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Vice President JD Vance used a recent conversation with UnHerd to lay out firm boundaries on race and religion in American politics, insisting that equal treatment under the law must remain nonnegotiable while warning that unchecked immigration can strain a shared national culture.

He dismissed arguments on the right calling for different legal standards based on ancestry, stressing that citizenship must confer the same rights and protections to everyone. At the same time, he said cultural continuity matters and acknowledged that overwhelming levels of immigration can test social cohesion.

Turning to racism more broadly, Vance said attention should be directed at what government actually enacts rather than focusing exclusively on incendiary online voices. He argued that while extremists may generate noise, policies backed by institutions and bureaucracy have real-world consequences, particularly when they explicitly discriminate.

Vance also said the prominence of figures like Nick Fuentes is often overstated by political actors who prefer to police speech on the right instead of engaging substantive debates within the Republican Party, including disputes over U.S. policy in the Middle East and America’s relationship with Israel. In his view, provocative rhetoric becomes a convenient diversion from harder conversations.

In that context, the vice president offered a clear denunciation of bigotry, saying, “Antisemitism and all forms of ethnic hatred have no place in the conservative movement.” He added that attacking people because of their race or religion is “disgusting.”

The interview also included an unambiguous personal line in the sand. Responding to attacks on his family, Vance directed a blunt message at critics across the political spectrum, stating, “Anyone who attacks my wife, whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat [garbage].” He added, “That’s my official policy as vice president of the United States.”

Fuentes, a white supremacist and Holocaust denier, has repeatedly targeted second lady Usha Vance with slurs and has labeled the vice president a “race traitor” because of his marriage.

Vance also addressed controversies surrounding conservative media figures, offering a forceful defense of Tucker Carlson. Speaking Friday, he said Carlson remains “a friend” and criticized what he called efforts to enforce ideological purity by declaring certain views out of bounds simply because they challenge long-standing bipartisan assumptions on foreign policy.

While conceding that disagreements exist, Vance said he will not “throw friends under the bus” to appease establishment figures. He framed the broader moment as one in which America’s political leadership ignored economic and cultural pressures for years and now expresses surprise when divisions deepen.

Throughout the discussion, the vice president rejected racial politics outright, arguing that if racism is wrong, public scrutiny should focus on laws and institutional practices rather than on who happens to be shouting the loudest online.

{Matzav.com}

StopAntisemitism announced that podcaster Tucker Carlson has been selected as its “Antisemite of the Year,” a label the Jewish civil rights organization said followed an internal vote that passed by a wide margin.

According to the group, the designation reflects what it views as Carlson’s repeated use of his platform to spotlight individuals it characterizes as antisemitic extremists. The organization said this recognition is meant as a condemnation, not an accolade, describing it as a “distinct dishonor” reserved for those it considers especially bigoted.

Liora Rez, the group’s founder and executive director, said in an interview that Carlson has conducted what she called “glowing interviews” with people who deny the Holocaust or espouse antisemitic views, thereby offering them significant exposure.

In explaining its decision, StopAntisemitism released a video statement saying, “Carlson has built a reputation for giving a platform to dangerous ideas, allowing guests to spread falsehoods and antisemitic narratives.” The group added, “He is obsessed with Israel, and repeats blatant lies about the Jewish state and its people.”

Carlson was chosen over two other finalists, mixed martial arts fighter Bryce Mitchell and conspiracy theorist Stew Peters. The organization also said that children’s podcaster Ms. Rachel and actress Cynthia Nixon appeared among its top ten vote-getters.

The announcement follows earlier criticism of Carlson by the group. In October, StopAntisemitism named him its “Antisemite of the Week,” a step that preceded his inclusion on the year-end list.

The group’s latest action also comes amid continued backlash over an interview Carlson conducted in October with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. Fuentes has promoted conspiracy theories alleging Jewish control of politics, media, and finance, denied the Holocaust, and advocated what he described as a “holy war” against Jews.

