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Donovan Hall, 35, of Mesa, Ariz., was sentenced to 49 months in prison for stalking Jews in New York City and sending more than 1,000 threats to murder and assault them, the U.S. Department of Justice stated.

Hall “targeted Jewish victims with a sustained campaign of intimidation, terror and harassment,” stated Jay Clayton, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. “The approximately 1,000 threats he sent to these New Yorkers were alarming and brazen. The prosecution of this case and the sentence imposed make clear that this office will aggressively bring to justice those who perpetrate senseless crimes of hate.”

Over three months, Hall contacted “several” New Yorkers about 1,000 times and “made antisemitic and violent threats to torture, mutilate, rape and murder them and their families,” the Justice Department said. “In particular, starting in August 2024, Hall made dozens of threatening phone calls, many of which were antisemitic in nature, to the Jewish owner of a hotel located in Manhattan, the owner’s family members and hotel staff.”

“During these calls, Hall threatened numerous times to kill the victims,” it said. It added that he “escalated” his threats by “texting photographs of two firearms and a machete to the hotel owner, along with threats to use those weapons to harm the owner and his family.”

Officers found and recovered the two guns, which weren’t registered to Hall and one of which was loaded, and ammunition at his home.

He was sentenced to three years of supervised release after his jail term. JNS

{Matzav.com}

The United States has formally presented a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for the creation of an international stabilization force to operate in Gaza. According to reports aired Monday night on Israel’s Channel 12, the proposal envisions the multinational force being deployed for at least two years, with authority extending through the end of 2027 and the option for renewal.

Under the draft plan, Israeli forces would gradually scale down operations in Gaza and withdraw from additional areas of the Strip during a defined transitional phase. At the same time, the Palestinian Authority would undergo internal reforms aimed at preparing it to assume future administrative responsibility over Gaza.

The U.S. draft is expected to be debated among Security Council members in the coming days, with a goal of holding a vote within weeks. If approved, the first contingent of international troops could arrive in Gaza as early as January.

The stabilization force, the report said, would operate under the direct supervision of a newly established “International Peace Council,” chaired by President Donald Trump and composed of senior representatives from several nations. The force’s mandate would include securing Gaza’s borders with both Israel and Egypt, dismantling and preventing the reconstruction of terrorist infrastructure, and permanently disarming all non-state militant groups.

The multinational force would operate under unified command approved by the Peace Council and coordinate closely with both Israel and Egypt. It would be authorized to use “all necessary means” to fulfill its mission, in accordance with international and humanitarian law.

The proposal further outlines that the Peace Council would oversee and support a technocratic, non-political Palestinian committee made up of qualified professionals from Gaza. This committee would manage the Strip’s daily civil administration and public services.

An American official told Channel 12 that the Peace Council is expected to begin functioning even before the Palestinian technocratic committee is formally established.

Humanitarian assistance for Gaza would also be channeled through organizations cooperating with the Peace Council, including the United Nations, the International Red Cross, and the Red Crescent. The draft stipulates that any group found responsible for diverting aid to armed factions or misusing humanitarian supplies would be barred from continuing operations in Gaza.

The mission’s stated objectives include protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian activity, training and supporting approved Palestinian police units, securing humanitarian corridors, and carrying out other assignments necessary to implement the overall stabilization plan.

The force’s mandate would run until the end of 2027, and any future extension or operational changes would require consultation with Israel, Egypt, and the Security Council.

A source familiar with the proposal told i24NEWS that Washington intends to formally introduce the resolution within the next few days, with a possible vote as early as next week. “The Americans wanted to move quickly and have the force established before the end of the year,” the source said.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

A ben yeshivah was arrested overnight Monday at his home in Holon on charges of “draft-dodging.” The 21-year-old is a talmid of the Tzemach Yisrael Yeshiva in Tel Aviv. The yeshiva hanhalah, headed by HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Lintop, is working to secure his talmid’s release from custody. Attorney Menachem Stauber has been hired to represent […]

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​​For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.

