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Former Shin Bet director Ronen Bar has filed a NIS 3 million defamation lawsuit against Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, accusing him of knowingly spreading false allegations about Bar’s conduct before the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre in an effort to shift responsibility for Israel’s devastating security failures.

The lawsuit, submitted Wednesday to the District Court, marks a dramatic escalation in the bitter confrontation between Netanyahu and his former domestic intelligence chief. It challenges a public statement issued by the prime minister that accused Bar of failing to alert the country’s political leadership, neglecting to warn security forces and failing to arrange the evacuation of the Nova music festival before Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel.

Bar contends that Netanyahu deliberately constructed a misleading account of the hours preceding the attack to portray the former Shin Bet director as primarily responsible for the catastrophe while distancing himself from the decisions and policies that preceded it.

In the court filing, Bar acknowledges that the Shin Bet failed to provide an adequate warning before the massacre and accepts personal responsibility for the intelligence agency’s failures. However, he argues that his acknowledgment of those failures does not give Netanyahu the right to make allegations that Bar maintains are demonstrably false.

The lawsuit characterizes the prime minister’s accusations as a “blood libel” against an individual who devoted 35 years to protecting Israel’s security. Bar alleges that Netanyahu was aware of the actual sequence of events but nevertheless chose to circulate claims that would damage his reputation.

One of the central disputes concerns Netanyahu’s assertion that Bar participated in numerous telephone conversations during the night before the massacre with then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and then-Military Intelligence Directorate chief Aharon Haliva, during which indications of an impending Hamas attack were supposedly discussed.

Bar categorically denies that those conversations occurred, maintaining that he did not speak with either Halevi or Haliva that night.

The former Shin Bet chief further argues that his agency did not ignore the intelligence signals emerging from Gaza. According to the lawsuit, Shin Bet personnel treated the information seriously, communicated their findings to the IDF and circulated a warning to the relevant security authorities at 3:03 a.m. on October 7.

Bar also disputes the allegation that Netanyahu’s office was left uninformed about the developments. He maintains that the prime minister’s Military Secretariat received information about the intelligence no later than 3:55 a.m. and was subsequently provided with a summary of Bar’s assessment of the situation.

Another contested issue involves the Nova music festival, where hundreds of people were murdered when Hamas terrorists attacked the gathering.

Netanyahu had accused Bar of failing to order the festival evacuated despite the warning signs that emerged during the night.

Bar responds that he was unaware the festival was taking place and argues that the Shin Bet does not possess responsibility for authorizing public events or directing their evacuation.

The lawsuit also addresses Netanyahu’s suggestion that the deployment of a Shin Bet Tequila counterterrorism unit near the Gaza border demonstrated that Bar understood a major attack was approaching but failed to warn the prime minister.

According to Bar, such teams are deployed dozens of times annually in response to intelligence indicating possible terrorist activity, and their deployment cannot reasonably be interpreted as proof that the agency anticipated an invasion on the scale of October 7.

He maintains that the Shin Bet, like the other branches of Israel’s security establishment, did not assess during the preceding night that Hamas was preparing to launch a full-scale assault.

Beyond the immediate intelligence failures, the lawsuit presents a series of allegations concerning Netanyahu’s broader approach to Hamas in the years leading up to the massacre.

Bar claims the prime minister favored a policy of “quiet at any cost” in Gaza, prioritizing the avoidance of military confrontations while allowing Hamas to remain in control of the territory.

According to the filing, Bar repeatedly cautioned Netanyahu about Hamas’s expanding military capabilities and recommended more aggressive Israeli action, including offensive operations and targeted killings of senior terrorist figures.

The former intelligence chief alleges that those recommendations were repeatedly rejected or left unimplemented.

Bar further claims that approximately two months before the October 7 massacre, he personally delivered an unusually serious warning to Netanyahu about the possibility of a coming war.

“I am conveying to you a strategic warning of war,” Bar reportedly told the prime minister, explaining that Israeli intelligence might not be able to identify the precise date or hour of an impending conflict.

The lawsuit also raises allegations concerning the transfer of Qatari money into Gaza during the years before the massacre.

Bar claims Netanyahu knew that funds entering the territory were reaching Hamas’s military wing but continued permitting the transfers despite objections from the Shin Bet.

One particularly striking allegation concerns a meeting in May 2023, when Bar says he urged Netanyahu to broaden Israel’s policy of targeted assassinations against terrorist leaders in order to restore Israeli deterrence.

According to the lawsuit, Netanyahu responded by expressing concern that terrorist organizations might retaliate against such operations by attempting to assassinate him personally.

Bar also describes disagreements over the Shin Bet’s role in formulating Israel’s broader strategy toward Hamas.

He alleges that when he submitted strategic recommendations to the prime minister, Netanyahu wrote on one document: “In a democracy, the Shin Bet is not responsible for shaping the State of Israel’s national strategy.”

On another document, Netanyahu reportedly added the handwritten comment: “This is not a directive from the head of the Shin Bet.”

Bar argues that the accusations against him were part of a broader effort to discredit him following his increasingly contentious relationship with Netanyahu, rather than an isolated disagreement over the events of October 7.

The lawsuit also references an affidavit Bar submitted during legal proceedings surrounding his dismissal as Shin Bet director. In that affidavit, Bar raised allegations concerning connections between individuals close to Netanyahu and Qatar, as well as purported attempts to involve the Shin Bet in monitoring or acting against political demonstrations.

Bar maintains that these earlier disputes provide important context for the prime minister’s subsequent public attacks on his credibility.

In addition to seeking NIS 3 million in damages, Bar is asking the court to require Netanyahu to issue a correction or retraction, pay interest and inflation adjustments on any damages awarded, and cover the legal costs of the proceedings.

He is also requesting disclosure of relevant documents in the prime minister’s possession or control, potentially placing additional internal government communications concerning the October 7 intelligence failures under judicial scrutiny.

Netanyahu responded sharply to the lawsuit, rejecting Bar’s account and returning to the central question of why the Shin Bet director did not personally telephone him during the critical hours before the Hamas invasion.

“Ronen Bar, who saw the warning signs on the night of October 7 and did not call me, now says he didn’t have my phone number.

“Ronen, are you serious? You had my secure hotline number, and you could have called me immediately, as all the heads of the security establishment do. The Shin Bet security guards, your subordinates, who are with me 24/7, could have reached me within minutes. How many lives could we have saved if only you had called in time?” Netanyahu asked.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is calling for a sweeping reassessment of airline security procedures following last month’s attempted hijacking of a flydubai passenger jet bound for Israel, warning that the incident could have resulted in a catastrophe comparable to the September 11 terrorist attacks had the aircraft been deliberately crashed into Ben Gurion Airport.

Speaking with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine on her “Pod Force One” podcast, Huckabee said airlines around the world should conduct far more extensive background investigations of pilots and flight attendants, including examinations of their social media activity, to identify potential security threats before they gain access to aircraft.

The ambassador’s remarks followed the extraordinary September incident in which flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, allegedly attacked the aircraft’s captain with an axe and attempted to seize control of the plane while it was traveling toward Israel.

Huckabee said the incident raised serious questions about how the accused attacker was able to secure employment as a commercial airline pilot and whether warning signs had been overlooked during the hiring process.

“The question I think will be a tough one for everyone to answer: How did this guy get hired?” Huckabee asked.

The ambassador suggested that staffing pressures or inadequate background checks may have contributed to the situation, although he did not claim to know precisely what occurred during the airline’s hiring process.

“Now maybe they were just desperate for pilots, and they looked the other way at some of his background, or maybe they didn’t check. But the answer to your question: Does this change the security methods? Oh boy, does it ever!” Huckabee said.

According to reports about the incident, al-Hammami had allegedly spent months researching methods of carrying out an attack and had developed an interest in crashing a commercial passenger aircraft into a target in Israel.

Investigators have reportedly examined allegations that his intended destination was the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport, where an intentional crash could have resulted in mass casualties.

Huckabee said the potential consequences of the attempted hijacking should prompt airlines everywhere to reconsider how they evaluate employees who hold sensitive positions aboard passenger aircraft.

“Not just for pilots flying into Israel, but I think every airline now is going to be looking at social media accounts. They’re going to be really wanting to know: Is there any red flag here?” he said.

The ambassador emphasized that enhanced screening should not be limited to cockpit personnel, arguing that flight attendants also occupy positions that could be exploited by someone intending to harm passengers.

“Flight attendants, same thing,” Huckabee continued, “because if you have a flight attendant, a flight attendant could wreak havoc. They have access to the cockpit.”

The attempted hijacking unfolded when al-Hammami allegedly assaulted captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit, leaving him injured as the aircraft began a dangerous descent.

Despite his injuries, Machchhar reportedly managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and overpower the co-pilot before he could complete his alleged plan.

Among those who intervened was Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber with no formal flight training, who helped regain control of the aircraft during the emergency.

