A fierce political dispute erupted after Housing and Construction Minister Chaim Katz began considering the appointment of Yehuda Morgenstern—who previously served as director-general of the ministry under Minister Yitzchok Goldknopf—as acting director-general of the Israel Land Authority. The prospective appointment sparked widespread backlash in the political arena, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett even declared that if he returns to office, he will cancel the senior appointment.
The loudest criticism came from Minister Amichai Shikli, who openly opposed Morgenstern’s anticipated appointment. Shikli stated, “I have nothing whatsoever against Yehuda Morgenstern, a wise and pleasant man, but the Israel Land Authority must not be placed in the hands of the ‘real estate Chassidus’ of Gur!”
Shikli argued that the head of the Israel Land Authority must be someone motivated by Zionist priorities: “The director of the Israel Land Authority must—especially now—be someone whose driving force is Zionism, strengthening Jewish settlement in the Galilee and Negev, and supporting IDF soldiers and reservists.”
He went on sharply criticizing past policies: “We have had enough of the five bitter and difficult years for settlement under Yanki Quint. The Israel Land Authority needs a director whose only concern is Zionism.”
UTJ chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf responded with a blistering attack, accusing Shikli of bigotry and discriminatory rhetoric. Goldknopf said, “The minister’s repulsive statement is tainted with condescension, hatred of the other, and a toxicity usually found only among haters of Israel.”
He continued, saying that Shikli’s comments were especially inappropriate given his public role combating antisemitism abroad: “As someone tasked with fighting antisemitism, Shikli should restrain himself and understand that saying Yehuda Morgenstern’s appointment means the authority will be controlled by the Gur community is a disgrace and a shame. Disqualifying a person because of his affiliation with a Chassidic group is an injustice—exactly the kind of injustice Shikli claims to fight abroad, where people and communities are targeted because of their Jewish identity.”
Goldknopf went on to defend Morgenstern’s reputation and qualifications: “Yehuda Morgenstern is a man who worked his way up through effort and diligence, and no one disputes his professionalism, credentials, or abilities.”
Finally, he issued a direct call to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu: “It is expected of the prime minister that when a minister from his own party and government makes such statements, he will condemn them.”
{Matzav.com}
Israel’s Ministry of Defense released new data early Monday marking the National Day of Appreciation for Wounded IDF Soldiers and Security Personnel, revealing a staggering picture of the toll taken since the Simchas Torah massacre two years ago.
According to the Rehabilitation Department, 82,400 wounded individuals are currently receiving care, including 31,000 coping with psychological injuries and post-trauma.
Since the Hamas surprise attack on Simchas Torah, approximately 22,000 newly wounded have entered the rehabilitation system. Of these:
58% are suffering from psychological trauma
63% are reservists
49% are under the age of 30
The ministry estimates that by the end of 2026, another 10,000 wounded will be added—most of them battling psychological injuries.
Looking further ahead, projections show that by 2028 the Rehabilitation Department will be treating around 100,000 wounded, half of whom will be individuals dealing with psychological trauma.
In response to the growing national challenge, the Ministry of Defense announced: “Given the scope of the wounded and the national challenge, the Ministry of Defense, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, established a public committee headed by Prof. Mori Yosef to examine expanding national support, treatment, and services for wounded IDF soldiers.”
The ministry noted a significant expansion in resources: “The department is broadening its medical and psychological treatment framework and the realization of rights. Its budget has risen by 53% and now stands at 8.3 billion shekels, half of which—4.1 billion shekels—is dedicated to services for those with psychological injuries, who make up roughly one-third of our patients.”
The past year has seen major increases in demand:
The number of psychological treatments provided has doubled
Use of alternative therapies has risen by about 50%
Calls to the “One Soul” mental-health hotline have surged by nearly 80%
{Matzav.com}
A joyous milestone was marked in Modi’in Illit, where the wedding of the first granddaughter of the Mirrer mashgiach, Rav Binyomin Finkel, was celebrated.
The kallah is a daughter of Rav Moshe Finkel, son of the mashgiach and son-in-law of Rav Eliezer Lieberman.
