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Israel has formally signed off on what officials say is the largest natural gas transaction ever concluded by the country, a deal valued at NIS 112 billion, or roughly $35 billion. The approval was announced Wednesday by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu together with Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen.

Speaking publicly after the decision, Cohen characterized the move as transformative for Israel’s economy and regional standing. “a historic moment for the State of Israel, both in the security-diplomatic sphere and the economic sphere,” he said. He noted that, “This is the largest export deal in the history of the country, totaling NIS 112 billion,” adding that “the deal establishes our status as a regional energy power and a leader that its neighbors rely upon.”

According to Cohen, the agreement was finalized only after a lengthy process that addressed both strategic and financial concerns. “The approval of the agreement comes after several months of intensive negotiations, and only after we had secured Israel’s security and economic interests,” he said. He also outlined the anticipated benefits, stating, “The state’s revenues from taxes and royalties thanks to the deal will stand at approximately NIS 58 billion, and the scope of direct infrastructure investments in the economy will exceed NIS 16 billion.” Those investments, he added, “will create jobs and strengthen the economy.”

Netanyahu, addressing the nation, underscored the magnitude of the agreement and its contribution to public finances. “Dear citizens of Israel, today I approved the largest gas deal in Israel’s history. The scope of the deal stands at NIS 112 billion. Out of this, NIS 58 billion will go to the state treasury,” he said.

The Prime Minister explained that the state’s income from the deal will increase gradually as development progresses. “Initially, in the first four years, we will receive about half a billion shekels for the state treasury,” he said, pointing out that during that time the participating companies will be making “massive” infrastructure investments, including expanding pipelines. “Afterward, it begins to rise,” Netanyahu continued, “and within a few years, it reaches NIS 6 billion every year for the state treasury. This money will strengthen education, health, infrastructure, security, and the future of coming generations.”

Netanyahu said the agreement involves Chevron alongside Israeli partners and includes gas exports to Egypt. He stressed that strategic considerations were carefully weighed before approval. “I approved the deal after ensuring our security interests and other vital interests, which I will not detail here in full,” he said.

Beyond the immediate financial impact, Netanyahu argued that the agreement enhances Israel’s broader regional role. “This deal greatly strengthens Israel’s status as a regional energy power and contributes to stability in our region,” he said, adding that it is expected to spur further exploration. “More gas will be found,” he said, emphasizing that “first and foremost, this deal obligates the companies to sell gas at a good price to you, the citizens of Israel.”

The Prime Minister also revisited earlier public debates surrounding offshore gas development. “There were those among us who fiercely opposed taking the gas out of the water,” he said. “They said we would destroy the Israeli economy.” He concluded, “Today, it is clear that extracting the gas from the depths of the sea has brought a massive blessing to the State of Israel.”

Describing the agreement as a continuation of earlier policy decisions, Netanyahu said, “The persistence of myself and then-Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, our insistence on extracting the gas, has proven itself beyond all expectations. And I promise you, it will be the same with this deal.”

Netanyahu publicly thanked Cohen for his role in the process, saying, “You persisted and fought in very tedious and firm negotiations on our behalf,” and extended his appreciation to Cohen’s staff and other officials who took part in the talks.

Cohen, for his part, highlighted provisions aimed at protecting Israeli consumers. “This is the first export approval that guarantees priority for the local market,” he said, explaining that arrangements were put in place “that will improve the price of gas for the Israeli market.”

Calling natural gas “a strategic asset for the state,” Cohen addressed Netanyahu directly. “Prime Minister, you resolutely led the Gas Framework exactly a decade ago, and today we are reaping the fruits,” he said. “We will continue to work toward bringing in additional local and international companies to invest in Israel.”

Netanyahu concluded his remarks by tying the announcement to the Chanukah. “This evening is the fourth night of Chanukah, and on this day, we have brought an additional jar of oil to the people of Israel,” he said. “But this time, the flame will burn not just for eight days, but for decades to come. Happy Festival of Lights, citizens of Israel.”

Cohen closed by acknowledging senior officials and partners involved in finalizing the deal, including Energy Ministry Director General Yossi Dayan, Natural Resources Administration Director Chen Bar-Yosef, Gas Authority head Moshe Garazi, and representatives from the Finance Ministry who participated in the negotiations.

