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A 21-year-old American yeshiva bochur who spent four months in an Israeli prison over allegations of contact with an Iranian foreign agent was released to house arrest on Friday, just hours before the Shabbos on which he was originally scheduled to celebrate his aufruf, and two days before his planned wedding.

Eli L., an American citizen studying in Yerushalayim, walked out of Gilboa Prison on Erev Shabbos Parshas Lech Lecha following a hearing in the Yerushalayim District Court, bringing an end to four difficult months behind bars.

His release followed a ruling by Israel’s Supreme Court permitting him to be transferred to house arrest, subject to substantial financial guarantees and strict conditions.

Eli had been detained on suspicion of maintaining contact with an Iranian foreign agent. His imprisonment attracted considerable attention among askonim working on behalf of individuals incarcerated in Israel, particularly because of his young age, American citizenship, and approaching wedding.

Friday’s development came after months of legal proceedings and extensive behind-the-scenes efforts coordinated by the Tzedek Association.

The organization retained prominent Israeli attorneys Uri Korb and Menachem Stauber to represent Eli and pursue his release. The legal team worked through the courts to secure an arrangement that would allow the young man to leave prison while the proceedings against him continue.

According to sources, the effort required continuous consultations between Tzedek’s leadership and Yerushalayim askan Reb Shimon Shisha, who worked closely with the organization to explore possible legal solutions and coordinate the various parties involved.

The breakthrough ultimately came when the Supreme Court authorized Eli’s release to house arrest, paving the way for Friday’s District Court hearing to finalize the conditions.

Those conditions included a financial guarantee of 750,000 shekels, approximately $200,000, together with additional security in the form of a residential property valued at approximately 3 million shekels, or more than $800,000.

The property was pledged by a Yerushalayim benefactor who agreed to place his home as collateral to help secure the young man’s freedom.

Arranging such substantial guarantees required considerable effort, with Tzedek and other askonim working to assemble the necessary commitments in time for the court proceedings.

An additional challenge was finding a suitable residence where Eli could remain under house arrest in accordance with the court’s conditions.

That obstacle was resolved when Yerushalayim askan Reb Chaim Meir Hirsch agreed to open his home to the young man, allowing the release arrangement to proceed.

Hirsch’s willingness to provide accommodations proved crucial, since the court required an approved location where Eli could remain while the legal case continues.

On Friday morning, Tedek’s Moshe Margaretten and Shisha held another coordination call to review the final arrangements. Shisha was present at the Yerushalayim courthouse and personally accompanied the proceedings as the release was finalized.

Although the release does not resolve the allegations against him, it means that he will no longer have to remain behind bars as the legal process continues.

Eli will remain under house arrest at Hirsch’s home in Yerushalayim, subject to the restrictions imposed by the court.

His release should not be confused with an acquittal or dismissal of the allegations. The legal proceedings concerning the suspected contact with an Iranian agent remain unresolved.

{Matzav.com}

Chewing gum could eventually disappear from store shelves across New Jersey under sweeping new legislation that would prohibit the sale of certain everyday products containing or releasing microplastics, including some chewing gum, tea bags, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and other household items.

The proposal, known as the Protecting Against Microplastics Act, was introduced on September 14 by Democratic Assemblywomen Shama Haider of Bergen County and Margie Donlon of Monmouth County. The measure would establish new labeling requirements for products containing microscopic plastic particles before eventually prohibiting the sale of several categories of products that contain or release the substances.

The legislation, Assembly Bill A5452, comes amid growing scientific concern over microplastics, tiny particles that have been detected in drinking water, food, blood, and various human tissues. Researchers have been investigating whether repeated exposure to these particles poses long-term health risks, although many questions about their effects on human health remain unanswered.

One of the most attention-grabbing provisions concerns chewing gum, a product consumed daily by millions of Americans.

Researchers have found that chewing gum can release hundreds or even thousands of microscopic plastic particles into saliva during chewing, raising concerns that consumers may unknowingly swallow those particles.

A study presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society earlier this year found that both synthetic and natural chewing gums released microplastic particles during chewing. Researchers observed that much of the release occurred during the first several minutes, with additional particles released as chewing continued.

The findings have attracted attention because many popular chewing gums contain synthetic polymers that give the product its familiar elastic texture.

Under the proposed New Jersey law, chewing gum containing intentionally added microplastics, or capable of generating certain secondary microplastics, could eventually be prohibited from being sold in the state.

The legislation does not specifically ban all chewing gum. Rather, it targets products containing or generating microplastics as defined by the bill, meaning that gum manufacturers could potentially continue selling products that meet the proposed requirements.

Tea bags are another product specifically identified in the legislation.

Certain tea bags are manufactured using plastic-based materials or contain plastic components that help maintain their shape and durability. Research has suggested that some of these products can release microscopic plastic particles when exposed to hot water, potentially allowing consumers to ingest the particles along with their tea.

The legislation also covers coffee grounds, talcum powder, pet food, cosmetics, and products that may be swallowed, inhaled, or applied to the face.

Cleaning supplies and a broad range of food-related products would also face new regulations.

Plastic plates, disposable forks and knives, food containers, and other foodware would be subject to labeling requirements if they contain intentionally added microplastics or materials capable of releasing them.

However, the bill makes an important distinction between foodware and other covered products. Although foodware would be subject to disclosure and labeling requirements, it is excluded from the legislation’s eventual sales prohibition.

The proposal would be implemented gradually rather than immediately removing affected products from stores.

During the first year after enactment, manufacturers of covered products would be required to disclose the presence of intentionally added microplastics or the potential for their products to generate secondary microplastics.

Beginning two years after enactment, affected products would have to carry a more explicit warning in both English and Spanish stating, “This product contains microplastics.”

The warning would also have to appear in online product listings, extending the disclosure requirements to internet retailers selling products to New Jersey consumers.

Manufacturers would additionally be prohibited from marketing products as free of microplastics if the substances had been intentionally added during production.

Three years after the law takes effect, the sale of certain cleaning products, cosmetics, and potentially ingestible products containing or generating covered microplastics would be prohibited.

The legislation includes an exception for technically unavoidable trace quantities, meaning that manufacturers would not necessarily face penalties for minute contamination that cannot reasonably be eliminated.

If approved, the measure could have far-reaching implications for retailers, manufacturers, and distributors doing business in New Jersey.

Supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, and other businesses could be required to review their inventories and remove products that fail to comply with the new standards.

Manufacturers could also face pressure to reformulate products or modify packaging to continue selling them in the state.

The proposal would give the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs authority to investigate violations, conduct audits, and impose financial penalties.

Civil administrative penalties could range from $1,000 to $20,000 per violation, with additional enforcement measures available for continuing violations.

The bill also proposes spending $3 million on microplastics-related initiatives, including $2.5 million for environmental research, monitoring, and programs designed to reduce microplastic contamination, and $500,000 for enforcement activities.

Supporters of stronger microplastics regulations argue that government intervention is necessary because microscopic plastic particles have become increasingly widespread in the environment and are difficult for consumers to avoid.

Microplastics can originate from the breakdown of larger plastic items, synthetic clothing fibers, industrial processes, packaging materials, and numerous other sources.

Scientists have detected the particles in oceans, rivers, drinking water, soil, and food products, prompting growing interest in their potential effects on human health.

At the same time, researchers caution that detecting microplastics in the human body does not, by itself, establish that the particles cause particular diseases. Additional research is needed to determine the risks associated with different types, sizes, and concentrations of plastic particles.

The legislation also raises questions about how broadly the proposed restrictions would be applied, particularly because the bill covers products capable of generating secondary microplastics rather than limiting its provisions to products with deliberately added plastic particles.

That distinction could significantly expand the number of consumer goods affected by the measure.

For New Jersey residents, the proposal could ultimately change which brands and varieties of familiar products remain available in stores, although no immediate restrictions have taken effect.

The Assembly bill has been referred to the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee, where lawmakers may consider testimony, amendments, and questions about implementation before deciding whether to advance it.

A companion measure, Senate Bill S4836, sponsored by Democratic State Senator Linda Greenstein, was introduced on October 15 and referred to the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

Both chambers would have to approve the legislation before it could be sent to Governor Mikie Sherrill for consideration.

For now, New Jersey residents can continue purchasing chewing gum, tea bags, and other products covered by the proposal.

But if the legislation eventually becomes law, some of the most familiar products found in supermarket checkout aisles, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom drawers could face new warning labels and, in certain cases, disappear from store shelves altogether.

The proposal remains in its early legislative stages, and neither an implementation date nor a final ban has been established. The chewing-gum research cited in coverage of the proposal was presented in March 2025, rather than earlier in 2026.

In a significant last-minute development ahead of Israel’s national elections, the Sefardic chareidi Achi party, led by Rav Chaim Yosef David Abergel of Netivot, announced Friday that it is withdrawing from the race for the Knesset and throwing its support behind Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. The decision came following intense negotiations involving Netanyahu, senior Likud officials, prominent rabbonim, and municipal leaders, amid concerns that the party could draw thousands of votes away from the right-wing bloc without winning enough support to enter the Knesset.

The withdrawal, announced just four days before Israelis head to the polls on Tuesday, October 27, followed an intensive effort personally directed by Netanyahu to persuade Rav Abergel to abandon his independent political campaign. As part of the agreement, Netanyahu reportedly promised that a representative of the Achi movement would receive a deputy ministerial position in a future government, along with commitments to advance several of the party’s principal demands.

The negotiations were led by Education Minister Yoav Kisch at Netanyahu’s request. A decisive meeting on Friday brought together Rav Abergel, former Sefardic Chief Rabbi Rav Shlomo Moshe Amar, Netivot Mayor Yechiel Zohar, Ofakim Mayor Itzik Danino, and attorney Lior Katsav, who participated on Netanyahu’s behalf. Deputy Minister Almog Cohen was also involved in efforts to secure the withdrawal.

Following the meeting, the Achi movement issued an official statement explaining that its decision had been reached in consultation with Rav Amar and after obtaining assurances regarding its political priorities.

“In light of the gravity of the hour and out of genuine concern for the fate and existence of the State of Israel and Israeli society, the leader of Achi, Rav Chida Abergel, in consultation with the leading Torah authority, former Chief Rabbi Rav Shlomo Moshe Amar, announces that all the goals of the Achi movement have been fully achieved, that the movement has secured very significant accomplishments, and that it will not participate in the upcoming elections,” the statement declared.

The party said that the understandings reached with Netanyahu’s representatives include commitments to address the military draft controversy, support economically disadvantaged families, provide funding for early childhood education and daycare, strengthen assistance to senior citizens, and promote Jewish education and the Jewish character of the state.

One of the most consequential elements of the agreement concerns the military draft law, which has become a central issue in Israel’s election campaign and a source of deep tensions between chareidi parties and other political factions.

According to reports on the negotiations, Netanyahu agreed to advance a framework under which full-time yeshiva students would be permitted to continue learning without military service, while those not engaged in Torah study would be required to enlist.

