Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the country on Monday, releasing a message aimed at calming the growing storm surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s request for a presidential pardon. In his video statement, delivered in Hebrew, Herzog stressed that his guiding principle is the welfare of the nation, noting that “The issue of Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s request for a pardon is clearly provoking debate and is deeply unsettling for many people in the country, across different communities.”
Herzog emphasized that the process would be handled with absolute care and neutrality. “I have already clarified that it will be handled in the most correct and precise manner. I will consider solely the best interests of the State of Israel and Israeli society,” he said, underscoring that no pressure campaign will sway him. He added that public input was welcome — “One thing is clear to me: Violent discourse will not impact me; on the other hand, respectful discourse will definitely create a discussion. I invite the Israeli public to the President’s Residence website to express their opinions and respond appropriately.”
Even before Herzog’s remarks, political circles were buzzing with reports that the President was weighing the request seriously, including the possibility of tying a pardon to an agreement for early elections. Channel 13 News mentioned this scenario earlier in the day. Those aligned with Netanyahu, however, pushed back on any conditional approach, stating unequivocally that “this is all or nothing – either an unconditional pardon, or the Prime Minister will continue his trial until acquittal.”
Netanyahu formally submitted his petition on Sunday through attorney Amit Hadad, nearly six years after charging documents were first filed. The letter makes no acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Instead, Netanyahu framed the appeal as a step toward restoring internal unity, writing: “In recent years, tensions and disputes have increased between parts of the people and between the various state authorities. I am aware that the proceedings in my case have become a focus of fierce debates and bear broad public and ethical responsibility, out of an understanding of the implications of all the events as a result, and despite my personal interest in conducting the trial and proving my innocence until I am fully acquitted, I believe that the public interest dictates otherwise.”
He continued by linking the end of the legal proceedings to easing national friction: “Out of a public responsibility as Prime Minister to try to bring about reconciliation between the parts of the people, I have no doubt that the end of the trial will help to reduce the intensity of the flames in the debate that has arisen around it.”
Following the submission, the President’s Office acknowledged the gravity of what now lies before Herzog. It noted that the President “is aware that this is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications. After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the President will responsibly and sincerely consider the request.”
The paperwork has already been routed to the Justice Ministry’s Pardons Department, where an official recommendation will be drafted. That opinion will then be assessed by multiple government bodies, including the legal adviser to the President’s Office and the minister designated to oversee the process. Because Justice Minister Yariv Levin is a senior member of Netanyahu’s Likud party and therefore conflicted out, Minister Amichai Eliyahu is expected to take the lead on evaluating the matter.
{Matzav.com}
Israel’s Iron Beam (“Magen Or” in Hebrew) laser defense system will begin defending against aerial threats at the end of the month, the country’s Defense Ministry announced on Monday.
“With development complete and a comprehensive testing program that has validated the system’s capabilities, we are prepared to deliver initial operational capability to the IDF on Dec. 30, 2025,” said Brig. Gen. (res.) Daniel Gold, head of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development at the Defense Ministry.
Brig. Gen. (res.) Daniel Gold, head of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development at the Israeli Defense Ministry, speaks at the International DefenseTech Summit at Tel Aviv University on Dec. 1, 2025. Credit: Israel Ministry of Defense.Speaking at the International DefenseTech Summit at Tel Aviv University, Gold said the system was a complement to the Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow air defense systems, and “is expected to fundamentally change the rules of engagement on the battlefield.”
The system uses a 100-kilowatt laser to intercept rockets, mortars and UAVs at a range of more than 6 miles (10 kilometers), at a fraction of the cost of traditional interceptors. The estimated cost per firing is about $2 to $5, compared to $40,000 to $80,000 for a single Iron Dome interceptor.
The Iron Beam—to be renamed “Ohr Eitan” (“Eitan’s Light”) after Eitan Oster, who fell in battle in Lebanon and whose father was one of its developers—will be integrated into the Israel Defense Forces’ air defense array.
The Defense Ministry and Israel’s Rafael defense technology firm announced in September the completion of a series of successful trials of the Iron Beam system at a facility in southern Israel.
“The system proved its effectiveness in a complete operational configuration by intercepting rockets, mortars, aircraft and UAVs across a comprehensive range of operational scenarios,” they said in a joint statement at the time.
