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The relatives of soldier Efi Feldbaum made an emotional public appeal after reports circulated about the possible movement of Hamas fighters in the Rafah area. In a message directed at the country’s leadership, they warned that any leniency toward terrorists would betray the memory of those who fell and imperil soldiers still in harm’s way.

“Today, you are facing a test,” they said. “Are you aiming to dismantle and eliminate Hamas, or to seek arrangements and containment? At this moment, you are about to make a decision that will have a decisive impact on the entire nation of Israel. Are we selling out our security to mediators, or ensuring the safety of our nation and the welfare of our soldiers?”

In a follow-up statement the family demanded clarity and resolution, insisting that the government choose decisive action over compromise and refusing to accept concessions that they see as rewarding murderers.

“Stop the rumors and declare now that Hamas terrorists will not receive a prize for killing IDF soldiers. There are only two options: Either they surrender or they are eliminated. We will stand as a fortified wall to stop this madness and ensure that the people of Israel receive the bare minimum required: the elimination and defeat of Hamas, not its strengthening through the return of terrorists as heroes from the battlefield. Enough with the excuses.”

Separately, a senior political official moved to quash circulating accounts suggesting Israel would permit the transfer of hundreds of Hamas operatives from Rafah into territory controlled by Gaza’s leadership. The official flatly rejected those reports and insisted such a passage would not be approved.

“The Prime Minister is not allowing the safe passage of 200 Hamas terrorists,” the official stressed. “The Prime Minister continues to stand firmly by his position of disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, while thwarting terror threats against our forces.”

Military and security sources explained that any discussion of moving militants is weighed against battlefield realities: commanders consider whether moving fighters would reduce risks to troops working in the area and whether it would create safer conditions for searching for possible additional casualties.

Reports from Al Jazeera have claimed some of the militants are sheltered within subterranean tunnel systems and that a number of those individuals are suspected of involvement in the killings of at least three IDF soldiers since the start of the ceasefire.

{Matzav.com}

Lakewood Alerts regrets to inform you of the petirah of Yaakov Moskowitz z”l, a son of longtime Lakewood Cheder rebbi R’ Mordechai Shmuel Moskowitz z”l. He was just 39 years old. Read the full article on Lakewood Alerts.

Lakewood Alerts regrets to inform you of the petirah of Mrs. Naomi Weitzner a”h, the longtime principal of Bais Kaila of Lakewood. Read the full article on Lakewood Alerts. 

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Ephraim Avigdor ben Moshe Menachem Wicentowsky z”l, known affectionately to all simply as “Whiskey.”

For decades, Whiskey was a fixture in the world of Torah chinuch, serving as the beloved bus driver for Camp Agudah, Yeshiva Torah Vodaas, and Yeshiva Chasan Sofer. But to those who knew him, he was far more than a driver. He was a friend, a steady presence, and a man whose warmth, humor, and devotion left an indelible mark on so many.

Whiskey lived for many years in Torah Vodaas, where he became part of the very fabric of the yeshiva. He was a ben bayis in the homes of the roshei yeshiva, Rav Avrohom Pam and Rav Yisroel Belsky. Both recognized in him a sincere and loyal friend whose ahavas Yisroel radiated in quiet acts of kindness and respect for all.

He was a friend to everyone—from the young bochurim who eagerly greeted him each morning to the seasoned rabbeim who cherished his good heart and unwavering positivity. Whiskey carried himself with an ever-present smile and trademark laugh, brightening the days of all who crossed his path.

The levayah will take place today at Shomrei Hadaas in Brooklyn, with kevurah to follow in Lakewood.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com / Photo: Tesmach Glenn-Holy Shots}

WATCH:

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir launched a scathing attack against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara during his remarks at the Otzma Yehudit faction meeting, tying her to what he described as a growing web of corruption surrounding the Sde Teiman affair and the arrest of former Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi.

Ben-Gvir made a series of stunning allegations concerning Tomer-Yerushalmi’s missing cell phone, which vanished after her unexplained disappearance for several hours at a Tel Aviv beach on Sunday. According to the minister, “As I speak, a lady is sitting at the Justice Ministry and shaking from fear; she’s afraid that the phone will be found. It is clear to all that it has evidence on it that implicates her in serious crimes. This lady is named Gali Baharav-Miara.”

