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Toronto mayoral candidate Bahira Abdulsalam is pledging to make the war in Gaza an immediate focus of her administration if elected, declaring that her first motion at City Hall would include an effort to “open our doors” to families coming from Gaza.

Abdulsalam, a professional engineer who is running for mayor in Toronto’s Oct. 26 municipal election, made the proposal in remarks that began circulating widely online in recent days. The City of Toronto confirms that the 2026 mayoral election is scheduled for Oct. 26.

“So here is my first motion to the city hall, if elected as a mayor of the city of Toronto,” Abdulsalam said.

She then laid out two elements of the proposed measure, beginning with a review of the city’s purchasing practices and suppliers.

“First, disclose, show Torontonians what our city buys, who it buys from and measure this against the international law,” she said.

Abdulsalam then turned directly to Gaza, saying, “Second, we open our doors for families grieving from Gaza and coming here to the city.”

Her comments immediately raised a practical question about how such a proposal could be implemented by a Toronto mayor. Immigration and citizenship are federal responsibilities in Canada, meaning that Toronto City Hall and the mayor do not have the authority to independently admit foreign nationals into the country. The City of Toronto itself identifies “citizenship and immigration” as responsibilities of Canada’s federal government.

Toronto does, however, play a substantial role in helping immigrants and refugees after they arrive. A 2025 federal-provincial immigration agreement specifically recognizes Toronto’s infrastructure and experience in integrating immigrants and responding to large numbers of refugees, while providing for cooperation among the federal, Ontario and Toronto governments.

Abdulsalam therefore could use the mayor’s office to advocate for federal action and seek city resources or programs to assist Gaza families admitted by Ottawa, but she could not unilaterally bring Gaza residents into Canada. Toronto’s mayor also serves as a representative of the city in dealings with other levels of government, providing a potential avenue for such lobbying.

The proposal fits into a broader pattern of pro-Palestinian advocacy that has become a prominent element of Abdulsalam’s political activity. Her campaign website includes what she calls a “Palestine Platform,” which calls for a two-way Canadian arms embargo on Israel, greater funding for Gaza relief efforts including UNRWA, and other measures aimed at changing Canadian policy toward Israel and the Palestinians.

Her Gaza remarks also come as Abdulsalam faces controversy over previous social-media statements concerning Israel, Zionism and Hamas.

The Toronto candidate is currently the subject of disciplinary proceedings before Professional Engineers Ontario stemming from complaints over her online political commentary. Among the posts cited in reporting on the case are statements attributed to Abdulsalam describing Hamas as “the Palestinian Resistance and the only military force in the world that is standing up courageously against Israel to defend the Palestinians,” and another in which she wrote that “Zionism is way more cruel than the Nazis.”

In another post cited in the complaint, Abdulsalam wrote, “Hamas is the official government of the Gaza Strip; it is not merely a resistance movement; it is the elected government in Palestine.”

Abdulsalam has strongly contested the disciplinary case and argues that the engineering regulator is improperly attempting to police political speech that she made in her private capacity.

“I am before a discipline tribunal because of what I posted, in my own name and on my own time, about political and social questions, questions of war and peace, of conscience, and of parents and children,” she said in a July statement.

“A regulator’s authority exists to protect the public from unsafe engineering. It was never granted to superintend the political conscience of the people it licenses,” Abdulsalam added. No final disciplinary finding should be inferred merely from the existence of the proceedings.

Jewish organizations have sharply criticized Abdulsalam over her past statements. B’nai Brith Canada CEO Simon Wolle told the Jerusalem Post last month that his organization was “appalled” by posts he said expressed explicit support for Hamas and repeated antisemitic conspiracy theories.

The Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation has similarly condemned her rhetoric. Its executive director, Andria Spindel, argued that international conflicts have no place in municipal government and accused Abdulsalam’s statements of fueling “hatred and bigotry.”

Abdulsalam, for her part, has publicly rejected accusations that she engages in collective blame against Jews or other communities. In a recent campaign statement, she said it is unfair to hold all Jews responsible for the actions of a government, just as it is unfair to judge all Muslims or Palestinians based on the conduct of individuals.