 

 

 

Public criticism has intensified against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who remains involved in the Sde Teiman case despite her role in submitting a misleading affidavit to the Supreme Court claiming the investigation was complete and that the source of the leaked video from Sde Teiman could not be identified. Channel 12 reported that even figures […]

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Channel 12 published a report on Monday evening revealing the responses of the ousted Military Advocate General (MAG) Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, in her initial interrogation. Police: Where did you disappear to for three hours? The whole country was looking for you; your family members were crying from fear. Tomer-Yerushalmi: I’m confused. I don’t know what’s happening […]

By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld In last week’s Parsha the king of Sedom offered Avraham a reward for conquering the four kings and freeing the captives. Avraham refused it. He used an interesting phrase in his refusal. He said the following, “I will not accept a thread or a shoe lace, so that you will not be able to say I made Avraham rich.” Rav Nachman the son of Yitzchok says in the Gemara, Meseches Shabbos, daf samech alef, amud alef that one must put on his right shoe first, leave it untied and then put on the left shoe. He should tie the left shoe first and then go back to tie the right shoe. The Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, siman bais, seif koton daled  rules that this is the proper way for someone to put on shoes. There are two reasons why the left takes precedence over the right when it comes to tying. The first reason is that we see the Torah showed precedence regarding the tying of Tedfillin, which is done on the left hand. The second reason concerns Avraham’s refusal to accept remuneration in the form of thread and shoe laces. Due to his actions his offspring merited the two mitzvos of Tzitzis and tefillin. We therefore correlate the tying of the shoes, which is the reason we got tefillin (that is worn on the left hand) to require the left side to have precedence over the right. The following two questions arise in connection to this discussion. Does tying the left side before the right side apply to other articles of clothing or not? Does a woman, who does not put on tefillin, tie her right shoe first or her left shoe first? Both questions would depend on the reasoning behind why we tie the left before the right. If the reason is because the Torah gave precedence to the left over right regarding tying (as seen regarding Tefillin), it would not matter that women don’t put on tefillin and any article of clothing would be required to favor the left side to be tied first. If the reason that tying shoes in the above-mentioned manner directly correlates to tefillin, then a woman would not tie her left shoe first nor would any other article of clothing require the left side to be done first. The Shulchan Aruch Horav in siman bais writes: when one puts on his shirt or any other article of clothing i.e. pants, one should first put on the right side and then the left side. This is so in the event there is anything that needs to be tied, then the left side shall be tied first. The Yaavetz concurs with this idea as seen in his siddur. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch in siman gimmel and the Aruch Hashulchan both agree that the left comes before the right as far as tying is concerned. This is so even regarding clothing other than shoes. The Artzos Hachaim, seif koton lamed alef says (based on the reasoning of the Levush) that the reason tying the left comes first is because it is a reward for Avraham saying that he won’t take even a shoelace. This reason proves that the tying of the left side first is really only concerning shoes; therefore, it would not apply to any other article of clothing. The Mishna Berura in Orach Chaim, siman bais, seif koton vov paskens that we tie the left side first regarding shoes, but not any other article of clothing. Regarding the question whether women have the same requirement of tying the left side first or not, the Sefer Shashuei Tzvi (Reb Tzvi Pesach Frank) in chelek alef, siman gimmel says that a woman can do as she pleases. She is not required to tie the left shoe first since she does not put on tefillin. Reb Chaim Kanievsky disagrees and says that a woman must follow the guidelines like a man and tie the left shoe first. Reb Chaim explains that the tefillin is just an indicator that the Torah prefers the left side to be tied before the right side. He continues to clarify by saying that no one would tell a person who is suffering from stomach issues and can’t put on tefillin, that he should tie his right shoe first on that day. The Halichos Shlomo disagrees in Seder Tefillah, perek sheini, seif koton chof. If a woman would try to put on tefillin, we would protest and not allow her to do so. Therefore, a woman should tie her right side first. I guess that is why most women wear slip-on shoes and men don’t usually tie other items of clothing besides for their shoes.

In a candid address to talmidim at Yeshivas Oraysa in Yerushalayim, the mashgiach, Rav Dovid Kopp, announced a strict new enforcement policy: any talmid found driving a car during his yeshiva years will face immediate and severe financial penalties.

In a recording of the speech circulated Monday, Rav Kopp described the rise in young men obtaining driver’s licenses and using automobiles during their learning years as a dangerous erosion of the yeshiva framework and the students’ spiritual seriousness. He warned that the practice undermines the sanctity and focus expected in the learning environment.