The Israeli military revealed in May that a smaller version of the laser defense system was tested in combat operations during the war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, shooting down dozens of enemy drones. Most of the interceptions were of Hezbollah drones, but the system also downed UAVs on other fronts, according to the IDF. JNS
{Matzav.com}
Republican strategist Karl Rove is urging his party to prepare a concrete and convincing pitch to voters well before the next midterm cycle, cautioning that the absence of a real health care proposal could severely damage their prospects.
Speaking on Fox News’s “Journal Editorial Report,” Rove said the GOP cannot enter the 2026 races empty-handed on core domestic issues. He argued that candidates must be able to explain both their economic vision and their approach to health care in a way that resonates beyond party loyalists. “If the Republicans want to maximize their victories in 2026, they need to go back in the way-back machine to 1992 and remember the immortal words of that great strategist, James Carville. ‘It’s the economy stupid,’ he said,” Rove noted. “And you got to have an agenda that is forward-looking.”
Rove said Republicans should frame their plans around policies that encourage economic expansion and help families improve their financial well-being. As he put it, candidates must be thinking in terms of “progrowth policies” that ordinary voters can immediately understand and feel.
He stressed that health care cannot be sidelined. “And ‘don’t forget health care,’ Carville famously said,” Rove reminded viewers. “The Republicans have got to have a health care agenda, otherwise they’re going to be in deep trouble.”
The topic has already proven volatile. The recent government shutdown — the longest in the nation’s history — hinged in large part on demands from Democrats to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies before permitting the government to reopen. Those enhanced subsidies expire at the end of the year, a development expected to push premiums higher for millions. That expiration is also creating uncertainty inside the GOP, since many Republican voters rely on those subsidies and are now bracing for steep costs.
Rove said these pressures are exposing division within the Republican ranks. In his view, lawmakers are increasingly worried about the political fallout tied to the public’s economic frustrations, while the benefits of the administration’s major tax and spending legislation have not yet been felt widely enough. He described the anxiety this way: members are “scared to death of the midterm election,” because the public isn’t feeling the results of President Trump’s major legislative achievement.
Rove pointed directly to the gap between Trump’s expectations and voter perceptions. “If the president’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ was as instantaneously positive as he thinks, his approval numbers on the economy wouldn’t be in the 30s, and his overall approval wouldn’t be in the low 40s,” he said.
He concluded that Republicans cannot afford to enter the cycle without a clear roadmap. “So Republicans are concerned, and they need to have an agenda going into the 2026 midterms, and they don’t have a forward-looking agenda at this moment,” he said.
{Matzav.com}
Maran Rav Dov Landau delivered a powerful shmuess at Yeshiva Ma’or HaTorah on Sunday, issuing an unequivocal declaration that there is no consent whatsoever for yeshiva bochurim from Sephardic communities to leave yeshiva and enlist in the IDF.
The gathering, hosted by Rav Avraham Salim, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, centered on the current climate surrounding the draft debate and the claims being circulated regarding Sephardic bnei Torah. Rav Landau devoted his remarks to affirming the unwavering position of the Torah world.
Rav Landau began by highlighting the rich Torah legacy of Sephardic Jewry throughout the generations, noting that many of the greatest sages of all time were Sephardic. “Many of our greatest teachers throughout the generations were Sephardic sages: the Rambam, the Rif, the Ramban, the Rashba, Maran HaBeis Yosef, the Mishneh LaMelech, the Machaneh Ephraim, the Sha’ar HaMelech, and other giants whose teachings we absorb to this day,” he said. “In every beis midrash we immerse ourselves in their Torah just as we do in the teachings of the Ashkenazic sages.” He recalled the powerful impression made on him in his youth by the rosh yeshiva of Porat Yosef, Rav Ezra Attiya, whose noble and refined character left a lifelong mark on him.
Rav Landau then reflected on the early years of the State, which he described as a time of profound spiritual assault on Sephardic communities. “At the beginning of statehood, in a cruel and sweeping spiritual destruction orchestrated by the heads of the government, Sephardic Jewry suffered a catastrophe that claimed countless souls,” he said. In response, he noted, the great leaders of both the Ashkenazic and Sephardic worlds fought with all their strength to rebuild Torah education. The prominent Ashkenazic yeshivos opened their doors to students from the Sephardic communities, many of whom went on to become outstanding talmidei chachomim and marbitzei Torah.
