Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli sounded an alarm after Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor of New York City, describing the development as a “critical turning point” that could have grave consequences for the city’s Jewish population.
Writing in a fiery Fox News opinion piece, Chikli lamented what he viewed as a dangerous shift in the city’s character. “The city that once stood as the world’s beacon of liberty has handed the keys of power to a Hamas sympathizer,” he wrote. “It is almost unthinkable that New York – the proud and historic center of Jewish life – could become the American city where Jews no longer feel at home or safe.”
Chikli argued that Mamdani’s victory symbolizes a deeper ideological transformation, claiming that the new mayor “represents the ‘Red-Green Alliance’ – the dangerous strategic partnership between radical Islamism and the far-left progressive movement.” He warned that such a fusion of extremism could shape the city’s policies in troubling ways.
“This is, without a doubt, the biggest Muslim Brotherhood victory in the United States – and possibly the entire Western world,” Chikli wrote, cautioning that “New York is now one step closer to becoming the next London.”
He went on to praise the Trump administration for its handling of antisemitism, crediting it with action rather than rhetoric. According to Chikli, it was the Trump years that made “Jewish students safe again throughout America,” in contrast to earlier administrations that, he said, aligned themselves with organizations such as CAIR.
At the same time, Chikli expressed concern over extremist currents surfacing on the right. “Neo-Nazism is being normalized, amplified and excused,” he wrote, insisting that “You cannot call yourself a conservative while admiring Hitler, Stalin or the theocratic dictator who rules Iran.”
Describing this as a “moment of moral choosing,” Chikli called on conservatives to confront hate within their own ranks and reaffirm moral clarity. He ended his piece with a plea to safeguard the shared values uniting Israel and the United States, writing, “The foundations of the American-Jewish and Judeo-Christian alliance remain strong, built upon a principle expressed by the Founders themselves: ‘Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.’”
{Matzav.com}
President Donald Trump expressed optimism that Saudi Arabia may soon join the Abraham Accords, though he acknowledged the political sensitivity of the matter, given Riyadh’s long-standing position linking normalization with Israel to progress toward a Palestinian state.
Speaking at the America Business Forum in Miami, Trump told attendees, “We have a lot of people joining now the Abraham Accords. Hopefully, we’ll get Saudi Arabia very soon, but I’m not saying that. I’m not lobbying,” he added with a grin, acknowledging the presence of Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Washington in the crowd.
Trump reiterated on CBS’s “60 Minutes” that Riyadh’s insistence on a Palestinian state may be more rhetoric than reality. “The last time he did that, in February, Riyadh issued a statement at 4 a.m. rebutting the president’s claim. This week, they did not,” the report noted, signaling a potentially softer tone from the kingdom.
During his Miami remarks, Trump hailed his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner as the “father of the Abraham Accords,” crediting him for the series of normalization deals that reshaped Middle East diplomacy. He argued that the region became more receptive to peace following the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities earlier this year.
“The key was when we took out the nuclear capability of Iran. All of a sudden, everybody said, ‘Wow, that was nice.’ They’ve been wanting to do that for 20 years,” Trump said. While no Arab states publicly applauded the move, diplomats from the Gulf privately expressed concerns that it might heighten tensions and fuel instability.
Turning to the ceasefire he negotiated in Gaza last month, Trump assured that it remains intact. “There’s nothing tenuous [about it]. It’s a serious end,” he said, joking that he hopes it lasts — “otherwise the number of wars he says he has ended would drop from eight to seven.”
{Matzav.com}New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that one of the Jewish institutions targeted in Tuesday night’s wave of vandalism was a yeshiva. “I strongly condemn this hateful display of antisemitism,” Hochul wrote on X, denouncing the attack and calling for accountability.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani took to social media soon after, calling the incident both “disgusting” and “heartbreaking.” He assured that, “As mayor, I will always stand steadfast with our Jewish neighbors to root the scourge of antisemitism out of our city.”
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams likewise issued a statement condemning the act, emphasizing that “Antisemitism has no place in our schools, our government, or our city, but it’s sadly what happens when too many normalize antisemitic rhetoric.” His remarks underscored the growing concern over hate speech and its real-world consequences.
The United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York voiced deep concern following the defacement, noting that “This act is a painful reminder of the rising tide of antisemitism that continues to threaten Jewish communities across New York.” The organization confirmed it was in close contact with law enforcement to assist in the investigation.
According to data released Monday by the New York City Police Department, Jews were the targets in 62 percent of all hate crimes reported last month. Out of 47 total incidents, 29 were classified as antisemitic—an alarming reflection of the city’s escalating hate-crime trend.
The controversy surrounding Mamdani’s victory has only intensified these fears. The mayor-elect has a history of inflammatory statements regarding Israel, including harsh criticism just one day after the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023, and a refusal to denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada.” He has also publicly accused Israel of committing war crimes and vowed to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York City.
In response to Mamdani’s record, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) announced a sweeping effort to closely monitor his administration. The ADL said it remains deeply concerned about “past associations and rhetoric” that it believes “promote antisemitic narratives and reflect hostility toward the State of Israel.”
