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Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir issued a sharp warning Sunday to the chareidi parties against joining a left-wing coalition following Israel’s Knesset elections, accusing left-wing politicians of suddenly offering concessions on the yeshiva draft issue in an effort to secure enough support to establish a government.

The Otzma Yehudit chairman, whose party won seven Knesset seats, also acknowledged that he had anticipated a stronger showing at the polls. Nevertheless, he celebrated the party’s performance, thanked its supporters, and pledged to continue fighting for its political agenda whether it ultimately joins the next coalition or sits in the opposition.

In a lengthy statement following the October 27 election, Ben Gvir first addressed the continuing scrutiny of the election results, expressing concern about possible interference in the investigation.

“The elections held last week are still being examined and investigated, in the hope that we will get to the truth and that the judicial system will not sabotage the investigation,” he wrote.

He then expressed appreciation to those who supported Otzma Yehudit throughout the campaign.

“A huge thank you for the trust, the tremendous support, and the enormous love you showered upon me, which I felt everywhere I went during this election campaign. You moved me. I love you. Very much!”

While conceding that he had expected additional mandates, Ben Gvir pointed to the 326,634 votes received by his party, emphasizing that it had competed independently rather than running on a joint slate with another faction.

“It’s true, I expected more seats (in the previous elections, the number of votes we received was enough for nine seats). But in any case, 326,634 citizens cast their ballots for Otzma Yehudit.

“The first time we ran in an election completely on our own, without ‘crutches’ from other parties, you gave us an enormous vote of confidence.”

He further argued that Otzma Yehudit had emerged from the election in a stronger position than other parties in the right-wing camp.

“We rose to seven seats in the Knesset (compared with six in the outgoing Knesset), while all the other right-wing parties lost strength (except United Torah Judaism, which maintained its representation), and you made Otzma Yehudit the second-largest party in the right-wing bloc in terms of votes,” he wrote.

Ben Gvir insisted that the election results would not bring an end to his party’s efforts to advance its policies, particularly on security, the judiciary, and the character of the state.

“These elections are over, but the battle is not. The struggle for the Jewish state, for Israel’s security, against the supporters of terrorism among us, and against the judicial gang that has hijacked democracy is not over.

“And we are determined, steadfast, and ready for this battle. They will not defeat us.”

Turning directly to the chareidi leadership, Ben Gvir cautioned against accepting overtures from parties that had campaigned on requiring yeshiva bochurim to serve in the military. He alleged that those same politicians were now prepared to offer exemptions in exchange for chareidi support in forming a coalition.

“And to my haredi brothers, I appeal to you personally: We are all already hearing the soothing words coming from the left-wing camp, promising to exempt you from military service just so that you will help them form a government,” he wrote.

Ben Gvir accused the left-wing parties of abandoning their campaign positions for political convenience.

“It is unbelievable how these hypocrites built their entire campaign on hatred toward you, and now, in an instant, they are explaining to everyone that you actually aren’t needed in the army at all.”

The Otzma Yehudit leader also invoked the well-known account in Chazal of the fox attempting to persuade fish to leave the water, warning chareidi representatives against trusting political assurances from parties he described as fundamentally hostile to their interests.

“You have absolutely nothing in common with the left. They hate you, despise your faith, scorn your rabbis, and will do everything to dismantle you and the faith-based bloc and uproot Judaism from the state,” he claimed.

Ben Gvir argued that even if a left-wing government initially offered concessions on the draft issue, it would ultimately strengthen the judiciary, potentially exposing the chareidi community to future legal challenges and restrictions.

“The moment you help them, the first thing they will do is strengthen the judicial system – the very system that will persecute you for many years to come, even after the left and its Arab partners lose their majority in the Knesset. Don’t make this historic mistake!”

The warning comes as the parties elected to the new Knesset prepare for consultations with President Isaac Herzog, who is expected to begin meeting faction representatives Wednesday before deciding which MK should receive the mandate to form a government. United Torah Judaism has reportedly been considering whether to recommend a candidate or refrain from endorsing anyone at this stage.

Ben Gvir also defended his record as national security minister, pointing to changes in prison policies, action against illegal construction, expanded civilian firearms licensing, and the establishment of local emergency response units.

He expressed hope that his party would be able to continue implementing those policies as part of the next government, while emphasizing that its political activities would continue regardless of the coalition outcome.

“I very much hope that in the coming term we will once again work from within the government and accomplish more and more good things.

“But in any case, whether in the coalition or in the opposition, we will continue working for you!”

{Matzav.com}

Iran currently possesses an estimated 1,700 ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel, along with an enormous inventory of approximately 80,000 drones, according to Israeli security assessments released Sunday, as the United States continues reinforcing its military forces across the Middle East amid concerns over renewed regional hostilities.

The figures, based on information from Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), offer a picture of the considerable military capabilities Tehran retains despite previous confrontations with Israel and ongoing international efforts to curb the Iranian threat.

According to the assessments, Iran’s missile inventory includes roughly 1,700 ballistic weapons with sufficient range to strike Israeli territory, in addition to thousands of shorter-range and medium-range missiles intended for use against regional targets.

Iran is also believed to possess approximately 80,000 unmanned aerial vehicles, a figure that includes drones designed for military operations. The assessment did not specify how many of those aircraft are attack drones or how many are immediately available for deployment.

The scale of Iran’s arsenal highlights the continuing challenge facing Israel’s multilayered air defense network, which must contend with the possibility of coordinated attacks involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and explosive-laden drones.

