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A new Channel 12 survey reveals that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu maintains a clear edge over his political rivals, even as the country remains mired in a political stalemate. When respondents were asked who they believed was best suited to lead Israel, 42% selected Netanyahu, compared to 35% who chose Naftali Bennett. Another 18% said that neither was fit for the role, while 5% were unsure.

The poll also compared Netanyahu to Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, with 47% of Israelis saying Netanyahu is more qualified to serve as prime minister, while just 21% preferred Lapid. Nearly a third of participants — 29% — said they didn’t want either man as premier, and 3% expressed no opinion. Channel 12 noted that these are Netanyahu’s strongest preference margins since the November 2022 election.

Respondents were also asked about U.S. President Donald Trump’s letter to President Isaac Herzog urging him to pardon Netanyahu amid the ongoing corruption trial. Public opinion was sharply divided: 48% opposed Trump’s request, including 36% who said they “strongly opposed” it. Meanwhile, 44% expressed support for Trump’s involvement, with 23% saying they “strongly supported” it. Eight percent of those surveyed said they were uncertain.

When asked how they thought Netanyahu’s legal proceedings should conclude, 32% of respondents said he should agree to a plea deal that would permanently remove him from politics. Another 27% favored canceling the trial entirely, while 23% preferred to let it continue until the judges issue a verdict. Nine percent believed Netanyahu should negotiate a plea deal allowing him to stay in politics, and another 9% were undecided.

The survey also projected Knesset seat distribution if elections were held today — and found no clear path to a governing majority. Likud would remain the largest party with 27 seats, followed by Bennett’s faction with 22. The left-wing Democrats led by Yair Golan would win 10 seats. Yesh Atid, Shas, Yisrael Beytenu, and Otzma Yehudit would each secure nine seats. Gadi Eisenkot’s “Yashar!” would earn eight, while United Torah Judaism would take seven. Ra’am and Hadash-Ta’al would each receive five.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party, along with Balad and Yoaz Hendel’s HaMiluimnikim, would fail to pass the 3.25% electoral threshold. According to the poll, the current right-wing and chareidi coalition would total just 52 seats—short of the 60 required for a majority—while the anti-Netanyahu bloc would reach 58. Any future government would therefore depend on Arab parties like Ra’am or Hadash-Ta’al, though it remains uncertain whether such cooperation would be feasible for either side.

Channel 12 reported that the survey was conducted on November 13 among 501 respondents, with a margin of error of 4.4%.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli forces have retrieved from Gaza what they believe to be the body of an Israeli hostage, the military announced on Thursday. The remains were transported out of the enclave and are now under police escort to the Abu Kabir forensic institute in Tel Aviv for a formal identification process. Officials cautioned that confirming the identity could take as long as two days.

Al Jazeera broadcast footage appearing to show the grim recovery operation, with Hamas members placing a photograph of one of the October 7 victims—who had been murdered and abducted by the Islamic Jihad—on top of the body bag.

If identification verifies that the remains belong to a hostage, Israeli authorities said it would mean that three hostages’ bodies are still being held in Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

HaRav Nissan Kaplan giving a שיעור כללי today in Yeshivas Pe’er Yerushalayim (Rabbi Benguigui). Video via Eli B.

JUST IN: The BBC formally apologizes to Trump for selectively editing the President’s Jan. 6 speech.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the nation’s air travel system is on course to return to full operation within a week — just as the Thanksgiving travel season begins.

His comments followed weeks of major flight disruptions caused by the recent federal government shutdown, which left airports across the country struggling to keep up with reduced staffing and delayed pay for critical personnel.

In an interview with Newsmax’s “Finnerty,” Duffy addressed the turmoil travelers faced over the weekend, when thousands of flights were either canceled or delayed nationwide. Staffing shortages at air-traffic control centers and unpaid federal employees led to a chain reaction of ground stops, extensive delays, and packed terminals.

The crisis reached its height when more than 2,700 flights were canceled and another 10,000 delayed in just one day, with the FAA ordering airlines to reduce flights at 40 major hubs by as much as 10%. “People who flew those days know how bad it was,” Duffy said. “But it is starting to get better.”