Huckabee said investigators were still working to establish all the details of the suspect’s intentions, but the available information pointed to an extraordinarily dangerous situation.

“This was just one of those amazing things,” Huckabee said. “And we don’t know absolutely confirmed, but he has told some of the investigators that his goal was to fly it into the terminal at Ben Gurion Airport.

“That would have been catastrophic.”

The ambassador said that if the alleged plot had succeeded, the resulting destruction could have resembled the attacks carried out against the United States on September 11, 2001.

“[I]t would have been such an incredible disaster had he been able to fly it into Ben Gurion, or for that matter, into downtown Tel Aviv or Jerusalem,” Huckabee said. “Wherever he put that airplane, it would have been horrible.”

The incident occurred aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 on September 30, while the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers, most of them Israeli citizens. The aircraft lost thousands of feet in altitude during the struggle before the passengers and crew succeeded in bringing the emergency under control.

Hayoun, who had no professional aviation experience, reportedly pulled back on the aircraft’s controls to help arrest its steep descent. A reserve pilot traveling aboard the flight subsequently took over, and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Huckabee praised Hayoun’s extraordinary actions, emphasizing that the Israeli passenger had been thrust into a life-or-death situation far removed from his ordinary work.

“He was the most gracious, humble — I think he’s overwhelmed by all this attention,” Huckabee said of Hayoun. “I mean, this is a guy, he’s a plumber. He’s used to going and fixing pipes, and suddenly he’s saving 174 lives.”

The ambassador also emphasized how narrowly the passengers had escaped disaster.

“They were probably 30 seconds from hitting the ground. That’s how close it was,” he said.

Subsequent investigations have raised troubling questions about the accused co-pilot’s employment history. According to American media reports citing intelligence and law enforcement officials, al-Hammami had previously been suspended from flying by Oman Air after extremist material was discovered in his possession while he was undergoing training in 2024.

The reports have intensified scrutiny of flydubai’s hiring and screening procedures. The airline has said it is cooperating with the official investigation, while authorities in the United Arab Emirates have been examining the suspect’s background and the preparations allegedly made before the attack.

Investigators have also reported that al-Hammami had previously flown the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv route, potentially allowing him to familiarize himself with the aircraft’s approach to Israel.

Flydubai temporarily suspended its Tel Aviv operations following the incident as authorities began examining the circumstances of the attempted hijacking.

Israel is moving ahead with the purchase of 12 state-of-the-art Apache attack helicopters from the United States, a major defense acquisition intended to strengthen the Israeli Air Force’s combat capabilities and prepare the IDF for future security threats.

The Israeli Defense Ministry announced Wednesday that the government has approved the procurement, clearing the way for an agreement with the Pentagon to acquire the AH-64E Apache, the newest and most technologically advanced version of Boeing’s attack helicopter.

The aircraft, commonly known as the Apache Echo, are expected to begin arriving in Israel early in the next decade, adding important capabilities to the IDF’s helicopter fleet as the military continues a broader effort to modernize its equipment and expand its operational strength.

Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram has instructed the ministry’s procurement mission in the United States to proceed with signing the agreement with American defense officials.

The arrangement follows extensive discussions between Israeli and American defense representatives, who worked to develop a procurement framework that would address Israel’s particular military requirements.

According to the Defense Ministry, its U.S.-based mission and Budget Department played leading roles in the negotiations, working with American counterparts to resolve outstanding issues and establish the terms necessary to advance the purchase.

The AH-64E represents a significant technological improvement over earlier Apache models, incorporating upgraded avionics, improved communications systems, enhanced sensors and advanced capabilities for identifying and engaging targets.

The helicopter is designed to operate in complex combat environments and can carry a variety of precision-guided weapons, making it a key platform for supporting ground forces, attacking enemy positions and responding rapidly to emerging threats.

Defense Minister Israel Katz described the agreement as an important component of Israel’s long-term military preparedness, emphasizing the need to maintain a technological and operational advantage against potential adversaries.

“The procurement of the Apache helicopters is a critical step in the IDF’s force buildup, one that will strengthen its operational capabilities against a wide range of threats and contribute to the security of the State of Israel in the years to come,” Katz said.

He credited the defense establishment with overcoming substantial obstacles during the negotiations and said the acquisition reflected Israel’s determination to equip its military for the challenges ahead.

“The Israeli defense establishment invested considerable effort and acted with determination to overcome the challenges and complete this agreement, out of a deep understanding of its importance in ensuring the IDF’s strength and readiness for future challenges.”

Katz also expressed appreciation to the American administration and Pentagon officials for their cooperation, along with the Israeli Defense Ministry personnel responsible for negotiating the agreement under Baram’s leadership.

Baram said the deal was made possible through close cooperation between the two countries, including the development of solutions that satisfied procurement requirements without sacrificing the military’s operational priorities.

“The execution of the Apache agreement was made possible thanks to creative solutions we developed together with our American partners, without compromising operational needs,” Baram stated.

“This professional work with the U.S. administration reflects the depth of our strategic relationship and the mutual commitment to Israel’s security.”

The Defense Ministry is pursuing the helicopter purchase as part of a larger program to rebuild and expand Israel’s military capabilities following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and the subsequent fighting on multiple fronts.

Israeli Air Force officials have identified the need for additional attack helicopters as one of the lessons of October 7, when the military struggled to respond quickly to the large-scale infiltration from Gaza. The new aircraft are expected to improve the Air Force’s ability to provide rapid support to ground forces and respond to simultaneous threats.

The agreement also resolves a prolonged funding dispute that had threatened to derail the purchase. Earlier this month, Israeli defense officials warned that the country had missed several American deadlines because the Defense and Finance ministries had been unable to agree on how to finance the acquisition.

The purchase had reportedly been placed in jeopardy after Israel failed to identify funding for approximately $288 million of the roughly $1 billion helicopter package. American officials had granted several extensions while Israeli authorities worked to resolve the budgetary disagreement.

On Wednesday, the Israeli government approved transferring nearly NIS 1 billion, equivalent to more than $300 million, toward the procurement. The decision was reached through an urgent telephone vote among ministers.

The financing arrangement has also generated controversy because the proposed funding includes reductions in allocations previously designated for a multiyear government investment program serving Arab communities in Israel.

The cuts outlined in the government proposal total approximately NIS 964 million over three years, including NIS 169 million in 2027, NIS 342 million in 2028 and NIS 453 million in 2029.

The latest agreement follows American approval in January of a potential $3.8 billion sale involving as many as 30 AH-64E Apache helicopters, associated engines, radar systems, equipment and logistical support. Wednesday’s agreement covers an initial acquisition of 12 aircraft.

Baram said the Defense Ministry is simultaneously advancing additional purchases intended to strengthen Israel’s military readiness over the coming decade.

“The IMOD will continue to work at full pace to sign additional critical agreements, including the acquisition of additional platforms, munitions, interceptors, and more.”

The ministry’s broader procurement efforts include additional aircraft, weapons systems and missile defense equipment, with officials seeking to address immediate operational needs while implementing a long-term military expansion program.

Boeing Israel President Maj. Gen. (Res.) Ido Nehushtan welcomed the agreement and emphasized the company’s longstanding relationship with Israel’s defense establishment.

“Boeing has been a trusted partner of Israel in building and advancing the country’s national defense capabilities since its earliest days, and we are proud to continue serving as a leading supplier of fighter aircraft, helicopters, munitions and other equipment in the future,” Nehushtan said.

He pointed to Israel’s previous selection of Boeing’s KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft and its decision to purchase a second squadron of F-15IA fighter jets as further evidence of the company’s central role in equipping the Israeli Air Force.

According to Nehushtan, those acquisitions reflect the capabilities of Boeing’s military aircraft and their importance in addressing the changing security environment facing Israel.

“Boeing will work in close cooperation with the Government of Israel to provide the Israeli Air Force with the world’s most advanced and capable attack helicopters.”

The Defense Ministry also thanked the Trump administration and American defense officials for their cooperation throughout the negotiations, particularly their willingness to accommodate repeated delays while Israel worked through its budgetary difficulties.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appeared uncomfortable, defensive and at times visibly caught off guard during Tuesday night’s gubernatorial debate against Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman, according to a body language expert who analyzed the candidates’ performances in their only scheduled face-to-face confrontation before the November 3 election.

Dr. Lillian Glass, a specialist in human behavior and nonverbal communication, told the New York Post that Hochul struggled to project confidence as Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, repeatedly challenged her record on taxes, energy costs, antisemitism and other issues confronting New Yorkers.

Glass, who holds doctorates in counseling psychology and communication disorders and has served as an expert witness in court proceedings, described Hochul at one point as resembling “a deer in headlights,” while characterizing Blakeman’s performance as aggressive and confrontational.