Under the new sanctions, a talmid caught driving will be fined NIS 1,000 on the spot. Rav Kopp made clear that the fine is nonrefundable and that “no excuse will help” — including claims that the talmid had permission from another member of the administration.

Talmidim who ride as passengers in a forbidden vehicle will also be penalized: each passenger will incur a NIS 200 fine in addition to the driver’s heavier penalty.

The mashgiach framed the measure as immediate, uncompromising enforcement intended to halt what he described as a growing “separation” from the yeshiva way of life. He said the financial penalty is meant both to deter the practice and to send a clear message that the institution will not tolerate behaviors that detract from full-time immersion in Torah study.

The prohibition on holding or using driver’s licenses while enrolled in full-time yeshiva is a long-established norm in much of the Torah world, particularly within many chassidishe institutions. In those communities, the consequences can be extreme: a talmid caught driving or found to be in possession of a car or license may face expulsion and a permanent break with the yeshiva.

At Yeshivas Oraysa, Rav Kopp’s new sanctions add an economic layer to existing communal expectations, signaling a tougher approach to enforcement. Officials said the policy is aimed at preserving the yeshiva’s atmosphere of detachment from worldly distractions and protecting the talmidim’s single-minded devotion to Torah study.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration is reportedly exerting intense pressure on Israel to allow the release of approximately 200 Hamas terrorists trapped in tunnels beneath Rafah, Israel’s Channel 12 reports tonight.

Israeli defense officials remain firm in their position that the terrorists should either be eliminated or released only in exchange for the return of hostages’ bodies.

According to reports, the pressure from Washington stems from concern that an Israeli strike on the trapped terrorists could derail ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Hamas has conveyed to Israel that if it prevents the terrorists from exiting the tunnels, Israel will not receive the remains of the hostages.

The IDF maintains that the terrorists should be neutralized or traded only if it directly leads to the return of captives. Officials believe Hamas is using the situation to stall progress and delay the next phase of the ceasefire, which would require the group to disarm.

Around 200 Hamas fighters have been captured in areas of Gaza currently under Israeli control since the ceasefire began. Israel is reportedly considering allowing their transfer back into Gaza on the condition that they lay down their weapons. Among those trapped are believed to be terrorists responsible for the killings of three IDF soldiers—Major Yaniv Kola, Lieutenant Itay Yaavetz, and Master Sergeant Effi Pelbaum—during the ceasefire period.

Security officials say the potential decision to allow the terrorists to return to Gaza is motivated by a desire to protect the lives of soldiers operating in the area and to assist in the search for additional hostages’ remains.

Reports indicate that the terrorists are trapped in several tunnels under territory now controlled by Israeli forces and cannot move without crossing areas guarded by IDF units.

A senior Israeli official emphasized that the Prime Minister “is not permitting the safe passage of 200 Hamas terrorists” and remains unwavering in his stance that Hamas must be fully disarmed and the Gaza Strip demilitarized while Israel continues to neutralize any threats to its forces.

{Matzav.com}

The Justice Department urged a federal judge Monday to reject James Comey’s claim that his prosecution amounts to political retribution, arguing the former FBI director has failed to show that he’s being targeted as punishment for his criticism of the Republican president. Prosecutors defended President Donald Trump’s September social media post demanding that action be […]

New York City could face an unprecedented exodus if far-left candidate Zohran Mamdani captures the mayoralty on Tuesday, according to a striking new survey that shows hundreds of thousands of residents ready to pack up and leave.

The poll, conducted by J.L. Partners and reported by the Daily Mail, found that approximately 765,000 New Yorkers — about 9% of the city’s 8.4 million residents — said they would “definitely” leave the Big Apple if Mamdani is elected the 111th mayor. Another 25%, or roughly 2.12 million, said they would “consider” relocating.

“If anywhere near that number actually left, the economic impact would be seismic,” said pollster James Johnson. “Older New Yorkers, Staten Islanders, and white voters are the most likely to say they would pack up and go.”

If even a fraction of those pledging to depart follow through, the city could lose a population equal to that of Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, or Seattle — a demographic collapse with potentially devastating consequences for its tax base and economy.