Now that federal operations have resumed, Duffy said air-traffic controllers would receive 70% of their back pay within two days, which he expects will stabilize staffing levels and restore order quickly. “Once we’re fully open … it’s going to take us probably up to a week to get back to normal, which is right before significant Thanksgiving travel,” he said.

Duffy expressed appreciation to President Donald Trump for endorsing a plan to compensate those controllers who continued working during the shutdown despite not being paid. “They’re patriots,” Duffy said. “For those who did come, let’s give them a $10,000 reward. I love that the president brought that up, and we are going to make it happen.”

He added that many workers had no choice but to miss shifts because they couldn’t cover basic expenses such as gas or childcare, a reality he said he understands. Still, he stressed that those who stayed on duty through the ordeal deserve acknowledgment and swift compensation. “We’re going to use the resources, find the resources, to reward those great controllers,” Duffy said.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz confirmed that the long-debated decision to shut down Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio) will soon reach the cabinet for formal approval, marking what he described as an irreversible step. “Soldiers should serve in the IDF, not in a broadcasting station. I’ve carefully considered all aspects of this issue, and after making my decision, there is no turning back,” he declared.

According to Katz, the closure will take effect by March 1, 2026. He stressed that the process will follow proper governmental procedures and that his choice has already been made. “Yesterday, I announced my decision to close Galei Tzahal,” he said. “The decision will be brought to the government for approval in the coming weeks, in accordance with the usual procedure.”

Katz emphasized that his move is fully grounded in law and precedent. “We have legal backing based on opinions that were given in the past, including from the former legal advisor to the government,” he noted. He added that an implementation team will oversee the station’s wind-down to ensure broadcasts officially end by the stated deadline.

Responding to criticism from political and military figures, Katz expressed surprise at what he called the inconsistency of his detractors. “It’s astonishing how people who have firmly advocated for the closure of Galei Tzahal during their terms as Chiefs of Staff, senior officials in the IDF, or as Defense Ministers now change their stance and oppose it for political reasons, offering various excuses,” he said.

Katz defended his decision as a matter of principle, not politics. “There is no place for a civilian broadcasting station in the IDF — this does not exist in any democratic country in the world. Galei Tzahal does not serve as a platform for soldiers, and it broadcasts political and divisive content that does not align with IDF values,” he stated. He reiterated, “Soldiers should serve in the IDF, not in a broadcasting station.”

In closing, Katz made clear that no amount of external pressure will alter his course. “I’ve carefully considered every aspect of the issue, and once I made my decision, there’s no turning back. All the targeted attacks against me from politicians and interest groups, and the attempt to politicize the decision with narrow political motives, will not help and will not change my decision,” he concluded.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH: Sec. Kristi Noem rewards TSA agents who went above and beyond during the nation’s longest government shutdown with $10,000 bonuses.

TRUMP: “I’m delighted to sign a historic executive order building on the fostering the future initiative to make America’s foster care system better, fairer, & more effective than ever before…”

Senator John Fetterman was taken to the hospital on Thursday morning after tripping and hitting his face while walking near his Braddock, Pennsylvania home. His office said the move was made “out of an abundance of caution.”

Medical staff later determined that the Pennsylvania senator experienced a “ventricular fibrillation flare-up,” a condition in which the heart fails to pump blood properly.

Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in 2022 just months before his successful Senate run, was admitted for monitoring and medication adjustments. “He is doing well and receiving routine observation at the hospital,” his office said in a statement. “He has opted to stay so doctors can fine-tune his medication regimen. Senator Fetterman is grateful for the EMTs, doctors, and nurses who are providing his care.”

According to his team, the 56-year-old lawmaker had felt “light-headed” before the fall and sustained minor injuries. He managed to keep his sense of humor, remarking, “If you thought my face looked bad before, wait until you see it now!”

The incident occurred just two days after the release of his memoir, Unfettered, in which he discusses his personal struggles with health issues, including a bout of depression during the early months of his Senate tenure.

{Matzav.com}

In the days following his mayoral victory, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has been quietly reaching out to key Democratic governors to discuss how best to confront President Trump and to prepare for potential challenges his administration may bring. Axios reports that these conversations have included three governors frequently mentioned as possible 2028 presidential contenders, indicating that Mamdani is drawing guidance from across the Democratic spectrum as he prepares to govern.