Although ballistic missiles can reach Israeli targets within minutes, drones generally travel much more slowly and can be launched in large numbers to complicate interception efforts. Iranian military planners have previously employed combinations of different weapons in attempts to overwhelm defensive systems.

The updated estimates come as Washington increases its military presence in the region, including additional naval vessels, aerial refueling aircraft, and air defense equipment.

According to the report, two American aircraft carriers are expected to operate in the Middle East, with one already making its way toward the region.

The American naval deployment is also reported to include 14 warships, 13 of them destroyers. Such vessels can provide air and missile defense capabilities and support other military operations, depending on their equipment and assigned missions.

Additional American military aircraft and defensive systems are continuing to arrive as U.S. commanders strengthen their ability to respond to possible Iranian aggression and protect American personnel and regional allies.

Nevertheless, the American buildup has not yet reached the level of previous deployments.

The assessment indicates that no F-22 Raptor stealth fighters or American bomber aircraft are currently stationed in the region. The number of F-15 fighter jets is also reportedly below the level deployed during Operation Roaring Lion.

Those differences are significant because the aircraft serve different roles in a potential military confrontation. F-22 fighters are designed for air superiority and can operate in heavily contested airspace, while strategic bombers provide long-range strike capabilities. F-15 aircraft can perform a range of combat missions, including air defense and attacks against ground targets.

The absence of certain aircraft from regional bases does not necessarily mean that the United States would be unable to employ them in a conflict. American forces can operate from more distant locations, although doing so may require additional aerial refueling and logistical support.

The deployment of additional refueling aircraft is particularly important for sustaining extended air operations over the Middle East, allowing combat aircraft to remain airborne longer and operate at greater distances from their bases.

For Israel, the latest Iranian arsenal estimates point to the continued importance of maintaining sufficient interceptor inventories and close military coordination with the United States.

Israel’s air defense systems, including Arrow, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome, are designed to counter different categories of aerial threats. Ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel generally require higher-tier interception systems, while other defenses are used against shorter-range rockets and certain aircraft or drones.

The reported figures remain estimates rather than a publicly verified accounting of Iran’s operational weapons. They also do not establish how many missiles are ready for immediate launch or how many drones could be employed simultaneously.

The latest American reinforcements come as Israeli defense planners continue monitoring Iran’s missile forces and regional military activities, with the reported U.S. buildup providing additional defensive capabilities even as gaps remain compared with earlier operations.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli President Isaac Herzog will begin meeting with representatives of the newly elected Knesset factions on Wednesday as the process of determining who will receive the mandate to form Israel’s next government gets underway, with uncertainty surrounding the recommendations of several parties and the possibility that United Torah Judaism will decline to endorse any candidate.

The President’s Office announced Sunday that formal invitations had been sent to the political factions that secured seats in last week’s Knesset election. The consultations will help Herzog determine which lawmaker has the strongest prospect of assembling a governing coalition capable of securing the confidence of the Knesset.

Eyal Shviki, director general of the President’s Office, sent the invitations to party representatives, formally launching the next stage of the political process following the October 27 election.

In his communication to the factions, Shviki conveyed Herzog’s expectation that party representatives approach the discussions with flexibility and a genuine willingness to reach a workable political arrangement. The president is seeking to avoid another election and the additional political uncertainty that would accompany it.

Herzog has also directed that the consultations be broadcast live, allowing Israelis to follow the recommendations and explanations presented by each faction.

The discussions come as the political parties maneuver to determine who will be given the first opportunity to establish a coalition, with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot emerging as the principal figures around whom the recommendations are expected to center.

The right-wing parties are expected to recommend Netanyahu, while the Yashar party and the Democrats are expected to endorse Eisenkot.

The positions of Yisrael Beytenu and the Together party, however, remain uncertain, potentially complicating the calculations over which candidate will receive the greatest number of recommendations.

Another significant question concerns United Torah Judaism, whose representatives are weighing whether to withhold their recommendation altogether.

On Sunday evening, UTJ MKs Yaakov Asher, Yitzhak Goldknopf, and Meir Porush were discussing the party’s position ahead of the presidential consultations.

Should UTJ decide not to recommend a candidate, the move would represent a departure from the expected endorsements by other parties and could affect the political picture presented to Herzog as he evaluates the competing claims to the premiership.

A decision to abstain from recommending Netanyahu would not necessarily mean that UTJ has ruled out joining a government led by him. The recommendation process and subsequent coalition negotiations are separate stages, and parties may ultimately support arrangements different from those suggested during the initial consultations.

The possibility of a UTJ abstention comes against the backdrop of a difficult election for the chareidi parties, which failed to match their previous electoral performance.

The reduced strength of the chareidi factions has added another complication to coalition-building efforts, particularly as the parties weigh their negotiating positions and the implications of joining a government that may face contentious questions involving yeshiva funding, the military draft, and the relationship between religious institutions and the state.

The consultation process is prescribed by Israel’s Basic Law: The Government. Following an election, the president meets with representatives of the factions elected to the Knesset and considers their recommendations before selecting a member of Knesset to attempt to form a government.

Although the number of recommendations received by a candidate is an important consideration, the president is not automatically required to select the lawmaker who receives the most endorsements. The central question is which candidate appears most capable of putting together a coalition.

Under Israeli law, the lawmaker who receives the mandate generally has 28 days to assemble a government and may request an extension of up to 14 additional days from the president.

If that effort fails, the president may assign the task to another member of Knesset. Additional procedures apply if successive attempts to establish a government are unsuccessful.

Because a governing coalition ordinarily requires the backing of at least 61 members of the 120-seat Knesset, the recommendations presented to Herzog will provide an early indication of the alliances that may shape the next government.