During that conversation, Fuentes told Carlson that he admired Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, whose regime implemented policies that discriminated against Jews. In the same interview, Carlson criticized “Christian Zionists” who support Israel, saying they had been “seized by this brain virus,” and he singled out former President George W. Bush, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

StopAntisemitism has also accused Carlson of helping normalize antisemitic ideas by amplifying the “great replacement” conspiracy theory and by directing rhetoric at pro-Israel Jewish conservatives that the group says echoes the “dual loyalty” trope.

Rez said that influential figures with large audiences can contribute to an atmosphere in which harassment and threats against Jews become more prevalent, even if they stop short of making explicitly antisemitic statements themselves.

In previous years, the organization has applied the same designation to other public figures, including the rapper Ye, Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. Last year, Candace Owens was named “Antisemite of the Year.”

Carlson has not publicly responded to the announcement.

{Matzav.com}

Doug Burgum: Today we’re sending notifications to the five large offshore wind projects that are under construction that their leases will be suspended due to national security concerns…

NOW: Members of the Peleg Yerushalmi are demonstrating on Route 4 near Bnei Brak, causing severe traffic congestion throughout the area. Large police forces are on the scene working to restore order and redirect drivers to alternate routes. Route 4 has been completely closed to traffic in both directions from the Aluf Sadeh Interchange to […]

A public menorah in Chernihiv, Ukraine, was vandalized on Monday, after being installed following coordination with local authorities. The menorah was knocked over and an antisemitic note was left at the scene. Public Chanukah candle-lighting ceremonies had been held throughout Chanukah under security, and Jewish community leaders are in contact with authorities following the incident.

UPDATE: The Bloomingdales employee who snuck a “Free Palestine” card into this couple’s Chanukah gift package has been identified and fired, according to the retailer.

Richmond, California, Mayor Eduardo Martinez said he sees “no need to resign” after amplifying social media posts that portrayed the Bondi Beach Chanukah terror attack as an Israel-linked “false flag.” Martinez has since described his actions as an effort to “educate” himself out of sympathy for Gaza.

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE: Australian PM Anthony Albanese apologizes to the Jewish community for the Bondi Beach massacre – but makes no effort to take real personal responsibility or actions to crack down on increasingly emboldened Islamic extremists in the country, and accuses those attacking him as being engaged in “partisanship.”

Israeli lawmakers advanced a bill to establish a politically appointed probe into the failures surrounding Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, replacing a formal state commission of inquiry. * The bill, sponsored by Likud MK Ariel Kallner, was approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation and is scheduled to go to the Knesset plenum for a […]

A former Hong Kong reporter at the Wall Street Journal began testifying Monday against the newspaper she accuses of terminating her due to her union activities in a trial — a closely watched case that has raised concerns about press freedom in the city. Former WSJ reporter Selina Cheng, also chairperson of the trade union Hong Kong Journalists Association, […]

There are seforim you open to learn from, and there are seforim you hold and feel. Machon Yerushalayim has spent more than fifty years bringing those two worlds together. In batei midrashim across the globe, their volumes sit quietly on the shelves: carefully restored texts, clarified manuscripts, editions that make demanding Torah accessible without flattening […]

Israel’s cabinet unanimously voted to shut down Army Radio by March, according to the decision approved at Monday’s cabinet meeting. Legal challenges to the move are expected. Prime Minister Netanyahu said a military-run radio station broadcasting to the general public is highly unusual in democratic countries. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the move is meant […]

Sen. Rand Paul made clear Sunday that Vice President JD Vance would not have his support if the Republican presidential field takes shape in 2028.

Pressed directly during an appearance on This Week about whether that stance applied to Vance, Paul gave an unambiguous reply. Asked by host Jonathan Karl, “And that’s not JD Vance?” Paul answered simply, “No.”

Paul’s remarks came as he reflected on what he sees as a shrinking commitment within the GOP to long-standing conservative economic principles. He said he intends to keep pushing for a free-market faction inside the party, even as others move in a different direction. “So I’m going to continue to try to lead a conservative free-market wing in the party, and we’ll see where things lead over time,” Paul said.