The hour-long debate offered voters a rare opportunity to watch the two candidates confront each other directly as Blakeman seeks to overcome Hochul’s polling advantage in a state where registered Democrats substantially outnumber Republicans.

According to Glass, Hochul’s difficulties became apparent almost immediately, when the governor stumbled over her words during her opening remarks.

“And you’re going to hear a lot of… lot of… different opinions here this evening,” Hochul said, hesitating as she began her presentation.

Glass interpreted the moment as an early indication that the governor was uneasy and insufficiently prepared for the confrontation.

“It did not come off well, especially for somebody who is an incumbent governor,” Glass said, arguing that the hesitation suggested a lack of preparation.

“Not good. Not a good look,” she added.

Throughout the debate, Hochul repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump, mentioning him nearly 20 times as she attempted to associate Blakeman with the president and his political agenda.

Blakeman, meanwhile, concentrated much of his criticism on Hochul’s performance as governor, attacking the state’s high cost of living and accusing her administration of failing to adequately address problems affecting New Yorkers.

Glass said she observed a striking difference in how the candidates handled questions and responded to criticism.

Hochul frequently paused before answering, looked down toward her podium and smiled while Blakeman spoke, behaviors that Glass interpreted as signs of discomfort rather than confidence.

“There was also a lot of pause time where she had to take her time to manufacture an answer. Whereas Blakeman just went right to it and had answers right back to her and had accusations that were very, very straightforward towards her,” Glass said.

The expert also pointed to Hochul’s repeated blinking and facial expressions, suggesting that the governor appeared embarrassed by some of the exchanges.

“What’s happening is you’re seeing Kathy Hochul really embarrassed. She’s blinking a lot and she’s looking down, smiling. She’s not handling this well,” Glass said.

Glass was also critical of Hochul’s vocal delivery, arguing that the governor’s speaking style made some of her responses less effective.

“There’s a closing off of her throat, there’s a nasality that’s very difficult to listen to,” she said.

One of the debate’s most contentious moments came during an exchange about allegations involving a 2024 gang rape case at Cornell University and the response of university and state officials.

Blakeman criticized Hochul for what he portrayed as her failure to demand a more aggressive investigation, citing both her position as governor and her emeritus status on Cornell’s board.

“As a trustee and as governor, you didn’t call for an independent investigation when you found out that the district attorney was dropping the case. Shame on you,” Blakeman charged.

Hochul responded by acknowledging the university’s failures in its handling of the matter.

“The university failed that young woman,” she said, looking directly toward the camera.

Glass described Hochul’s expression during the exchange as particularly revealing, suggesting that the governor had been placed in an uncomfortable position by Blakeman’s criticism.

“She was like a deer in the headlights,” Glass said.

“That is a person losing a lot of points and a lot of people having respect for her,” the expert added.

Blakeman also displayed noticeable physical reactions during the debate, including frequent blinking and pronounced jaw movements.

Glass said those behaviors should not necessarily be interpreted as nervousness, arguing instead that they reflected frustration and anger, particularly when Hochul repeatedly attempted to connect him to Trump.

“That you’re seeing the jaw movement and the eye blinking is not insecurity. It’s anger at what she’s saying,” Glass said.

“He’s angry, and he wants to tell the truth, and wants to fight back,” she added.

The debate also included heated exchanges over immigration enforcement, New York’s energy policies and public safety. Blakeman accused Hochul of allowing excessive government spending and maintaining policies that have made the state increasingly expensive, while Hochul defended her administration’s record and challenged her opponent’s positions on immigration and health care.

Antisemitism also emerged as a significant issue. Blakeman criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s views and questioned whether Jewish communities could depend on the city’s leadership during periods of unrest. Hochul responded by defending the NYPD and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, rejecting suggestions that officers would fail to protect residents.

The candidates also disagreed over the Cornell case, with Hochul defending her decision to involve Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor after losing confidence in the local district attorney’s handling of the allegations.

The political stakes are considerable. Although several recent surveys have shown Hochul holding a lead of approximately 9 to 12 percentage points, a Pollfinity survey conducted October 8–12 among 499 New Yorkers placed the governor at 47% and Blakeman at 44%, with 6% undecided and 3% supporting other candidates.

Hochul, who became governor in 2021 following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, is seeking another term in a state that has not elected a Republican governor since George Pataki won reelection in 2002.

Early voting begins October 24, with Election Day scheduled for November 3.

A 10-year-old boy was critically injured in a horrific incident in Beitar Illit on Wednesday after an explosion inside a burning garbage container sent an object flying toward him, striking him with tremendous force and leaving him unconscious, without a pulse or breathing.

The incident occurred on Rebbe of Nadvorna Street, where a garbage or recycling container had caught fire. According to initial reports, an object inside the burning container suddenly exploded, sending debris outward and seriously injuring the child.

Emergency medical personnel from Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah were dispatched to the scene, where they discovered the boy suffering from severe injuries, including burns and extensive trauma.

Upon examining the child, paramedics determined that he had no pulse and was not breathing. They immediately began advanced resuscitation procedures in an attempt to save his life.

The emergency response included intensive CPR and other lifesaving measures as medical teams worked to stabilize the boy sufficiently for transport to the hospital.

The child was evacuated to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim in critical condition, with emergency personnel continuing resuscitation efforts during the journey.

Preliminary information indicated that an aerosol can, possibly a deodorant container, may have exploded after being exposed to the flames inside the garbage container. However, the precise cause of the blast has not been officially established.

Aerosol containers can become extremely dangerous when exposed to high temperatures, as pressure builds inside the sealed container and can cause it to rupture violently.

Israeli police and firefighting personnel responded to the scene and began examining the circumstances surrounding the explosion, including the nature of the object that detonated and how the fire began.

According to Magen David Adom, the emergency call was received at approximately 4:56 p.m. Wednesday.

MDA paramedic Yinon Bar Nachman described the devastating scene: “When we arrived, we saw a 10-year-old boy unconscious, without a pulse or breathing, suffering from severe injuries and burns to his body. We provided lifesaving treatment, including stopping bleeding, chest compressions, ventilation and administering medication. We evacuated him to the hospital in critical condition while continuing resuscitation efforts.”

Moshe Fordsham, a United Hatzalah ambulance driver who happened to be traveling nearby, said he heard the explosion and immediately stopped to investigate.

“While driving in a United Hatzalah ambulance, I heard a powerful explosion. I got out of the ambulance and saw a boy approximately 10 years old unconscious and suffering from severe injuries. I performed resuscitation efforts, and he was subsequently evacuated to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in critical condition,” Fordsham recounted.

According to preliminary information, investigators are examining the possibility that children had set fire to the container before the explosion. Reports indicate that an aerosol can may have been inside, although authorities have not confirmed that it caused the blast.

Firefighters from the Yehudah regional station extinguished the flames and searched the surrounding area for additional hazards.

Fire investigators, police from the Etzion station and forensic personnel are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

As of the latest reports, the boy remained in critical condition, and no official announcement of his passing had been issued.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing back against polls showing Democrats with an advantage heading into the November midterm elections, insisting that surveys are failing to capture Republican enthusiasm and that the GOP remains in a position to compete for control of the House of Representatives.

Appearing Tuesday on Fox News Channel’s “America’s Newsroom,” the Louisiana Republican challenged the growing assessment among political analysts that Democrats are positioned to win a House majority. Johnson argued that polling organizations are underestimating Republican support and that his firsthand experiences campaigning across competitive congressional districts tell a different story.

During the interview, co-host Dana Perino invited Johnson to explain why he remains confident despite the unfavorable polling numbers.

“I’m going to give you a shot here to respond to some political analysts who say the House is gone, that the Dems are definitely going to be in the majority,” Perino said. “You disagree. You say that you can defy those odds. Here’s — you have the floor. How so?”

Johnson responded by describing his extensive campaign schedule and expressing confidence that Republican voters are more energized than national surveys suggest.

“Yes, thank you, Dana. Good to be with you. We’re excited. I’m in Texas today. We will do three events here, and then I will head — I think I have got eight states this week. I have been doing this for almost two years, and I’m telling you, the polling is wrong. Now, you have a lot of polling organizations right now acknowledging that they’re undersampling Republicans, because Republicans don’t want to respond to polls anymore.”

The speaker pointed to what he described as a longstanding pattern of Republican candidates performing better on Election Day than surveys conducted in the final weeks of a campaign had indicated.

“So, CNN did a story, Dana, just this week and acknowledged that Republicans have been underestimated in October polls 14 of the last 16 elections going back to 1994,” he continued. “Don’t buy it. I’m telling you, I’m on the ground in the swing districts. I am seeing huge energy in crowds. It feels like 2024 to me. That’s not registering in the polls, and we’re fired up.”

Johnson’s remarks come as several national surveys show Democrats maintaining an advantage in the contest for control of Congress. A NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ poll released Tuesday found Democrats leading Republicans by seven percentage points on the generic congressional ballot, 49 percent to 42 percent, with 8 percent undecided.