They will not, however, guarantee that the recommended candidate can secure the parliamentary majority needed to take office.

The uncertainty surrounding the positions of Yisrael Beytenu, Together, and United Torah Judaism means that the final picture may not become clear until the parties formally present their positions to the president.

In the meantime, political negotiations are expected to continue as the competing camps seek to secure endorsements and identify possible coalition partners.

The coming consultations will also offer an indication of whether parties that campaigned against one another are prepared to consider compromises to avoid another election.

For Netanyahu, the challenge will be to demonstrate that the right-wing bloc can attract enough additional support to form a government. For Eisenkot, the task will be to establish that the parties prepared to recommend him can translate those endorsements into a viable parliamentary coalition.

The decisions of parties that have not yet declared their intentions could therefore prove particularly important.

Herzog’s meetings on Wednesday will mark the first formal step toward resolving those questions, but the ultimate composition of Israel’s next government will depend on the coalition agreements reached in the days and weeks that follow.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] A disturbing video circulating online purports to show rioters forcing their way into a residential building in Paris with a mezuzah affixed to its entrance, raising fresh concerns among French Jews as weeks of violent unrest have left businesses ransacked, a shul vandalized, and Jewish-owned properties damaged across the country.

The footage is being shared with claims that rioters entered the building and looted apartments inside. However, the precise location and date of the recording have not been independently established, and there has been no confirmation that the building was deliberately targeted because of its Jewish occupants or the mezuzah at its entrance.

The allegations come amid an increasingly troubling security situation for France’s Jewish population, which has watched widespread demonstrations over economic conditions and government policies descend into violent confrontations, vandalism, and looting.

WATCH:

The presence of a mezuzah at the entrance of a residential building has particular significance for Jewish residents. Traditionally affixed to the doorposts of Jewish homes, a mezuzah is a visible indication of Jewish religious observance. Its reported presence at the building in the circulating footage has prompted questions about whether the perpetrators knew they were entering a property associated with Jewish residents.

The video has not, however, established whether the mezuzah played any role in the alleged break-in.

The latest claims follow confirmed incidents involving Jewish properties during the wave of unrest that swept across France beginning October 17.

In Paris, the Ohalei Yaakov shul in the city’s 19th arrondissement was broken into during the weekend of October 17 and 18. Members of the congregation discovered the damage when they arrived at the temporary house of worship, which is being used while the permanent shul building undergoes renovations.

Inside, siddurim, tefillin, and other religious belongings had been scattered across the floor. Cupboards and storage areas had been disturbed, and the rabbi’s office had been searched. The Torah scrolls were reportedly unharmed.

Although the scene caused considerable distress, a member of the shul committee indicated that the perpetrators may have been searching for money. Authorities and Jewish security officials had not established that the break-in was motivated by antisemitism.

Elsewhere in France, Jewish-owned businesses were among those damaged during the violence. In Marseille, shops belonging to Jewish proprietors were set ablaze, while in Paris, businesses operated by Jewish residents suffered extensive destruction and theft.

The unrest also directly affected Chabad representatives working in the French capital.

Near Place de la République, one of the areas hardest hit by the rioting, a vehicle belonging to a Chabad rabbi was set on fire, and a Chabad family found itself trapped inside its community center as violence erupted in the surrounding streets.

Rabbi Moshe Cohen, a Chabad representative in the area, described widespread destruction affecting businesses owned by Jews and non-Jews alike.

Despite the damage suffered by Jewish residents, Cohen cautioned against automatically characterizing the attacks as antisemitic. He said the perpetrators appeared primarily interested in stealing merchandise rather than targeting a particular religious community.

The Service de Protection de la Communauté Juive, France’s Jewish Community Protection Service, similarly reported that it had not identified evidence showing that Jewish institutions and businesses were deliberately singled out during the initial wave of riots.

Those assessments have not eliminated the fear experienced by Jewish residents, particularly when religious institutions, businesses, and residential properties become caught up in widespread lawlessness.

The scale of the destruction across France has been substantial.

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets on October 17 to protest rising living costs, fuel prices, deteriorating educational conditions, and broader dissatisfaction with the government of President Emmanuel Macron.

While many demonstrators participated peacefully, groups of rioters broke away from the protests and attacked shops, public buildings, and other properties.

Businesses were looted in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and other major cities. Storefronts were smashed, merchandise was stolen, and vehicles were set ablaze. Police officers faced violent confrontations with rioters as security forces struggled to contain the disturbances.

The October 17 demonstrations drew an estimated 550,000 to 800,000 participants nationwide, according to differing estimates, with thousands of arrests reported during the ensuing unrest.

The economic damage has been severe. French business organizations estimate that retailers have suffered losses exceeding €1 billion over three weeks of disturbances, with broader estimates suggesting that the total cost, including uninsured damage and lost revenue, could be substantially higher.

The unrest continued through the end of October, although the scale of the demonstrations declined.

On Saturday, October 31, approximately 320,000 people participated in protests across France, including about 70,000 in Paris, according to the French Interior Ministry.

Most of those demonstrations remained peaceful, but isolated confrontations erupted in several cities. Police used tear gas and other crowd-control measures, while authorities reported preventing groups intent on vandalism and looting from breaking away from protest marches.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned that security forces would respond firmly to further violence, particularly amid concerns that Halloween disguises could be used to conceal the identities of rioters.

For French Jews, the developments have added another layer of uncertainty to an already difficult period.

The damage to Jewish-owned businesses, the break-in at a Paris shul, and the reported intrusion into a residential building bearing a mezuzah have drawn attention to the vulnerability of Jewish institutions and households when public order deteriorates.

