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Chanukah’s glow reached the United States Capitol, where a candle-lighting gathering brought together Yesha Council Chairman and Binyamin Governor Yisrael Ganz with House Speaker Mike Johnson. In the midst of the ceremony, Johnson turned directly to the residents of Judea and Samaria with a resonant message, calling them “the Maccabees of our time.”

The lighting took place during a period marked by escalating anti-Jewish hostility across the globe, a reality highlighted by the horrific terror attack in Australia just hours later. Johnson—who only recently toured the Binyamin region, visited ancient Shiloh, and offered a heartfelt prayer there with his wife—spoke about the repeated attempts throughout history to harm Jews, and how the Jewish people, generation after generation, have persisted and prevailed despite overwhelming odds.

“Everyone is free to celebrate and pray in whatever way they choose,” Johnson said during the event. He pointed out that even during eras of persecution and threats of expulsion, Jewish communities continued to grow and thrive. “Even during years under attack and in danger of expulsion, the Jewish people prospered and flourished. This is the essence of what we are celebrating today – the light of love and heroism will always lead us to better days.”

After the candles were kindled, Ganz expressed gratitude for the Speaker’s encouragement, noting that their shared lighting inside Congress served as a symbolic reply to those trying to extinguish Jewish life—whether terror in Australia, rising antisemitism around the world, or violence in Eretz Yisroel itself. “The light we lit in Congress together with the US House Speaker is a clear answer to the darkness that seeks to extinguish us—whether through the terror attack in Australia, the waves of antisemitism globally, or the terrorism here in our land. The people of Israel are an eternal nation, and our enemies will never defeat us. Like the Maccabees, in our generation too, we will continue to shine, build, and grow stronger in the light of faith and heroism.”

{Matzav.com}

A senior University of Arkansas professor has been stripped of her leadership role after allegations surfaced that she used official university letterhead to support an Iranian regime war criminal, praised Iran’s supreme leader, and repeatedly attacked Israel. Shirin Saeidi, an assistant professor of political science and until recently the head of the university’s Middle East […]

The International Criminal Court’s Appeals Chamber in The Hague on Monday evening narrowly rejected Israel’s challenge seeking to halt the ICC’s involvement in alleged war-crimes investigations related to the Gaza conflict. As a result, the arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will remain active.

The 3–2 decision dismissed Israel’s argument rooted in the principle of complementarity — the claim that Israel should first be allowed to investigate the allegations on its own before the ICC steps in. The ruling significantly reduces Israel’s options for overturning the international warrants.

Israel’s core appeal asserted that the ICC prosecutor was obligated to provide formal advance notification before opening an investigation into senior Israeli officials. The judges rejected this claim, stating that the prosecutor relied on what he considered a prior warning allegedly conveyed to Israel even before the October 7 attacks.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticized the ruling as fundamentally political, saying the court’s majority disregarded the rights of a democratic state with an independent judiciary. The ministry stated: “Israel rejects the narrow-majority ruling that denies Israel its right to receive advance notice, as required under the principle of complementarity, especially with regard to a democratic nation with a strong and independent legal system. This is what politics looks like when disguised as ‘international law.’”

Because the appeal was dismissed, the ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on suspicion of war crimes committed during the Gaza war remain in effect, posing ongoing diplomatic and legal challenges for Israel and its leadership.

According to a report cited by Channel 12 News, a source familiar with the decision blasted the court’s conduct, saying: “They keep proving, again and again, that they have no respect whatsoever for the sovereignty of states — including those that are not members and never agreed to the court’s framework. In the end, this will leave the international community no choice but to overhaul this institution from the ground up.”

{Matzav.com}

Australia’s political class is making moves — not to confront Islamist radicalization, intelligence failures, or the ideological drivers of antisemitic violence, but to reopen a gun debate many Australians believed had been settled nearly three decades ago. Within hours of the Chanukah massacre at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and state leaders promised […]

Leading Jewish groups in the United States are urging all Jewish organizations to ratchet up security measures at public events — including restrictions on access — following the deadly mass shooting that targeted a Chanukah celebration on a popular Australian beach. The groups — including three which specialize in security issues — said Jewish public events in […]

Heilig & Muzikalish   Heilig & Muzikalish is bringing soul-awakening melodies to serve as a conduit for elevation, connection, and heartfelt prayer, we gather world-renowned חזנים and a symphony of voices to co-create this magical experience of ascending to the heights of Tefila — עבודה שבלב —and open our hearts and souls to הקב״ה – […]

Elon Musk has become the first person in history ever worth $600 billion. His fortune hit the milestone on the strength of his holdings in Tesla and SpaceX and related valuations.  

Ukraine peace talks progressing, Russia open to EU membership, U.S. officials say • U.S. officials said they are nearing an agreement with Ukraine to end the war with Russia. • Any deal would need final approval from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has taken a hard line and demanded territory in return for peace. • […]

TRUMP: “Today, we’re here to honor our military men and women for their central role in the protection of our border… In a few moments, we’ll officially recognize their service by awarding them the Mexican Border Defense Medal.”

A high-level gathering is set to take place in Qatar on Tuesday, where United States Central Command will convene military envoys from dozens of nations to advance the next phase of President Donald Trump’s regional peace framework. The goal of the session is to assemble a roster of countries willing to form the International Stabilization Force, intended to operate inside Gaza once the second stage of the plan is underway.