He charged that Baharav-Miara had acted to obstruct justice and protect the former MAG from facing consequences. “Why is she afraid? Because last night, the police arrested the MAG. This happened after the Attorney General, who is neck-deep in this affair, did everything she could to protect the MAG, and so the Deep State’s status won’t be harmed,” Ben-Gvir declared.

Turning to the missing phone, the minister said its disappearance was no coincidence. “The MAG lost her phone, no for naught. It is clear to all that when the materials on this phone are revealed, there will be an earthquake. And more precisely, the earth under the Deep State will shake.”

Ben-Gvir alleged that the Attorney General herself was directly involved in submitting false information to Israel’s highest court. “The Attorney General is the one who submitted the false affidavit to the Supreme Court together with the Military Advocate General, and she is the one behind the ‘celebrity discounts’ that she received in the investigation into this severe case, especially allowing her the ability to lose the phone,” he said.

Concluding his remarks on the affair, Ben-Gvir expressed hope that the truth would soon come to light despite alleged interference. “I believe and hope that, despite the attempts by the AG to sabotage the investigation, the police will manage to find this telephone. It is clear to all that if they find or restore the things on the phone, it will open a Pandora’s Box, to reveal the entire truth in this very serious affair, which began with an attempt by the head of the IDF’s judicial system to hurt the good names of our heroic soldiers.”

Before ending the meeting, Ben-Gvir also addressed the progress of his bill introducing the death penalty for terrorists. He announced that the legislation had passed in the National Security Committee and would move to its first reading in the Knesset on Wednesday. “Every terrorist should know: when he comes to murder, he has one sentence: death.”

{Matzav.com}

With the government shutdown dragging into its fifth week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned that chaos in America’s airports is only beginning. Speaking Sunday on CBS News’s “Face the Nation” with Margaret Brennan, Duffy offered a bleak outlook as unpaid air traffic controllers struggle to keep the nation’s aviation system functioning.

“I think the real consequence is, what kind of rolling delays do you have throughout the system, right?” Duffy said, explaining that the effects are already visible. “We’ve seen problems at L.A., in Dallas, in D.C., Boston, Atlanta. And so I think it’s only going to get worse.”

His warning came as travelers faced mounting frustrations nationwide. The Federal Aviation Administration and NYC Emergency Management reported hours-long holdups at major airports, including nearly four hours of ground delays and a full ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport — one of the busiest in the country.

The FAA said staffing shortages have spread across the system, affecting Los Angeles International Airport, San Diego International Airport, and other major hubs, many of which were reporting one-hour delays by Sunday evening.

The situation has escalated at a particularly precarious time, with Thanksgiving just weeks away — traditionally one of the heaviest travel periods of the year.

Duffy assured the public that aviation safety remains the government’s top concern, saying that operations would halt entirely if conditions became unsafe due to sick calls or staff shortages. “We’re not going to let that happen,” he promised, even as he acknowledged the mounting strain.

“We don’t have the best equipment in our towers and centers for air traffic control. But we have the safest airspace, we have the most efficient airspace because we have the best controllers in the world that work our skies and keep our people safe. They deserve a paycheck,” Duffy said.

Only weeks earlier, Duffy had hinted that air traffic controllers refusing to report for duty could face termination. On Sunday, however, his tone shifted dramatically as he expressed empathy for their financial hardship.

“They don’t make a lot of money, and they’re now confronted; they haven’t had a paycheck for over a month. They’re confronted with a decision: do I put food on my kids’ table, do I put gas in the car, do I pay my rent, or do I go to work and not get paid?” Duffy said.

“I’m not going to fire air traffic controllers … They need support, they need money, they need a paycheck. They don’t need to be fired,” he continued, underscoring the human cost of the prolonged shutdown.

The standoff in Washington, which began on October 1, has brought vital services to a standstill — disrupting travel, delaying food assistance, and leaving federal workers nationwide without pay as the crisis grinds on.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

A recent post online by Israel Weinberger really struck a chord with me, and I think it deserves our community’s attention. I want to share the message here. He called it “A Community Wake-Up Call,” and that’s exactly what it is.

Lakewood, NJ and the surrounding areas are among the fastest-growing Jewish communities in the world. New developments are everywhere, and opportunities seem endless. But as Weinberger pointed out, there’s a troubling pattern that keeps repeating itself, one that too many of us have witnessed up close.

Retail stores open with huge investments, flashy openings, and beautiful designs — and then, within months, they’re gone. Empty storefronts, dark windows, and another “For Lease” sign.