The survey, conducted October 5 through October 9 among 974 likely voters, also found President Trump with a 38 percent approval rating and 60 percent disapproval. Inflation, employment and the broader economy ranked among voters’ leading concerns.

Johnson’s argument about polling accuracy reflects a broader debate among political analysts. Surveys in several recent elections have underestimated Republican support, including in 2016, 2020 and 2024. Pollsters have since adjusted their methods, including how they account for voters who are less likely to participate in surveys, although uncertainty remains about whether those changes will fully address earlier errors.

Republicans are also relying on campaign fundraising and voter mobilization efforts in competitive districts. During his Fox News appearance, Johnson discussed the party’s fundraising operation, which he said had brought in $156 million during the election cycle, along with his extensive travel schedule to support Republican candidates.

The speaker’s optimism comes as Republican-aligned political organizations make difficult decisions about where to direct their resources. Recent reporting indicates that some groups have shifted spending away from several closely contested districts in states including Iowa, New Jersey, Ohio and Michigan, concentrating instead on other races they believe remain competitive.

Democrats, meanwhile, have expanded their fundraising and campaign efforts in districts that were previously considered less vulnerable to a Democratic challenge.

The GOP currently holds a narrow House majority, meaning Democrats would need a net gain of four seats to take control of the chamber. The relatively small number of competitive districts has made candidate recruitment, campaign spending and turnout particularly important to both parties.

Johnson has repeatedly argued that Republican voters are more motivated than polling data suggests, pointing to the crowds he has encountered while campaigning and comparing the atmosphere to President Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign.

The competing assessments will be tested on November 3, when voters determine which party controls the House for the next two years.

{Matzav.com}

Democrats hold a seven-point advantage over Republicans in a new nationwide congressional poll released just three weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, adding to concerns for the GOP as voters express dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy and the cost of living.

The NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ survey, conducted by TrueDot.ai from October 5 through October 9, found that 49 percent of likely voters would support Democratic congressional candidates, compared with 42 percent who would vote Republican. Another 8 percent remained undecided.

The poll surveyed 974 likely voters and carried a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.

The Democratic advantage also appeared in a separate question asking respondents which political party had done more to deserve their support, regardless of which party they actually intended to vote for.

On that measure, 46 percent selected the Democratic Party, while 40 percent chose the Republican Party. Nearly 7 percent named independents, and 8 percent said none of the options deserved their vote.

Geoffrey Skelley, chief elections analyst at Decision Desk HQ, said the closing weeks of the campaign would be particularly important in determining whether the Democratic polling advantage grows.

“The big question is if the lead grows more,” said Skelley. “You’re basically out of time for much to change. At this point, it is probably more just about engaging the voters in your party as best you can, and making some final cases to voters who might normally or might have in the past voted for your party, if you’re Republicans in particular, and then trying to make the case for why they should show up again.”

The survey also found President Trump facing substantial disapproval among respondents. His job approval rating stood at 38 percent, while 60 percent said they disapproved of his performance.

Economic concerns dominated voters’ priorities, with inflation identified as the country’s most pressing problem by 28 percent of respondents. Jobs and the broader economy followed at 20 percent, while immigration and border security were cited by 12 percent.

Those findings underscore the importance of economic conditions in the final stretch of the campaign, particularly as Republicans seek to defend their congressional seats amid continued voter frustration over household expenses.

Additional findings from the NewsNation survey suggest that independent voters could play a significant role in determining the composition of the next Congress. Among independents, Democrats received 44 percent support, compared with 34 percent for Republicans, giving the party a 10-point advantage within that group.

The poll also examined how firmly voters had settled on their choices. Among Democrats, 65 percent said their decision was final, compared with 60 percent of Republicans and just 35 percent of independents.

When asked what developments might cause them to reconsider their vote, 20 percent pointed to a scandal involving their preferred candidate, 18 percent cited candidates addressing their most important issue, and 15 percent mentioned rising prices.

Other recent national surveys have similarly found widespread dissatisfaction with economic conditions. An Associated Press-NORC poll released earlier this month found that just 17 percent of American adults approved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while 26 percent approved of his overall management of the economy.

That survey, conducted September 24 through September 28 among 2,140 adults, also found that approximately 65 percent attributed persistently high prices primarily to Trump’s policies rather than circumstances beyond his control.

The AP-NORC findings additionally showed that 64 percent of respondents believed Trump had gone too far in imposing tariffs on foreign countries, an increase from 58 percent who expressed that view in January.

A separate Reuters/Ipsos survey released October 9 found that 78 percent of respondents believed Trump’s policies were contributing to rising living expenses. That poll questioned 4,506 adults and found dissatisfaction extending beyond Democratic voters, including among some Republicans.

The latest numbers come as both parties intensify their efforts to turn out supporters before Election Day. Republican strategists have identified inflation and voter enthusiasm as important factors in their congressional campaigns, while Democrats are seeking to capitalize on public concerns about household finances.

The generic congressional ballot measures which party voters would prefer to support in a hypothetical House election nationwide. Although it provides a broad indication of voter sentiment, it does not directly determine individual congressional contests, which depend on district-level conditions, candidates and turnout.

{Matzav.com}

Iran has resumed ballistic missile testing at several locations across the country, prompting heightened monitoring by Israeli and American intelligence agencies. Despite the renewed activity, Israeli defense officials reportedly believe there has been no significant change in the security situation that would justify launching another military operation against Tehran in the coming weeks.

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12 News, Iranian forces have conducted multiple missile launches in recent days as part of efforts to rebuild the country’s ballistic missile capabilities following damage sustained during the war.

Israeli intelligence assessments indicate that the reconstruction effort remains limited and is progressing slowly. Officials also believe the tests may be intended to demonstrate that Iran retains offensive capabilities and to send a deterrent message to Israel and the United States.

A separate concern among Israeli security officials is the possibility that Iran could misinterpret Israeli or American statements and military preparations as indications that another attack is imminent.

With Iran facing international pressure and severe economic difficulties, Israeli officials fear that Tehran’s leadership could conclude that a new military confrontation is unavoidable and decide to launch a preemptive surprise attack.

Israel and the United States are maintaining close security coordination, including consultations with Gulf countries, as they prepare for a range of possible developments. Israeli forces remain at a high level of readiness, although current intelligence assessments reportedly do not indicate a need for renewed military action against Iran in the immediate future.

The missile activity comes amid reports of discussions between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump concerning the possibility of additional strikes against Iran.

According to a separate report, Netanyahu raised the prospect of resuming attacks during a conversation with Trump last week, potentially before the upcoming American midterm elections. Senior American officials reportedly came away with the impression that Netanyahu was interested in advancing such an operation, partly because of troubling developments involving Iran’s nuclear program.

Netanyahu’s office rejected suggestions that the prime minister was pressing for an attack before the elections.

“The prime minister maintains ongoing dialogue with President Trump and senior officials in the American administration and does not comment on the contents of their conversations,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Trump, meanwhile, stated last week that the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections. The president said discussions with Tehran were continuing but indicated that the existing blockade would remain in place.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Reza Naqdi, an adviser to the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed that Iranian forces have complete control over the Strait of Hormuz. He threatened to block the remaining maritime routes through which oil shipments are still able to pass, according to his account.

The threat comes amid growing concerns about shipping security in the Persian Gulf. Recent reports have described attacks on commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian efforts to reinforce nuclear and military facilities in anticipation of possible renewed hostilities.

Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has also reportedly warned American counterparts that a new round of fighting could result in heavy Iranian missile attacks on Israel and potentially force the postponement of Israel’s October 27 election.

{Matzav.com}

Davidi Ben Zion, a candidate for Ofer Winter’s Amcha Yisrael party, announced Tuesday evening that he was withdrawing from the political race following an intense pressure campaign aimed at preventing the party from splitting the right-wing vote in Israel’s upcoming elections. Newly disclosed WhatsApp messages reveal that the campaign extended into Ben Zion’s own community and took a significant emotional toll on his family.

The circumstances surrounding his departure emerged after journalist Shirit Avitan Cohen published messages that Ben Zion had shared with friends earlier in the day, describing the public pressure he was facing and its impact on his wife.

According to the messages, opponents of his continued candidacy had placed signs throughout the community where he lives, displaying his photograph alongside demands that he withdraw from the race.

Ben Zion sent his friends a photograph of one of the signs, explaining that similar posters had appeared across the community. He also described the distress the situation had caused his wife, writing, “She is devastated by this.”

The signs were part of a broader campaign urging Ben Zion to abandon his candidacy amid concerns that Amcha Yisrael could draw votes away from other right-wing parties and thereby weaken the bloc’s electoral position.