The event drew a large crowd of rabbonim and community figures who came to honor the mashgiach and rejoice with him at this significant moment.
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Police have revealed a sweeping security scandal that has rocked the quiet community of Givat Ze’ev, where several private security guards were arrested on suspicion of facilitating the entry and employment of illegal Palestinian residents in return for money.
According to details cleared for publication, investigators from the Yerushalayim Central Unit detained seven guards employed by a private firm contracted to secure the town. Their arrests followed a lengthy undercover investigation launched after the Givat Ze’ev Local Council formally approached the police with concerns.
Officers moved in during daylight hours last week, bringing the covert probe into the open. Investigators believe the guards exploited their authority at local checkpoints, allegedly accepting payments to allow unauthorized individuals to slip past security screening points.
Police said that on November 30, detectives executed the first wave of arrests against four suspects, some of whom were working as guards at Givat Ze’ev. With those arrests, the months-long undercover investigation became public, and a court-imposed gag order—meant to protect the early stages of the probe—expired this morning.
Authorities outlined what they described as a systematic arrangement: the guards allegedly coordinated with Palestinian residents to grant “free passage” to illegal entrants by bypassing the main inspection route at the Ofer security checkpoint.
Once inside, police say, the illegal entrants would merge onto Route 443 and board waiting vehicles bearing Israeli license plates. Those cars would then drive together into the Agan Ayelet neighborhood through a residents-only gate staffed by guards, thereby sidestepping the primary security screening mechanism entirely. From there, the way into any part of Israel was effectively open.
Investigators estimate that the guards—tasked specifically with safeguarding the town—received tens of thousands of shekels in exchange for their cooperation. The probe also uncovered that some of the illegal entrants later found employment at various locations, where they were ultimately discovered and detained by police. In several cases, businesses employing them were shut down under police orders for hiring individuals without legal status.
Givat Ze’ev Local Council head Yossi Asraf issued a sharply worded statement condemning the alleged betrayal: “We view with utmost severity the suspicions against guards who, if true, violated their duties and endangered the security of Givat Ze’ev’s residents. Our trust in the security apparatus is fundamental, and any breach of that trust is unforgivable. I welcome the swift and determined action of YMAR Jerusalem, launched at the council’s request, and we rely on the police to uncover the full truth and prosecute all involved.”
Asraf urged residents to remain vigilant and report anything unusual: “I call on every resident of Givat Ze’ev to continue exercising alertness and to contact us regarding any wrongdoing or suspected illegal activity. You are our eyes on the ground, and together with the community we will safeguard the security of the council.”
Council officials said they will continue reviewing the town’s security infrastructure, tightening oversight procedures, and taking all necessary steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We will not allow anyone to erode the personal safety of our residents,” Asraf emphasized, “and we will take every measure required to protect them.”
{Matzav.com}
A top voice on border enforcement raised an alarm this weekend about escalating hostility toward federal immigration agents. Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Trump border czar Tom Homan said the dangers faced by Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel have skyrocketed, noting that “Threats on ICE officers are up 1200%.”
Homan described a climate in which officers are increasingly targeted, explaining that “They’re being doxxed on social media. They’re getting death threats every day. They’ve been attacked. They’ve been shot at.” He stressed that these agents regularly pursue some of the most dangerous offenders in the country, prompting them to take necessary precautions while working within legal boundaries. Homan insisted that “I think they’re following the law. And if any ICE officer acts out of policy or does something inappropriate, they’ll be held accountable.”
Expanding on that theme, Homan pushed back against what he characterized as a distorted national narrative. He argued that the public conversation has somehow inverted reality, saying, “we’re at a place in this country where all of a sudden the ones who enforce law, the bad guys and the ones who broke the laws are victims.” He said he maintains confidence in frontline personnel: “I’m going to trust the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol who have been trained very well to do the right thing.”
Homan emphasized that oversight remains essential, even as he continues to defend the professionalism of federal officers. “If someone does something inappropriate, out of policy, illegal, they need to be held accountable,” he said, while also cautioning that he cannot personally witness every situation in the field: “I haven’t seen that. And again, I’m not in every arrest. I’m not in every operation. I trust the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol do the right thing.”
{Matzav.com}
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