High-income residents appeared especially uneasy. Among those earning more than $250,000 annually, 7% said they would definitely leave, amplifying concerns that New York’s financial backbone could erode under a Mamdani administration.

Men were significantly more inclined to flee than women — 12% compared to 7% — though roughly a quarter of both groups said they were weighing a move. The poll found that New Yorkers between 50 and 64 were the most likely to want out, with 12% committed to leaving and another 33% considering it.

By racial breakdown, 13% of white residents and 11% of Asian New Yorkers said they would definitely leave. Staten Island residents were the most eager to escape, with 21% certain they’d go and another 54% considering it. In Brooklyn, 8% said they’d move and 18% were undecided, while in Manhattan, 6% said they’d leave and 20% were unsure.

Many respondents cited the Carolinas, Florida, and Tennessee as preferred destinations, pointing to lower income and property taxes as key motivators.

Pollster James Johnson warned that confidence in Mamdani, a 34-year-old socialist state assemblyman, remains deeply polarized. “If anywhere near that number actually left, the economic impact would be seismic,” he repeated, stressing that such an outflow would ripple far beyond city limits.

The latest data also shows an unusually high level of voter engagement. As of Sunday night, when early voting wrapped up, 735,317 New Yorkers had already cast ballots. Election officials expect as many as 1.9 million voters to participate — the city’s highest turnout since nearly 2.5 million ballots were cast in 1969, when liberal Republican John Lindsay won reelection.

With just 72 hours left before Election Day, Mamdani held a 6.6-point lead over Andrew Cuomo — his tightest margin since midsummer.

A poll released on Shabbos by AtlasIntel showed Mamdani leading with 40.6%, trailed by Cuomo at 34% and Republican Curtis Sliwa at 24.1%. However, the RealClearPolitics average still gives Mamdani a commanding 14.5-point advantage, keeping him on pace to become the next mayor of New York City.

{Matzav.com}

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir addressed the topic of the Sdei Teiman affair and the investigation of ex-Military Advocate General (MAG) Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi during the Otzma Yehudit faction meeting on Monday afternoon, raising serious allegations regarding Tomer-Yerushalmi’s missing phone and the alleged involvement of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. Following the saga of Tomer-Yerushalmi’s disappearance […]

New York City’s mayoral race has turned into a razor-edge contest, with socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani clinging to a slim lead over Andrew Cuomo on the eve of an unprecedented Election Day turnout. A late-breaking AtlasIntel poll released Monday showed Mamdani with 43.9% support and Cuomo at 39.4%, while Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa trailed at 15.5%—setting up a dramatic three-way showdown that could reshape the city’s political landscape.

The survey indicated that in a one-on-one matchup, Cuomo would overtake Mamdani with 49.7% to 44.1%. However, with Sliwa still holding onto a significant share of conservative voters, Mamdani remains narrowly ahead. “Some of the Sliwa supporters are switching to Cuomo. They’re peeling off,” said Lee Miringhoff of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion. “These are voters who prefer Cuomo to Mamdani.”

Miringhoff added that Cuomo’s late momentum has been fueled by a barrage of negative ads against Mamdani from super PACs aligned with the ex-governor, flooding airwaves across the five boroughs. Still, he cautioned that “it’s still a lot of ground for Cuomo to make up.”

As the candidates crisscrossed the city on Monday in a frenetic last-minute push—from the Brooklyn Bridge to Staten Island’s ferry docks—President Donald Trump upended the race with a full-throated endorsement of Cuomo. “Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!”

Trump’s endorsement followed Mamdani’s attempt to capitalize on the president’s “60 Minutes” interview over the weekend, in which Trump said he’d rather vote for a “bad Democrat” like Cuomo than a “communist.” Mamdani portrayed the remarks as proof that Cuomo represented the establishment. Cuomo, distancing himself from Trump’s comments, quipped in response that the president—who had boasted on CBS that he was “much better looking” than Mamdani—would “make a meal” of the socialist candidate.

Early voting figures suggested historic engagement, with more than 730,000 New Yorkers casting ballots over a nine-day stretch leading up to Election Day. Young voters, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, turned out in greater numbers in the final days—a demographic that helped power Mamdani’s primary upset earlier this year. But political analyst Stephen Graves of Gotham Polling warned that Election Day itself is likely to draw an older, more moderate electorate. “As the turnout gets larger, it leans more moderate and brings in the independents,” Graves said. “That benefits Cuomo because he was getting more independent while the vast majority of Mamdani’s voters were Democrats.”