At the same time, distinguishing between opportunistic criminal activity and attacks motivated specifically by antisemitism remains essential. Jewish security officials and local rabbonim have emphasized that the confirmed incidents do not, by themselves, establish an organized campaign targeting Jews during the demonstrations.

The circulating residential-building video has nevertheless become another source of alarm, particularly because it raises the possibility of rioters entering spaces where families would ordinarily expect to be safe.

The incident also comes amid heightened scrutiny of videos circulating from the French unrest. French media and independent fact-checkers have documented numerous misleading or fabricated images and recordings falsely attributed to the recent demonstrations, making verification of individual incidents particularly important.

For Jewish residents of Paris, the immediate concern extends beyond determining the motives of individual perpetrators. The destruction of businesses, attacks on property, and intrusions into residential buildings have raised fundamental questions about personal security and the ability of authorities to protect residents during periods of widespread disorder.

The latest footage has brought those concerns into sharper focus, even as the circumstances surrounding the alleged break-in and any possible antisemitic motive remain unverified.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman took aim at New York Gov. Kathy Hochul with a Halloween-themed attack, circulating AI-generated images depicting the Democratic incumbent as a witch while insisting that polls showing him trailing by double digits are wrong.

“Forget witches. The real Halloween nightmare is four more years of Kathy Hochul!” Blakeman declared in a social media post. “DITCH THE WITCH!”

The Nassau County executive’s campaign also released an AI-generated video featuring Hochul dressed as a witch, part of a final effort to energize Republican voters ahead of Tuesday’s gubernatorial election.

Speaking to more than 100 supporters at Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village, Queens, Blakeman dismissed recent surveys suggesting that Hochul has a comfortable advantage, maintaining that the contest is actually a “virtual dead heat.”

“Don’t believe those phony polls,” Blakeman told the crowd.

His remarks came after two surveys released Wednesday showed Hochul with substantial leads. A Siena poll placed the governor 14 percentage points ahead of Blakeman, while a Marist survey showed her leading by 11 points.

Blakeman described the polling figures as “inaccurate” and predicted that he would deliver an Election Day upset reminiscent of Republican George Pataki’s victory over Democratic Gov. Mario Cuomo in 1994.

He argued that polling had been “wrong” in that election as well, suggesting that Republican enthusiasm and turnout could produce a similar surprise this year.

Among the political figures attending the Queens rally were Queens Republican Party Chairman Tony Nunziato, Republican City Councilwoman Joann Ariola and former Democratic City Councilman Robert Holden.

Blakeman’s Saturday schedule also included planned appearances at Halloween parades in Maspeth and Glendale, followed by outreach to voters on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Hochul, meanwhile, campaigned across Long Island and New York City, with stops in Huntington, Brookhaven, Brooklyn and Queens as both candidates worked to mobilize supporters during the final weekend of early voting.

The Democratic governor’s campaign fired back with its own Halloween-themed attack, circulating an email criticizing Blakeman’s program of armed civilian volunteers serving as emergency special deputy sheriffs. The campaign characterized the initiative as a “militia cluster….”

The candidates also clashed over New York’s affordability crisis. At his Queens rally, Blakeman promoted his proposal to eliminate state income taxes on the first $100,000 earned by married couples filing jointly, while accusing Hochul of leaving New Yorkers vulnerable to further tax increases.

Hochul defended her administration’s economic record during a Brooklyn campaign appearance, highlighting investments in housing, education and child care. She argued that increasing the housing supply was essential to making rents and homeownership more affordable.

Blakeman’s aggressive closing campaign comes as early voting draws to a close Sunday, November 1. More than 468,000 ballots had already been cast in New York City as of Friday night, according to the city’s Board of Elections, with Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, November 3.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands of Palestinians flooded the streets of Gaza City for the funeral of senior Hamas terrorist Arafat al-Raer, who was involved in the 2006 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, as armed terrorists reportedly fired ammunition worth tens of thousands of dollars into the air in a public display of force.

The massive funeral procession, held Sunday, November 1, came as discussions continue over the future of the Gaza Strip and demands that Hamas surrender its weapons. Footage circulating on social media showed enormous crowds accompanying the terrorist’s body through the streets, raising their hands and chanting “Allahu Akbar.”

According to reports from Gaza, armed Hamas operatives fired repeated volleys of gunfire into the sky throughout the procession. Local sources estimated that the ammunition expended during the funeral was worth tens of thousands of dollars, although that figure has not been independently verified.

Al-Raer died after suffering critical injuries in an Israeli airstrike in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of western Gaza City. He subsequently succumbed to his wounds.

The Hamas operative was closely connected to one of the most notorious terrorist kidnappings in Israeli history. He participated in the June 2006 abduction of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured during a cross-border attack near the Gaza Strip and held by Hamas for more than five years.

Al-Raer was also involved in Shalit’s captivity and was photographed accompanying the Israeli soldier on the day of his release in October 2011, when Israel freed more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for his return.

He was believed to have been among the last surviving Hamas terrorists directly involved in the kidnapping and captivity of Shalit.

The funeral provided a highly visible demonstration of Hamas’ continued presence in Gaza City despite the heavy losses inflicted on the terrorist organization during the war.

The scenes also raised fresh questions about the prospects for disarming Hamas, an issue that remains central to negotiations over Gaza’s postwar future.

While international discussions have focused on removing Hamas’ weapons and preventing the terrorist organization from rebuilding its military capabilities, Sunday’s procession showed armed operatives openly displaying their weapons and reportedly firing large quantities of ammunition in the streets of Gaza.