This is Abdulsalam’s second campaign for Toronto mayor. She ran in the 2023 mayoral by-election, finishing 14th in a field of 102 candidates. She formally entered the 2026 mayoral contest in May.

{Matzav.com}

Russia has been secretly providing Iran with advanced missile technology aimed at helping Tehran develop weapons capable of striking US Navy aircraft carriers in the Middle East, according to a Financial Times investigation published Tuesday.

The covert partnership reportedly dates back to 2023 and operated under the codename C430L, with Moscow assisting Tehran as it worked to develop increasingly sophisticated missile capabilities.

One of the project’s primary goals was reportedly to create a ramjet propulsion system capable of propelling Iranian missiles at several times the speed of sound. Missiles using such technology, especially when traveling at low altitudes, could leave Western air defense systems with significantly less time to detect and respond to an incoming attack.

The Financial Times reported that the sophistication of the technology involved meant that any transfer would likely have required approval at the highest levels of Russia’s government. The missile cooperation may have been one component of a wider exchange between the two countries, with Iran aiding Moscow’s drone program while Russia provided assistance to Tehran’s missile efforts. The two governments have also developed extensive intelligence ties.

Documents reviewed by the Financial Times reportedly show that work on the arrangement had begun even before it was formally signed in November 2023, approximately one month after the October 7 attack.

According to the investigation, Russian support for Iran remained ongoing during the war with Iran in February and provided Tehran with significant assistance as it carried out attacks against Gulf states.

Military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran has grown considerably in recent years as both governments have faced increasing Western pressure over their international alliances and activities in their respective regions.

The deepening relationship was on display in April 2025, when Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Moscow and met Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, Araghchi delivered a message from Iran’s then-Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was later eliminated in joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year. The message stressed the importance of further strengthening relations between Russia and Iran.

Several weeks after that meeting, Putin signed legislation previously approved by the Russian parliament that expanded bilateral cooperation between Moscow and Tehran across multiple areas, including military and security matters.

Iran has also pursued the acquisition of Russia’s advanced Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets as part of its efforts to strengthen its military capabilities. Tehran, however, has voiced frustration over Moscow’s repeated delays in delivering the aircraft.

{Matzav.com}

Something remarkable will take place across Flatbush this Motzoei Shabbos.

Matzav.com has learned that before the first haunting words of Selichos are recited, before Ashrei and the Yud-Gimmel Middos, and before thousands begin the annual journey toward the Yomim Noraim, more than 30 shuls throughout the Flatbush community will open their batei medrash for a community-wide seder limud designed to bring people into Selichos with the zechus and spiritual elevation of Torah.

The sweeping initiative, billed simply as the “Selichos Seder,” has brought together an extraordinary cross-section of Flatbush shuls, rabbonim, kollelim and bnei Torah around a beautifully simple idea: What better way is there to prepare to stand before the Ribbono Shel Olam than by first sitting down and learning Torah?

Under the banner “Elevate Your Selichos — Stand before Hashem with the z’chus of Torah,” participating shuls will hold a seder limud b’chavrusa beginning at approximately 12:10 a.m., followed by Selichos at approximately 12:55 a.m. Individual shul schedules may vary. And organizers have made clear that no one should stay away because he does not have a chavrusa: Those arriving without one will be paired up.

But perhaps even more striking than the concept itself is the scope of the response.

More than 30 shuls have already joined the initiative, with the list still in formation.