Kan News revealed that approximately forty delegations are expected, with many coming from states that have already signaled readiness to contribute personnel, while others are arriving to evaluate their options. Among those slated to attend are nations from across Asia and the Middle East — Indonesia, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates — together with representatives from several countries in Europe.

Participants will spend part of the conference debating how broad the ISF’s mandate should be. Discussions will focus on whether the multinational contingent will move into zones still under Hamas control for the purpose of disarming the group, or whether their deployment will be limited only to sectors currently overseen by Israel.

Kan News also noted that the structure of the force is subject to an Israeli veto. Yet even with Israel objecting to the involvement of Turkey and Qatar, Jerusalem is not sending officials to the summit itself. Instead, the Americans intend to have Major General Yaki Dolf join the session remotely as the designated Israeli representative to U.S. command, where he will outline Israel’s stance.

{Matzav.com}

Golani Brigade forces operating along the Yellow Line in eastern Rafah located weapons and surveillance equipment, including AK-47s, RPGs, and cameras used by Hamas. The IDF says forces dismantled Hamas infrastructure and eliminated dozens of terrorists operating in underground tunnels. Troops remain deployed in line with the ceasefire agreement to remove immediate threats.

BREAKING: One of the U.S. service members killed in Syria has been identified as Sgt. Nate Howard, the son of an Iowa police chief. The second service member killed is Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar. Both served in the Iowa National Guard.

Former Hamas hostage Eli Sharabi met with former President Joe Biden yesterday at the Philadelphia Eagles game.  

EU’s Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, says a commission to address “claims for war damages against Russia” will be set up in The Hague tomorrow, with 80,000 submissions already received.

Rep. Ro Khanna on Healthcare: The solution, as everyone knows in my view who has studied this is Medicare for all.

President Donald Trump signaled that the GOP’s grip on the House of Representatives may be precarious next year, conceding in a discussion with The Wall Street Journal that political gravity and the timing of his policies could complicate the party’s path into the 2026 midterms. He explained that the major financial boosts he anticipates from his economic strategy might not show up quickly enough to influence voters.

Trump made clear he didn’t want to offer predictions about the outcome in November. “I can’t tell you. I don’t know when all of this money is going to kick in,” he said, emphasizing a wave of large-scale investments he believes his administration has steered into the United States.

He reflected on the long-standing trend that typically punishes the governing party, noting that only a pair of presidents — Bill Clinton in 1998 and George W. Bush in 2002 — managed to defy the post–World War II pattern. For Trump, that historical backdrop illustrates how difficult the coming election cycle could be for Republicans.

Describing the challenge ahead as “statistically … very tough,” Trump still insisted that the job market, new investment commitments, and broader economic activity would eventually help families feel noticeable relief.

But he faces a public increasingly uneasy about everyday expenses, a factor adding volatility to the political environment. According to the Journal, the U.S. economy may be expanding on paper, yet many families continue to say that high prices and slow job growth make those numbers feel detached from reality.

To respond to voter frustration, Trump recently approved tariff reductions on hundreds of food imports, an acknowledgment from the administration that grocery costs remain a pressure point. Democrats have seized on that vulnerability, arguing that Trump’s pledge to rapidly rein in living expenses has fallen short.

Polling has also begun to reflect the strain. An AP-NORC survey showed his economic approval sliding to just 31%, which the organization characterized as the lowest level recorded for him in that poll.

In the interview, Trump maintained that price stability is coming, asserting that costs will be “in good shape” later in the campaign season. He shifted blame for inflation onto Democrats and highlighted his signature agenda items — tax relief, deregulation, increased domestic energy output, and tougher trade enforcement.

Tariffs remain a central tool in that framework. The Journal pointed out that a looming Supreme Court decision could determine the future of key tariff authorities tied to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump argued that an unfavorable ruling would be “a horrible thing” for the United States.

At the same time, Trump has encouraged Republican-led states to consider mid-decade redistricting as a means of bolstering GOP prospects, a tactic that underscores how fragile the House majority is and how minor shifts could tip the balance, according to reporting from the New York Post.

Trump’s blunt assessment acknowledges the steep climb ahead. Midterms are rarely gentle on the party in charge, and voters typically expect visible, personal benefits before rewarding any administration.

Still, the White House is banking on momentum from new factories, AI development hubs, revived manufacturing operations, and shifts in energy and border policies. Officials hope those cumulative effects will leave Republicans with a more resonant argument as the midterm season approaches.

{Matzav.com}

Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has named veteran prosecutor Jennifer Davenport as New Jersey’s next Attorney General. Davenport, a longtime state and federal law enforcement official, is expected to serve as the state’s 63rd Attorney General under the incoming administration.

MASSIVE LEVAYA ESCORT: Hundreds of United Hatzalah volunteers participated in the Levaya for Chaimi Erlanger Z”L, a volunteer EMT with United Hatzalah from the city of Netanya, who was killed in a traffic accident near Harish on Sunday night.

The FBI, at a press conference, released additional details on the suspects arrested in California for allegedly planning a New Year’s Eve terror attack.

iRobot has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to court filings. The Roomba maker stated that it plans to continue operating during the restructuring process and does not anticipate any disruptions to its products or customer support. The company stated that the bankruptcy filing is part of a court-supervised restructuring process as it addresses […]