The pressure was therefore felt well beyond the usual political arguments surrounding a new party’s participation in an election. According to Avitan Cohen’s reporting, the campaign became increasingly personal, with Ben Zion and his family finding themselves at the center of efforts to persuade him to step aside.

Later Tuesday, after deciding to withdraw, Ben Zion sent another message to his friends explaining that his family came first. He parted from them warmly and wished them success as they continued their activities.

Avitan Cohen characterized the withdrawal as the culmination of a difficult campaign of public pressure directed at Ben Zion and those closest to him. In her account, the strain on his family ultimately played a decisive role in his decision.

The controversy reflects a wider debate within Israel’s political right over the participation of smaller parties in national elections. Critics of such parties argue that votes cast for factions that fail to cross the electoral threshold can reduce the number of Knesset seats won by the broader ideological bloc.

Ofer Winter’s Amcha Yisrael party has become part of that debate as the election approaches, with opponents of a divided right-wing ballot urging candidates to reconsider their participation.

For Ben Zion, however, the decision was shaped by more than electoral calculations. The messages disclosed Tuesday show how a political dispute over the distribution of right-wing votes developed into a personal ordeal, with public demands for his withdrawal appearing in his own neighborhood and affecting his family’s daily life.

{Matzav.com}

Rosh Yeshivas Rashbi Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman delivered an emotional message to United Torah Judaism lawmakers on Tuesday, declaring that protecting yeshiva bochurim must remain their overriding priority in the upcoming Israeli elections. During the meeting, MK Yaakov Asher pledged that the party would refuse to join any government that fails to reach an acceptable arrangement safeguarding the status of yeshiva students.

The meeting took place at Rav Bergman’s home, where members of the United Torah Judaism faction gathered to seek his guidance and receive his bracha ahead of an election campaign in which the future of yeshiva students and their military service exemptions has become a central issue.

Speaking with deep emotion, Rav Bergman told the lawmakers that the continued existence and protection of the yeshiva world must guide their political decisions.

“We must understand that everything that concerns us revolves around the yeshiva bochurim,” the rosh yeshiva said.

MK Yaakov Asher described the approaching elections as an unusually consequential political battle over the future of Torah learning in Israel.

“The entire campaign now, both from our side and from the secular side, is a battle over the yeshiva bochurim, more than in any previous election,” Asher told Rav Bergman.

The rosh yeshiva responded emphatically, stressing that the issue was fundamental to the chareidi community’s very existence.

“This is what we must stand firm on. If we have no yeshiva bochurim, we have nothing!”

Asher then outlined the commitment that United Torah Judaism has made regarding participation in a future governing coalition, making clear that the party’s position would not depend on which political bloc emerges from the elections.

“We have publicly declared that we will not enter any government without an agreed-upon arrangement for the yeshiva bochurim,” Asher said. “We do not know what will happen in the elections, whether the right wins or the left wins. It makes no difference. We will not enter any government that does not regulate and guarantee this matter. We have stated this absolutely clearly. This is the main thing. They are trying to destroy this precisely because it is the foundation upon which everything rests.”

Rav Bergman reiterated that the preservation of the yeshiva world must remain the foundation of the party’s political approach, regardless of the challenges and negotiations that may follow the election.

“Our entire essence is that we stand firm on this, and without it, we have nothing. This must be remembered. And indeed, once we know this ‘secret,’ we can approach the matter,” the rosh yeshiva said.

MK Yitzchok Pindrus also addressed Rav Bergman, emphasizing that the elected representatives view themselves as carrying out the directives of the Torah leadership.

“All of us act by the authority of the one who sends us. An emissary acts by the authority of his sender, and we are the emissaries of the rosh yeshiva,” Pindrus said.

The meeting concluded with the lawmakers receiving Rav Bergman’s bracha for success in the upcoming elections and for their efforts to increase and sanctify the honor of Hashem.

{Matzav.com}

Hillary Clinton is returning to the national political conversation with a new podcast launching just weeks before the November midterm elections, joining journalist Kara Swisher for a limited series as Democrats attempt to regain control of Congress and challenge President Donald Trump’s agenda.

The former secretary of state and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee will co-host “High Stakes,” a new program scheduled to premiere Wednesday, October 14, with the November 3 elections approaching. The series will be produced in partnership with Vox Media and released as a weekly Wednesday addition to Swisher’s existing New York Magazine podcast, “On With Kara Swisher.”

According to Variety, Clinton’s arrangement with Vox Media includes a share of the advertising revenue generated by the new program. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

The launch places Clinton back in the public spotlight at a politically significant moment, with Republicans defending their majorities in both the House and Senate and Democrats seeking congressional victories that could complicate Trump’s legislative priorities during the remainder of his second term.

In announcing the project, Clinton portrayed the approaching election as a consequential moment for both the United States and the international community.

“I don’t think the stakes for our country and the world have ever been higher than they are in November,” Clinton said in a statement distributed by Vox Media.

“People are hungry for real conversation about what’s happening in our democracy and what it will mean for their families, and I can’t think of a better partner for that than Kara,” she added. “There will be some discussion, some debate, and hopefully, a lot of laughter.”

Swisher, a veteran journalist known for her coverage of Silicon Valley, technology executives and political affairs, said the new series would give listeners an opportunity to hear Clinton’s views on current events and national issues.

She also used the announcement to make a joking comparison between her new collaboration with Clinton and her established podcast “Pivot,” which she ordinarily hosts alongside Scott Galloway.

“Think of this series [with Hillary Clinton] as ‘Pivot,’ but with an actual expert as my co-host,” Swisher quipped.

Describing what Clinton would bring to the program, Swisher said she is “a global icon, she doesn’t hold back, and she’s going to bring the audience an invaluable perspective.”

The two have previously worked together in the podcast format. Clinton appeared as a substitute co-host on “Pivot” when Galloway was absent, an experience that preceded the decision to develop a separate series.

Vox Media has promoted the new program as an opportunity to introduce audiences to a more informal and humorous side of the former Democratic presidential candidate.

In its announcement, the company described Swisher’s role as “drawing out the wickedly funny and sharp woman Americans may not have gotten to see before.”

Vox Media co-founder and chief executive Jim Bankoff welcomed Clinton to the company’s podcast lineup, presenting the arrangement as an important addition to its growing roster of political and cultural commentators.

“I’m immensely proud to bring Secretary Clinton — a hero to millions who has had a profound impact making the world a better place — to Vox Media as she embarks on this next chapter of her media career,” Bankoff said.

The program will address issues including inflation, health care, technology and the political battles surrounding control of Congress. Vox Media says the hosts intend to examine competing viewpoints, with the discussion continuing beyond Election Day to assess the results and their implications.

According to additional reporting, the weekly episodes are expected to continue through mid-November. Clinton, Swisher and Vox Media will share advertising proceeds, with the company handling production, distribution and advertising sales.

The idea for the collaboration reportedly emerged earlier this year during a gathering at the Washington home of David Bradley, the former owner of The Atlantic. Swisher began questioning Clinton about domestic politics and the war in Ukraine and was impressed by her responses.

Their subsequent appearance together on “Pivot” in August served as a trial run for the new arrangement.

Clinton has previously hosted her own interview podcast, “You and Me Both With Hillary Clinton,” which ran from 2020 until 2023. Since her unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2016, she has also written books, taught at Columbia University and worked as a producer on the Broadway musical “Suffs.”

In a separate interview discussing the new venture, Clinton sharply criticized the Trump administration and explained why she believes the congressional elections are particularly consequential.

“I don’t think the stakes for the country and the world could be any higher,” Clinton said. “If we don’t reverse this chaos and corruption and cruelty that is being visited upon us by this administration, we won’t recognize our country.”

The agreement with Clinton follows a major restructuring involving Vox Media’s properties. James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems recently acquired Vox Media’s podcast network, Vox.com and New York Magazine in a transaction reportedly valued at more than $300 million.

Vox Media has indicated that the Clinton-Swisher partnership may extend beyond the limited election series, although it has not announced specific additional projects.

Clinton has suggested that she would consider continuing the program after the midterms if it attracts a sufficiently large audience. She has also expressed a willingness to participate in advertising herself, although she indicated that she would be selective about the products she promotes.

The new series marks another public-facing role for Clinton, who served as first lady, U.S. senator from New York and secretary of state before becoming the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in 2016. She lost that election to Trump in the Electoral College despite receiving more votes nationwide.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz warned Tuesday evening that Iran and terrorist organizations operating under its influence are attempting to orchestrate attacks against Israel in an effort to interfere with the country’s upcoming elections.

With Israelis scheduled to head to the polls on October 27, Katz said the defense establishment had identified efforts by Tehran and its allies to use terrorism to affect the political process. He warned that Israel would respond forcefully to any such attack, regardless of whether it occurred before or after Election Day.

The defense minister delivered his warning during a ceremony marking the inauguration of the Irgun Museum and the Altalena cannon.