He described with gratitude the extraordinary growth of Sephardic yeshivos over the past decades. “Today there are many yeshivos for Sephardic bochurim that are an inseparable part of the world of Torah,” he said. Their standard of learning, their atmosphere, and their spiritual stature, he noted, rival the finest of the veteran yeshivos. Leading them are great Sephardic roshei yeshiva whose dedication and leadership have built a vibrant Torah world filled with “excellent bnei Torah and young tzorvim growing into talmidei chachomim who sanctify Heaven’s name.”
With emotional intensity, Rav Landau turned to the rumors and claims being spread regarding Sephardic bochurim and the draft. “To our great sorrow, there are inciters and agitators who malign the roshei yeshiva, as if there is some agreement—chalilah—for bnei Torah from Sephardic backgrounds to abandon the wellspring of Torah and enlist,” he declared. “Chalilah v’chas! May the mouths of the liars be sealed. There is no such agreement and no such consent.”
He stressed that roshei yeshiva invest their full strength into every talmid, without distinction of origin or ability, guiding even those who struggle with patience and devotion, exactly as the Gemara instructs. Those who attempt to sow division, he warned, inflict deep harm on the entire Torah world and desecrate the name of Heaven, whether knowingly or unknowingly. “One who desecrates Hashem’s name is accountable regardless,” he said.
Rav Landau concluded with a heartfelt charge to bnei hayeshivos: “Every yeshiva student must understand our mission: to learn Torah with depth, diligence, and total immersion, disconnected from the influences of the street.” He closed with a prayer that Torah learning continue to expand without interruption: “May Hashem help us continue to see the flourishing of the batei medrash and the increase of Torah learners without limit. Avinu Malkeinu, remove harsh decrees from us. May the earth be filled with the knowledge of Hashem as water covers the sea, and may we merit to see the return of Tzion, speedily in our days. Amein.”
{Matzav.com}
A&B Famous, one of the most widely recognized names in the kosher food market, has announced a temporary halt in production of its flagship Original Gefilte Fish, citing an unexpected shortage of key fish varieties essential to its recipe.
In a public notice, the company explained that its longstanding reputation rests on strict adherence to kashrus, freshness, and the use of only the highest-quality ingredients, including fish that is never previously frozen. That commitment, the company noted, is the foundation of the product’s “signature fresh, authentic, and delicious flavor.”
According to A&B, seasonal harvesting restrictions have made the specific varieties of fresh fish required for its classic recipe unavailable. As a result, the company said, it is currently unable to produce its Original Gefilte Fish in accordance with its rigorous standards.
“A&B Original Gefilte Fish will be temporarily unavailable until we are once again able to obtain the premium, freshly caught fish required for our recipe,” the notice states.
Despite the shortage, the company emphasized that several other products remain fully stocked. These include White & Pike, Salmon, and Gluten-Free gefilte fish varieties, all of which continue to be produced without disruption.
A&B expressed cautious optimism that the issue will be resolved within two to three weeks, at which point they expect to resume full production and restock the complete line of products.
The notice concludes with an apology for any inconvenience and thanks customers for their loyalty and understanding during the temporary shortage.
A&B Famous is based in Paterson, New Jersey.
{Matzav.com}
A new rift is emerging within United Torah Judaism (UTJ) as Agudas Yisroel signals firm opposition to lifting the bloc’s boycott of coalition-sponsored legislation. While coalition leaders were hopeful that the chareidi parties would ease their protest amid progress on the draft law, Agudah has made clear it will not budge until the bill passes its final Knesset reading.
The dispute comes as Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman MK Boaz Bismuth prepares for three intense discussions this week on the updated draft law. Coalition officials had assessed over the weekend that UTJ might partially end its boycott and support several preliminary coalition bills.
However, a report published Sunday evening revealed that Agudas Yisroel opposes lifting the boycott entirely, arguing that without a completed draft law—passed on its third reading—any parliamentary activity amounts to “empty deliberations.”
Degel HaTorah, the other half of UTJ, has not yet reached a decision. Senior Degel figures are weighing whether to accept the coalition’s request and support a limited number of bills. A final ruling is expected at today’s weekly faction meeting.