During the interview, Paul pointed to his ongoing disagreement with the Trump administration’s tariff and trade agenda as a central reason for his resistance to elevating Vance as a future standard-bearer. He argued that free trade, limited government, and low taxes have been pushed aside in recent years. “I think there needs to be representatives in the Republican Party who still believe international trade is good, who still believe in free market capitalism, who still believe in low taxes,” Paul said, responding to suggestions that Vance is widely viewed as a leading contender for the next election cycle.

The Kentucky senator also contrasted today’s policy debates with earlier ideological divides, saying fiscal restraint once defined conservative thinking. “It used to separate conservatives and liberals that conservatives thought it was a spending problem — we didn’t want less revenue, we wanted less spending,” Paul said.

He went on to criticize Republicans who now champion tariffs, arguing that such policies amount to tax increases that run counter to conservative doctrine. “But now all these pro-tariff protectionists, they love taxes. And so they tax, tax, tax, and then they brag about all the revenue coming in,” Paul continued. “That has never been a conservative position.”

While many Republicans still voice support for smaller government and lower taxes, Paul has been among the few willing to openly challenge the president on trade policy and oppose major legislation on fiscal grounds. He voted against the administration’s flagship domestic package, citing concerns that it would add to the national debt, and said those disagreements would shape his approach to the party’s future leadership.

{Matzav.com}

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese moved Monday to address mounting anger within the Jewish community, issuing a public apology following intense criticism over his handling of rising antisemitism in the country.

The apology came a day after Albanese was met with loud boos while attending a vigil commemorating the 15 people murdered in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, carried out during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration. The hostile reaction reflected deep frustration among mourners who say the government failed to stem escalating antisemitic violence.

Speaking after the event, Albanese acknowledged the fury directed at him and said he understood why emotions boiled over. “Emotions were raw, and a lot of people in the community are hurting and angry, and some of that anger was directed towards me, and I understand that,” he said.

He went on to connect the tragedy directly to his leadership, stating, “As prime minister, I feel the weight of responsibility for an atrocity that happened while I’m prime minister.”

In a separate expression of regret, Albanese added, “And I’m sorry for what the Jewish community and our nation as a whole has experienced.”

The prime minister has been under heavy fire since last week’s massacre, with critics accusing his center-left government of allowing antisemitism to spiral since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. Jewish leaders and community figures have argued that repeated warnings were ignored.

In response to the attack, Albanese announced the launch of a formal review into Australia’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The inquiry will be led by a former head of the country’s national spy service and will examine whether federal police and intelligence bodies have the “right powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe.”

Despite the announcement, Jewish leaders have pushed for a full royal commission — the strongest form of inquiry under Australian law — to probe the failures surrounding the attack.

Albanese rejected that approach, arguing that a targeted review would allow the government to act more quickly. “The … review will enable action to take place,” he said.

He emphasized that the goal was immediate accountability and reform, adding, “What we want to do is, if there are any holes, any findings, any actions that are required, we want that to occur.”

{Matzav.com}

Most Americans aren’t making end-of-year charitable giving plans, according to the results of a new AP-NORC poll, despite the many fundraising appeals made by nonprofits that rely on donation surges in the calendar’s final month to reach budget targets. The survey, which was conducted in early December by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, […]

Prime Minister Netanyahu met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis today in Jerusalem.

The Trump administration is recalling 48 U.S. ambassadors from diplomatic posts in multiple countries, according to U.S. officials. A senior State Department official said the move is a routine step taken by administrations, with ambassadors expected to support and carry out the administration’s policies. The countries affected include Egypt, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, and […]

The holiday travel rush is underway, with TSA predicting record-breaking crowds of nearly 3 million travelers at airports nationwide.

Sec. Kristi Noem announces DHS will give illegal migrants a $3,000 holiday stipend if they self-deport by December 31.