{Matzav.com}

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul remains the clear frontrunner for reelection in 2026, even as voter frustration with her leadership runs deep and a majority of New Yorkers say they want a different governor, according to a new Siena University poll released Tuesday. The survey reveals a striking political paradox: while just 37% of voters […]

Ex-prime minister Naftali Bennett admitted that his Telegram account was breached on Wednesday night after initially denying claims earlier on Wednesday by an Iranian hacker group that it had hacked his phone. The claims were made by the “Handala” group—known for its cyberattacks on Israeli targets. The hackers published what they said was his contact […]

An agreement between New York’s governor and state lawmakers is expected to make medically assisted suicide legal in the state, with the measure slated to take effect next year following a delayed implementation period.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that she intends to sign legislation permitting terminally ill residents to obtain medical assistance to end their lives. The law is designed to apply only to New Yorkers diagnosed with a terminal condition and estimated to have fewer than six months to live.

Under the framework reached with legislative leaders, the bill will be formally approved when the Legislature reconvenes in January. Hochul said she will then sign it into law, with implementation scheduled for six months later to allow time for regulatory preparation.

“New York has long been a beacon of freedom, and now it is time we extend that freedom to terminally ill New Yorkers who want the right to die comfortably and on their own terms,” Hochul said.

The governor explained that her decision was influenced by personal experience, referencing her mother’s battle with ALS. “Although this was an incredibly difficult decision, I ultimately determined that with the additional guardrails agreed upon with the legislature, this bill would allow New Yorkers to suffer less, to shorten not their lives, but their deaths,” she said.

Earlier versions of the legislation already included provisions aimed at preventing abuse, such as protections against coercion and assurances that physicians and religiously affiliated medical institutions would not be compelled to participate in the process.

As part of the final agreement, further safeguards were added, including a mandatory five-day waiting period between the writing and dispensing of the prescription used for medical aid in dying.

The law also mandates a mental health evaluation, requires that a patient’s oral request be documented through audio or video recording, and bars witnesses or interpreters who stand to gain financially from the patient’s death.

Additional restrictions limit eligibility to New York residents, require an in-person evaluation by a physician, permit faith-based hospice providers to opt out, and define violations of the statute as professional misconduct.

The delayed effective date is intended to give the Department of Health time to issue detailed regulations and allow hospitals, hospices, and other health care providers to adjust their policies and procedures.

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal praised the compromise, calling it a landmark moment. “This agreement on Medical Aid in Dying is a monumental victory for every New Yorker who has wished to peacefully end their suffering from a terminal illness,” he said. He added, “This bill is not about ending life, it’s about shortening death.”

According to the advocacy group Compassion and Choices, New York would become the 13th state in the nation to legalize medically assisted suicide.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday greenlit what he described as the largest energy deal in Israel’s history, pitching a sweeping natural gas export agreement with Egypt as both a fiscal windfall and a strategic lever for regional influence. In a video statement alongside Energy Minister Eli Cohen, Netanyahu said the deal is valued at […]

President Donald Trump on Wednesday paid his respects to two Iowa National Guard members and a U.S. civilian interpreter who were killed in an attack in the Syrian desert, joining their grieving families as their remains were brought back to the country they served. Trump met privately with the families at Dover Air Force Base in […]

A sweeping legal action seeking roughly one billion shekels was filed on Tuesday by CPA Effi Sandrov, the court-appointed trustee overseeing the collapse of the pension fund company Slice. The lawsuit targets members of the Goldberg family, headed by Assaf Goldberg, who previously served as the company’s chief executive.

The filing describes a systemic breakdown inside the company, alleging that internal safeguards simply did not function. The trustee points to a complete absence of effective oversight by the board, a breakdown of internal controls, serious lapses by the compliance and regulation officer, and deficient work by the external auditor. Sandrov said, “The entire system failed-from the management that operated like a ‘grocery store’ to the gatekeepers who abandoned their duties.”

According to the lawsuit, approximately 7,500 savers moved an estimated 850 million shekels into personal pension and study funds structured as IRAs. Those funds were then routed into overseas investment vehicles that were not subject to Israeli regulation, with a substantial portion of the money never making its way back to the savers.

Sandrov characterizes the case as unprecedented in scope and severity within Israel’s pension savings industry. “The Slice affair is the largest and most serious breach of trust against pensioners,” the lawsuit states.