During a recorded telephone conversation with Rav Abergel and the participants in Friday’s meeting, Netanyahu praised the decision to withdraw and acknowledged the agreements reached between the sides.

“I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this serious and responsible step, which is concerned with the future of our people, the future of our state, and the future of the heritage of Israel,” Netanyahu said.

Addressing Rav Abergel directly, the prime minister added, “I know, Rav, that you truly care about our people and that you want those who study Torah to continue studying, and everyone else to enlist, and that is exactly the agreement between us. Moreover, I will be happy to advance both this and the other matters included in our joint statement.”

Rav Abergel reportedly expressed hope that the commitments would be fulfilled, with Netanyahu responding affirmatively.

Another major component of the agreement involves the appointment of a deputy minister who would represent the movement’s interests.

Under existing Israeli law, deputy ministers must be members of the Knesset. Since Rav Abergel is not currently a Knesset member, fulfilling the reported promise of appointing him or an outside representative would require legislative changes.

According to the understandings announced by Likud, a deputy minister could alternatively be appointed from among Likud’s own Knesset members to advance the shared objectives of the two movements. Another possibility would involve appointing a representative of Achi if the necessary legal changes are enacted.

The reported promise has already generated controversy. Yaya Fink, a candidate from the Democrats party, filed a police complaint Friday alleging that the offer of a government position in exchange for Achi’s withdrawal constituted election bribery. The allegation remains a political and legal claim, and no finding of wrongdoing has been established.

The withdrawal is particularly significant because Achi had sought to establish itself as an alternative political address for Sefardic chareidi voters, operating outside the traditional Shas framework.

Rav Abergel, a son of the late Rav Yoram Abergel of Netivot, established the movement with an emphasis on Torah education, Sefardic religious identity, and a distinctive approach to relations between the chareidi community and the state.

The party had also promoted greater integration of certain chareidi populations into state-supported educational frameworks and military programs, positions that distinguished it from the established chareidi political parties.

Despite its ambitions, Achi had not crossed the electoral threshold in published opinion polls. Political officials on the right feared that votes cast for the party would consequently be excluded from the allocation of Knesset seats, potentially affecting the distribution of mandates between competing blocs.

Education Minister Kisch described the withdrawal as an important achievement for the Netanyahu camp.

“At the request of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Education Minister Yoav Kisch led negotiations with the Achi movement over the past several days regarding its withdrawal from the Knesset race,” Kisch’s office said.

The statement confirmed that the agreement had been finalized at Friday’s meeting and that the movement’s principal demands would be advanced by Likud.

“This is an important move that prevented the loss of tens of thousands of votes from the right-wing bloc, which would have assisted in the formation of a left-wing government headed by Eisenkot, Yair Golan, and Abbas,” the minister’s office declared.

Likud also issued a statement welcoming the decision and urging other smaller right-wing parties that are unlikely to pass the electoral threshold to follow Achi’s example.

The party said it had agreed that a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office would be appointed to promote the principles shared by Likud and Achi, either from among Likud Knesset members or from Achi in accordance with applicable law.

Likud called on other parties facing similar electoral difficulties to withdraw immediately, arguing that votes for lists failing to cross the threshold could affect the balance of power following the election.

Friday’s development comes amid a broader effort by Netanyahu to consolidate support across the religious and right-wing electorate before Election Day.

The prime minister has been working to prevent smaller parties from dividing the vote, particularly in a closely contested election in which the ability of either political bloc to assemble a governing coalition could depend on a relatively small number of Knesset seats.

The Achi withdrawal removes one such party from the contest and gives Likud an additional source of support among voters who had previously considered backing the independent Sefardic movement.

The agreement does not, however, guarantee that all Achi supporters will ultimately vote for Likud. While the movement has transferred its political backing to Netanyahu’s party, individual voters remain free to choose other lists, including the established chareidi parties.

The negotiations have also attracted attention because Rav Abergel was arrested in August 2025 amid an investigation into allegations of sexual offenses involving women. He has denied the allegations. The investigation and the allegations surrounding it are separate from the political agreement announced Friday.

For Netanyahu, the immediate significance of the withdrawal is the removal of a potential source of lost votes from the right-wing camp.

President Donald Trump unleashed a blistering attack Friday on the Utah judge overseeing the murder case against Charlie Kirk’s accused assassin, demanding that the trial begin within a month rather than allowing the proceedings to drag on for years. The president accused the judge of mishandling the case and disrespecting Kirk’s memory as attorneys for the defendant seek to postpone the trial until 2029.

Trump’s remarks came amid an escalating dispute over when 23-year-old Tyler Robinson, who is charged with murdering Kirk during a public appearance at Utah Valley University in September 2025, should face a jury. Robinson’s attorneys have requested nearly three additional years to prepare their defense, while prosecutors and Kirk’s widow are pushing for a substantially earlier trial.

In a sharply worded Truth Social post Friday, Trump declared:

“The judge in the Charlie Kirk case is doing a terrible job! This case should be tried within a month, not three years — and it should be over with! The judge is desecrating the memory of the Great Charlie Kirk, while taking forever to ask questions that people already know the answer to. The whole Country is mocking him and our ‘Legal’ System. JUSTICE FOR CHARLIE!”

The president’s criticism was directed at Utah Fourth District Judge Tony Graf, who scheduled a hearing Friday afternoon to determine the timetable for Robinson’s trial. The judge has been considering competing proposals from prosecutors, defense attorneys, and lawyers representing Kirk’s family.

Robinson’s defense team filed court papers Wednesday requesting that the trial begin during the third quarter of 2029, approximately four years after Kirk was assassinated. The attorneys contend that the extraordinary complexity of the case, combined with the possibility of a death sentence, requires extensive preparation.

Defense lawyers estimate that the trial itself could last six to seven months. They argue that they must review tens of thousands of documents and other evidence provided by prosecutors, conduct additional investigations, prepare witnesses, and examine whether Robinson can receive a fair trial in Utah County.

They also anticipate significant legal disputes over jury selection, the possibility of moving the proceedings to another jurisdiction, and challenges involving Utah’s death penalty laws.

The prosecution has proposed a considerably shorter schedule. Utah County prosecutors say they could be prepared to begin trial by October 4, 2027, although they have recommended January 31, 2028, as the preferred starting date to avoid conducting lengthy proceedings during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Prosecutors estimate that the trial would last approximately 17 weeks.

Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, has strongly opposed the defense’s proposed timetable, arguing that postponing the trial until 2029 would impose an unacceptable burden on her family and unnecessarily prolong the legal proceedings.

In a motion submitted Thursday, her attorney, Jeffrey Neiman, urged the court to enforce the family’s right to a speedy resolution and schedule the trial no later than October 4, 2027.

The filing described the defense’s requested delay as unreasonable and emphasized the emotional consequences for Kirk’s two young children.

“Under the Defendants’ proposed schedule, Mr. Kirk’s two children, who were one and three at the time he was murdered, will be six and eight years old by the time the trial concludes,” Neiman wrote. “They will face the uncertainty of this criminal proceeding longer than they had their father in their lives. Each hearing induces anxiety, pain, and mourning. The Kirk family deserves to have this matter resolved expeditiously.”

The family’s attorneys also raised concerns about the enormous financial cost of prolonging the case.

According to court filings citing reporting by The Salt Lake Tribune, Robinson’s defense attorneys have already received approximately $1.6 million in taxpayer-funded compensation during the first year of the proceedings.

Neiman argued that the defense has sufficient financial resources to prepare its case without requiring years of additional delays.

“With seemingly no limits on spending, the Defense has the resources to prepare for trial on a reasonable schedule,” he wrote. “Charlie’s death should not lead to the lawyers defending his assassin becoming millionaires.”

Robinson is accused of fatally shooting Kirk on September 10, 2025, while the 31-year-old conservative activist was addressing thousands of people at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem.

Investigators allege that Robinson fired a rifle from the rooftop of a nearby building, approximately 415 feet from where Kirk was speaking.

Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent political ally of Trump, was struck by the gunfire and died from his injuries. His assassination prompted widespread condemnation and renewed concerns about politically motivated violence in the United States.

Robinson surrendered to authorities the following day and was subsequently charged with seven criminal offenses, including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.

Prosecutors have alleged that Robinson targeted Kirk because of his political beliefs. Robinson has pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys have challenged aspects of the prosecution’s case.

During a September hearing, Judge Graf determined that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for Robinson to stand trial on the charges.

The judge also ruled that the circumstances of the shooting satisfied the legal requirements permitting prosecutors to pursue the death penalty, including evidence that other individuals were placed at risk.

The ruling cleared the way for the case to advance toward trial, but it did not resolve the increasingly contentious question of when those proceedings should begin.

The next phase of the case is expected to involve extensive pretrial motions concerning evidence, witnesses, jury selection, and other legal questions that could significantly affect the eventual trial.

Trump’s intervention Friday added presidential pressure to a dispute that had already generated intense public attention. His demand for a trial within one month goes substantially beyond even the schedule sought by Kirk’s family, which has requested an October 2027 start.

Although the president has called for immediate proceedings, the decision rests with the Utah court, which must consider the prosecution’s request for a timely trial alongside the defendant’s constitutional right to adequate preparation and a fair hearing.

For Kirk’s family, the central concern remains the possibility that the criminal case could continue for years before a verdict is reached.

With the defense seeking a 2029 trial, prosecutors proposing January 2028, and the Kirk family insisting on October 2027, Judge Graf faces competing demands over the timetable for one of the country’s most closely watched murder prosecutions.

Trump, meanwhile, made clear that he considers the prospect of a multiyear delay unacceptable, ending his public denunciation with an emphatic demand: “JUSTICE FOR CHARLIE!”

{Matzav.com}

Passengers aboard an El Al flight traveling from Eretz Yisroel to Newark found themselves unexpectedly stranded in Paris on Friday after one of the aircraft’s pilots suffered a medical emergency during the flight, forcing an unscheduled landing in the French capital. With Shabbos approaching and insufficient time to complete the transatlantic journey, El Al arranged hotel accommodations and Shabbos provisions for passengers who could not continue their trip, with a replacement flight scheduled for Motzei Shabbos.

The incident occurred aboard El Al Flight LY27, which departed Ben Gurion Airport shortly after midnight Thursday night, early Friday morning, October 23, bound for Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

According to Israeli aviation reports, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner took off at approximately 12:39 a.m. Israel time. Several hours into the journey, one of the pilots became ill and was unable to continue performing his duties, prompting the flight crew to divert the aircraft to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

The aircraft landed safely in Paris at approximately 5:30 a.m. local time, bringing the medical emergency to an end but creating an unexpected predicament for the passengers, many of whom were traveling to the New York area for Shabbos.

The pilot’s precise medical condition has not been publicly disclosed, and no confirmed information has been released regarding the severity of the illness or whether hospitalization was necessary. There were no reports of injuries among the passengers or mechanical problems with the aircraft.