He listed examples that many of us recognize:
A grocery that invested over ten million dollars — closed.
A luxury restaurant that cost millions to build — gone in less than a year.
A clothing store that put in a million — shut its doors.
Several takeouts opened with hype and heavy debt — didn’t make it through the year.
A high-end restaurant that spent millions on décor — sold before it found its footing.

“This isn’t normal,” Weinberger wrote. “And it’s not sustainable.”

He’s right. Behind the façade of prosperity, the truth is that most families in Lakewood are working hard just to keep up with rising costs. Maybe ten percent are truly affluent. The rest are stretching to cover mortgages, tuition, and groceries.

So when businesses are built on assumptions like “Everyone here spends a lot” or “Luxury always wins,” those aren’t business strategies — they’re what Weinberger called “high-stakes gambling, with people’s futures.”

He urged that real success requires more than excitement. It demands real market research, sound financial modeling, genuine demand validation, realistic break-even timelines, and a plan for the slow months — not just the grand opening.

“This isn’t about blame,” he wrote. “Not owners. Not brokers. Not advisors. It’s about accountability — and smarter decisions that protect families from devastating losses.”

Empty storefronts and unpaid loans don’t just hurt investors; they affect all of us. Broken dreams and wasted resources drain the energy of an entire community. As Weinberger put it, “We owe it to our community to stop, reflect, and do better.”

He’s right again. It’s time we talk about this openly — why it’s happening, what needs to change, and how we can build sustainable growth instead of short-lived hype.

Thank you, Mr. Weinberger, for saying what so many of us have been thinking. Maybe now, we’ll finally start having the honest conversation our community needs.

A Concerned Member of the Community

To submit a letter to appear on Matzav.com, email MatzavInbox@gmail.com

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The opinions expressed in letters on Matzav.com do not necessarily reflect the stance of the Matzav Media Network.

{Matzav.com}

New York City is seeing one of its most electrifying mayoral elections in generations, with voter turnout skyrocketing to levels unseen in over half a century — a sign, experts say, of just how fiercely contested the race between socialist frontrunner Zohran Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo has become. Pollsters now predict nearly 2 […]

Ukraine has received more American-made Patriot air defense systems to help it counter Russia’s daily barrages, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian drones killed a man and injured five of his family members, including two children, in the latest nighttime attack. Russia’s relentless pounding of urban areas behind the front line following its full-scale invasion […]

More than a development‭, ‬Givat Hashalvah is designed as a community‭. ‬Expansive 4+‭ ‬bedroom homes offer comfort and privacy‭, ‬and there’s plenty of shared space where neighbors can come together to learn‭, ‬daven‭, ‬and celebrate life’s milestones.‭ ‬‮‬  

By D. Stein, Matzav.com

With Zohran Mamdani poised to win the mayoral race in New York City, the Jewish community is confronting a very unsettling reality. Mamdani has long flagged himself as a radical critic of Israel and repeatedly taken positions deeply at odds with the concerns and security of Jewish New Yorkers.

For years, Mamdani has placed himself at the forefront of the far-left movement that vilifies Israel while refusing to acknowledge the suffering of Jews targeted by terrorism and hate.

His statements and actions have painted a clear picture of a man whose worldview is defined by hostility toward the Jewish state and indifference to Jewish security.

Refusal to Recognize Israel as a Jewish State

Mamdani has refused to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, insisting instead that he supports a single state “with equal rights” rather than one defined by Judaism. In doing so, he has aligned himself with those who view the very concept of a Jewish homeland as illegitimate, a position long rejected by both American and Israeli leaders across the political spectrum. To millions of Jews, the idea of dismantling the Jewish character of Israel is not “progressive”; it is existentially threatening.

Branding Israel an “Apartheid” Regime

Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of practicing “apartheid,” parroting the most inflammatory rhetoric of anti-Israel activists. He claimed that “the path toward a just and lasting peace can only begin by ending the occupation and dismantling apartheid.” Such language deliberately erases decades of history, demonizes the world’s only Jewish state, and fuels hatred toward Jews under the false guise of human rights.

These accusations mirror the propaganda used by groups that justify violence against Israel and its citizens, framing a nation fighting for its survival as a colonial oppressor.

Refusing to Denounce Calls for Violence

Perhaps most disturbing is Mamdani’s refusal to denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada,” a rallying cry that explicitly glorifies violent uprisings against Jews in Israel and, by extension, Jews everywhere. When pressed, Mamdani declined to condemn the phrase, dismissing concerns that it promotes bloodshed. For Jewish New Yorkers — many of whom still remember seeing that slogan spray-painted on city walls during anti-Israel protests — his silence speaks volumes.