Participating shuls include Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyomin, led by Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff; Agudas Yisroel of Flatbush; Agudas Yisroel of Madison, led by Rav Yisroel Reisman; Bais Medrash Avreichim, led by Rav Meir Finkel; Bais Medrash Bais Yeshaya, led by Rav Moshe Yitzchak Fisher; Bais Medrash Torah U’Tefillah, led by Rav Yitzchok Olshin; Bais Mordechai D’Bertch, led by Rav Tzvi Eli Rokeach; Chaim Berlin Alumni-Marine Park, led by Rav Ahron Rapps; Kesser Yisroel Mordechai, led by Rav Meir Platnick; Khal Avrechei Bais Chaim Yisroel, led by Rav Yehuda Friedman; Khal Bais Elazar Faltishan, led by Rav Yonasan Binyamin Katz; Khal Beis Mordechai, led by Rav Boruch Miller; Khal Bnei Avraham Yaakov, led by Rav Moshe Bergman; Khal Bnei Shlomo Zalman, led by Rav Yosef Frankel; Khal Bnei Torah Bais Naftali, led by Rav Bentzion Schiffenbauer; Khal Bnei Torah-Kollel Dirshu, led by Rav Shlomo Cynamon; Khal Talmidei Hayeshivos, led by Rav Binyamin Cohen; Khal Tiferes Avraham-Zidichov, led by Rav Yechezkel Eichenstein; Khal Zichron Mordechai, led by Rav Yekusiel Bitman; Khal Zichron Yakov-Shlomo V’Chava, led by Rav Ezra Rodkin; Knesses Bais Avigdor, led by Rav Aharon Kahn; Kollel B’nei Torah, led by Rav Yosef Eisen; Yeshivas Ohr Yisroel, led by Rav Herschel Zolty; Khal Igud Avreichim, led by Rav Pinchas Frankel; Khal Kollel B’nei Yeshivos, led by Rav Moshe Scheinerman; Khal Kol Torah, led by Rav Lipa Geldwerth; Khal Meshivas Nefesh, led by Rav Noam Rosenzweig; Khal Nachlas Dovid, led by Rav Daniel Osher Kleinman; Khal Premishlan, led by Rav Moshe Ahron Fulop; Khal Sasregen, led by Rav Bentzion Frankel; and Khal Sha’ar Hashamayim, led by Rav Chanoch Posy.

It is difficult to overstate what a scene this promises to create. Motzoei Shabbos before the first Selichos has always possessed a character all its own. There is an electricity in the air as the clock moves toward midnight. Men who have spent an ordinary Motzoei Shabbos at home begin making their way toward shul. The streets fill. The batei medrash come alive. A familiar niggun begins, and suddenly the reality of Elul, of Rosh Hashanah drawing near, feels very real.

This year, across Flatbush, that experience will begin nearly an hour earlier, with the sound of Torah.

In shul after shul, chavrusos will bend over their seforim. The hum of learning will fill batei medrash across the neighborhood. And then, almost simultaneously, those same voices will close their Gemaros and open their Selichos, carrying the zechus of their Torah directly into their tefillos.

There is something especially powerful about the fact that this is not taking place in one building or under the banner of one particular kehillah. It is a Flatbush-wide undertaking. Different shuls. Different rabbonim. Different neighborhoods and constituencies. One community preparing together for the first Selichos.

The first night of Selichos can easily become defined by the atmosphere surrounding it: the late hour, the packed shul, the special melodies and the emotion of hearing Selichos for the first time in nearly a year. All of those things are meaningful. But the Flatbush Selichos Seder seeks to add something before all of them: Torah.

Before asking, learn. Before pleading, toil. Before standing before Hashem and saying Selach lanu, spend time immersed in His Torah.

At 12:10 this Motzoei Shabbos, lights will be burning in batei medrash across Flatbush, pages of Gemara will be turning, and hundreds — perhaps thousands — of Jews will be learning together.

Then, at approximately 12:55, the learning will give way to Selichos.

The same mouths that moments earlier were speaking words of Torah will begin speaking words of tefillah.

And across more than 30 shuls, an entire community will begin the journey toward the Yomim Noraim together — carrying with it the greatest zechus it knows: the zechus haTorah.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Dov Kook of Tiveria remains in serious condition, with his family still awaiting significant improvement in his consciousness and ability to move, his son Rav Gedaliah Kook said in an update while urging the public to continue davening for his recovery.

Speaking with Rabbi Moshe Ben Lulu, Rav Gedaliah described his father’s difficult medical condition and appealed for additional tefillos and spiritual commitments on his behalf. He also discussed a major women’s gathering being organized by Rebbetzin Kook for her husband’s refuah, scheduled for Monday at Hangar 11 in the Tel Aviv Port.

“We are waiting for Hashem’s salvation,” Rav Gedaliah said, asking the public “to daven again and undertake all the spiritual efforts.”