The extraordinary expenditure of ammunition at the funeral was particularly striking given the continuing humanitarian and economic difficulties facing Gaza’s civilian population.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is facing accusations of failing to pursue investigations into three controversial New York City homeless shelter operators while receiving more than $56,000 in political contributions from individuals connected to the organizations, including executives, lobbyists and their spouses.

The allegations, raised just days before Tuesday’s election, concern Samaritan Daytop Village, Acacia Network Housing and CORE Services Group, three nonprofits that have received substantial taxpayer funding despite repeated scrutiny over their financial practices, management and operations.

According to campaign finance records, individuals associated with the organizations have contributed to James’ political committees over the past eight years. Critics contend that her office has not taken enforcement action against the three providers since she became attorney general in 2019, even as other government agencies investigated their activities.

The organizations have attracted attention from the state comptroller, state inspector general, New York City’s Department of Investigation and federal authorities over allegations involving questionable financial arrangements, excessive executive compensation, inadequate oversight and potential conflicts of interest.

A sweeping 2024 Department of Investigation review of 51 city-funded shelter providers, including Acacia and CORE, identified instances of “nepotism, lack of competitive bidding and exorbitant salaries” within the city’s multibillion-dollar homeless shelter system.

The report also noted that the attorney general has the authority to “bring action to enjoin, void or rescind” improper transactions involving nonprofit organizations.

Republican attorney general candidate Saritha Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor challenging James in Tuesday’s election, accused the incumbent of neglecting her responsibilities.

“These are precisely the kinds of abuses the attorney general is supposed to investigate,” Komatireddy said.

“Yet while other watchdog agencies have exposed serious misconduct, Letitia James has refused to hold these operators accountable.

“The fact that individuals tied to these [three] organizations have contributed thousands of dollars to her campaigns raises serious questions about whose interests she is protecting,” Komatireddy added.

Among the financial connections identified is Vito F. Pitta, a Samaritan Daytop Village board member who has personally donated $6,000 to James’ campaigns since 2018. His lobbying company, Pitta LP, contributed another $22,500, according to campaign records.

Samaritan has faced criticism over its handling of public funds. A 2024 examination by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli determined that the organization had improperly billed New York City $566,556 over the preceding two years. A subsequent audit this year found that the Department of Homeless Services had still not recovered $385,109 of that amount.

Financial disclosures also showed that Samaritan CEO Mitchell Netburn received a 25% pay increase in 2025, bringing his annual compensation to $465,289, even as the nonprofit reported operating losses for a third consecutive year.

City investigators additionally identified arrangements in which Samaritan purchased legal and insurance services from businesses associated with members of its own board.

The organization’s operations have also been linked to serious incidents at facilities under its supervision.

In 2019, Marcus Coles, a house manager at Samaritan’s residential treatment center in Ellenville, New York, was arrested for sexually assaulting a woman receiving care at the facility. He subsequently pleaded guilty to a felony sex offense.

The state later sued Samaritan, alleging that the organization had failed to conduct adequate background checks despite Coles having an extensive criminal record involving burglary and drug-related arrests. The litigation was eventually settled.

In March of this year, however, James’ office asked a state judge to transfer ownership of the same treatment facility to Samaritan after the original corporate owner ceased operations. The transfer would permit the property to qualify for additional state financing.

Another tragedy occurred in 2022 at the Pan American Hotel in Elmhurst, Queens, which Samaritan was operating as a family shelter. Three-year-old Shaquan Butler Jr. was discovered dead with bruises on his body.

Local elected officials criticized conditions at the shelter, including allegations of widespread drug activity. The child’s father, Shaquan Butler, was ultimately convicted of murder and sentenced to 32 years in prison.

Acacia Network Housing has also drawn scrutiny over its financial arrangements and executive compensation. One of its prominent lobbyists, Luis Miranda Jr., is a longtime political strategist for James, while Miranda and his wife, Luz Towns-Miranda, have contributed a combined $25,898 to her campaign committees since 2018.

In 2019, city investigators examined Acacia following revelations that the organization had directed tens of millions of dollars in business to a security company established by its president, Raul Russi. The payments reportedly included $12 million in 2017 alone, while the business relationships were not properly identified in certain city disclosures and tax filings.

The city’s 2024 investigation also highlighted compensation at Acacia, reporting that Russi received $935,391 annually and CEO Lymaris Albors earned $836,684. Acacia has defended its executive compensation practices, citing independent assessments of whether the salaries were reasonable.

CORE Services Group, the third organization at the center of the controversy, lost its New York City shelter contracts in November 2021 after investigations exposed questionable business relationships involving its leadership.

During former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s eight years in office, CORE obtained approximately $763 million in city contracts. Reports subsequently revealed that its chief executive, Jack Brown, had employed associates and established a network of private subcontracting companies that generated substantial payments.

Brown reportedly received more than $1 million annually through CORE and affiliated businesses. Campaign records show that he contributed $2,350 to James in 2018.

Federal agents searched CORE’s Brooklyn headquarters in December 2021, and New York City subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking the return of $2.3 million in “excessive executive salaries.”

James’ campaign did not directly address the criticism concerning her office’s handling of the three nonprofits. Instead, campaign spokesperson Grace Smoker attacked Komatireddy’s political fundraising connections.

“Ms. Komatireddy has raked in donations from Trump’s lieutenants and right-wing hacks, including [Ohio GOP gubernatorial candidate] Vivek Ramaswamy,” Smoker said.

