairman getting into it with the ranking member and the usual hijinks,” Burchett said.
“I don’t know that we’re ever gonna solve this problem,” he said, of the West Bank. JNS
{Matzav.com}
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