The diversion immediately created a complicated logistical situation for El Al, particularly because the incident occurred on Friday morning, leaving only a limited window before the onset of Shabbos.

With the aircraft now in Paris and the original flight unable to proceed as scheduled, the airline began arranging alternative transportation for passengers who still wished to reach the United States before Shabbos.

El Al offered passengers the opportunity to transfer to flights operated by other airlines departing Paris on Friday. Those who preferred to remain with El Al and avoid traveling during Shabbos were offered hotel accommodations near Charles de Gaulle Airport, with arrangements to resume their journey after Shabbos.

The airline also established a dedicated communication line to assist affected passengers with their travel arrangements and immediate needs.

For the frum passengers, the diversion meant an entirely unexpected Shabbos in France, far from the homes, relatives, and destinations where they had planned to spend the weekend.

As the situation unfolded, efforts were undertaken to ensure that those remaining in Paris would have the necessary accommodations for Shabbos, including kosher food, a place to daven, and rabbinic assistance.

Chabad representatives became involved in helping coordinate arrangements for the stranded travelers. A Chabad rav was scheduled to join the passengers at their hotel for Shabbos, and preparations were made to provide kosher meals and a designated room for tefillos.

The arrangements allowed passengers who had been planning to spend Shabbos in the United States to remain together in Paris with their religious needs addressed.

The unexpected circumstances also presented considerable challenges for passengers traveling with children, those with connecting itineraries, and individuals who had made advance arrangements for Shabbos in the New York and New Jersey areas.

El Al’s decision to provide accommodations and arrange a Motzei Shabbos departure reflects the airline’s longstanding policy of avoiding scheduled flight operations during Shabbos.

Under the arrangements announced Friday, passengers remaining in Paris are expected to board a replacement El Al flight on Motzei Shabbos and continue to Newark.

The airline has not publicly provided a detailed medical update on the affected pilot, and the precise departure time of the replacement flight has not been independently confirmed.

The incident illustrates how an unexpected medical emergency aboard an international flight can create complications extending well beyond the initial diversion, particularly when Shabbos observance becomes a factor in arranging onward travel.

For the passengers of Flight LY27, what began as a routine overnight journey from Eretz Yisroel to Newark turned into an unplanned stop in Paris and an unusual Shabbos spent together in an airport hotel.

In a further update Friday afternoon, sources indicated that the Shabbos arrangements had expanded to include a separate kosher dining area, a designated shul with a Sefer Torah, a minyan, and the assistance of a local rav. These preparations were intended to provide the stranded passengers with a more complete Shabbos environment despite the unexpected disruption.

The replacement flight remains scheduled for Motzei Shabbos, although confirmation of its actual departure will depend on subsequent airline updates.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a Spanish-language video Friday instructing residents on how to refuse entry to federal immigration agents, remain silent during encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, and challenge requests to search private property, as his administration intensifies its opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.

The video, released October 23, comes amid escalating tensions between City Hall and federal immigration authorities following a controversial ICE shooting in Manhattan earlier this month. Mamdani has repeatedly demanded that federal immigration operations cease in New York City and has openly called for the agency’s abolition.

In his latest message, Mamdani explains that residents generally have the right to deny ICE agents entry into their homes, schools, houses of worship, and private workplace areas unless the officers possess a judicial warrant signed by a judge or another recognized legal exception applies.

The mayor advises residents to demand proper documentation before allowing agents inside and to explicitly refuse permission if the necessary judicial authorization is not presented.

The guidance distinguishes between judicial warrants, which are issued by judges, and administrative immigration warrants, which are issued by federal immigration authorities themselves. An administrative warrant generally does not authorize agents to enter a private home without consent.

Mamdani also instructs residents to remain calm when approached by federal officers, ask whether they are free to leave, and decline consent to searches when they are legally entitled to do so.

He encourages individuals to consult an attorney before signing immigration-related documents and directs viewers to free, confidential legal assistance hotlines.

The latest video follows a similar message Mamdani released in December 2025, shortly before taking office, in which he explicitly encouraged New Yorkers to stand up to federal immigration enforcement by exercising their legal rights.

“We can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights,” Mamdani declared in that earlier video.

“If ICE does not have a judicial warrant signed by a judge, you have the right to say, ‘I do not consent to entry,’ and the right to keep your door closed,” he said.

Mamdani also warned residents about the tactics federal immigration officers may employ when attempting to gain cooperation.

“ICE is legally allowed to lie to you, but you have the right to remain silent,” he stated.

Addressing individuals detained by immigration authorities, Mamdani advised them to ask, “Am I free to go?” and to repeat the question until officers respond.

The mayor additionally encouraged residents to document immigration enforcement operations, explaining that filming officers is generally permitted as long as individuals do not interfere with their work.

He emphasized that residents should avoid physically obstructing officers or resisting arrest.

“It is important to remain calm during any interaction with ICE or law enforcement. Do not impede their investigation, resist arrest or run,” Mamdani said in the December recording.

The mayor’s campaign against federal immigration enforcement has become increasingly confrontational following an October 8 incident in Marble Hill, where an ICE agent shot 28-year-old Oscar Belgal, a Dominican national, during an attempted immigration arrest.

According to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, federal agents were conducting a targeted enforcement operation when they approached Belgal’s vehicle, which also contained his five-year-old son.

At least one federal officer fired seven rounds, striking Belgal in the neck. The child was not physically injured.

Federal authorities maintain that Belgal refused commands to exit his vehicle and struck government vehicles, prompting agents to fire because they feared for their safety. Belgal’s attorneys dispute the federal account, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.

Mamdani responded with an extraordinary denunciation of ICE, accusing the agency of endangering New Yorkers and demanding an immediate end to its operations throughout the five boroughs.

“What happened today was an outrage,” Mamdani declared during an October 8 press conference.

“We know that ICE is rotten to its core,” the mayor said. “Today’s shooting is only further devastating confirmation of what we have long known, that ICE operates with impunity, that they sow chaos and terror across our country, that they have killed far more of our neighbors than they could ever have claimed to save.”

Mamdani disclosed that he had spoken directly with President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin following the shooting, unsuccessfully seeking Belgal’s release from federal custody.

He also demanded that ICE personnel withdraw from the city.

“This city wants ICE out. We want ICE out of our city, ICE out of our schools, ICE out of our hospitals, ICE out of our streets, ICE away from our kids,” Mamdani said. “We want that because we want to keep the city safe. We do not need them to do so. All they do is terrorize this city.”

The mayor’s latest video reinforces his administration’s commitment to New York City’s sanctuary policies, which generally limit cooperation between municipal agencies and federal authorities in civil immigration enforcement matters.

Those policies, which predate Mamdani’s administration, restrict the circumstances under which city employees and law enforcement personnel may assist federal immigration officers. They do not, however, eliminate federal immigration authorities’ legal power to conduct enforcement operations within New York City.

Mamdani has made protecting the city’s estimated three million immigrants a central priority since assuming office on January 1, 2026.

Federal officials, meanwhile, have defended ICE operations as necessary to enforce immigration laws enacted by Congress and apprehend individuals subject to federal immigration proceedings.

The Trump administration has maintained that local sanctuary policies complicate immigration enforcement and can interfere with efforts to remove individuals who pose public safety threats.

{Matzav.com}

United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher has come under criticism after agreeing to participate in an Israeli television program that begins broadcasting before the conclusion of Shabbos, raising questions about the propriety of a senior chareidi politician cooperating with a production that operates on Shabbos.

The controversy comes just five days before Israel’s Knesset elections, with the program scheduled to air this coming Motzoei Shabbos, October 24, on Channel 12.

According to a report by Channel 14, Asher is expected to appear on the popular political interview program Meet the Press, which begins broadcasting at 6 p.m. Shabbos ends in Tel Aviv at 6:36 p.m., meaning the program will already have been on the air for 36 minutes before the conclusion of Shabbos.

Although Asher’s interview is reportedly being recorded on Friday and will not be broadcast until after Shabbos, his decision to participate has nevertheless generated controversy over whether a representative of a chareidi party should lend legitimacy to a television production that operates during Shabbos.

The issue has taken on additional significance because of a report that Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, had not authorized Asher’s participation.

Channel 14 reported that an inquiry made at Rav Landau’s home established that no approval had been given for the interview. However, the report did not include a detailed halachic ruling from Rav Landau concerning the particular circumstances.

According to the report, individuals close to Asher and associates of Rav Landau explained that the interview would be recorded before Shabbos, with the segment featuring Asher scheduled to air only after Shabbos had ended.

That distinction, however, has not resolved the broader controversy.

Critics argue that the issue extends beyond whether Asher himself will engage in any activity prohibited on Shabbos. They question whether the chairman of United Torah Judaism should participate in a television program whose production and broadcasting begin while Shabbos is still in effect.

The matter is particularly sensitive given United Torah Judaism’s longstanding identification with the protection of Shabbos observance in Israel. The party has repeatedly made opposition to public Shabbos desecration a central element of its political agenda.

Channel 14 also sought a response from Asher’s representatives regarding his decision to appear on the program.

Their response was brief: “He also comes to be interviewed on Channel 14.”

The reply did not directly address the criticism concerning the program’s Shabbos broadcast schedule.

The controversy has emerged at a politically sensitive moment, as United Torah Judaism is intensifying its campaign to mobilize chareidi voters ahead of Tuesday’s elections.

With the party seeking to present itself as a defender of Torah values and religious observance, the decision by its chairman to participate in a program that begins before Shabbos ends has prompted questions about the message being conveyed to the broader public.

At the same time, the available information does not indicate that Asher intends to personally violate Shabbos. The interview was expected to be recorded on Friday, and the portion featuring him is scheduled to air after Shabbos.

The dispute therefore centers on the appropriateness of cooperating with a television program that operates on Shabbos, rather than an allegation that Asher himself will participate in a live Shabbos broadcast.

Rav Dov Landau has issued a blistering condemnation of newly established chareidi political parties seeking to draw voters away from United Torah Judaism in Israel’s upcoming Knesset election, accusing their organizers of deliberately undermining the Torah community and warning that anyone who supports them is harming Torah and those who learn it.

Speaking at a major gathering of Gedolei Yisroel in the Boyaner Bais Medrash in Yerushalayim Thursday evening, the rosh yeshiva delivered an unusually forceful address against independent political lists attempting to capitalize on dissatisfaction within the chareidi community, particularly over the ongoing arrests of yeshiva bochurim and the government’s failure to resolve the military draft crisis.

“These new parties, whose entire purpose is to cause votes to be lost, are parties that do not have the approval of the Chachomim. They are parties outside the camp!” Rav Landau declared.

The rosh yeshiva directed his criticism at two groups in particular: parties claiming to represent working chareidim who feel neglected by the established political leadership, and factions presenting themselves as defenders of yeshiva bochurim against military conscription.