He explained that, according to doctors, the initial months following a stroke and systemic collapse can be particularly significant in determining potential improvements in consciousness, communication and movement. Rav Gedaliah stressed that this represents only the medical assessment, while the family continues to daven and hope for a yeshuah beyond what doctors may anticipate.

Describing his father’s present condition, Rav Gedaliah said, “The Rav has still not gotten up, he does not move a hand or a foot, he cannot move any limb of his body.”

There have, however, been occasional signs of limited communication. Rav Gedaliah said his father has at times responded through slight head movements, particularly when Rebbetzin Kook or leading Gedolei Yisroel are present. He cautioned that these responses are brief and difficult, generally lasting only several seconds.

“He is receiving the best treatment in the world,” Rav Gedaliah stressed.

At the same time, he said there have been significant improvements in several of his father’s bodily systems. The family views some of those developments as “open miracles,” particularly after doctors had previously raised grave concerns about his condition.

The conversation then turned to a major initiative intended to generate additional tefillos for Rav Kook: a massive gathering for women being spearheaded by Rebbetzin Kook.

According to Rav Gedaliah, thousands of women from across the spectrum are expected to attend the event at Hangar 11 in the Tel Aviv Port. The gathering was initially planned for the Caesarea Amphitheater, but the venue was changed after Rebbetzin Kook requested that the security personnel inside the women’s area consist exclusively of women, allowing the event to be conducted in accordance with her standards of tznius.

Rav Gedaliah said the Rebbetzin has asked participants to bring drums and turn the gathering into an evening of tefillah, simcha and anticipation of a yeshuah.

A massive collective recitation of Tehillim is also planned. Organizers intend to divide the chapters among the thousands of women in attendance, allowing the participants to collectively complete the equivalent of approximately 1,500 entire Sifrei Tehillim within a short period of time.

The evening will also feature a musical program. Rav Gedaliah emphasized that the gathering is being organized without any profit motive.

The event is scheduled for Monday at 9 p.m. at Hangar 11 in the Tel Aviv Port. Rav Gedaliah said free transportation has been arranged from various locations around the country, with tickets available through the ticketing systems and contact information publicized for the gathering.

“Please respond to the Rebbetzin’s call, for an evening of simcha, an evening of yeshuah,” he appealed to listeners.

During the broadcast, Ben Lulu also played a recording of Rebbetzin Kook urging women to attend and increase their tefillos for her husband’s recovery and for yeshuos for Klal Yisroel.

The public is asked to continue davening for Rav Kook, whose name for tefillah is Rav Chizkiyahu Dov ben Shoshana.

Mordechai Ben David’s newly released single, “Uvetuvcha Hagadol,” has been more than 23 years in the making — and its surprising history stretches back to Menachem Toker’s wedding, where the song was performed publicly for the first time more than two decades ago.

Composer and arranger Eli Laufer revealed the story during an interview with Toker on the radio program “Zman Avir,” explaining that the song was actually composed jointly by Laufer and MBD in Miami more than 23 years ago. Although MBD considered including it on his album “Efshar Letaken,” the song ultimately remained unreleased until this week.

During the interview, Toker produced a rare recording from his wedding approximately 23 and a half years ago.

“You were there, and you surprised me with a new song, you and Mordechai Ben David on the stage,” Toker reminded Laufer.

Toker recalled that MBD had made a special trip to attend the wedding, which took place approximately a week before Pesach, and that MBD and Laufer performed the newly composed song together.

Laufer initially had difficulty remembering all the details of the evening, although he said he had recently seen footage from the wedding showing himself playing the keyboard. Listening again to the decades-old performance, Toker told him, “I’m listening now to the chords you’re putting in there. You are the gadol hador.”

Laufer then explained how “Uvetuvcha Hagadol” had originally come into existence during a visit to Miami with MBD.

“We were in Miami, and we composed it together with Mordechai. Mordechai said: Now let’s light candles and compose a song. There was a keyboard there,” Laufer recalled.

The two sat together and created “Uvetuvcha Hagadol,” and Laufer said they immediately sensed that they had produced something special.

“Mordechai always wanted to release it, and now there was an opportunity to release it,” he said.

The song, however, came close to reaching listeners many years earlier. Laufer revealed that “Uvetuvcha Hagadol” was considered for inclusion on MBD’s “Efshar Letaken” album, but MBD ultimately decided against putting it on the album. The composition consequently remained on the shelf, despite having already been performed at Toker’s wedding.