The decision carries broader coalition implications. Because Shas typically coordinates its voting strategy with Degel HaTorah, Degel’s stance will likely determine whether Shas joins or refrains from the boycott. If Degel chooses to support the coalition while Agudah refuses, Agudas Yisroel may once again find itself isolated, with the other chareidi parties returning to routine cooperation with the government.
The renewed political tension comes as the coalition works to secure a majority for the draft law—a task still far from guaranteed. So far, only two coalition MKs have publicly declared outright opposition: Likud MK Yuli Edelstein and MK Sharren Haskel of Gideon Sa’ar’s party.
Other lawmakers believed to harbor concerns—including Dan Illouz, Ofir Sofer, Bezalel Smotrich, and Eli Dallal—have stated that they will review the updated draft during committee discussions and decide their final vote afterward.
{Matzav.com}
During a flight from Palm Beach back to Washington, President Donald Trump made clear he had no regrets about the language he used last week when he referred to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as “retarded.” The exchange took place aboard Air Force One after a reporter pressed him on the wording he used in a Thanksgiving post.
When the reporter asked if he still stood behind the insult, Trump dismissed the concern. “Yeah, I think there’s something wrong with him,” he responded, firing back with, “Do you have a problem with it?” He repeated that his criticism stemmed from Walz’s stance on refugee policy, adding, “I think there’s something wrong with him … Anybody that would allow those people into a state and pay billions of dollars out to Somalia. We gave billions of dollars to Somalia — it’s not even a country because it doesn’t function like a country. It’s got a name, but it doesn’t function like a country. Yeah, there’s something wrong with Walz.”
His original Thanksgiving message on Truth Social said that the country’s “refugee burden is the leading cause of social dysfunction in America, something that did not exist after World War II,” and then moved directly into his criticism of Walz. In the same social media post, Trump claimed Minnesota had been overwhelmed by new arrivals from Somalia. “As an example, hundreds of thousands of refugees from Somalia are completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota. Somalian gangs are roving the streets looking for ‘prey’ as our wonderful people stay locked in their apartments and houses hoping against hope that they will be left alone,” he wrote.
He went on in that post to accuse the governor of inaction. “The seriously retarded Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, does nothing, either through fear, incompetence, or both,” Trump wrote, turning his attention next to Rep. Ilhan Omar. He claimed she “does nothing but hatefully complain about our Country,” adding pointed allegations about her origins and immigration history, saying her birthplace was “a decadent, backward, and crime ridden nation, which is essentially not even a country for lack of Government, Military, Police, schools, etc…”
Trump concluded the Thanksgiving message with a sweeping policy declaration, vowing that he “will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover.”
Walz addressed the remarks on Sunday and dismissed them entirely, saying it is “a badge of honor” to draw such an attack from the president.
{Matzav.com}
The renewed battle over Israel’s controversial draft law is set to intensify today as the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee launches a new round of high-pressure deliberations on the updated proposal. Committee chairman MK Boaz Bismuth is expected to enforce strict speaking limits as lawmakers confront a packed room and a tight legislative deadline.
The committee will open its first session of the new discussion cycle following the distribution of the revised bill text late last week. The updated version, drafted under Bismuth’s direction, is intended to address demands from the Knesset’s legal advisers and bolster the proposal’s chances of surviving scrutiny by the High Court.
Lawmakers are bracing for one of the most crowded meetings the committee has seen in months. According to internal assessments, the hearing room is expected to be filled to capacity with MKs, lobbyists, organizational representatives, and activists. Committee officials are already preparing for the likelihood that not all attendees will be able to enter.
To maintain order, Bismuth has instituted a stringent time-management mechanism: every speaker will be allotted between 90 seconds and two minutes, enforced by an official buzzer to prevent long-winded speeches, delays, or filibusters.
The coming days will feature an intensive schedule. Three sessions are planned for this week—today’s meeting, followed by two additional hearings tomorrow. Next week, discussions are set to expand to nearly every day as the committee races to produce a finalized version of the law for presentation to the Knesset plenum.
Behind the scenes, officials note that the draft law has already undergone 51 committee discussions, including those held under former chairman MK Yuli Edelstein. The latest round will focus primarily on the most recent amendments introduced last Thursday, which were crafted to ensure legal durability and meet the requirements laid out by government legal advisers.
{Matzav.com}