“On the one hand, there are parties that incite and entice with false claims that they will supposedly take care of our brothers who work to support their families. On the other hand, there are parties that, under the guise of false zealotry, create the illusion that they will save the yeshiva bochurim from the sword of the draft decree. These parties are nothing but lies, lies and lies!”

His remarks come amid mounting frustration over the detention of yeshiva bochurim for failing to report to military authorities, an issue that has dominated the chareidi political landscape and generated growing anger among voters who believe the established parties have failed to secure adequate protections for bnei Torah.

Rav Landau rejected the notion that the new political movements offer a legitimate solution to those grievances, accusing their organizers of pursuing personal and political interests at the expense of the broader Torah community.

“It is clear to everyone that their entire objective is to cause votes to be lost, driven by cheap interests and crooked calculations. What they all have in common is that their intention is to cause harm, and one must guard against them and distance oneself from them as far as the flight of an arrow.”

The rosh yeshiva went further, warning that responsibility for the consequences of these political efforts extends beyond the candidates themselves to those who assist their campaigns.

“Anyone who assists them should know clearly that he is harming the Torah and harming those who learn it.”

A central concern among the established chareidi parties is that independent lists will attract enough votes to weaken United Torah Judaism without securing sufficient support to cross the electoral threshold. Under Israel’s electoral system, a party must receive at least 3.25 percent of the national vote to enter the Knesset, meaning that votes for unsuccessful lists do not translate into parliamentary representation.

With the election approaching, the possibility of thousands of chareidi votes being diverted to smaller parties has become a serious concern for the leadership of Degel HaTorah and Agudas Yisroel.

Addressing the appeals being made to working chareidim, Rav Landau emphasized that earning a livelihood does not diminish a person’s place within the Torah community or his responsibility to follow the guidance of Gedolei Yisroel.

“Anyone who believes in the Torah and in Moshe His servant, and wants to see his children grow in Torah and yiras Shomayim, whether he is engaged in Torah learning or works to earn his livelihood, is an inseparable part of the Torah world.”

His comments follow a separate meeting Thursday at his home with chareidi businessmen, during which he heard concerns about the difficulties faced by working families, including challenges involving educational institutions and communal representation.

During that meeting, Rav Landau acknowledged those concerns and indicated that he would raise them with Degel HaTorah representatives in an effort to address the needs of families whose fathers work to support their households.

Nevertheless, he made clear in his election address that dissatisfaction with particular policies or political representatives does not justify withholding support from the established Torah parties.

“Even someone who has complaints, objections or questions, none of this has any bearing whatsoever on his practical obligation to vote for the letter Gimmel. By doing so, he sanctifies the Name of Heaven, and if, Heaven forbid, he refrains from doing so, the Name of Heaven is desecrated through him, Rachmana litzlan.”

{Matzav.com}

Rav Yitzchak Yosef has issued a sharp warning to Sephardic yeshiva students considering voting for National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, urging them to follow the guidance of the Sephardic Torah leadership and support Shas in the upcoming Knesset elections.

Speaking at an election gathering in the Shmuel Hanavi neighborhood of Yerushalayim, the former Sephardic chief rabbi criticized the growing appeal of Ben-Gvir and other right-wing politicians among younger chareidi voters.

His remarks came amid concern within Shas that some Sephardic bochurim, frustrated by the government’s handling of the military draft controversy or attracted by the positions of right-wing parties, may choose to vote for candidates outside the established chareidi political framework.

Rav Yosef emphasized that decisions about political representation must be guided by the rabbonim responsible for protecting the interests of the Torah community.

Rav Yosef’s criticism of Ben-Gvir was particularly forceful. He reiterated his recent halachic ruling against supporting Otzma Yehudit, citing Ben-Gvir’s visits to Har Habayis, which leading chareidi poskim have prohibited.

“It is forbidden to vote for him. Whoever votes for him is considered as though he himself ascended Har Habayis. A person’s agent is considered like the person himself,” Rav Yosef declared.

He then turned to Ben-Gvir’s responsibility for the police, accusing the minister of failing to respond to violence against chareidim.

“Look at how the police beat chareidim. He is the minister in charge of the police. Has he said a word?” Rav Yosef asked.

The Rosh Yeshiva suggested that Ben-Gvir stood to gain politically from public anger directed at chareidi representatives.

“He is happy about it, because then people will become angry with our representatives and he will rise,” Rav Yosef charged.

Questioning what Ben-Gvir had accomplished for the religious community, Rav Yosef asked, “Has he provided a single Talmud Torah? A mikvah? A shul? The bochurim, particularly the Sephardic bochurim, who are thinking of voting for him—how is that even a consideration?”

The criticism followed a written ruling issued by Rav Yosef earlier in the week, in which he argued that supporting a party whose leadership encourages visits to Har Habayis was halachically prohibited.

Rav Yosef also delivered a stark warning about the possibility of a left-wing government taking power after the elections.

“If the left rises to power, it will create difficulties. What we have now is nothing compared to what they are planning to do. If they come to power, it will be many times worse. It is impossible to describe the decrees there will be,” he warned.

He claimed that a prominent left-wing politician had spoken about extending military conscription to girls, in addition to yeshiva students, and invoked the Chazon Ish’s opposition to such a policy.

Rav Yosef urged his listeners to examine the election polls, warning that the opposition could potentially form a government with Arab parties.

“Look at the polls. There is reason for concern. This is not just fear,” he said, warning that such a coalition could seek to weaken the country’s religious institutions and alter the relationship between religion and the state.

He repeatedly stressed that the stakes extended far beyond ordinary political disagreements.

“Gentlemen, the situation is very difficult. It is a matter of spiritual life and death, literally. I am not just trying to frighten you. I receive many reports from different places. The situation is dangerous,” he declared.

Rav Yosef insisted that voting alone would be insufficient and urged those present to persuade relatives, friends, and students to participate.

“You must not stand on the sidelines. Do not play with fire. This is an extremely serious matter. Everyone must vote,” he said.

He specifically addressed individuals who had previously criticized Shas, calling on them to reverse course and actively work on behalf of the party.

“There were people here who were always speaking against it, against it, against it. They should repent. Now they should speak the opposite way and persuade their families, relatives, and students to go out and vote, because this is a matter of spiritual life and death.”

Rav Yosef also rejected the suggestion that his support for Shas was motivated by personal considerations.

“Since Shas was established 42 years ago, I have not received a penny. Nothing. Neither I nor the yeshiva. So should I be bitter? No! I am not bitter, because we act for the sake of Heaven,” he said.

He explained that his involvement was rooted in his determination to preserve the legacy of his father, Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l, and to continue strengthening Torah observance among Sephardic Jews.

“We do not vote to receive a salary or a position,” he said. “I do everything for the sake of Heaven, to continue the legacy of Maran. That is Maran’s legacy: to bring merit to the public.”

The gathering also featured addresses by Rav Yitzchak Cohen and Rav Chanoch Cohen, who spoke about the importance of strengthening the Sephardic Torah community and supporting its established rabbinic leadership.

Rav Yitzchak Cohen responded to questions about dissatisfaction with chareidi political representatives, acknowledging that improvements could be sought while insisting that criticism did not justify disregarding the instructions of the rabbonim.

When asked about rumors that he had privately advised people not to participate in the elections, he rejected the suggestion outright.

“Heaven forbid! It never happened. We must vote. Anything else is unthinkable,” he said.

The speeches come as Shas faces increasing competition from Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party for younger Sephardic and traditional voters, particularly in cities such as Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, and Netanya.

[Video below.] A newly released video has sparked outrage in the chareidi community after revealing how Israeli military police allegedly used a fake package delivery to lure a yeshiva bochur out of his home in Yerushalayim’s Bayit Vegan neighborhood before arresting him for failing to report for military service.

The arrest, which took place Wednesday, was carried out so quickly that the bochur was reportedly unable to collect his personal belongings, clothing, or tefillin, or even say goodbye to his parents before being taken away.

According to a report by Channel 12, military police contacted the bochur’s family and informed them that a package had arrived for him and that he needed to come downstairs to sign for the delivery.

Believing that he was going to collect an ordinary package, the bochur left his home and went downstairs. Instead of finding a delivery person, however, he encountered military police officers who had been waiting for him.

Footage of the incident shows the bochur apparently recognizing the officers and attempting to move away. Another military policeman, positioned on the opposite side, intercepted him and prevented him from escaping.

Within approximately 20 seconds, the officers had apprehended the bochur, placed him inside a waiting vehicle, and closed the doors.

The entire incident was captured on video from a single angle, without audio, providing a glimpse of the tactics reportedly being employed by military authorities in their ongoing campaign to arrest yeshiva students classified as draft avoiders.

The operation appears to have been designed to bring the bochur outside without requiring officers to enter his home or engage in a prolonged confrontation at the entrance to the building.

The circumstances of the arrest have generated considerable anger within the chareidi community, particularly because the bochur was allegedly deceived into leaving his home and taken into custody without an opportunity to prepare for his detention.

Critics have described the incident as another troubling example of the military’s increasingly aggressive enforcement measures against yeshiva students who continue learning in accordance with the instructions of their rabbonim.

The footage comes amid a continuing wave of arrests of chareidi bochurim who have not reported for military service, a policy that has triggered demonstrations, public gatherings, and widespread condemnation from chareidi rabbonim and community leaders.

Organizations assisting imprisoned yeshiva students have also expressed growing frustration over what they describe as a decline in public involvement by chareidi elected officials.

According to Channel 12, activists involved in the protest movement claim that chareidi Knesset members who previously made a point of visiting arrested bochurim have recently been doing so less frequently.

The activists contend that the arrests require a stronger public response from the politicians elected to represent the Torah community.

Against that backdrop, representatives of the protest organizations have announced plans to organize another demonstration sometime next week. A specific date and location have not yet been determined.

Channel 12 contacted the IDF Spokesperson’s Office for comment regarding the Bayit Vegan arrest.

The military confirmed that the bochur had indeed been taken into custody but declined to provide additional information about the circumstances of the operation or his legal status.

The video has added another dimension to the growing controversy surrounding the military draft issue, showing the speed with which a yeshiva student can be apprehended after being drawn outside under what was reportedly the pretense of receiving a package.

For many in the chareidi community, the incident has reinforced concerns about the methods being used to apprehend bochurim whose refusal to enlist stems from their commitment to continue learning Torah under the guidance of their rabbonim.

{Matzav.com}

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned Friday that Israel’s military is maintaining its highest level of operational readiness amid fears of further terrorist attacks, announcing additional troop deployments throughout Yehuda and Shomron following the deadly shooting near Chevron that claimed the lives of two Israeli soldiers.

Zamir delivered the warning during a visit to the scene of the terrorist attack at Yehuda Junction, where he reviewed the circumstances of the shooting and met with senior military and security commanders. He said preliminary findings indicate that the soldiers who confronted the terrorists prevented a potentially far more devastating attack against Israeli civilians.

The IDF chief emphasized that security forces would continue pursuing everyone involved in planning or carrying out the attack, while also preparing for the possibility of additional violence during the sensitive days ahead.