President Donald Trump delivered a forceful appeal to New York voters, urging them to elect Republican Bruce Blakeman as governor and arguing that the Nassau County executive could reverse what he described as the damage inflicted by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration.

Speaking during a telephone campaign rally just days before Election Day, Trump sharply criticized Hochul while promoting Blakeman and two other Republican candidates, attorney general hopeful Saritha Komatireddy and congressional candidate Anthony Constantino.

“Kathy Hochul may be the worst governor in the history of New York State and one of the worst in the nation,” Trump declared during the event.

“She been a disaster, and I can tell you that Bruce has been a friend of mine for a long time,” the president continued.

Trump praised Blakeman’s record as Nassau County executive, pointing to the county’s strong public safety rankings and describing him as an effective administrator who has demonstrated his ability to deliver results.

“Anybody that can do what he did in politics and get resounding results, and not only that, he has the safest county in the United States of America [according to US News & World Report] … He’s a great manager.”

Although recent surveys have placed Hochul ahead by margins ranging from 11 to 14 percentage points, Trump expressed confidence that Blakeman could pull off an upset. He also indicated that a Blakeman administration would enjoy a close working relationship with Washington.

“I’ll be waiting for his call,” the president said. “I bet he’s going to be one of the first calls if he wins, and he’ll get tremendous help from the federal government. And it’s hard to help people that do such a bad job. It’s almost like throwing good money after bad.”

Hochul’s campaign responded by emphasizing Blakeman’s political alliance with Trump, portraying the Republican nominee as someone who has embraced the president’s agenda throughout the gubernatorial contest.

“Blakeman … started with the promise to ‘bring Trump-style leadership to Albany,’ and his closing message is telling people how little he regrets going full Trump in this campaign,” Hochul spokesman Ryan Radulovack said.

Radulovack also defended the governor’s record on affordability and public safety, contrasting her administration’s policies with Blakeman’s support for Trump.

“Gov. Hochul has put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, invested $4 billion in public safety, and fought back against Trump’s attacks,” the spokesman said, while accusing Blakeman of being someone who “defends everything Trump does.”

Trump also urged Republicans to turn out in large numbers on Tuesday, November 3, telling supporters to approach the election as though his own name appeared on the ballot. He argued that Republican turnout rises substantially when he is running and that the party needs similar enthusiasm to win competitive races this year.

Blakeman, meanwhile, has rejected the polling numbers showing him trailing Hochul. At a campaign appearance in Queens on Shabbos, he characterized the contest as a virtual dead heat and suggested that his campaign could produce an upset similar to Republican George Pataki’s victory in the 1994 gubernatorial election.

Trump used the telephone rally to promote additional Republican candidates, including Komatireddy, who is challenging Democratic Attorney General Letitia James, and Constantino, who is seeking a congressional seat in upstate New York. The president also endorsed congressional candidate Kailee Buller.

The president briefly shifted from New York politics to the ongoing American military campaign against Iran, claiming that U.S. forces had inflicted devastating losses on Tehran while diplomatic discussions continued.

“We’re winning very easily the war with Iran,” Trump said.

“They’re talking to us. They’re negotiating, but they do a lot of talking. And we’ll see what happens.”

“But one way or the other, their Navy’s gone. Their Air Force is gone. All blown up. All at the bottom of the sea, and they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon. It’s very simple, and they know that. They know that, and we can end it any time we want.”

Trump also accused Hochul of presiding over rising costs, excessive taxation and deteriorating public safety, while promising that Blakeman would pursue major middle-class tax reductions and policies intended to lower energy expenses.

With Election Day approaching, Trump said he hoped to speak with Blakeman on Tuesday night to congratulate him on a victory, despite the substantial polling advantage currently enjoyed by Hochul.

A disturbing theft took place Sunday afternoon in the heart of Bnei Brak when a pair of valuable tefillin belonging to a local yungerman was stolen from a shul on Rechov Rabbi Akiva, with security cameras capturing the suspect entering the building, taking the tefillin and fleeing the scene.

The incident occurred at approximately 3 p.m. at the Harishonim shul, located at 17 Rechov Rabbi Akiva, one of the city’s busy central thoroughfares.

According to reports, the yungerman had left his tefillin inside the shul while stepping out briefly to take care of several urgent errands nearby. He expected to return within minutes and had no reason to suspect that his tefillin would disappear during his short absence.

When he returned, however, he was shocked to discover that the tefillin were missing.

A review of the shul’s surveillance footage quickly revealed what had occurred. The cameras recorded an individual entering the shul, noticing the unattended tefillin, picking them up and leaving the premises without being stopped.

Additional footage tracking the suspect’s movements showed him quickly departing the area on foot in the direction of Rechov Jabotinsky.

The incident has caused considerable distress among the shul’s administrators, who expressed alarm over the ease with which valuable tashmishei kedushah can be stolen from places of worship, even in the middle of the day.

The gabbaim said the latest theft was not an isolated occurrence, noting that similar incidents had taken place in the past.

Following Sunday’s incident, they issued an urgent warning to mispallelim throughout the community, urging them not to leave tefillin or other valuable religious articles unattended in shuls, even for a few minutes.

“We ask and plead that under no circumstances should tefillin be left in the synagogue, not even for a few minutes. Unfortunately, there are people who take advantage of the innocence of worshippers, enter the synagogue and simply steal,” the gabbaim warned.

The identity of the suspect has not been reported, and it remains unclear whether the stolen tefillin have been recovered.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. military has stationed surface-to-air missile defense systems near President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, as federal security officials warn of an increasingly serious threat environment surrounding the president.