Much of the blame, the filing asserts, rests squarely with Assaf Goldberg. The trustee alleges that Goldberg “failed in every possible way in his role,” running the company without the requisite professional background, expertise, or qualifications. The lawsuit further claims that Slice maintained “connections with dubious insurance agents, some of whom have criminal backgrounds,” and that the company repeatedly violated basic principles of proper corporate governance.

The lawsuit paints a picture of an organization operating without meaningful questions or accountability. “There was no one to ask how and why,” the lawsuit states. “If they had asked, they would have discovered that Slice was unprepared, unaware, and had no control over the members’ funds. This created a foolproof recipe for collapse-and the result: hundreds of millions of shekels disappeared, and thousands of savers-some elderly-were left with nothing.”

{Matzav.com}

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns acknowledged Tuesday that only two police officers were on duty inside the park at the Sydney Chanukah celebration where two terrorists opened fire, killing 15 people and wounding dozens more, raising urgent questions about security planning for the large Jewish community event. Speaking to Sky News Australia, Minns said […]

In the aftermath of the deadly attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, new details have emerged about the condition and actions of Ahmed al-Ahmed, an Australian citizen of Syrian origin who intervened during the violence and was seriously wounded.

According to his attorney, Sam Issa, al-Ahmed was struck by gunfire four times while attempting to stop the attackers. Issa told Kan that his client remains hospitalized and faces a long road to recovery. “His condition is serious but stable. He is suffering from pain,” Issa said in an interview, adding, “Ahmed was shot four times in his left arm and lost sensation. He is due to undergo several operations, one of them today. Despite the pain, his spirits are good.”

Issa said that al-Ahmed has shown no regret for his actions, despite the injuries and repeated surgeries ahead. “Despite the pain and despite everything he is going through and the many surgeries he must undergo, he would do it again, because he knows he saved many lives,” Issa quoted his client as saying.

Recounting how al-Ahmed came to be at the scene, Issa explained that his client had arrived at Bondi Beach by chance. “He went to Bondi Beach to have an afternoon coffee. When he arrived he heard music and saw families enjoying themselves. He asked one of the security staff about the event and was told it was Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday. He was given permission to watch, went to buy a coffee, then he heard gunfire, and the drama began.”

Issa described the moment that prompted al-Ahmed to act. “He saw one of the attackers, the father, walking with a gun toward a group of Jews and trying to get as close as possible to kill as many as he could. That is the moment Ahmed decided he had to save those people, and he did it, thank God,” he said.

The lawyer stressed that al-Ahmed’s decision was driven by basic humanity, not ideology. “He knew they were Jews. He is simply a human being. He does not care about their religion or nationality. He only wanted to save lives,” Issa said.

Since the attack, Issa noted, al-Ahmed has received an outpouring of support from across Australia’s communities. “A representative of the Jewish community in Australia came to the hospital and thanked him. The Muslim community in Australia is also proud of his bravery – we all want to live in a place without violence,” he said.

Issa also shared background about al-Ahmed’s journey to Australia, explaining that he fled conflict in Syria. “He came to Australia to live in a country that loves peace. Unfortunately, we have seen violence and hatred, and it is shocking. But Ahmed gives a glimmer of hope, an example that it is possible to live together. We hope Ahmed’s actions will advance coexistence, love, and tolerance. He sends his love, his wishes for recovery to the wounded, and his condolences to the families of the murdered. He has only love for the Jewish community in Australia and elsewhere, and he hopes for peace.”

{Matzav.com}

Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers in a closed-door interview on Wednesday that his team of investigators “developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt” that President Donald Trump had criminally conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election, according to portions of his opening statement obtained by The Associated Press. He also […]

A new investigative film produced jointly by The Washington Post and PBS Frontline examines Israel’s June military offensive against Iran, concluding that the operation delayed Tehran’s nuclear ambitions by several years but did not erase them entirely. Israeli, American, and International Atomic Energy Agency officials interviewed for the documentary said Iran still retains nuclear expertise and some enriched material, even after the strikes.

Drawing on interviews with current and former officials from Israel, Iran, the United States, and several Arab countries — many of whom spoke anonymously — the filmmakers report that assessments across governments largely agree the damage to Iran’s nuclear program was substantial but incomplete. This view contrasts with claims by President Donald Trump that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been completely destroyed.