Two soldiers from the IDF’s Ari Battalion, Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem, were killed in the attack. Their actions, according to military investigators, prevented the terrorists from reaching their intended civilian targets.

During his visit, Zamir toured the area where the shooting occurred and conducted an operational assessment with Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, 98th Division commander Brig. Gen. Meni Liberty, acting Civil Administration head Brig. Gen. (Res.) Ilan Malka, the commander of the Yehuda Regional Brigade, the regional Border Police commander, representatives of the Shin Bet, and other senior officers.

The military leadership examined the initial findings of the investigation, the response of the soldiers at the checkpoint, and the measures being implemented to prevent additional attacks.

“The outcome of the encounter with the terrorist cell is painful, but the initial inquiry indicates that the actions of the Ari Battalion troops prevented a serious attack against Israeli civilians. We will act decisively, pursue and reach all those involved in the attack,” Zamir said.

The chief of staff said the military had already anticipated the possibility of heightened violence in Yehuda and Shomron and had taken steps to reinforce its presence throughout the region.

Among the measures announced was the deployment of the 98th Division’s headquarters, together with substantial additional forces, to strengthen security operations and provide a rapid response to emerging threats.

Zamir said the military’s recent counterterrorism activity had already prevented numerous attacks and pledged that the security establishment would continue acting against terrorist organizations and their operatives.

“Based on the situational assessment, we prepared for the possibility of escalation in Judea and Samaria, reinforced our troops and deployed the 98th Division headquarters and numerous additional troops to the area. Our troops’ operations in the area have prevented and thwarted numerous attacks in recent weeks. We will act decisively and pursue all those involved in the attack. Anyone who attempts to harm us should know that we will reach them,” he added.

The reinforcement of the 98th Division is part of a broader military effort to strengthen security ahead of Israel’s upcoming Knesset elections. Earlier this month, Zamir warned that intelligence assessments pointed to an increased risk of escalation and ordered additional forces into the region.

The IDF has also raised its readiness across multiple fronts, with commanders instructed to maintain the ability to respond rapidly to attempted attacks while continuing proactive operations against terrorist infrastructure.

At the attack site, Zamir stressed that the military would maintain an aggressive posture toward terrorist threats while exercising restraint and avoiding actions that could unnecessarily inflame the security situation.

“We are at the highest level of readiness and alert across all fronts. Our primary mission is to thwart terrorism and ensure security and stability for Israeli civilians. We will continue to strike and take proactive action wherever necessary, while acting with composure. We will not be drawn into provocations or allow our enemies to influence our actions, particularly as we enter this sensitive week. We will also conduct an inquiry into this attack to learn from it and draw lessons for the future,” the Chief of Staff continued.

The reference to the coming week follows a series of security assessments conducted ahead of Tuesday’s elections, with the military preparing for the possibility that terrorist organizations could attempt to exploit the heightened political tensions.

The deadly shooting also prompted immediate security measures around Chevron. Israeli forces imposed restrictions on movement in the area, while military commanders approved expanded arrest operations and intensified intelligence activity aimed at identifying individuals who may have assisted the terrorists.

Investigators discovered a substantial quantity of ammunition in the attackers’ vehicle, strengthening the military’s assessment that the gunmen had intended to carry out a larger attack against Israeli civilians.

The two terrorists were eliminated after a gun battle lasting approximately 20 minutes. According to the military, the deputy commander of the Ari Battalion and a company commander were among the officers who responded to the shooting and killed the attackers.

The Ari Battalion, part of the Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade, was carrying out its first operational deployment in Yehuda and Shomron when the attack occurred.

Zamir instructed commanders to examine the circumstances of the shooting thoroughly, including the initial encounter, the deployment of forces and the response that ultimately brought the attack to an end.

He emphasized that the investigation would be used to identify operational lessons and improve the military’s ability to prevent similar attacks.

The chief of staff concluded his visit by paying tribute to the two fallen soldiers and expressing his condolences to their families.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the families of SSGT Ron Yonatan Roytman and SGT Yuval Shai Svilem, who fell while defending Israeli civilians and preventing an even more serious attack. I also wish the wounded a speedy recovery,” concluded Zamir.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is standing firmly behind Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy following a fierce controversy over a campaign advertisement featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, who accuses her daughter of being dishonest.

The commercial has provoked criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike, with some political figures condemning the use of Acton’s painful family history in a statewide election campaign. Trump, however, has urged Ramaswamy to continue broadcasting the advertisement, arguing that its effectiveness is precisely why critics want it taken off the air.

In a lengthy message posted on Truth Social, Trump praised the commercial and accused the news media of attempting to pressure the Republican candidate into abandoning a powerful political attack.

“The Press is trying to convince everyone that this Ad is bad, because it’s so good!” Trump wrote. “Who wouldn’t use such an Ad? I would, it’s called, ‘hitting pay dirt.'”



The advertisement features Donna Arthur, Acton’s mother, delivering a sharply critical assessment of her daughter directly to the camera.

“It’s not easy for a mother to say this, but Amy has a serious problem,” Arthur says in the video. “She is a liar.”

The commercial has drawn particular scrutiny because of the deeply troubled relationship between Acton and her mother, which dates back to Acton’s childhood.

According to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, Acton became estranged from Arthur after her stepfather, who has since died, was charged with sexually abusing her. Her mother remained with the stepfather and subsequently relocated to another state.

The circumstances have prompted critics to question the appropriateness of featuring Arthur in a political advertisement attacking her daughter.

Acton’s brother denounced the commercial as a “despicable low,” pointing to the abuse his sister endured as a child and the painful family history surrounding her relationship with their mother.

The controversy has become a major issue in the closely contested race to replace Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who is barred by term limits from seeking another consecutive term.

Trump has dismissed objections to the advertisement, contending that Democrats and major news organizations would embrace a comparable attack if it were directed at a Republican candidate.

The president also directed his anger at DeWine, who publicly urged Ramaswamy to stop airing the commercial. Trump branded the outgoing governor a “RINO” and questioned his loyalty to the Republican Party.

“He probably wants a Dumocrat to win, and certainly doesn’t want someone who will do a much better job than he is capable of doing,” Trump wrote.

DeWine, however, has maintained that the advertisement crosses an unacceptable line. Speaking to reporters Thursday, the Republican governor said, “It’s just wrong,” and called for the commercial to be withdrawn.

Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who is running for reelection in his own closely watched Senate contest, also expressed reservations about the campaign’s decision to feature Acton’s mother.

“I would not have run that ad,” Husted said.

Despite their objections, both DeWine and Husted have continued supporting Ramaswamy’s candidacy, separating their criticism of the advertisement from their positions in the gubernatorial race.

Vice President JD Vance has taken the opposite approach, defending Ramaswamy and criticizing fellow Republicans who have complained about the commercial.

Vance argued that “politics is a tough business,” dismissing the suggestion that the controversy required Ramaswamy to abandon the advertisement.

During a campaign appearance in Cincinnati on Wednesday, Vance also urged Republicans to stop complaining about the campaign’s tactics and concentrate on winning the election.

Trump revealed additional details about his involvement while addressing supporters Thursday evening at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa.

According to the president, Ramaswamy personally contacted him to ask whether he should withdraw the commercial amid the growing backlash.

Trump said he advised the candidate to ignore the criticism and continue broadcasting it.

“So I told him, leave it up and look upstairs and say: ‘thank you, God, very much,'” Trump said.

Ramaswamy’s campaign has committed approximately $4 million to promoting the advertisement, which began airing on television Thursday after initially circulating online.

The campaign has defended its decision, arguing that Arthur’s allegations raise legitimate questions about Acton’s credibility.

Acton’s campaign has strongly rejected that characterization, accusing Ramaswamy of exploiting a painful childhood experience for political purposes.

The controversy has also prompted renewed examination of the events surrounding Acton’s childhood. Court records from Mahoning County dating to 1978 document proceedings involving the removal of Acton and her brother from their mother’s household after their stepfather was indicted on a rape charge involving Acton, who was 12 at the time.

The records indicate that the stepfather subsequently disappeared from his last known address and was never taken into custody despite multiple arrest warrants. Arthur remained married to him until his death in 2004.

The documents have drawn additional attention because Arthur’s appearance in the advertisement challenges her daughter’s account of her childhood. Acton’s brother has publicly supported his sister’s description of the abuse and family circumstances.

Acton, a physician who previously served as Ohio’s health director, has said she has not seen her mother since 1978.

The dispute has erupted at a particularly sensitive point in the governor’s race, with several recent surveys showing Acton ahead of Ramaswamy.

A Fox News poll conducted October 15–19 placed Acton at 50 percent and Ramaswamy at 48 percent among likely voters, a two-point difference within the survey’s margin of error.

A separate Marist poll conducted October 15–18 found Acton receiving 50 percent support compared with 43 percent for Ramaswamy. Other surveys have shown smaller differences between the candidates, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the November 3 election.

The race has attracted national attention because Ohio has not elected a Democratic governor in two decades, while Trump carried the state by approximately 11 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.

Ramaswamy, a businessman and former presidential candidate, entered the race with Trump’s endorsement and has emphasized reducing taxes, combating crime and advancing conservative policies.

Trump reiterated his support Friday, describing Ramaswamy as “a brilliant and outstanding person” and predicting that his administration would “MAKE OHIO GREAT AGAIN.”

With Election Day approaching, the controversy has become a central feature of the campaign’s closing weeks, placing the candidates’ competing arguments about character and judgment alongside the economic and policy issues that have dominated much of the contest.

First Lady Melania Trump has brokered a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine, securing a temporary halt to fighting in a Russian-occupied Ukrainian city to allow humanitarian supplies to enter and trapped civilians to escape, the White House announced Friday.

The agreement, scheduled to take effect Thursday, October 29, represents an unusual diplomatic achievement for a first lady, who personally helped negotiate the arrangement with officials from both countries amid the continuing war between Moscow and Kyiv.

The ceasefire will apply specifically to Oleshky, a devastated city in southern Ukraine that has been under Russian control since the opening days of the February 2022 invasion. It is intended to provide a safe passageway for civilians and permit desperately needed deliveries of food, medicine and other essential supplies.

The agreement does not constitute a nationwide ceasefire or an end to the war. Fighting elsewhere in Ukraine is expected to continue as President Donald Trump pursues broader negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.

According to the White House, Melania Trump and a representative worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to establish the terms of the arrangement, including the timing of the ceasefire, procedures for delivering assistance and plans for evacuating residents.

The first lady served as what the administration described as an exclusive intermediary between the two sides, helping coordinate the humanitarian agreement despite the continuing hostilities.

Oleshky, situated across the Dnipro River from the regional capital of Kherson, has experienced catastrophic conditions during more than four years of war.

Before Russia’s invasion, approximately 24,000 people lived in the city. Today, an estimated 1,700 to 2,000 residents remain, most of them elderly people who have been unable to flee. Approximately 50 children are also believed to remain in the area.