Not all pollsters are convinced the race is as close as it seems. Alyssa Cass of Slingshot Strategies argued that Mamdani could still secure a majority outright. “When you run an error-free general election campaign … it’s a safe bet that you are on a slide path to win — and to win by more than 50 percent,” she said.

Cuomo’s team nonetheless seized on the new poll as evidence of late-breaking momentum. But others urged caution. “I think the race is getting tighter, but I don’t think it’s as close as this poll says,” said GOP pollster John McLaughlin, who noted that AtlasIntel’s sample included only 59% Democrats—far below the city’s typical composition. Miringhoff echoed that concern, pointing out that Marist’s own polling showed Democrats making up roughly two-thirds of likely voters.

According to AtlasIntel, Democrats comprised 59% of respondents, Republicans 19%, and independents nearly 22%. Early voting data tells a different story: 73% of those who already cast ballots were Democrats, compared to about 11% Republicans and 15% independents. Experts predict total turnout could reach two million voters—the highest since 1969, when liberal Republican John Lindsay won re-election.

While recent polls all show Mamdani in the lead, the margins vary dramatically—from double digits down to a handful of points. McLaughlin noted that this latest poll marks the first time Mamdani’s favorability dipped below water, with 44% viewing him negatively versus 50% positively. “Mamdani having a negative rating is a sea change,” he said. “Either the issue attacks on him are working or there are too few Democrats in the poll.”

{Matzav.com}

Kim Yong Nam, a quintessential North Korean bureaucrat whose lifelong loyalty to the ruling Kim dynasty allowed him to serve as the country’s ceremonial head of state for two decades, has died, state media reported Tuesday. The Korean Central News Agency said Tuesday that Kim Yong Nam, former president of the Presidium of North Korea’s rubber-stamp Supreme […]

Just hours before voters head to the polls, a new report by the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) is drawing intense scrutiny to socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ideological record and associations. The in-depth analysis, titled “Zohran Mamdani: From SJP to Gracie Mansion?”, was released by ISGAP Action and reviewed exclusively by Fox News Digital.

“It is incumbent on voters to understand the ideological context that Zohran Mamdani comes from and espouses,” said Charles Asher Small, ISGAP’s founding director, in an interview with Fox News Digital.

The report delves into Mamdani’s political and personal background, tracing his path from founding a Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at Bowdoin College to becoming a leading figure of the radical left in New York politics. It highlights his father’s controversial academic work at Columbia University and compiles his history of inflammatory remarks, including a list of anti-Israel activists and organizations now backing his mayoral campaign.

The authors accuse Mamdani of repeatedly refusing to denounce the violent slogan “globalize the intifada.” The report notes that “He has repeatedly declined to condemn the slogan ‘globalize the intifada,’ ignoring the fact that the word ‘intifada’ is synonymous with terror attacks, suicide bombings, and incitement to kill Jews.” Rather than condemning the phrase, Mamdani merely said he would “discourage” others from using it.

ISGAP also faults Mamdani for what it describes as his minimization of Hamas’ October 7 atrocities while labeling Israel’s defensive actions “genocide.” It criticizes his proposal to target New York-based charities that aid Israel, calling it a punitive and discriminatory measure.

One of the most controversial episodes cited in the report is Mamdani’s smiling photo alongside Imam Siraj Wahhaj — a cleric who defended the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and has supported the legal defense of convicted terrorists. The image ignited backlash from law enforcement and political leaders alike.

The investigation further references financial links between Mamdani’s campaign and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). According to the report, Mamdani accepted a $100,000 super PAC contribution tied to CAIR “despite being named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terror-financing trial.”

“The normalization of antisemitism and anti-democratic rhetoric is now mainstream,” Small warned. “The radical left, the extreme right and radical political Islam are attacking the democratic center, and these different political movements use antisemitism as a core element of their ideology, to scapegoat and blame the Jews for all that is wrong. It is essential to understand that words and ideas lead to action. The antisemitic discourse of Mamdani will inevitably lead to increased hate and violence.”