The documentary describes extensive intelligence groundwork leading up to the campaign, including years of surveillance, the cultivation of operatives inside Iran, and close coordination between Israel and the US. It also explores diplomatic maneuvering and disinformation efforts that took place before the first strikes, alongside conflicting intelligence evaluations about how close Iran was to nuclear weapons capability.

According to the report, Israel carried out a wide-ranging assault targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile systems, and air defenses. Israeli officials portrayed the operation as a synchronized effort combining air power, intelligence assets, and covert actions, with a particular focus on dismantling the leadership of Iran’s nuclear research apparatus.

During the opening phase of the conflict, Israeli strikes killed several senior Iranian nuclear scientists, the documentary says, including Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and former atomic energy chief Fereydoun Abbasi. Israel stated that a total of 11 leading scientists were eliminated over the course of the operation.

The investigation also addresses the human toll of the campaign. Citing independent verification by The Washington Post and outside researchers, the documentary reports civilian casualties from some of the strikes. Israeli officials told the filmmakers that significant precautions were taken to limit harm to civilians, while Iranian authorities claimed that hundreds of civilians were killed during the fighting.

Together, the findings present a detailed account of how the operation was planned and executed, highlighting both the military and intelligence dimensions of the campaign and the ongoing debate over its long-term impact on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

{Matzav.com}

Two more trustees have resigned from the board of The Heritage Foundation, deepening a growing internal rupture at the influential conservative think tank over its response to antisemitism and its leadership’s handling of far-right extremism. Shane McCullar and Abby Spencer Moffat stepped down Tuesday, issuing sharply worded statements that accused Heritage of moral drift, institutional […]

As the investigation into the deadly shooting involving a Brown University gunman continues, Providence police say they are now attempting to identify an additional individual seen near the suspect shortly before the attack that left two students dead and seven others wounded.

Authorities released new surveillance images showing a person wearing a blue jacket with a green hood, dark-colored pants, and what appears to be a light-colored satchel worn over the right shoulder. The images are described as grainy but are believed to show someone who was close to the suspected shooter prior to the violence.

“Investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying and speaking to the individual shown in these photos who was in proximity of the person of interest,” the Providence Police Department wrote on X while sharing the photographs.

Police believe the same individual appears in surveillance footage previously made public by FBI Boston. That video shows the suspected shooter walking along a residential street in Providence less than two hours before the shooting occurred.

According to investigators, the footage shows the gunman glancing to his right and noticing the backpack-carrying individual before suddenly running down a side street at approximately 2:16 p.m. on December 13.

Moments later, the person with the backpack follows, turning onto the same street and beginning to run after walking for roughly 15 to 20 feet.

“Anyone with information is urged to contact the tip line at 401-272-3121.”

Providence police emphasized that the case remains active and that multiple agencies are involved in the investigation. The department said it is coordinating closely with the Rhode Island State Police, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, the FBI, ATF, IRS, DEA, US Secret Service, US Department of Homeland Security, and the US Marshals Service as efforts continue to track down those connected to the incident.

{Matzav.com}

France’s counterespionage agency is investigating a suspected cyberattack plot targeting an international passenger ferry, authorities said Wednesday. A Latvian crew member is in custody facing charges of having acted for an unidentified foreign power, French officials said. But Interior Minister Laurent Nunez appeared to hint that Russia is suspected, saying: “At the moment, foreign interference […]

Vice President JD Vance said Monday that the most effective way to combat antisemitism in the United States is to sharply reduce immigration. In a series of posts on X, Vance argued that rising antisemitism, particularly among younger Americans, is being misdiagnosed by journalists and critics who focus on generational attitudes rather than demographics. “The […]

At the White House’s Chanukah celebration on Tuesday, President Donald Trump spoke about the recent hostage developments involving Gaza, praising what he described as their return. In his remarks, however, the President inaccurately suggested that the process was fully complete, stating, “We got back all of the hostages, and all of the dead young people that were dead.”

That assertion overlooked one critical case. The remains of Ran Gvili have not been returned and are still being held by Hamas, an omission that carries significance as negotiations over the next phase of Trump’s peace plan remain stalled in part because of the terrorist group’s failure to release the final hostage.

Moments later in the program, Trump invited Orna and Ronen Neutra to join him. The couple are the parents of Captain Omer Neutra, an American-Israeli soldier whose body was recently recovered from captivity in Gaza.