Photographs published by The Palm Beach Post show two U.S. Army Avenger short-range air defense systems mounted on Humvees positioned aboard a floating barge in the Lake Worth Lagoon, immediately west of Trump’s sprawling oceanfront property.

The images, captured by newspaper photographer Greg Lovett during the president’s October 23 visit, show uniformed military personnel stationed alongside the missile systems near the seawall bordering the 17-acre estate.

Trump had arrived in South Florida through President Donald J. Trump International Airport in West Palm Beach before spending the night at Mar-a-Lago.

Additional photographs show a U.S. Coast Guard vessel patrolling the Intracoastal Waterway during the presidential visit. A crew member wearing protective body armor was seen operating a mounted machine gun at the front of the boat.

The Avenger system is designed to intercept aerial threats at relatively short distances, including low-flying aircraft, unmanned drones and certain cruise missiles. Its deployment represents a significant visible expansion of the military defenses protecting the president’s Florida residence.

A Secret Service spokesperson confirmed that the agency has been adjusting its protective measures in response to evolving security concerns.

“The US Secret Service is operating in a heightened threat environment, and we continuously adapt our protective operations to incorporate cutting-edge tools, technology, and methods to safeguard our protectees,” the spokesperson told The Telegraph, which first reported the deployment.

The Secret Service is also pursuing tighter and more permanent restrictions on flights over Mar-a-Lago, pointing to intelligence concerning possible threats against the president, including terrorism-related concerns.

In federal court filings, Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn warned that aerial threats to the property require continuous attention, regardless of whether Trump is physically present.

“Today’s threat environment is heightened, real, and dynamic,” Quinn wrote. “The airborne threat vector at Mar-a-Lago is persistent and substantial.”

The military deployment extends beyond the president’s estate. Additional Avenger missile systems have been positioned near President Donald J. Trump International Airport, where Air Force One operates during presidential visits to Palm Beach.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, known as NORAD, and U.S. Northern Command confirmed that ground-based air defense equipment was deployed in the area at the Secret Service’s request. The agencies declined to disclose operational details or identify a specific threat that prompted the move.

The enhanced defenses follow repeated violations of restricted airspace near Mar-a-Lago. More than 60 aircraft have reportedly been intercepted in the area since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.

In one incident on October 24, a NORAD F-16 fighter jet intercepted a civilian aircraft that entered restricted airspace near the estate. The pilot subsequently established communication with authorities and departed the restricted zone without further incident.

The new security measures also come against the backdrop of continuing tensions between Washington and Iran, as well as previous attempts on Trump’s life.

In February, Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy fatally shot an armed man who breached a security gate at Mar-a-Lago. Authorities said the individual was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a container of gasoline. Trump was in Washington at the time.

In September 2024, an armed suspect was discovered near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach while the president was playing golf. That incident followed the July 2024 assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was wounded by a gunshot.

Federal authorities have not announced how long the missile systems will remain deployed, and officials have not established a public connection between the new defenses and any particular threat from Iran or another adversary.

A heartbreaking tragedy has struck the Modzitz and Lelov communities with the petirah of three-year-old Yisroel Don Taub z”l, a grandson of the Modzitzer Rebbe and the Lelover Rebbe of Yerushalayim, who passed away shortly before the onset of Shabbos after battling a serious illness.

The young child, a son of Rav Shlomo Tzvi Hirsch Taub, was hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Yerushalayim, where his condition deteriorated dramatically in the hours leading up to Shabbos.

As his condition became critical, doctors informed the family that his life was in immediate danger and that he might have only hours remaining.

An urgent message was circulated among Modzitzer chassidim before Shabbos, calling upon the community to intensify their tefillos and plead for rachamei Shomayim on behalf of the young child.

Throughout those final hours, family members and chassidim davened fervently for his recovery, hoping that the heartbreaking situation would take a turn for the better.

Tragically, despite the many tefillos, little Yisroel Don was niftar just minutes before Shabbos, leaving his parents, grandparents, extended family and the Modzitz and Lelov communities plunged into profound grief.

The levayah was held on Motzoei, departing from the Shamgar Funeral Home in Yerushalayim and proceeding to Har Hazeisim for kevurah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Russia launched another major wave of attacks against Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure overnight, leaving hundreds of thousands of households without power Sunday, as Ukrainian drones struck industrial targets deep inside Russia, reportedly causing extensive damage to a facility in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces targeted energy installations across four regions, disrupting electricity supplies as the country prepares for the approaching winter.

“The intensity of the strikes is very high, and the Russians are seeking to maximally exploit the ​deficit of ballistic missile interceptors,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia had launched 433 long-range drones beginning Saturday evening, with Ukrainian defenses intercepting 371 of them. Dozens of additional drones remained airborne Sunday morning, while residents of Kyiv faced six separate air raid alerts after midnight.

The latest bombardment came despite a six-day localized ceasefire around Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in southern Ukraine, which remained in effect on its final day. Fighting continued elsewhere along the front lines, however, with both countries carrying out long-range attacks against targets beyond the battlefield.

Ukraine also struck back inside Russian territory. Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had attacked the Kamensky plant in Russia’s Rostov region, identifying it as a facility involved in producing missiles for the Russian military. Moscow did not immediately respond to that claim.

In the Nizhny Novgorod region, Governor Gleb Nikitin acknowledged that an extensive Ukrainian drone assault overnight had inflicted “significant damage” on an industrial installation, although he declined to identify the affected facility.

The region contains the NORSI refinery, one of Russia’s largest oil-processing plants, raising questions about whether the attack had disrupted critical fuel production or distribution operations.