According to individuals familiar with the discussions, Mamdani spoke with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday and with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on election night. Earlier, he had also connected with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Each conversation reportedly touched on how their respective states and cities have navigated the political turbulence brought by Trump’s actions and policies.

Mamdani’s decision to engage specifically with governors whose states contain major urban centers — such as Chicago, Baltimore, and Philadelphia — is no accident. These cities, like New York, have been frequent targets of Trump’s aggressive federal actions, from immigration raids to proposed National Guard deployments. The discussions reflected shared concerns over how to safeguard their residents and maintain autonomy under federal pressure.

Sources say Mamdani and Pritzker delved into strategy regarding Trump’s potential moves toward New York, drawing from Illinois’s prior experiences when the president deployed federal forces to the Chicago area. Their exchange came amid heightened tensions after Trump branded Mamdani a “communist” and warned that New York City’s federal funding could be at risk if he took office.

Discussions with Governor Moore extended beyond Trump. Mamdani reportedly praised Moore’s initiatives to streamline bureaucracy and boost small business development, seeking advice on ways to promote innovation in city governance. Their teams have also shared perspectives on managing federal-state tensions and navigating the national spotlight.

Mamdani’s earlier conversation with Governor Shapiro centered on issues of antisemitism and Israel, a call the mayor-elect himself initiated. Shapiro, who is Jewish, later confirmed the discussion to reporters, adding that they also spoke about reforms to streamline government permitting processes — an area where both leaders share interest in modernization and efficiency.

The governors Mamdani has turned to represent different wings of the Democratic Party. Pritzker, a progressive heavyweight, has made headlines for taking a combative stance toward Trump, once telling him, “You come for my people, you come through me.” Shapiro, by contrast, has struck a more moderate tone, while Moore has tried to balance collaboration with firmness — saying after Trump’s election that he would work to benefit Marylanders, but warning, “We do not need occupiers,” when Trump threatened to send the National Guard to Baltimore. Moore recently unveiled a redistricting commission to resist what he described as “Trump-inspired moves in other states,” adding, “We’re not just going to sit on our hands because Donald Trump tells us to.”

Within Democratic circles, Mamdani’s next steps are being closely monitored. Party strategists believe his leadership in New York could set the tone for Democrats nationwide, shaping future narratives around progressive governance in an era dominated by Trump’s influence. Many potential candidates for upcoming elections are already considering whether aligning with Mamdani could prove politically advantageous.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, another potential presidential contender, noted that he sent congratulatory texts to Mamdani and other Democrats after their recent wins. For Mamdani, these alliances appear to be part of a deliberate effort to prepare for direct confrontation with Trump while surrounding himself with Democrats who have faced similar battles.

Mamdani has pledged to coordinate closely with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to counter any attempts by Trump to undermine the city’s autonomy. In his victory speech, he declared, “If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him.”

{Matzav.com}

Jessica Sweet spent the federal government shutdown cutting back. To make ends meet, the Social Security claims specialist drank only one coffee a day, skipped meals, cut down on groceries and deferred paying some household bills. She racked up spending on her credit card buying gas to get to work. With the longest shutdown ever coming to a […]

The excitement is palpable. From Lakewood to London, Bnei Brak to Brooklyn, the kol Torah of tens of thousands of lomdim rises higher each day as Klal Yisrael prepares for a milestone unlike any before: the Siyum on Seder Mo’ed. With the final dafim of Maseches Chagigah now being learned, the dream that began nearly […]

BDE: Corporal Ermias Bahata, aged 18, from Maale Adumim, a trainee at the Logistics Corps training base collapsed and passed away on a base in southern Israel earlier today. The circumstances of his death are currently under review, and a medical inquiry is being conducted.

Government shutdown back pay headed to federal workers in coming days • Federal workers who were furloughed during the 43-day-long U.S. government shutdown could begin seeing back pay arrive in their bank accounts in the coming days. • “There really has been an aggressive effort to get people to get their checks as soon as […]

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu brushed aside concerns about visiting New York after its newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, vowed to have him arrested upon arrival. Speaking in an interview with Australian journalist Erin Molan, Netanyahu made it clear he wasn’t intimidated. “No. I’m not afraid. What do you want me to say about Mamdani? What about him?” he replied when asked about the controversial mayor’s comments.