A mayor who cannot bring himself to condemn violence against Jews abroad raises serious doubts about his willingness to protect Jews at home.

Threatening to Arrest Israel’s Prime Minister

In one of his most extreme declarations, Mamdani vowed that he would seek to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu if he were ever to visit New York. The statement was not a slip of the tongue; it was a calculated display of ideological extremism meant to score points with anti-Israel activists. Such rhetoric has no precedent in New York politics and no place in a city that prides itself on being a haven for Jews from around the world.

Support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement

Mamdani has been an outspoken supporter of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) campaign targeting Israel — a movement condemned by the U.S. Congress, opposed by every major Jewish organization, and widely recognized as antisemitic in intent and effect. BDS seeks to isolate Israel economically, culturally, and diplomatically, with the ultimate goal of dismantling it altogether. Mamdani’s alignment with this movement underscores his broader hostility toward the Jewish state and the millions who cherish its existence.

Zohran Mamdani’s own words tell a story of disdain — for Israel, for Jewish self-determination, and for the values of fairness and decency that New York City has long stood for. If his rhetoric is any indication, Jewish New Yorkers may soon find themselves living under a mayor whose sympathies lie not with them, but with those who demonize their people and their homeland.

May Hashem protect Am Yisroel. Im Hashem lo yishmor ihr shov shokad shomer.

{Matzav.com}

In a sweeping and candid interview aired Sunday night on CBS’ 60 Minutes, President Donald Trump recounted his central role in freeing Israeli hostages from Gaza, orchestrating a ceasefire with Hamas, and authorizing airstrikes that crippled Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

When asked directly by interviewer Norah O’Donnell if he was the one who secured the release of the remaining Israeli captives, Trump didn’t hesitate. “I did,” he said. “I got all the hostages out. But I always said the last 10 or 20 are gonna be tough. But we were tough also, and they let ’em all out.” He spoke with a tone of pride and determination, portraying the mission as a test of both grit and strategy.

Pushing back on skepticism about the ceasefire’s durability, Trump insisted that the truce was holding strong. “It’s not fragile. It’s a very solid – you know, I mean, you hear about Hamas, but Hamas could be taken out immediately if they don’t behave. They know that.” His words suggested that deterrence, not diplomacy alone, had kept the peace.

Pressed on how he would ensure Hamas’ disarmament, Trump’s response was characteristically blunt. “If I want ’em to disarm, I’ll get ’em to disarm very quickly. They’ll be – they’ll be eliminated. They know that.” The statement reflected his broader approach to the Middle East — projecting power to maintain control.

Trump became visibly emotional when speaking about the recovery of the remains of murdered hostages. “A lot of the parents… they knew they were dead, in some cases. Do you know that they were as anxious or even more anxious of getting their child out, even though they knew it was a body… than the people that had a living child?” His empathy toward the bereaved families contrasted with his otherwise hard-edged tone throughout the interview.

Addressing his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, Trump described a dynamic mix of respect and assertiveness. “He’s a wartime prime minister. I worked very well with him… I had to push him a little bit one way or the other… He’s a guy that- has never been pushed before, actually.” Trump’s remarks hinted at the behind-the-scenes pressure he applied during key negotiations.

He also condemned the legal proceedings against Netanyahu. “I don’t think they treat him very well… we’ll be involved in that to help him out a little bit, because I think it’s very unfair,” Trump said, suggesting that his administration might step in diplomatically.

Turning to Iran, Trump described the precision strikes he had ordered on the regime’s nuclear facilities. “We knocked the hell out of Iran… with those beautiful B-2 bombers… every single missile hit every single air shaft.” He lavished praise on the American pilots who carried out the mission, calling them “very brave people… they’re real American heroes… I gave ’em all a medal.”

According to Trump, the operation was the culmination of decades of preparation by the U.S. military. “They told me something I didn’t know. They said, ‘Sir, for 22 years we’ve been practicing this route… and you were the only president that let us do our job.’” He claimed the result was decisive: “They have no nuclear capability, no.”

As the interview drew to the broader geopolitical picture, Trump reflected on what he sees as his unmatched success in the region. “I made Middle East peace. For 3,000 years they couldn’t do it. I did it.” He framed the Abraham Accords as a cornerstone of his presidency and a lasting legacy of stability.