“We are detecting attempts by our enemies, led by Iran and its proxies, to carry out terrorist attacks that would influence the results of the elections in Israel,” Katz said.

Katz urged Israelis to maintain a united position against external threats despite the political divisions accompanying the election campaign. He stressed that disagreements among political parties must not weaken the country’s determination to defend itself.

“In the face of these attempts, we must present a united front and send a clear message that political disagreements will not undermine our collective resolve against our enemies,” he said.

The defense minister also sought to make clear that the military and security establishment would continue operating according to Israel’s defense requirements, without allowing the election campaign or other political considerations to influence operational decisions.

“Together with the IDF and the security forces, we will act to defend the country at all times and wherever necessary. Decisions will be made according to security needs, without regard to any other considerations.”

Katz did not publicly identify which Iranian-backed organizations were involved in the alleged plans, nor did he provide details about potential targets, locations or the timing of any contemplated attacks. His warning nevertheless comes against the backdrop of Israel’s continuing confrontation with Iran and the network of armed organizations Tehran has supported throughout the Middle East.

Iran’s regional allies include Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen and armed militias in Iraq. Israeli defense officials have long accused Tehran of supplying these organizations with financing, weapons and training, enabling them to threaten Israel from multiple fronts.

The ceremony at which Katz delivered his remarks also carried historical significance. The Altalena, an Irgun weapons ship that arrived off Israel’s coast in June 1948, became the center of a deadly confrontation between the newly established IDF and members of the Irgun, led by Menachem Begin.

The dispute over control of the ship’s weapons escalated into armed clashes that killed 16 Irgun members and three IDF soldiers. The vessel was struck by artillery fire off the Tel Aviv coast and burned before eventually being sunk at sea.

The ship’s remains were located in August 2026, nearly eight decades after the confrontation, bringing renewed attention to an episode that remains closely associated with the dangers of internal division.

The discovery has also become a subject of political debate ahead of the October 27 election, with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir both invoking Begin’s legacy in public appearances connected to the Altalena.

Against that historical backdrop, Katz used Tuesday’s ceremony to stress that Israel’s political disputes must not interfere with its security response to external threats.

He concluded by issuing an explicit warning that any attack against Israeli civilians or military personnel would bring severe consequences, irrespective of the election timetable.

“Let our enemies know: Anyone who attacks us, before or after the elections, and anyone who harms IDF soldiers or Israeli civilians will be dealt a crushing blow and will pay the heaviest price.”

{Matzav.com}

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman confronted New York Governor Kathy Hochul during Tuesday’s debate, accusing her of helping legitimize New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani despite what he described as the mayor’s role in encouraging antisemitism and hostility toward the Jewish community.

Blakeman, who is challenging Hochul in the November gubernatorial election, argued that the governor bears responsibility for the worsening climate facing Jewish New Yorkers, particularly because of her political alliance with Mamdani.

“Antisemitism is on the rise, and it’s occurred under your watch. And Zohran Mamdani is fueling it,” Blakeman declared.

.@NassauExec Bruce Blakeman: "Zohran Mamdani is an antisemite. The first thing he did as Mayor — with all the issues that face New York City — the first thing he did was sign an executive order to water down the definition of antisemitism." pic.twitter.com/XiVVDDbmlw

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 14, 2026

The Republican candidate pointed specifically to Mamdani’s decision to revoke an executive order concerning the definition of antisemitism shortly after becoming mayor, portraying the move as evidence of the administration’s misplaced priorities.

“The first thing he did as mayor with all the issues that face New York City, the first thing he did was sign an executive order to watered-down the definition of antisemitism,” Blakeman said, before adding, “Shame on you, mayor.”

Blakeman then turned his criticism directly toward Hochul, questioning why she continued to appear alongside Mamdani on the campaign trail despite their differences on issues involving Israel and the Jewish community.

“You are campaigning around the state with a guy who doesn’t believe in American values. He talks about collectivism. That means you take personal property rights away. You take other people’s property rights. This is a guy that’s anti-Christian,” Blakeman told the governor.

He went further, explicitly accusing the New York City mayor of antisemitism.

“Look, if you want to campaign with him, that’s fine. But I will tell you right now, I think Zohran Mamdani is an antisemite,” Blakeman said.

Mamdani’s record on Israel has been a source of controversy since before his election as mayor. His statements following the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre, including remarks made the following day, drew criticism from Jewish organizations and other political figures.

He also faced objections over his unwillingness to explicitly condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada”, which critics have argued promotes violence against Jews. Mamdani has maintained that his political positions should not be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people.

The controversy continued after Mamdani took office. On his first day as mayor, he canceled several executive orders issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams, including measures addressing Israel and antisemitism.

Among the revoked directives was an order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism for city government purposes. That definition includes certain examples of anti-Israel rhetoric that may constitute antisemitism, depending on the circumstances.

Blakeman’s remarks during the debate were directed at that decision, which critics have described as weakening the city’s response to anti-Jewish discrimination.

Mamdani also attracted criticism when he became the first New York City mayor to boycott the annual Israel Day Parade, departing from a longstanding tradition of mayoral participation in the event.

Hochul, meanwhile, has repeatedly emphasized her support for Israel, creating political tensions over her decision to endorse Mamdani during his mayoral campaign despite his controversial positions.

The governor has previously acknowledged concerns about Mamdani’s relationship with Jewish New Yorkers and said she urged him to make efforts to rebuild trust with the community.

In an August interview with The New York Times, Hochul suggested that Mamdani would be better served by concentrating on the practical responsibilities of running New York City rather than becoming embroiled in international political disputes.

Asked about the possibility that Mamdani’s comments concerning Israel could leave Jewish residents feeling alienated, Hochul urged him to prioritize the day-to-day concerns of New Yorkers.

“I encourage him to – ‘Let’s focus on blocking and tackling of city government,’” Hochul said, borrowing a phrase from football to describe the essential work of municipal leadership.

She identified affordable housing and child care as two major issues on which she and Mamdani could cooperate, notwithstanding their disagreements on Israel.

“That’s where I believe the main focus should be,” the governor said.

Hochul also insisted that she remained firmly committed to fighting anti-Jewish hatred, declaring that she would “throw my body against any antisemitism.”

The confrontation over Mamdani was part of a broader, contentious debate between Hochul and Blakeman, held Tuesday evening at Spectrum News NY1’s Manhattan studios. The hourlong encounter was the only scheduled debate between the two gubernatorial candidates ahead of the November 3 election.

Blakeman, who serves as Nassau County executive, also criticized Hochul over immigration enforcement, public safety and the cost of living, while the governor repeatedly challenged his ties to President Donald Trump.

The Republican candidate has made Mamdani’s policies and rhetoric a recurring theme of his campaign, arguing that Hochul’s political cooperation with the mayor raises questions about her willingness to confront antisemitism.

Just days before the debate, Blakeman met privately with chassidic leaders in Williamsburg, where he warned about the possibility of violent anti-Jewish disturbances and questioned whether city officials would adequately protect Jewish neighborhoods.

During Tuesday’s debate, moderators pressed him about those remarks. Blakeman identified the people he feared as protesters involved in earlier demonstrations at Columbia University and disruptions of bridges and roadways.

Mamdani, for his part, has rejected accusations that his criticism of Israel amounts to antisemitism. He has maintained that opposition to Israeli government policies must be distinguished from hostility toward Jews and has pledged to protect Jewish residents throughout the five boroughs.

His administration recently introduced an initiative aimed at combating antisemitism, including additional security funding for Jewish institutions, Holocaust education and violence-prevention programs. However, several major Jewish organizations criticized the proposal, arguing that it failed to address the relationship between anti-Israel rhetoric and hostility directed at Jewish New Yorkers.

The controversy intensified following Mamdani’s statement marking the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas massacre. Although he condemned Hamas’s atrocities, he also accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, drawing objections from Jewish leaders and elected officials.

The debate unfolded as Hochul and Blakeman entered the final weeks of their campaigns, with polls showing differing assessments of the race. A recent Pollfinity survey placed Hochul ahead by three percentage points, while other polls, including surveys by Siena and Emerson College, indicated a considerably wider advantage for the incumbent.

Blakeman has continued to challenge Hochul’s record on antisemitism and public safety as he seeks to unseat the Democratic governor, while Hochul has defended her record and emphasized her opposition to anti-Jewish hatred.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu acknowledged Tuesday night that Egypt’s intelligence chief traveled to Israel less than two weeks before the October 7 Hamas massacre, but categorically denied meeting with him or receiving a warning from him about an impending attack.

The admission comes amid renewed scrutiny of reports that Egyptian officials attempted to alert Israel to an approaching security threat in the weeks and months preceding the massacre. Netanyahu maintained that he had no involvement in the September 26, 2023, visit by Abbas Kamel, who was then serving as Egypt’s intelligence director, and said he wants to establish exactly which Israeli officials met with the Egyptian visitor.