Speaking from the stage, Ronen Neutra expressed gratitude to the President for his efforts on behalf of their family, the Jewish people, and Israel, but he also addressed the inaccuracy directly. “Your amazing leadership brought us to the point where we got our kid back, but there is still one left: Ran Gvili. He’s still there.”

Ronen concluded with confidence in the President’s resolve, adding, “we know you’re going to bring him back.”

The audience responded with sustained applause as Trump acknowledged the correction with a nod, bringing the exchange to a close.

{Matzav.com}

A member of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team and a top fundraiser for his campaign once praised anti-police chants, embraced far-left ideology, and declared that the United States should be “punished for its sins,” according to social media posts that have resurfaced as Mamdani prepares to take office. Jack Gross, a far-left activist with close […]

[Video below.] President Donald Trump used remarks at the White House Chanukah reception on Tuesday to touch on domestic politics, foreign policy, and his long-standing ties with major political donors, drawing attention for comments that mixed humor, fundraising, and speculation.

During the event, Trump reflected on conversations involving Israeli-American philanthropist Miriam Adelson, who was standing beside him as he addressed the crowd. At one point, chants of “four more years” could be heard in the background, though the response was muted.

Adelson, speaking publicly at the reception, told Trump about a recent discussion she had with constitutional lawyer Alan Dershowitz, noting that he spoke “about four more years.” She encouraged the president to consider the idea, saying, “I said, ‘Alan, I agree with you.’ So, we can do it! Think about it!” As she spoke, the audience briefly echoed the chant, “Four more years!”

Moments later, Adelson leaned in and quietly said something to Trump. The president then shared the exchange aloud, telling attendees, “She said, ‘Think about it, I’ll give you another $250 million.’” Adelson immediately responded, “I will give.”

Trump went on to reminisce about Adelson’s late husband, Sheldon Adelson, describing him as a formidable presence. “But her husband Sheldon was an amazing guy, and he’d come up to the office, and there was nobody more aggressive than Sheldon,” Trump said. He recalled Sheldon Adelson’s persistence, adding, “He’d call and say, ‘Can I come over please?’ I’d say, ‘Sheldon, I’m president of the United States, it doesn’t work that way anymore.’”

Sheldon Adelson and Miriam Adelson were among the most prominent Republican megadonors over recent election cycles. Sheldon Adelson played a major role in financing Trump’s early presidential campaigns, and following his death, Miriam Adelson continued to be heavily involved in political giving.

In 2024, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Adelson’s political priorities, writing, “Adelson, a resident of Herzliya and a megadonor for settlement development in the West Bank, did not wish to hear Trump yearning for peace,” and adding that what Adelson “really wants from Trump’s second term is an Israeli annexation of the West Bank and a US recognition of Israeli sovereignty in all the regions of the land.”

Beyond donor-related remarks, Trump also used the Chanukah reception to comment on the political climate in Washington, including tensions in Congress and what he described as a growing problem of antisemitism among certain lawmakers.

He further reflected on the influence of pro-Israel advocacy in U.S. politics, suggesting it has diminished over time while reiterating his own support for Israel. “My father would tell me, the most powerful lobby that there is in this country is the Jewish Lobby. It’s the Israeli lobby. It’s not that way anymore,” Trump said.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

China is exploiting partnerships with U.S. researchers funded by the Department of Energy to provide the Chinese military with access to sensitive nuclear technology and other innovations with economic and national security applications, according to a congressional report published Wednesday. The authors of the report say the U.S. must do more to protect high-tech research […]

The roshei yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood have issued a formal letter prohibiting a concert that had been scheduled to take place in Jackson, New Jersey.

In the letter, the roshei yeshiva state that they were informed of plans to hold a concert event in Jackson and felt compelled to express their firm opposition.

The concert they refer to is a performance by the Miami Boys Choir.

The letter emphasizes concerns about the spiritual and communal implications of such an event, noting that similar gatherings have, in the past, led to outcomes that were not in keeping with the standards and values of the Torah community. The roshei yeshiva stress that the decision was made after careful consideration and with a sense of responsibility for the broader ציבור, particularly given the proximity of the event to large concentrations of bnei Torah.

The letter bans the concert even if there’s only separate seating.

The letter is signed by Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Yisroel Neuman, Rav Dovid Schustal and Rav Yeruchem Olshin.

The concert has since been cancelled.

{Matzav.com}