Last month, hundreds of rabbis issued a public letter urging voters to reject Mamdani, declaring that Jewish Americans “cannot remain silent” as open hostility toward Jews becomes normalized in political discourse.

Still, Mamdani remains the frontrunner in the mayoral race, buoyed by strong support among younger voters and some progressive Jewish figures. Despite widespread criticism and multiple viral clips showcasing his anti-Israel statements, polls suggest he is on the verge of victory.

“There are significant levels of economic, social and political marginalization in New York and throughout the nation,” Small explained. “People are frustrated as their needs are not being met. In stressful times, populism and extremism become more appealing. Mamdani appears to be addressing the disenfranchised, especially the young. He gives fantastical policies that are appealing, yet will be impossible to deliver.”

In its final analysis, ISGAP Action warns that electing Mamdani could “shatter the city’s fragile communal trust and roll back decades of hard-won progress in protecting Jewish life.”

“Zohran Mamdani’s rise is not simply the story of an ambitious local politician riding a wave of discontent over rents and inequality,” the report concludes. “It is the story of how radical anti-Zionism has been repackaged as socialist, populist, progressive politics — and how this ideology now threatens to erode the sense of security for New York’s Jewish community, the largest Jewish community outside of Israel, and whitewash and legitimize anti-Zionism, support for terrorism, and even antisemitism.”

{Matzav.com}

With less than twenty-four hours before polls open, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani delivered a fiery pre-election rally on Monday morning, vowing to stand firm against what he described as President Donald Trump’s attempts to intimidate the city.

Flanked by Attorney General Letitia James and a cadre of progressive allies, Mamdani led a symbolic sunrise march across the Brooklyn Bridge toward City Hall. It was a theatrical gesture aimed at projecting resolve in the face of Trump’s warning that he could withhold federal funds if the socialist candidate is elected.

“What we have seen in cities and states across the country is the necessity of, not just using the bully pulpit but also the courts, to ensure that every dollar that a municipality is owed is a dollar that is paid,” Mamdani declared. “And I will take every single day, after this election, to put together my city government, my city hall, to ensure that it is prepared not only for the threats from Donald Trump, but also the threats from an affordability crisis that has put one in four New Yorkers in poverty.”

The president had told CBS’ Norah O’Donnell on “60 Minutes” Sunday that if Mamdani wins, “it is going to be hard for me, as the president, to give a lot of money to New York.” He followed that with a jab, adding, “Because if you have a communist running New York, all you’re doing is wasting the money you’re sending there.”

Trump has been relentless in ridiculing Mamdani since the candidate’s upset victory over Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary earlier this year, labeling him a “100% Communist Lunatic” and “my little communist.” Mamdani, for his part, has brushed off those attacks.

Following his primary win, Mamdani launched a week-long campaign called “Five Boroughs Against Trump,” framing himself as the only candidate willing to take on the president directly.

“I’m not a fan of Cuomo one way or the other, but if it’s going to be between a bad Democrat and a communist, I’m going to pick that bad Democrat all the time, to be honest with you,” Trump said on “60 Minutes.”

Mamdani quickly seized on those remarks, accusing Trump of effectively endorsing his opponent. “Late last night, Andrew Cuomo received Donald Trump’s endorsement,” he said Monday. “If elected as mayor, our city will only descend deeper into a darkness that has forced too many of our neighbors to flee and made it impossible for working people to live lives of dignity.”

Cuomo’s team rejected that narrative outright. Campaign spokesperson Rich Azzopardi told Fox News Digital that Mamdani is “lying” about Trump’s alleged endorsement.

“There’s only one candidate in this race who has a record of fighting for New York and battling the Trump administration when it was in New York’s best interest and winning, and that’s Andrew Cuomo. We’re not going to let him gaslight his way through Election Day,” Azzopardi said.

At his rally, Mamdani sought to present himself as the antidote to Trump-era politics, arguing that his administration would form a “movement unbowed by threats” from Washington. “We see Donald Trump make these kinds of threats to this city and to its elected officials on a regular basis,” he said. “The difference that we offer is a movement that will be unbowed by these threats, and we need not look far for an inspiration on how exactly to continue to fight for that which is correct in the city and in this state.”