Now, more than 23 years after that performance, the song has finally received its official release.

Toker asked whether a composition created more than two decades ago could still resonate with today’s listeners. Laufer said the initial reaction to the single indicates that the melody has lost none of its appeal.

“People are very moved and are complimenting me very much about this song. People are very excited,” Laufer said.

Toker jokingly suggested that evaluating the staying power of an MBD song requires a different standard altogether.

“Mordechai Ben David is always relevant. The question is whether a song is relevant 23 years later,” he said.

Laufer also discussed the credits behind the new release, explaining that he and MBD jointly composed the melody, while Laufer handled the arrangement.

When Toker pressed him to identify which portions of the song had been composed by each of them, Laufer replied, “I don’t remember, together. I think I did most of it.”

After Toker teased him about taking credit, Laufer quickly added, “G-d forbid. Mordechai is a great composer.”

Laufer went even further in praising MBD’s abilities as a composer, saying, “I think he is no less talented as a composer than he is as a singer… There’s nothing you can do, he is the king.”

Shmuel Stern, Laufer noted during the conversation, was responsible for the vocal arrangements on the newly released song.

For Toker, the release brought the story full circle: a song written more than 23 years ago and unveiled at one of the most important moments of his own life has finally become an official MBD release.

“It was released in honor of my wedding 23 years ago,” Toker joked, before offering Laufer the blessing, “A faithful home for me and for you.”

{Matzav.com}

A Chareidi commander serving in a classified elite technological unit of the IDF has left military service after receiving a direct instruction to do so from Rav Avraham Salim, a member of Shas’ Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, according to a report by Kan News.

During a conversation between the two, Rav Salim addressed the commander’s continued service in the IDF and instructed him to leave, citing the ongoing confrontation over the drafting of bnei yeshivos.

“Leave the IDF because it is at war with students of Torah, so that your family will not be harmed because you are a soldier.”

Rav Salim further explained that the commander could continue participating in reserve duty while cautioning him against taking steps that would establish a deeper or more permanent connection to the military.

“You can go to reserve duty, but do not take part in something that would tie you more to the army.”

The commander reportedly told Kan News that when he initially entered the military, and particularly around the time of the October 7 massacre, he had received encouragement and backing from several prominent rabbonim.

That support reportedly changed as the battle over the Draft Law grew increasingly contentious and authorities stepped up enforcement measures and sanctions against bnei yeshivos who had not reported for military service.

As tensions surrounding the draft intensified, the backing the commander had previously received from rabbinic figures reportedly began to diminish, ultimately leading to his conversation with Rav Salim and his decision to leave his position.

{Matzav.com}

Shin Bet Director David Zini paid a visit Tuesday to Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, touring the famed building and taking a particular interest in the yeshiva and its bochurim during a trip to the United States for meetings with American officials.

Zini, who previously served as an IDF major general and has led Israel’s internal security service since October 2025, came to 770 together with security personnel and Chabad community activists. A substantial police presence surrounded the building during his visit.

The Shin Bet chief is religiously observant, a fact that has received considerable attention since he took over leadership of the Israeli security agency.

Zini’s tour began in the WLCC room, the location from which the Rebbe’s farbrengens and other events were transmitted to audiences around the globe for many years. WLCC manager Rabbi Mendel Eisenbach welcomed Zini upon his arrival.

From there, Zini requested an opportunity to visit the main shul and observe the bochurim studying in the 770 Yeshiva.

The security chief displayed considerable curiosity about the yeshiva’s daily learning program and curriculum. He wanted to know how many hours the bochurim spend learning each day, what time their seder begins, and which subjects occupy their studies.

Rabbi Mendy Carlebach, chaplain of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, and Rabbi Chanina Sperlin, an NYPD chaplain, coordinated Zini’s visit. During his time at 770, Zini also spoke with Rabbi Yekusiel Feldman, a mashpia at 770.

Following the tour, Zini stepped onto Kingston Avenue for a short walk. A small group quickly gathered around the visiting Israeli security official, with several people exchanging brief words with him.

{Matzav.com}