The Yerushalayim Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday extended by nine days the detention of the bus driver suspected of running over and killing yeshiva bochur Yosef Eisental z”l, during last night’s protest in the capital.
During the remand hearing, Judge Sharon Lary-Babli reviewed police video footage documenting the moments leading up to the fatal incident. When the driver’s attorney argued that his client did not notice the protesters ahead of him or felt endangered and fled the scene out of fear, the judge sharply rejected the claim.
“Tell me he didn’t see them. He didn’t see them? Twenty children are standing right in front of him,” the judge said from the bench.
Describing what is visible in the footage, Judge Lary-Babli said that several youths climbed onto the bus, kicked the protective barrier, and that one of them spat at the driver. In response, she said, the driver accelerated sharply. “At that stage, the driver begins driving at a very high speed as the youth falls from the bus, while dozens of young people standing in front of the bus are pushed aside by it,” she stated.
“I do not believe that driving rapidly into a crowd is the correct option,” the judge added. “The victim is the deceased, not the driver.”
A police representative at the hearing highlighted the severity of the incident, noting that investigators are carrying out approximately 39 additional investigative actions. “The very high level of dangerousness posed by the suspect is evident given the offense and the brazenness of charging toward a crowd of teenagers,” she told the court. While police have, at this stage, removed the suspicion of murder, they emphasized that suspicion of another serious offense has been strengthened.
Yerushalayim District Police Commander Superintendent Avshalom Peled also commented on the incident, saying the intersection where the tragedy occurred remained open to traffic as a designated “fabric-of-life” route. He noted that the driver’s claim of distress is being examined, but stressed that it “does not diminish the severity of the incident.”
{Matzav.com}
Disturbing images of clothing ripped to shreds, left behind after last night’s bus-ramming incident at the draft protest in Yerushalayim, are highlighting just how close the event came to becoming a far deadlier catastrophe. The photos, showing garments completely torn from the body of one of the injured bochurim who was dragged beneath the bus, illustrate how narrowly a mass-casualty disaster was averted.
The young man, who had been participating in the protest, became caught on the bus and was dragged along the roadway. He survived by what eyewitnesses are describing as a clear miracle. Tragically, the incident claimed the life of Yosef Eisenthal z”l, whose death has shaken the chareidi public.
The shredded clothing—torn apart by contact with the underside of the bus and the asphalt—points to the sheer force of the impact and the extreme danger faced by others at the scene. “When you see the clothes, you understand that this was an open miracle,” an eyewitness said. “A few centimeters, a few seconds—and we would be speaking about additional fatalities.”
According to accounts from the scene, several bochurim were in immediate peril, with some clinging to the bus and others falling dangerously close to its wheels as it continued moving. “This is tangible proof that the number of victims could easily have been far higher,” the witness added. “It is a miracle within a tragedy.”
{Matzav.com}
Iranian authorities reported that an individual they described as an agent of Israel’s Mossad was executed after being convicted of espionage, as Tehran continues an intensified campaign of death sentences against those accused of ties to Israeli intelligence.
According to Iran’s judiciary-affiliated Mizan news agency, Ali Ardestani was put to death after being found guilty of spying for Israel. Iranian officials claimed Ardestani was recruited through cyber channels and carried out assignments for the Mossad in exchange for financial compensation and promises made by his handlers. The report alleged that he transferred sensitive information to Israeli intelligence.
Iranian authorities said Ardestani confessed to receiving digital currency payments at the completion of each task. He was also accused of meeting with a Mossad contact inside Iran, handing over information he had gathered, including photographs and video footage, and then receiving additional assignments.
The judiciary stated that the death sentence was carried out only after approval by Iran’s Supreme Court and following what it described as full legal proceedings. “The death sentence of Ali Ardestani for the crime of espionage in favor of the Mossad intelligence service, through the transfer of sensitive state information, was implemented after confirmation by the Supreme Court and completion of judicial procedures,” the judiciary said.
Iran has significantly increased executions in recent months of individuals accused of cooperating with Israeli intelligence services. Iranian media outlets have reported a sharp rise this year in the number of people sentenced to death on espionage charges linked to Israel.
In a separate case cited by Iranian state television, authorities announced that on December 20, 2025, Iran executed Aqil Kashavarz, who was also convicted of spying for Israeli intelligence and the Israeli military. According to Iranian claims, Kashavarz maintained what officials described as “close intelligence cooperation” with the Mossad and photographed sensitive military and security sites.
Kashavarz was arrested in May while allegedly photographing a military headquarters in the northwestern city of Urmia, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran. Iranian officials accused him of carrying out more than 200 similar missions for Israeli intelligence across multiple cities throughout Iran, including in the capital.
{Matzav.com}
In a major development for the English-speaking community in Israel, Chaim V’Chessed, the leading organization supporting Olim with guidance, resources, and advocacy across all areas of life, has appointed former Knesset member Rabbi Yitzchak Pindrus as Senior Governmental Liaison. This appointment represents a significant milestone in Chaim V’Chessed’s history.
Rabbi Pindrus brings extensive experience in public service, having served as Mayor of Beitar Illit, Assistant Mayor of Jerusalem, and a Member of Knesset. His considerable connections with municipalities, government ministries, and senior officials across Israel position him to dramatically enhance Chaim V’Chessed’s reach and influence.
As the son of American immigrants, Pindrus understands firsthand the challenges facing English-speaking Olim. In his new role, he will spearhead Chaim V’Chessed’s engagement with government offices and municipalities, strengthening the organization’s ability to advocate for and support Anglos in Israel at every level.
Paysach Freedman, CEO of Chaim V’Chessed, said: “The addition of Rabbi Pindrus is a pivotal moment for Chaim V’Chessed. His experience, national recognition, and deep understanding of our community will take our work to an entirely new level and significantly benefit English-speakers across Israel.”
This landmark appointment underscores Chaim V’Chessed’s ongoing commitment to expanding its impact and ensuring that English-speaking Olim have the resources, guidance, and support they need to thrive in Israel.
{Matzav.com}