Mamdani, however, pushed back against the criticism, insisting that he takes the issue seriously. He said, “I spoke about how my City Hall will stand steadfast with Jewish New Yorkers in fighting antisemitism across the city and making that clear in the actions that we deliver on January 1st.”
He added, “I look forward to working with Jewish leaders across this city, whether they’re elected officials, rabbis, or community leaders, to deliver on the promise of not just protecting Jewish New Yorkers, but celebrating and cherishing them in the same city.”
{Matzav.com}President Donald Trump issued a sharp rebuke following the election of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor, suggesting that the result reflected a temporary loss of America’s “sovereignty.”
Speaking at the America Business Forum in Miami, Trump told the crowd, “On Nov. 5, 2024, the American people reclaimed our government. We restored our sovereignty — we lost a little bit of sovereignty last night in New York, but we’ll take care of it, don’t worry about it.” He added that his movement had “rescued our economy, regained our liberty, and together, we saved our country.”
The former president drew a stark contrast between his platform and that of his political rivals. “After last night’s results, the decision facing all Americans could not be more clear. We have a choice between communism and common sense,” he declared. “Our opponents are offering an economic nightmare, we’re delivering an economic miracle.”
Turning his attention specifically to New York’s mayoral race, Trump didn’t mince words. “I said they were voting last night, you could have a communist or a thug. A communist — and they took the communist,” he remarked, in reference to Mamdani’s win over Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa.
{Matzav.com}
Israeli soldiers operating inside the Gaza Strip were handed a casket by the Red Cross earlier today, believed to contain the body of an Israeli hostage killed in captivity.
According to military officials, the Red Cross obtained the casket from Hamas representatives in Gaza City before transferring it to the IDF for examination.
Upon receiving it, the IDF plans to conduct a thorough inspection to verify the contents before proceeding with a brief, dignified ceremony. A military rabbi will lead the service, during which the casket will be covered with an Israeli flag.
Following the ceremony, the remains will be transported to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv, where specialists will work to formally confirm the identity of the deceased.
{Matzav.com}
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Last week, hundreds gathered to celebrate a true simchas haTorah at the Third Ateres Paz Gala Siyum Event by Mifal Shinun Vachazarah where 70 avreichim talmidei chachamim were crowned as Rabbanim and received their Semichah Certificates endorsing them as Morei Hora’ah in Klal Yisrael. The long-awaited event following years of rigorous study, review, and toiling in the tent of Torah in the course of which they completed one of the three Mifal Shinun Vachazarah specialized limud Hora’ah tracks in Choshen Mishpat and Yoreh Deah. The program encompasses challenging 3-year, 5-year and 7-year learning programs, complemented by comprehensive monthly and periodic cumulative oral and written tests. Toward the completion of the program, the avreichim were tested by Gedolei Yisrael shlit”a, Rabbanim and dayanim, who marveled both at the scope and depth of their knowledge and fluency in the material.
Founded eight years ago by Rav Dovid Shlesinger shlit”a, Mifal Shinun Vachazarah
enables hundreds of avreichim and talmidei chachamim to realize their goal of becoming Morei Hora’ah in Klal Yisrael by creating clear, comprehensive study programs and tracks that empower avreichim to reach specific goals in learning. With the goal of increasing Torah and hora’ah, the program also remunerates avreichim generously for their efforts in learning, encouraging them to work harder, invest greater energy and time in learning, and attain clear knowledge and understanding of the sugyos they learn. The Mesaymim number among over 1,000 avreichim who are tested on a monthly basis and receive generous stipends that incentivize their learning and success. Honoring the 70 Mesaymim, the Ateres Paz Event was attended by Gedolei Hador shlit”a and world-renowned marbitzei Torah who came to commend and bless the new Rabbanim upon their phenomenal efforts and achievements and take part in this special event which is a simchah for all of Klal Yisrael.
There is great relief and joy in the Toldos Aharon Yitzchak chassidic court this evening as the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe has been released from Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital and has returned to his home in the Meah Shearim neighborhood.
The Rebbe’s condition has shown improvement, though he continues to require medical care and will be receiving treatment at home.
The news follows a wave of heartfelt tefillos from chassidim. On Tuesday night, a special atzaras tefillah was held in the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchak beis medrash, where the mashpia Rav Elimelech Biderman delivered words of chizuk. In the midst of the gathering, word spread that the Rebbe’s condition had improved and that doctors expected him to be discharged soon.
Earlier Wednesday, chassidim traveled to the tziyun of Rav Shimon bar Yochai in Meron, where they conducted heartfelt hakafos holding their lulavim from Sukkos as a segulah for refuah and yeshuah. The custom, mentioned in the Dovev Meisharim of the Beis Yosef, encourages performing hakafos with leftover mitzvah items as a source of brocha and salvation.
The public is asked to continue davening for Shmuel Yaakov ben Yenta.
{Matzav.com}