Standing beside him, James—who pleaded not guilty last week to two felony counts of bank fraud and making false statements—was praised by Mamdani as a model of defiance. He said she “continues to show the courage that New Yorkers are desperate to see in elected officials, a courage to hold everyone to account to the same set of laws.”

James’ years-long legal battles against Trump have fueled both acclaim and controversy. A judge ruled last year that The Trump Organization was liable for civil fraud following her lawsuit accusing the company of inflating asset values. She has also repeatedly sued the Trump administration, seeking to block executive orders and safeguard federal funds.

“Donald Trump may speak as if it is his decision, but this is money that this city is owed. This is money that we will expect to collect,” Mamdani asserted.

As the race closes in on its final hours, Mamdani has cast himself as the candidate willing to confront Trump head-on while painting Cuomo as politically compromised. “We have long known that Andrew Cuomo is Donald Trump’s puppet in this race. What we did not quite expect is for him to become his parrot in the final days, as well,” Mamdani said.

{Matzav.com}

Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz has formally severed ties with the Democratic Party after more than six decades, warning that the party’s leftward shift on Israel — and its embrace of figures like New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani — represents a dangerous new era of antisemitism cloaked in progressive politics. In a […]

A newly released transcript from a tense closed-door meeting at the Defense Ministry headquarters reveals a sharp confrontation between then–Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, then–IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and Brig. Gen. Gal Asael, deputy military advocate general, over the investigation into the leaked video from the Sde Teiman detention facility.

The meeting, which took place in October 2024, came as the Defense Ministry scrambled to determine who was behind the leak of footage showing IDF soldiers allegedly abusing a Palestinian detainee. Asael had been assigned to oversee the internal investigation.

According to the Channel 13 report that published the transcript, Gallant opened the meeting by demanding answers. “We’re in a situation where I believe we’re about to face additional attacks over this leak,” he said. “The claim is that it came from within the defense establishment.”

Asael maintained that investigators could not yet identify the source. “The team is experienced, independent, and working responsibly,” he said. “Various materials went out—videos, medical documents, reports—but no leaker has been identified so far.”

Gallant pressed on, pointing out that “the videos of the soldiers were out almost immediately after the incidents themselves.” Asael responded that the probe had begun in July and that “the first media reports came out in August.” He noted that both soldiers and civilians had access to the footage, and “dozens of investigative steps” had been taken without any clear findings.

Gallant expressed frustration: “This situation creates a perception that everyone involved is tainted, including the IDF itself. Publicly, the blame is being directed at the prosecution.”

Asael insisted that the process was being closely monitored by the attorney general’s office and the Justice Ministry. “It’s not happening in the shadows,” he said. Gallant replied curtly, “What can I say? I’m not convinced.”

At that point, Halevi interjected, asking, “What is there to be convinced about?” Gallant responded that the investigation “must be more focused—at the end, we should know who were the first people who had access to the video.”

Asael replied, “With caution, I’ll say it’s far more than three or five people. There are many circles involved, and we’re trying to narrow it down.”

When Gallant asked what authority he had in the matter, Asael said that “as long as it’s a criminal investigation, authority rests with the attorney general.” Gallant questioned why this wasn’t under the IDF’s jurisdiction, but Asael explained that “criminal authority in Israel follows the attorney general’s directive. The military advocate general isn’t involved because she’s part of the main case and must remain impartial.”

Halevi backed Asael, saying, “Because the prosecution is a party here, we turned to the attorney general to oversee the process. We were very concerned that if it went to the police or internal affairs, it would spiral out of control.” Asael agreed: “Yes, that would have lost all control.”

Gallant closed the meeting by recalling a past incident. “The last time I was in a situation like this—the Harpaz Affair—they said no one in the General Staff was involved. That turned out not to be true. That’s what my experience tells me.”

Asael has not yet issued a public response. Gallant’s office stated that he had “ordered a swift and thorough investigation immediately after the leak, given the damage it caused to IDF soldiers and to Israel.” They added that “the sentiments and quotes in the report reflect his consistent stance, though we cannot confirm the transcript.”

Associates of former Chief of Staff Halevi said he had no prior knowledge of the leak and had instructed his office to ensure there were “no obstacles to the investigation’s completion.” They added that both Halevi and Gallant “felt misled” as new revelations surfaced in recent days.

{Matzav.com}