Residents have endured severe shortages of food, medicine, electricity and clean water, while destroyed infrastructure, land mines and continued military attacks have made evacuations extremely dangerous.

Melania Trump described the humanitarian emergency in stark terms.

“The situation in Oleshky is dire. Oleshky is a front-line war city on the brink of disaster. Oleshky’s remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention, medicine, food, and clean water,” she said.

The first lady said the conditions made direct intervention necessary to prevent further suffering.

“The people of Oleshky have limited electricity, live amid mined roads, and endure regular military attacks. It was abundantly clear that without my intervention, the possibility to bring humanitarian aid into the city and to evacuate the elderly would be impossible.”

Under the agreement, civilian representatives from Russia and Ukraine will cooperate in assessing the needs of residents, coordinating relief deliveries and arranging transportation for those wishing to leave.

Residents will be permitted to choose their preferred destination, including areas controlled by either Russia or Ukraine.

“Non-military, civilian leaders from both countries will work together to visit Oleshky residents in their homes and determine the level of assistance they require. Residents who wish to evacuate will receive coordinated support and transportation to their preferred destination. I anticipate some will want to go to Russia, and some to Ukraine,” Melania Trump explained.

The first lady also announced that an American news organization would accompany the humanitarian teams to document their activities and help ensure that the evacuation process respects the wishes of individual families.

“I have also secured an impartial American media organization to accompany and document Russian and Ukrainian teams on the ground throughout the process. This will play a significant role in ensuring that the wishes of each family are faithfully respected.”

Newsmax subsequently reported that it would participate in covering the humanitarian operation.

The agreement grew out of Melania Trump’s earlier humanitarian efforts involving Ukrainian children who were taken to Russia during the war and subsequently reunited with their families.

According to the White House, the first lady has helped facilitate six separate reunification operations involving 34 children.

The crisis in Oleshky was brought to her attention during a private conversation at her Fostering the Future Together event in New York City, held in conjunction with the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

After learning about conditions in the city, Melania Trump and her representative reportedly contacted Russian and Ukrainian officials through diplomatic channels established during the earlier child-reunification efforts.

“My representative and I immediately leveraged the communication channel we established with Russia and Ukraine through the previous six reunifications of 34 children. Both nations promptly assigned teams to coordinate the complex mechanics involved, including demining. All parties have worked around the clock since that moment,” she said.

The preparations have included discussions about clearing mines, establishing safe transportation routes and coordinating access for humanitarian personnel.

The Kremlin publicly welcomed the agreement Friday, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledging the first lady’s involvement and praising her contribution to the negotiations.

“We welcome the efforts of the First Lady of the United States, Mrs Melania Trump, who has made a significant contribution to the coordination of the humanitarian operation,” Peskov said.

Peskov indicated that the humanitarian arrangements had also been discussed during a recent conversation between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He said civilians wishing to leave Oleshky would be permitted to do so and that the evacuation operation was expected to continue for several days.

Ukraine’s chief negotiator, David Arakhamia, also confirmed the agreement, saying preparations were underway to establish humanitarian corridors allowing residents to leave and relief supplies to enter.

Arakhamia indicated that the arrangement followed an extended diplomatic effort involving Melania Trump and Pope Leo XIV, whose involvement helped advance discussions between the warring sides.

The Russian military separately announced plans to suspend firing to facilitate the humanitarian operation, although statements from Moscow and Washington gave different indications about the precise timetable for implementation.

The ceasefire represents a significant development for Oleshky, where residents have faced increasingly desperate conditions.

The city suffered catastrophic flooding following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023, with approximately 90 percent of its territory inundated, according to White House figures.

Since then, residents have faced continuing military attacks, damaged infrastructure and severe restrictions on their ability to obtain basic necessities.

Humanitarian organizations have struggled to reach the city because of its location near the front lines and the danger posed by drones, artillery and mined roads.

Ukraine has attempted to deliver food to isolated residents using drones, but such operations have provided only limited relief.

The newly announced agreement is intended to establish a more reliable method of delivering assistance while allowing civilians to leave through designated evacuation routes.

Ukrainian human rights officials have welcomed the diplomatic initiative while cautioning that implementing the ceasefire and safely transporting residents will remain extremely difficult.

The announcement comes as President Trump continues pressing for a broader settlement between Russia and Ukraine, with negotiations complicated by disagreements over territory, security guarantees and the terms of any permanent cessation of hostilities.

Although the Oleshky agreement is limited to a single city, it demonstrates that the two countries remain capable of reaching specific humanitarian arrangements despite their wider disagreements.

For Melania Trump, the agreement represents an expansion of her diplomatic involvement beyond efforts to reunite children separated from their families during the war.

The immediate test will come on October 29, when the temporary ceasefire is scheduled to begin and humanitarian teams are expected to start implementing the evacuation and relief operation.

If carried out successfully, the agreement could provide desperately needed assistance to thousands of civilians who have spent years trapped in one of the war’s most devastated communities.

The White House has not indicated that the arrangement will lead to a broader ceasefire, but officials hope the humanitarian operation will proceed with the cooperation of both Russian and Ukrainian authorities.

For the remaining residents of Oleshky, the agreement offers the prospect of food, medical assistance and a safe route out of a city where war has made ordinary life increasingly impossible.

Israel’s chareidi political parties are adjusting their Election Day operations in response to new restrictions on collecting and reporting voter information at polling stations, prompting campaign organizers to establish alternative systems for monitoring turnout and identifying supporters who have not yet voted.

The changes come ahead of Tuesday’s Knesset elections, when United Torah Judaism and Shas are expected to mobilize extensive networks of activists to encourage voters to reach the polls.

For years, party organizations have relied on information gathered by representatives stationed at polling locations to monitor participation throughout the day. The information has helped campaign headquarters determine which supporters have already cast ballots and which voters may require additional reminders or transportation assistance.

Under the new restrictions, party representatives face limitations on collecting and transmitting voter information from inside polling stations.

In response, chareidi campaign organizers are preparing voluntary check-in stations outside voting locations, where supporters will be encouraged to report that they have voted.

The alternative arrangement is intended to allow campaign headquarters to continue tracking participation without relying on information obtained from inside the polling stations.

The ruling at the center of the controversy was issued by Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, chairman of the Central Elections Committee, who determined that polling-station representatives could not transmit information about individual voters to party headquarters through election applications.

The restriction was subsequently extended to digital reporting of the number of voters who had cast ballots at individual polling stations. The court’s position was that information obtained by officials serving inside polling stations could not be used for partisan turnout operations.

The decision represents a major operational challenge for the chareidi parties, whose highly organized Election Day campaigns have traditionally depended on detailed, continuously updated voter information.

Agudas Yisroel has developed a particularly unusual response, establishing what campaign organizers have dubbed the “Sohlberg Headquarters.”

Under the plan, stations will be positioned outside polling locations where Agudas Yisroel has supporters. Voters will be asked to report voluntarily after casting their ballots, allowing campaign workers to update their records and avoid repeatedly contacting individuals who have already voted.

In addition, Agudas Yisroel intends to establish dedicated tents at groups of polling stations, staffed by kollel members who will assist with the reporting process.

The operation is being organized under the direction of Yerushalayim Deputy Mayor Tzachi Brim.

Campaign organizers have adopted the slogan, “If you voted but didn’t report, you didn’t vote,” emphasizing the importance they attach to keeping headquarters informed throughout Election Day.

The slogan is intended to encourage supporters to report their participation after leaving the polling station. It does not suggest that a ballot is invalid if a voter declines to report.

Degel HaTorah is pursuing a different strategy.

Its original plan called for seminary girls to gather in wedding halls and make telephone calls throughout Election Day, contacting supporters and encouraging them to vote.

Following legal difficulties, party organizers reportedly abandoned that arrangement and instead decided to establish an expanded, paid women’s campaign operation, larger than those employed during previous elections.

The operation will focus on contacting voters and encouraging participation without relying on the restricted information from inside polling stations.

Shas, meanwhile, is preparing a highly structured reporting network designed to track voter participation through multiple levels of campaign leadership.

Under its system, one coordinator will be responsible for approximately 50 voters, ensuring that each person reaches the polls.

Those coordinators will report to supervisors overseeing larger groups, who will transmit information to municipal campaign officials. The information will ultimately reach Shas chairman Aryeh Deri through a dedicated computerized system.

Shas is also expected to operate reporting stations outside polling locations.

The different approaches illustrate the importance all three chareidi factions attach to maximizing turnout, particularly in an election in which smaller political movements are attempting to attract voters dissatisfied with the established parties.

The campaign comes amid continuing tensions over the military draft controversy, which has generated anger among some chareidi voters and raised concerns within the established parties about potential defections or abstentions.

With the election approaching, party officials are attempting to ensure that supporters who intend to vote actually reach their polling stations.

The new restrictions mean that campaign workers will have to rely more heavily on voluntary reporting, telephone outreach, and neighborhood-level organization rather than the automated voter information systems used in previous elections.

For the chareidi parties, the challenge is substantial. Their ability to mobilize voters has long been regarded as one of their principal electoral strengths, particularly in closely contested elections where relatively small changes in turnout can affect the distribution of Knesset seats.

The elaborate preparations now underway reflect their determination to preserve that advantage despite the court’s restrictions, with extensive networks of volunteers and paid workers expected to operate throughout Election Day.

Two former senior FBI officials have been criminally charged with lying to Congress about their involvement in investigations concerning Hunter Biden, with federal prosecutors alleging that the pair concealed their roles in shaping the public narrative surrounding his controversial laptop ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, who held leadership positions in the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force, surrendered to federal authorities Friday after being charged in connection with statements they made during congressional interviews in 2023.

The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro and FBI Director Kash Patel, who said investigators had uncovered evidence contradicting the former officials’ assertions that their task force played no role in the Hunter Biden investigations.

“Floris and Benavides allegedly lied to Congress about their roles in the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations, with one claiming they only learned about it from Wikipedia – despite evidence showing their involvement in helping shape the public narrative about Hunter Biden’s laptop right before the election,” Pirro said.

The case centers on the FBI’s handling of information involving Hunter Biden during the closing months of the 2020 presidential campaign, when questions about the authenticity of his laptop and the bureau’s response to reporting about its contents became the subject of intense political controversy.

According to federal authorities, Floris and Benavides provided misleading accounts of their responsibilities while testifying before congressional investigators examining the FBI’s activities during that period.

Floris served as deputy assistant director overseeing the Foreign Influence Task Force from approximately the middle of 2019 until mid-2022. Benavides held the position of section chief of the same task force beginning in mid-2019 and continuing through the 2020 election.

Patel said both officials denied that the task force had participated in the bureau’s investigations involving Hunter Biden, despite records and testimony that investigators now contend demonstrate otherwise.

“Floris led the FITF as a Deputy Assistant Director from mid-2019 through mid-2022. Benavides was the FITF Section Chief from mid-2019 through the 2020 election,” added Patel.