During an appearance on Channel 14’s “The Patriots” Tuesday evening, Netanyahu confirmed that an Egyptian aircraft had arrived in Israel shortly before the Hamas assault. However, he disputed suggestions that the visit included a meeting with him.

“Since when does an intelligence chief come and speak with a head of state? That has never happened, not even once. There’s no such thing,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister called for the circumstances surrounding Kamel’s visit to be examined, saying security camera recordings should make it possible to determine whom the Egyptian intelligence chief encountered while in Israel.

“I want to know who he met with. There are cameras, there is footage, and I want to know the truth, because the truth is that I did not meet with him. Whoever met with him is trying to pin it on me,” he said.

Netanyahu’s comments follow a report published last month by The Atlantic alleging that Kamel arrived in Israel on September 26, 2023, carrying intelligence about a possible Hamas attack. According to that account, the Egyptian official conveyed his concerns to senior Israeli figures during the visit.

The Prime Minister’s Office rejected those allegations when they first emerged, dismissing the account as “a false and recycled claim intended to mislead the public.”

Subsequent reporting by The Wall Street Journal raised additional questions about what Israeli leaders knew before October 7. The newspaper reported that Kamel had spoken with Netanyahu by telephone in early October 2023 and warned him about the danger of an approaching attack.

That telephone conversation was described in the report as the third warning Egyptian officials had delivered concerning Hamas’s intentions.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that Egypt had communicated an earlier, more general warning in June 2023, several months before the massacre. According to the account, the initial message did not identify a specific attack plan or provide a timetable.

Another warning reportedly came from the United Arab Emirates. In September 2023, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed was said to have informed Israel about indications that Hamas might be preparing an operation.

The reports suggest that Egyptian and Emirati concerns were prompted by changes in the behavior of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, as well as an increase in meetings involving terrorist organizations operating in Gaza. Intelligence officials reportedly interpreted those developments as signs that Hamas might be preparing a significant escalation.

However, the warnings were described as lacking precise operational information. They did not identify October 7 as the planned date of an attack, nor did they reveal the scope or methods of the assault that ultimately took place.

Additional reporting by The Atlantic indicates that Kamel’s September visit was unusually brief, lasting approximately one hour. The Egyptian intelligence chief reportedly met Israeli security officials at Ben Gurion Airport and urged measures, including economic concessions, that he believed might prevent a confrontation with Hamas.

The visit took place while senior Israeli officials were attending a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. Netanyahu said during Tuesday’s interview that he was participating in a memorial ceremony at the time and therefore had not met with Kamel.

The Atlantic’s investigation, based on interviews with officials from several countries and an examination of flight information, also described written warnings reportedly delivered to Israeli officials in the period immediately preceding the Hamas attack.

The Wall Street Journal’s subsequent account went further, alleging that Kamel personally contacted Netanyahu by telephone in the final days before October 7. Netanyahu has denied receiving such a warning, leaving a significant dispute between the prime minister’s account and the claims attributed to Egyptian and other officials.

The controversy has renewed demands for a comprehensive examination of the intelligence and decision-making failures that preceded the massacre. Opposition figures, including former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, have called for an independent state commission of inquiry to determine what warnings reached Israel’s political and security leadership and how they were handled.

Following Netanyahu’s Tuesday interview, Eisenkot sharply criticized the prime minister’s explanation, accusing him of dishonesty and describing him as being in “complete panic.”

Netanyahu, meanwhile, has continued to reject allegations that he was personally warned of the impending massacre, maintaining that responsibility for the intelligence failures must be examined within the security establishment.

His acknowledgment that Kamel was in Israel on September 26 establishes one element of the previously disputed reports. The identity of the Israeli officials who received the Egyptian intelligence chief, what information he conveyed to them, and whether those warnings ultimately reached Netanyahu remain unresolved.

{Matzav.com}

United Nations special rapporteur Francesca Albanese is calling on the International Criminal Court to investigate Israeli journalists, media personalities and government officials for alleged incitement to genocide in Gaza, expanding her accusations against Israel to include individuals working in the country’s news media.

The recommendation appears in a 29-page report dated July 21 and made public last week. Albanese contends that Israeli news organizations have helped create an atmosphere in which violence against Palestinian Arabs has become increasingly accepted, and she wants international prosecutors to examine whether public statements by journalists and political figures constitute criminal incitement.

“The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court should investigate direct and public incitement to commit genocide by government officials and media figures as part of the ongoing Palestine investigation,” Albanese wrote.

The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, operates independently of the United Nations. The court has previously issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, in connection with the war in Gaza. Israel has rejected the allegations underlying those proceedings and disputes the court’s jurisdiction.

Albanese serves as the UN special rapporteur assigned to examine human rights conditions in Palestinian territories designated by the organization as occupied. Her latest report accuses the Israeli government of shaping domestic media coverage through official messaging and public communications.

According to Albanese, “the Israeli government’s communication strategy has significantly manipulated media discourse, building on a long-standing pattern of dehumanization of Palestinians across Israeli media.”

She went further in her criticism of Israeli news organizations, alleging that their role has extended beyond reporting government statements or reflecting prevailing public attitudes.

The Israeli press, she asserted, “does not merely relay or amplify these narratives. In many instances, it explicitly incites to violence, including genocide, contributing to the normalization of mass atrocities.”

The latest recommendation follows similar allegations Albanese raised in October 2024, when she called for legal examination of Israeli media coverage during the Gaza war.

“The role of the Israeli media in inciting this genocide, by helping to foster an unchecked genocidal climate, ought to be examined judicially, as has occurred in other contexts,” she wrote in that earlier report.

Albanese has also claimed that Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of 300 journalists in Gaza since Hamas launched its October 7, 2023, terrorist assault on Israel.

Those figures have been the subject of scrutiny. Organizations documenting journalist deaths have revised certain classifications after Hamas identified some individuals previously described as journalists among its own dead. Disputes remain over how to distinguish journalists, media workers and individuals affiliated with terrorist organizations.

The new report adds to a lengthy record of confrontations between Albanese and Israeli officials, American policymakers and Jewish organizations, many of whom have accused her of displaying persistent hostility toward Israel and making antisemitic statements.

In 2025, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Albanese in response to her activities and statements concerning Israel, including her efforts involving international legal proceedings.

Her public remarks have also generated criticism from European governments. In February, several European Union foreign ministers condemned comments she delivered during an Al Jazeera conference about countries continuing to provide Israel with military, diplomatic and financial assistance.

“The fact that instead of stopping Israel, most of the world has armed, given Israel political excuses, political sheltering, economic and financial support … We who do not control large amounts of financial capitals, algorithms and weapons, we now see that we as a humanity have a common enemy,” Albanese said.

The reference to a common enemy drew criticism from those who interpreted it as a description of Israel. Albanese subsequently rejected that interpretation.

In a later interview, she insisted she “never, ever, ever said ‘Israel is the common enemy of humanity,'” calling the allegations against her “completely false accusations.”

Concerns about Albanese’s statements began before the current war in Gaza. In 2022, previously published social media comments resurfaced in which she had suggested that the “Jewish lobby” exercised control over the United States.

Albanese disputed accusations that those remarks reflected antisemitism, arguing that her comments had been “mischaracterized”.

Following Hamas’s October 7 massacre, Albanese drew additional criticism when she maintained that the attacks needed to be understood in their broader “context” and described them as a reaction to Israeli “aggression.”

In March, she again accused Israel of systematic mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners, claiming that the international community had effectively granted the Jewish state “a license to torture Palestinians” and alleging that “torture has effectively become state policy” in Israel.

More recently, Albanese was forced to apologize after making historically inaccurate assertions about Nazi concentration camps and the origins of the term antisemitism.

During an interview, she claimed that Jewish prisoners being led toward Nazi gas chambers were sometimes described as Muslims.

“In fact, when they were being taken to the gas chambers, there are some accounts of life in the concentration camps saying that Jews were called ‘the Muslims,’” she said.

Albanese made the assertion while advancing an incorrect explanation of the historical meaning of antisemitism.

“When the word ‘antisemitism’ was coined, it referred to anyone who was not European and who came from the Middle East,” she claimed, arguing that the term eventually became associated primarily with Jews because of their presence in Europe.

Her remarks drew criticism from Yad Vashem and other Holocaust researchers, who pointed out that the concentration camp expression Muselmann referred to prisoners reduced by starvation, exhaustion and abuse to a state of extreme physical deterioration. It was not a designation for Jews being transported to gas chambers.

Historians also rejected her explanation of antisemitism, noting that the term was introduced in the nineteenth century specifically to describe hostility toward Jews.

Following the criticism, Albanese acknowledged that she had misunderstood the historical terminology and publicly apologized.

“I sincerely apologize,” she wrote on X.