When asked about Saudi Arabia’s potential entry into the accords and whether it depended on a two-state solution, Trump replied with his characteristic confidence: “No. I think [they are] gonna join… I don’t know if it’s gonna be two-state. That’s gonna be up to Israel and other people, and me.”

{Matzav.com}

Piers Morgan slammed Zohran Mamdani, saying anyone who calls the NYPD “racists” and demands they be defunded should never become mayor, warning that Mamdani is “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” and that “a day of reckoning will come” when he has to answer for his actions.

Sec. Duffy: “It’s not just air traffic controllers. I have inspectors that are up looking at trains… I have technicians that come in every day without pay… I think Democrats should respect them. PAY THEM!”

Famine has spread to two regions of war-torn Sudan, including a major city in Darfur where paramilitary fighters have been rampaging, a global hunger monitoring group said Monday, as the war has created the world’s largest humanitarian disaster. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the leading international authority on hunger crises, said famine has been detected in el-Fasher […]

Rep. Buddy Carter sharply criticized Democrat mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday, accusing the New York City candidate of steering America toward socialism.

The Georgia lawmaker linked Mamdani’s campaign to what he described as a broader decline in New York’s leadership under previous Democrat mayors, including Bill de Blasio, whose administration he blamed for devastating the city’s economy and alienating businesses. According to Carter, those failures have left New Yorkers desperate for new direction — but not the kind Mamdani represents.

“They, unfortunately, are looking at it and finding an antisemitic, Islamist, socialist. And that is not what they need. They don’t need more taxes. They need less taxes,” Carter declared.

He warned that electing Mamdani would plunge New York deeper into economic ruin. “And I can assure you, socialism is nothing more than just mutually shared poverty. And that’s what New Yorkers are going to get when they – if they elect Mamdani,” he said.

Carter projected optimism about the upcoming midterm contests, telling CNN that Tuesday’s results would mark “a great victory for Republicans.” He also commented on a controversy in Virginia, where Democrat attorney general candidate Jay Jones had reportedly made violent remarks about his opponent.

Carter expressed disbelief that Democrats have not condemned the statement. “How can you accept that? That’s so hypocritical with Democrats not to call that out,” he said.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

The Knesset National Security Committee has advanced a controversial bill paving the way for the death penalty for terrorists, with government hostage envoy Gal Hirsch revealing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports the measure. The bill could reach its first reading in the Knesset plenum as early as Wednesday, according to Hebrew media reports. Under […]

California Governor Gavin Newsom unleashed a blistering attack on President Donald Trump during an interview Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” charging that Trump is actively working to manipulate the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections.

Newsom portrayed Trump as a deeply unpopular leader whose promises have failed to materialize. “This is a historically unpopular president. His policies are even more unpopular than the president himself. In every core category he’s under water. And he’s the guy who promised to make us wealthier and healthier we are poorer and sicker,” Newsom said, adding that Americans are now paying more “across the board” for basic goods and services.

He went on to argue that Trump’s administration has not delivered on its commitments. “Across the board people are starting to realize not only is coffee more expensive, beef is more expensive, the cost of an automobile is more expensive, utilities and all of the things he promised to solve day one he hasn’t solved,” Newsom said. “His recklessness aside and his style aside, his substance he hasn’t delivered and that’s why we’re here, Prop 50 because he knows he’ll lose the midterms and he’s trying to rig the election before one vote is cast.”

The governor also accused Trump of manipulating key political levers to protect his allies. “He’s been very open and honest including right outside the White House just last week saying incumbents are likely to lose the midterms and that’s why he called Greg Abbot. That’s why he said he’s quote, unquote, entitled. Think about that, entitled to five seats,” Newsom said.

He detailed what he viewed as Trump’s effort to tilt the playing field by intervening in state races and pushing for special sessions. “It’s why he sent J.D. Vance to Indiana shortly thereafter and why he moved in Missouri. He moved the folks in North Carolina and now we have a special election in Indiana, rather, a special session. He is not screwing around. He’s changing the rules and he’s rigging the game because he knows he’ll lose if all things are equal,” Newsom charged.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

The journey of Gedolei Yisrael on the Keren Olam HaTorah fundraising mission began in Zurich, Switzerland, late Monday morning when the delegation of Gedolei Yisrael landed, including HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, HaGaon HaRav Shimon Galay, the Rachmastrivka Rebbe, HaGaon HaRav Avraham Salim, and HaGaon HaRav Baruch Soloveitchik.  The events opened with a seudah at the […]