“Both testified that the FITF was not involved in the Hunter Biden investigations. Documentary evidence, contemporaneous communications, and witness accounts contradict their testimony,” the FBI boss said.

The FBI director also highlighted an alleged private remark by Floris that investigators apparently consider significant in assessing her role during the election period.

“Floris is also on record privately claiming to be ‘running a shadow government’ during the 2020 election in her role on the FITF,” he noted.

The allegation concerning the remark was presented by Patel as part of the government’s case against Floris. The full circumstances in which the statement was allegedly made were not detailed in the announcement.

A person familiar with the prosecution said the allegations arose from sworn transcribed interviews conducted by the House Judiciary Committee in 2023. Floris appeared before congressional investigators on July 19, while Benavides was questioned on September 28.

Both former officials have been charged with one count of making false statements to Congress, a federal offense. Prosecutors allege that their testimony misrepresented what they knew about the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations and the extent of the Foreign Influence Task Force’s involvement.

Court documents released Friday indicate that investigators relied on internal communications, documentary records and witness accounts in developing the case. Prosecutors maintain that those materials demonstrate that the two officials possessed considerably more knowledge of the investigations than they acknowledged to lawmakers.

The Foreign Influence Task Force was established to address foreign interference in American elections, particularly following concerns about Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential race. Its activities during the 2020 campaign have since come under scrutiny from congressional Republicans who questioned whether federal law enforcement improperly influenced public discussion of politically sensitive information.

The controversy surrounding Hunter Biden’s laptop began in October 2020, when the New York Post published reports based on material allegedly recovered from a computer he had left at a Delaware repair shop. The reports generated widespread political debate in the weeks before the presidential election.

Questions subsequently arose over how federal investigators handled the laptop and whether warnings about possible foreign disinformation contributed to skepticism about the reporting. The FBI had obtained the laptop in 2019, and material from it was later used in federal proceedings involving Hunter Biden.

The Justice Department’s criminal complaint alleges that Floris and Benavides attempted to conceal the task force’s involvement in discussions and activities connected to those investigations. The accusations concern their statements to Congress, rather than charges that they personally altered evidence or committed an offense in the underlying Hunter Biden investigation.

The prosecution has already drawn a forceful response from Floris’s attorneys, who accuse the Justice Department of bringing a politically motivated case.

“Nikki Floris is a patriot. She served our nation as a dedicated FBI intelligence officer for nearly 20 years. Yet today, the DOJ has accused her falsely of a crime on the say-so of politicians, not on the facts. It’s no coincidence the government is filing these nonsense charges now, years later, on the eve of an election,” her lawyers said.

Her attorneys also challenged the government’s motives, saying the charges were intended to advance a political narrative rather than address genuine criminal conduct.

“The government’s reasons for charging Nikki are as transparent as they are unjust: to push a false narrative for a shot at political points,” they said.

An attorney representing Benavides was not immediately available for comment when the charges were announced.

Both defendants appeared in federal court in Washington on Friday. Prosecutors did not seek to have them detained while the proceedings continue.

The case was brought through a criminal complaint rather than a grand jury indictment, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Tuesday. During the initial proceedings, the judge raised questions about the unusual timing and procedural posture of the prosecution.

The charges were announced just 11 days before the November 3 midterm elections, adding to the political attention surrounding a case involving actions taken during the 2020 presidential campaign.

The Foreign Influence Task Force was disbanded in 2025 after the Trump administration began reviewing the FBI’s handling of politically sensitive investigations and allegations of institutional bias.

For federal prosecutors, the case now centers on whether Floris and Benavides knowingly misled congressional investigators about their knowledge and activities. Their attorneys will have an opportunity to challenge the government’s evidence as the proceedings move forward.

The arrests represent a significant development in the continuing examination of the FBI’s conduct during the 2020 election, although the allegations remain unproven and both defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.

The case is expected to draw further attention as investigators’ evidence and the defendants’ responses are examined in federal court.

Rav Avrohom Salim, member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, visited Yeshivas Orchos Meir in the Bayit Vegan neighborhood of Yerushalayim following the sentencing of one of its bochurim, Eliyahu Dabada, to 20 days in military prison over the army draft issue.

The visit, which took place Thursday, was intended to strengthen the yeshiva’s bochurim amid growing concern over the arrest and imprisonment of yeshiva students who have not reported for military service.

Rav Salim delivered a special address to the bochurim, offering words of encouragement and emphasizing the importance of remaining steadfast in their Torah learning despite the uncertainty surrounding the draft controversy.

The imprisonment of Dabada has generated concern among his fellow bochurim and the yeshiva’s leadership, particularly as enforcement proceedings against chareidi young men have become an increasingly contentious issue in Israel.

The case comes against the backdrop of a broader struggle over the status of yeshiva students, with chareidi rabbonim and political representatives warning that the military’s enforcement policies threaten the ability of young men to continue their studies uninterrupted.

Rav Salim’s visit took place Tuesday, October 20, when the yeshiva interrupted its regular afternoon learning session to receive him. Hundreds of bochurim greeted the Rosh Yeshiva with enthusiastic singing as he entered the study hall, accompanied by the yeshiva’s Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Meir Vaknin.

During an approximately 20-minute address, Rav Salim spoke about Dabada’s imprisonment and the responsibility of yeshiva students to remain committed to their learning.

The visit also carried a political message ahead of the upcoming elections. Rav Salim told the bochurim that, in his view, the appropriate electoral choices for a Torah-observant voter were Shas and United Torah Judaism.

His remarks included references to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, whose parties have attracted some support among younger chareidi voters.

When the question arose as to which party the bochurim should actually support, Rav Salim directed them to consult their own Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Vaknin, and follow his guidance.

Dabada was arrested on October 7 at approximately 4 a.m. at his parents’ home in Be’er Sheva by military police. He was subsequently transferred to Military Prison 10 and sentenced to 20 days of confinement.

Following his arrest, Rav Salim, Rav Moshe Maya, and Rav Shlomo Machpud sent letters offering him encouragement and support.

Hundreds of students and alumni of Orchos Meir also gathered outside Military Prison 10 in a demonstration organized at the direction of Rav Vaknin. The gathering included prayers, singing, and expressions of solidarity with their imprisoned fellow student.

The case has also generated political controversy. According to an October 19 report by Army Radio correspondent Mordechai Halperin, members of Shas’s Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, including Rav Maya and Rav Salim, had expressed interest in personally visiting Dabada in prison.

Dabada’s family reportedly began coordinating the proposed visits with his attorneys, but the report alleged that Shas officials intervened to discourage the visits because of concerns about their possible effect on the party’s election campaign.

{Matzav.com}

A disturbing incident in Bnei Brak has sparked condemnation after the elderly Strikover Rebbe was reportedly assaulted by a group of troublemakers while leaving a wedding this week.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. Tuesday night as the Rebbe was making his way out of a wedding celebrating the marriage of a son of the Leipniker Rebbe, held at the Heichalei HaPaar wedding hall in Bnei Brak.

According to eyewitness accounts, a group of individuals confronted the Strikover Rebbe as he attempted to leave the simcha. The confrontation escalated into physical violence, and during the disturbance, the Rebbe’s hat was knocked from his head.

The incident generated particular outrage because of the Rebbe’s advanced age and his standing as one of the senior admorim of the generation.

Reports of the confrontation spread quickly through Bnei Brak and the wider chareidi community, prompting strong expressions of condemnation over the treatment of an elderly Torah leader.

In the aftermath of the incident, Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, paid a personal visit to the Strikover Rebbe to offer chizuk and express his concern.

The precise circumstances surrounding the confrontation have not been fully established, and published accounts differ on certain details, including the identity of those involved and the sequence of events.

However, multiple reports agree that the Rebbe was confronted during the wedding celebration and that the encounter involved physical aggression.

The incident came just days after another confrontation involving a prominent rebbe.

On Sunday evening, the Karlin-Stoliner Rebbe was targeted by extremists as he departed a family wedding in Beit Shemesh. According to reports, individuals shouted insults and hurled stones and other objects at his vehicle.

The Stoliner Rebbe was not injured in that incident, but the attack drew condemnation from across the chareidi community.

The two incidents, occurring within days of each other, have intensified concern over violence and harassment directed at rabbonim and admorim.

In the wake of the Strikover incident, chareidi commentators emphasized that disagreements, however strongly held, cannot justify physical attacks or the public humiliation of Torah leaders.

One published condemnation stated, “Violence is not the way of Torah and should not be directed against anyone, particularly rabbonim and Torah scholars.”

The incident has also renewed discussion about the conduct of fringe elements whose actions have repeatedly generated concern within the chareidi community.

As of now, no confirmed information had emerged regarding arrests or criminal charges specifically connected to the incident involving the Strikover Rebbe.

{Matzav.com}

Agudas Yisroel chairman Yitzchok Goldknopf has declared that his party will not automatically support Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in forming the next Israeli government, even if the right-wing and chareidi parties secure a 61-seat majority in the upcoming elections.

Goldknopf is demanding written commitments addressing the status of yeshiva students and the military draft controversy before agreeing to recommend Netanyahu for another term as prime minister.

The position, outlined in an interview published Thursday, underscores the continuing importance of the draft issue within Agudas Yisroel as Israel approaches Election Day.

Goldknopf made clear that the arithmetic of a potential coalition would not, by itself, be sufficient to secure his party’s support. He wants binding political assurances concerning the future of yeshiva students and the protection of Torah study.

The dispute over military conscription has dominated relations between the chareidi parties and Netanyahu’s government, particularly following court decisions and enforcement measures affecting yeshiva students who have not enlisted.

For Agudas Yisroel, the question is whether a future coalition agreement would provide sufficiently clear commitments to address those concerns.

Goldknopf’s insistence on written guarantees reflects the party’s reluctance to rely solely on verbal promises or general declarations of support for the yeshiva world.

The dispute also reflects a deeper breakdown in trust between Ger and Netanyahu over commitments made during previous coalition negotiations.

Goldknopf has previously recounted that the Gerer Rebbe instructed him to obtain a concrete guarantee that legislation protecting the status of yeshiva students would actually be enacted.

During those negotiations, Netanyahu offered Goldknopf ministerial responsibilities, but Goldknopf later said that the Gerer Rebbe had wanted something more substantial than a government position as assurance that the draft issue would be resolved.

The legislation was never completed to the satisfaction of Agudas Yisroel’s leadership, and the controversy continued to intensify as yeshiva students faced mounting legal uncertainty and enforcement measures.

In a separate statement earlier in the campaign, Goldknopf accused Netanyahu of failing to seriously pursue a solution to the draft crisis and declared that his party would support only a future government that addresses the status of yeshiva and kollel students.

The issue has also contributed to tensions within United Torah Judaism itself, particularly between the Ger faction of Agudas Yisroel and the Degel HaTorah leadership.