Turning from the political to the ideological, Netanyahu used the opportunity to highlight the sharp contrast between his worldview and that of Mamdani. He recalled Israel’s transition from semi-socialism to a free-market economy under his leadership, crediting those reforms with transforming the Jewish state into a global innovation and technology hub.

He warned that the ideologies embraced by figures like Mamdani often carry dangerous undercurrents of antisemitism. “Antisemitism usually collapses societies,” Netanyahu said, “it starts with the Jews, then goes to the blacks, the gays, the Hispanics… and it just collapses societies.” He cautioned that New York, if led by such thinking, could face a “very dim future.”

Asked whether he would be willing to meet or engage in discussion with the new mayor, Netanyahu’s response was curt and pointed. “I have a lot of dialogues that I’m engaged in right now, a lot. And I think this one, I think he should get his act together before he makes these statements.”

Netanyahu added a sharp critique of Mamdani’s lack of experience and understanding, underscoring that leadership requires more than youthful enthusiasm. “It’s good to be a young leader, but it’s not good to be a young, uneducated leader,” he remarked. He urged the mayor to “brush up” on basic subjects like economics and antisemitism before attempting serious discourse.

Despite the evident tension, Netanyahu’s tone carried an undercurrent of pragmatism. While he signaled openness to dialogue, his message was unmistakable: meaningful conversation can only happen once Mamdani gains the knowledge and perspective necessary to speak responsibly.

{Matzav.com}

Even before he was elected president, Isaac Herzog tried to advance the granting of a pardon to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Haaretz reported on Thursday evening. According to the report, Herzog discussed the matter with former President Reuven Rivlin, suggesting that Netanyahu and Rivlin meet to discuss it. Herzog acted secretly, partly out of fear […]

The streets of France came to a standstill this week in honor of the historic visit of HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka and one of the foremost leaders of the Torah world. For three days, Jewish communities across France experienced an extraordinary spiritual awakening as the Rosh Yeshiva traveled throughout the […]

Naftali Bennett issued a scathing denunciation of proposals suggesting that Gaza’s post-war security be overseen by international forces, warning that such a move would severely compromise Israel’s safety. The former prime minister and defense minister took particular issue with suggestions that Qatar or Turkey could play a role in that framework.

“Transferring security control in Gaza to multinational forces—some of which are hostile, like Turkey, endangers Israel’s security,” Bennett cautioned.

He accused the government of contemplating a dangerous repetition of past mistakes. “Handing over control of our destiny to Hamas-sponsoring Qatar and to [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan is Oslo on steroids,” he declared, referring to the failed Oslo Accords that many Israelis view as a catalyst for years of bloodshed.

Reflecting on the October 7 attacks, Bennett said that Israel’s foremost lesson from that tragedy must be eternal vigilance. “If there’s one takeaway burned into us from the October 7 failure, it’s that we cannot afford to fall asleep and hope for the best. The IDF must always have the freedom to act—to ‘mow the grass,’ to address threats while they’re still small, before they turn into terror monsters like we’ve experienced in the south and the north.”

He lambasted what he described as an erosion of Israeli sovereignty and independence in military operations. “How did we get to a point where our soldiers must coordinate the movement of Israeli forces with the American command center in Kiryat Gat? Israel is not a protectorate,” Bennett charged.

Concluding with a demand for transparency, Bennett called on the government to reveal any deals or understandings being struck without public oversight. “I demand the immediate publication of all commitments and concessions being made behind the backs of Israeli citizens. What is the declared or hidden motive of the Israeli government in agreeing to surrender our security and freedom of action? The citizens of Israel deserve full transparency regarding their safety.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Iran of “constantly” plotting attacks on Israeli diplomats worldwide, warning that Tehran’s operations extend far beyond a recently exposed plan to assassinate Israel’s ambassador to Mexico. Speaking in Tallinn at the opening of Israel’s new embassy in Estonia — the third diplomatic mission he has inaugurated this year — […]

A hearing was held on Thursday regarding the petition by the Force 100 reservists—who were accused of beating a Hamas terrorist in the now notorious Sde Teiman case—to revoke their indictment in light of the disgraced Military Advocate General’s deliberate leak of the so-called evidence (a doctored video) to the press. The president of the […]