“I misread the term ‘Muselmann’ (Muslim) used in Nazi camps for prisoners at the brink of death, wrongly inferring that the term antisemitism originally meant hatred of all Semitic peoples. In fact it was coined specifically to denote hatred of Jews.”

The latest report has also drawn a detailed response from UN Watch, the Geneva-based organization that monitors the United Nations. In an analysis published October 12, the group challenged Albanese’s accusations against Israeli journalists, arguing that her report failed to establish the legal elements required to prove direct and public incitement to genocide.

UN Watch also disputed her treatment of Gaza journalist casualty figures, pointing to individuals whom Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad had identified as members of their organizations. The watchdog said that the Committee to Protect Journalists had removed 27 individuals from its relevant casualty lists since June 2025 after determining that they were members of those terrorist groups.

The organization further criticized Albanese for invoking precedents involving media incitement during the Rwandan genocide, arguing that the circumstances of those cases differed substantially from the Israeli broadcasts cited in her report.

UN Watch’s analysis also addressed Albanese’s suggestions that technology companies could face legal consequences for carrying Israeli government advertising challenging accusations against Israel. The group argued that publishing disputed government messaging, without evidence of the required criminal intent and assistance, does not itself establish complicity in international crimes.

{Matzav.com}

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A small chareidi protest party seeking to draw votes away from United Torah Judaism has reportedly secured approximately 2.5 million shekels in campaign funding and assembled a network of roughly 500 activists ahead of Israel’s October 27 elections, raising concerns within UTJ over the potential loss of votes from dissatisfied chareidi voters.

The party, known as Tzeva Shachor, or Black Color, is concentrating its efforts on Election Day itself, when it plans to mobilize supporters and encourage voters opposed to UTJ’s handling of the military draft controversy to cast protest ballots.

According to sources, the party’s organizational preparations are already well underway, with most of its approximately 500 registered activists based in Modiin Illit.

The activists have reportedly completed their operational plans for Election Day, with an emphasis on identifying potential supporters and ensuring that they actually arrive at polling stations.

The party’s principal target audience consists of yeshiva bochurim and other chareidi men classified by Israeli authorities as military draft evaders, whose status has become a central issue in the ongoing confrontation over compulsory military service.

Organizers intend to encourage as many of these individuals as possible to vote for Tzeva Shachor, while also attempting to persuade their family members to support the party.

The effort is designed to channel dissatisfaction with United Torah Judaism into a direct electoral challenge, potentially depriving the established chareidi party of votes it would otherwise expect to receive.

The financial resources reportedly available to Tzeva Shachor are particularly notable given the party’s relatively limited public profile.

Emess reported that approximately 2.5 million shekels, equivalent to roughly $800,000, has been secured for the campaign, with the overwhelming majority of that money earmarked for Election Day operations rather than conventional campaigning in the weeks beforehand.

The party’s chairman, Chaim Yankel Miller, was also questioned about speculation that the Satmar chassidus was providing financial backing for the initiative.

Miller denied having received any money from Satmar thus far, although he made clear that he would welcome such assistance.

“I would be very happy to receive money from them. So far, they have not given me any. What I have raised until now has come from other donations to the party,” Miller said.

The party’s campaign comes amid growing tensions within segments of the chareidi community over the military draft issue and the response of established chareidi political representatives.

Although Tzeva Shachor faces a substantial challenge in securing enough votes to cross the Knesset’s electoral threshold, its organizers are focusing on the possibility of drawing protest votes away from United Torah Judaism.

With approximately two weeks remaining until the election, the party is directing its financial and organizational resources toward a concentrated Election Day effort, relying on its activist network to translate opposition to UTJ into votes at the ballot box.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump delivered another forceful warning to Iran on Tuesday night, suggesting that the United States was preparing additional action against the Islamic Republic and declaring that Washington had reached the limits of its patience with Tehran.

Speaking at a midterm election campaign rally in Alaska, Trump indicated that Iran could soon face further American measures, although he did not specify whether those steps would involve military strikes or other forms of pressure.

“Oh, wait till you see what we do to Iran. We’re going to do a number. Wait till you see,” Trump told the crowd.

Trump: Oh, wait until you see what we do to Iran. We're going to do a number. We sort of had it. You know we've had it. pic.twitter.com/iCeLL3AyjU

— Acyn (@Acyn) October 14, 2026

The president repeated his warning moments later, emphasizing that his administration remained determined to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“They’re just waiting. They’re waiting. Wait till you see what we do to Iran, because we’ve sort of had it. You know, we’ve had it,” Trump continued.

He then returned to the issue of Iran’s nuclear program, declaring, “But, you know, it doesn’t matter. The big thing is they were not going to have a nuclear weapon, and they won’t. That’s buried under thousands of tons of rock.”

President Trump slams Iran: "Iran is a failed country… We'll make a decision on Iran very soon." pic.twitter.com/bO2DoxqBJ0

— CSPAN (@cspan) October 13, 2026

The remarks came amid mounting speculation about whether Washington might launch another round of strikes against Iranian targets before the November 3 congressional elections, despite earlier indications from Trump that additional military action would be postponed until after Americans went to the polls.

Earlier Tuesday, the president told reporters outside the White House that a decision on Iran’s future was approaching, describing the country’s economic condition in bleak terms and suggesting that its leadership was struggling to maintain basic government operations.

Trump characterized Iran as a “failed country” and cited severe inflation, financial difficulties and alleged problems paying military personnel.

“They have no economy. They have 300% inflation. They have no money. They’re not paying their troops. They’re not paying anybody. We’ll make a decision on Iran very soon,” he said.

The president’s comments appeared to signal that the administration was actively weighing its options as the confrontation with Tehran continued, with the possibility of further military operations remaining under consideration.

Trump had also addressed the possibility of further action on Monday, telling reporters that the approaching congressional elections would not dictate his decisions regarding Iran.

He predicted that the confrontation would soon reach a conclusion and argued that an end to the conflict would bring substantial relief to global energy markets.

“As soon as the war ends with Iran, which will be very soon, oil will drop like a rock. And it’s going to end very soon,” Trump said.

The president’s latest warnings contrast with his announcement last Thursday that the United States would hold off on additional military attacks until after the November 3 midterm elections.

In that statement, Trump pointed to ongoing diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran as a reason for delaying further strikes.

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump said at the time that Iran was under considerable economic and military pressure and that the American blockade would remain in effect. He also reiterated that his administration would not permit Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons.

The diplomatic contacts have included indirect negotiations mediated by Qatar, with the two countries exchanging proposals intended to end the fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for international oil shipments.

The negotiations have encountered significant obstacles. Iran has resisted American demands concerning its uranium enrichment program and nuclear stockpiles, while Tehran has sought relief from the economic restrictions imposed by Washington.

The confrontation began in February with American and Israeli military strikes against Iran. Since then, the conflict has disrupted regional shipping, driven up energy costs and placed considerable pressure on both countries’ economies.

Iran has continued threatening commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf, while American sanctions and a naval blockade have restricted Tehran’s ability to export oil and generate revenue.

Recent reports indicate that the Pentagon has instructed U.S. Central Command to prepare for the possibility of renewed large-scale military operations. Potential targets reportedly include Iranian energy infrastructure, military facilities and nuclear installations, although Trump has not publicly authorized another major offensive.

American and Israeli officials have also discussed the possibility of additional military action, with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Trump holding conversations about the conflict in recent days.

The military deliberations are taking place against the backdrop of upcoming elections in both countries, with Israel scheduled to vote on October 27 and Americans heading to the polls one week later.

Despite the speculation surrounding the timing of any renewed offensive, Trump has insisted that his decisions about Iran will be based on national security considerations rather than the American election calendar.

The president has repeatedly expressed confidence that the conflict can be brought to an end, either through a negotiated agreement or additional military pressure.

During a White House event last Friday, Trump said he believed the confrontation was approaching its conclusion and that Washington remained prepared to pursue either option.

“We can do it either way, but it’s very simple – one way or another it’s gonna be over soon,” he declared.

{Matzav.com}

Police officers and bomb disposal specialists were dispatched to the Meah Shearim neighborhood of Yerushalayim on Tuesday evening following a report of a suspicious vehicle that raised security concerns in the area.

The incident prompted a police response in the heart of the chareidi neighborhood, with officers securing the immediate vicinity and ordering bystanders to remain at a safe distance while specialists examined the vehicle.

Members of the Yerushalayim District bomb squad arrived at the scene to investigate whether the vehicle posed a danger to the public.

Footage recorded during the incident showed a heavily damaged vehicle surrounded by police personnel, with residents gathering nearby as officers conducted their examination.

The circumstances surrounding the damage to the vehicle were not immediately clear, and authorities did not provide an explanation for its condition.

Police subsequently announced that the bomb squad had completed its inspection and ruled out any security threat.

The incident ended without any suspicious or dangerous findings being reported.

{Matzav.com}