In recent days, UTJ chairman Yaakov Asher has held discussions with Goldknopf and the Gerer Rebbe as party officials have attempted to resolve disagreements ahead of the elections.

The Gerer Rebbe has issued a call for his chassidim to support United Torah Judaism, although separate reports Thursday indicated that he was still declining to personally sign the traditional election proclamation of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.

Meanwhile, reports have suggested that Ger representatives may be prepared to abstain rather than oppose the establishment of a government headed by opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, illustrating the extent to which the movement is reconsidering its longstanding political alignment with Netanyahu.

Those reports have not established what Agudas Yisroel will ultimately do following the elections, when any coalition arrangement would still require approval from the party’s rabbinic leadership.

Goldknopf’s position nevertheless introduces an important qualification into the calculations surrounding a possible Netanyahu coalition: even if the parties traditionally associated with the prime minister collectively reach the required 61 seats, Agudas Yisroel’s participation cannot necessarily be assumed.

{Matzav.com}

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and longtime Middle East adviser, is facing explosive allegations that he secretly gained access to approximately $2 billion supplied by Saudi Arabian and United Arab Emirates leaders during Trump’s first administration, including an alleged $1 billion transfer routed through Israel with the assistance of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

The accusations, published Thursday by Vanity Fair in an excerpt from an upcoming investigative book, claim that Netanyahu helped arrange for a massive sum of money to be placed in an account at the Bank of Israel, potentially concealing its connection to Kushner by making the funds appear to belong to the Israeli government.

Kushner has categorically rejected the allegations, calling them fabricated and unsupported by financial documentation. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who is accused in the report of serving as an intermediary between Kushner and Netanyahu, has also denied the claims.

The allegations have not been independently substantiated, and no criminal wrongdoing has been established. Nevertheless, the report has generated considerable attention because of the enormous sums involved and the suggestion that senior figures in three Middle Eastern governments participated in undisclosed financial arrangements involving a top White House adviser.

The claims appear in Princes and Thieves: Jared Kushner and Mohamed bin Zayed’s Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East, a forthcoming book by investigative journalist Matthew Cole, whose findings were excerpted in Vanity Fair.

According to Cole, the alleged financial network originated in discussions involving United Arab Emirates leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, both of whom developed close relationships with Kushner during Trump’s first presidency.

The book claims that the Gulf leaders initially considered establishing a fund exceeding $10 billion to support diplomatic and political initiatives associated with the incoming Trump administration. That proposal reportedly evolved into a series of smaller financial arrangements involving accounts in the UAE and Israel.

Cole alleges that approximately $2 billion was ultimately made available through accounts connected to Kushner, although the precise arrangements through which the Saudi and Emirati leaders allegedly contributed the funds remain unclear.

One of the most serious allegations involves a purported $1 billion transfer in 2018.

According to the book, Mohamed bin Zayed arranged for approximately $1 billion to be transferred through Azerbaijan to Israel, where the money was intended for Kushner.

Cole cites a person familiar with the alleged arrangement who claims Netanyahu encouraged Kushner to place the funds in an account at Israel’s central bank, where they would appear to be government assets rather than money associated with an American presidential adviser.

The report further alleges that Netanyahu required Kushner to notify him before conducting transactions involving the account.

Because the Bank of Israel does not ordinarily maintain personal accounts, the alleged arrangement would raise significant questions about how the money could have been deposited and accessed.

Cole claims the account operated under a system requiring two authorized individuals to approve transactions, with Netanyahu allegedly exercising oversight over the funds.

According to the report, Kushner communicated with Netanyahu about the account through Friedman, who was serving as U.S. ambassador to Israel.

Friedman emphatically rejected the allegation, describing it as “100 percent false.”

Kushner’s attorney likewise denied that any such account existed or that the alleged arrangement ever occurred.

The investigation also describes a separate account in the United Arab Emirates, allegedly containing approximately $750 million and maintained at First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Cole claims the account was funded through the Watani Al Emarat Foundation, a UAE government-supported organization allegedly used to facilitate sensitive overseas financial and security operations.

According to the report, Kushner was designated as an authorized signatory, giving him the ability to access the funds even though the account was formally owned by the foundation.

The author alleges that the money was transferred through an Azerbaijani financial institution, making it more difficult to determine its original source.

The alleged arrangement first came to the attention of Dutch intelligence officials, according to Cole, after they obtained access to information from a Russian military intelligence operation.

The report claims that Dutch intelligence officers recruited a Russian hacker who had access to servers operated by Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency. Among the materials discovered were screenshots taken from Kushner’s iPhone.

By early 2018, Dutch specialists had reportedly identified a vulnerability that allowed them to observe activity on Kushner’s phone, including his alleged access to the UAE bank account.

Cole says the surveillance provided investigators with information about financial transfers involving hundreds of millions of dollars, prompting questions about the relationship between Kushner and the Gulf governments.

The author also alleges that some of the money associated with the Israeli account was subsequently transferred through banks in Cyprus, although the report does not establish where all the funds ultimately went.

A third alleged arrangement involved a separate fund connected to possible Israeli military assistance to the UAE in the event of a major Iranian attack.

According to Cole, the proposed arrangement was intended to finance emergency defense cooperation between Israel and the Gulf state as the two countries moved toward closer diplomatic relations.

The allegations are particularly significant because Kushner played a central role in negotiating the Abraham Accords, the historic normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab countries during Trump’s first administration.

Cole raises questions about whether the alleged financial arrangements were properly disclosed under American ethics and financial reporting requirements.

As a senior White House adviser, Kushner was subject to federal disclosure rules governing financial interests and certain relationships with foreign governments.

The report cites several senior officials from the first Trump administration who said they were unaware of any presidential authorization for Kushner to maintain access to the alleged foreign accounts.

Cole also quotes a former federal prosecutor who suggested that, if the allegations were substantiated and financial benefits were exchanged for official influence, the conduct could raise questions under federal bribery and foreign-agent laws.

However, the publication does not establish that Kushner received personal payments, that the alleged accounts existed, or that any laws were violated.

Kushner responded Thursday with an unusually forceful public statement, accusing Cole of inventing the allegations and failing to produce documentation supporting them.

“The allegations made by this author are completely insane and never happened,” Kushner said.

He emphasized that neither the article nor the author had produced the underlying financial records necessary to verify the extraordinary claims.

“We denied every one of these claims on the record, yet the author failed to provide a single shred of evidence to substantiate any of them. No bank statements, wire transfer records, account numbers, transaction dates, or other verifiable details were provided to support these extraordinary accusations.”

Kushner also rejected the suggestion that such arrangements could have escaped scrutiny during the extensive investigations of the first Trump administration.

“I voluntarily cooperated with these investigations, providing over 30 hours of testimony. None of these allegations ever surfaced, because none of these events ever happened,” he said.

He went further in condemning the publication and questioning the author’s motives.

“These are outrageous fabrications being presented as investigative journalism. This is not journalism. It is a mixture of fantasy, fiction, and advocacy, written by someone who is either deeply disturbed or acting with sinister intent.”

Friedman, who was identified in the report as an alleged intermediary, also issued an emphatic denial.

“I know absolutely nothing about any of these allegations,” Friedman said, “and the specific allegations about me or my alleged involvement in this alleged scheme are 100% false.”

Kushner’s legal representatives have likewise maintained that he never held the alleged accounts and complied with applicable legal requirements during his White House service.

The controversy comes as Kushner continues to play a role in President Trump’s diplomatic efforts, working alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff on sensitive international negotiations.

Kushner’s business relationships in the Middle East have previously attracted scrutiny, particularly investments made in his private equity firm, Affinity Partners, after he left the White House in 2021. Those publicly reported investments are separate from the secret financial arrangements alleged in Cole’s new book.

In an unusual meeting at his home in Bnei Brak, Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, met with dozens of working chareidi men and businessmen, listened to their concerns about the challenges facing their families, and assured them that they remain an integral part of the Torah community.

The gathering, held Wednesday evening, came amid growing dissatisfaction among some working members of the Litvishe yeshiva community who feel that their educational and communal needs have not received sufficient attention from the established chareidi political parties.

During the meeting, Rav Landau pledged to personally approach Degel HaTorah’s Knesset representatives and party leadership to address those concerns, particularly difficulties involving their children’s education and the need for additional Torah learning opportunities.

“You are part of the Torah world,” Rav Landau told the participants, emphasizing that working chareidim share the same religious outlook and belong fully within the broader Torah community.

The gathering was arranged by a group known as Mateh Amelim, an unofficial Degel HaTorah initiative working with chareidim who earn a livelihood outside the traditional full-time Torah study framework.

Among those present were businessmen, community activists, and other prominent members of the working chareidi community, including Yisroel Reisner, Chaim Goloventzitz, Shuki Feldstein, Rav Rafael Manat, Yedidya Meir, Dovi Weinroth, and others.

The meeting followed an earlier conversation between Rav Landau and Rav Rafael Manat, who brought to the Rosh Yeshiva’s attention the frustrations being expressed by numerous working chareidi families.

According to reports, Manat described complaints from individuals who believe that their representatives have failed to adequately address their particular circumstances, including educational arrangements and other communal concerns.

Some of those individuals have consequently been considering supporting newly established political parties in the upcoming Israeli elections.

Rav Landau agreed to receive a delegation representing this segment of the community and spent considerable time listening to their concerns.

Addressing the gathering, the Rosh Yeshiva explained that he had carefully considered the issues raised and had decided to prepare a written response.

“After listening attentively to their complaints and their pain, I felt it appropriate to put my position on this matter in writing,” he said.

He welcomed the participants as Jews devoted to Torah observance who seek to understand their responsibilities at the present time.

Rav Landau then read aloud a letter he had prepared addressing the upcoming elections and the importance he attaches to maintaining the community’s established political representation.

In the letter, he urged those concerned about their children’s continued adherence to Torah and mitzvos to support United Torah Judaism, whose ballot symbol is Gimmel, rather than newly established political lists.

He warned that abstaining from voting or supporting alternative parties could, in his view, undermine the long-term interests of the Torah community.

The Rosh Yeshiva described the matter as one that caused him considerable anguish, saying that he was writing out of deep concern for the future of Jewish families and their children.

At the same time, Rav Landau acknowledged that the complaints brought before him required serious attention.

In a significant undertaking to the participants, he declared:

“Without making a formal vow, I will approach the Knesset members of Degel HaTorah and the party leadership so that they find a way to assist and address educational matters and other issues requiring solutions for chareidim and G-d-fearing Jews who work to support their families, and to establish Torah classes for them.”

The undertaking addressed one of the central concerns expressed by the delegation: that working chareidi families sometimes encounter difficulties obtaining appropriate educational arrangements and other services within their communities.

Rav Landau made clear that earning a livelihood does not place a person outside the Torah community.

“You are part of the Torah world,” he told the gathering.

He further emphasized that the community shares a common religious outlook and that working chareidim are an inseparable part of the constituency represented by Degel HaTorah.

{Matzav.com}