Russian authorities subsequently moved to reassure motorists about fuel availability. The regional government said it was working to maintain supplies at gas stations and advised residents to “buy fuel only as ⁠needed and ⁠avoid panic buying,” according to the Interfax news agency.

The warning suggested possible damage to oil-refining or fuel-distribution infrastructure, although officials did not confirm the nature of the facility that had been struck. Ukrainian authorities did not immediately claim responsibility for the Nizhny Novgorod operation.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses had intercepted 235 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory during the night.

Additional reports from Sunday identified the damaged Russian industrial site as being in the Kstovo district, where the major Lukoil oil refinery is located. Ukrainian media reported that the refinery had been struck, while footage circulating online appeared to show flames at the complex. Russian officials confirmed extensive damage to an industrial facility but did not publicly identify it.

Governor Nikitin said Russian defenses had destroyed more than 100 drones over the Nizhny Novgorod region alone, with preliminary reports indicating no casualties.

The attacks followed renewed tensions over Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities. On Friday, Moscow accused Kyiv of restarting attacks against its oil refineries despite a request from President Donald Trump to halt such operations.

Trump has expressed concern that attacks on Russian oil infrastructure are contributing to rising diesel prices ahead of Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections.

Ukrainian officials maintain that they are prepared to accept a comprehensive ceasefire covering energy infrastructure on both sides, including Ukraine’s severely damaged electricity network, but accuse Russia of refusing such an arrangement.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who oversees the country’s energy sector, addressed the issue Sunday in an interview with state television broadcaster Vesti. Without discussing the specific damage in Nizhny Novgorod, Novak argued that Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries were worsening instability in international fuel markets and putting additional pressure on prices.

Hundreds of right-wing demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv on Motzoei Shabbos to protest the possibility of a minority government headed by Gadi Eisenkot that would depend on the support of Arab parties in the Knesset.

The demonstration took place at Habima Square, where protesters carried signs and voiced opposition to any coalition arrangement involving parties they accuse of sympathizing with terrorism. The central message of the rally was “לא מקימים ממשלה עם תומכי מחבלים” — “Do not form a government with supporters of terrorists.”

The protest comes amid growing political uncertainty following last week’s elections for Israel’s 26th Knesset, which left neither the right-wing bloc nor its opponents with enough seats to independently establish a governing coalition.

One scenario now being discussed involves Eisenkot heading a minority government that would rely on parliamentary backing from Arab parties to secure the confidence of the Knesset and remain in office.

The possibility has prompted fierce objections from right-wing political activists, who argue that a government dependent on Arab factions would be unacceptable, particularly given the positions taken by some Arab politicians on terrorism and Israel’s security policies.

Adding to the tensions is an investigation into allegations of foreign interference in the recent elections, including suspicions that overseas funding was used in efforts to influence voting patterns and strengthen the electoral performance of Arab parties.

The investigation, which has been referred to in Israeli media as the “ballot terrorism” affair, is reportedly being conducted by the Shin Bet, with the Mossad also said to have become involved. The allegations remain under investigation, and the claims of foreign involvement have not been established as fact.

A newly married chosson who was arrested by Israeli military police on Sunday while traveling with his kallah to their Sheva Brachos celebration has been sentenced to 20 days in military prison, triggering an outpouring of condemnation from chareidi political leaders and urgent demands for his immediate release.

Yaari Lieberman, a talmid of Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim in Yerushalayim under Rav Reuven Elbaz, was apprehended by plainclothes military police officers shortly after stepping off a bus with his wife. According to eyewitness accounts, the officers were not wearing visible identification badges and forcibly seized Lieberman before taking him away to military detention.

His kallah, who had married him only days earlier, reportedly did not initially realize that the men were military police officers and feared that her husband was being kidnapped.

The announcement that Lieberman had received a 20-day military prison sentence intensified the controversy, with chareidi lawmakers demanding that authorities intervene to allow the young couple to complete their Sheva Brachos celebrations together.

United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher spoke directly with Israel’s defense minister following the arrest, demanding his intervention to secure Lieberman’s immediate release.

“This is not a totalitarian country or a police state,” Rabbi Asher declared. “Arresting a groom in the midst of his days of celebration is an act of insensitivity that knows no bounds. I demanded that the defense minister act to secure his immediate release and return him to his family and his celebration.”

Shas also issued a sharply worded condemnation and announced an initiative to gather signatures from Knesset members across the political spectrum demanding that Lieberman be freed.

“We vehemently condemn the brutal arrest of a groom in front of his bride, in the midst of the days of Sheva Brachos, and call on the Military Police to release him immediately!” the party said.

Shas added, “We are appealing to all members of the Knesset and asking them to sign a petition calling on the IDF to immediately release the groom so that he can return and rejoice in his celebration. This is a necessary first step toward repairing and healing the divisions among the people.”

Agudas Yisroel chairman MK Rabbi Yitzchok Goldknopf delivered particularly harsh criticism of the military authorities, describing Lieberman’s detention as an unprecedented escalation in the campaign against yeshiva students.

“The arrest of a young groom in front of his bride in the midst of the days of Sheva Brachos is a new low in the campaign of persecution against Torah learners,” Rabbi Goldknopf said. “The obsessive pursuit of yeshiva students, whose only crime is studying Torah, has crossed every boundary of humanity and sensitivity.”

Rabbi Goldknopf continued, “This shameful arrest is a mark of disgrace for a Jewish state. I demand the immediate release of the groom.”

He also directed his criticism at Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, accusing him of failing to fulfill his commitments regarding legislation that would regulate the military service status of yeshiva students.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu has failed until now to fulfill his promise to pass a law that would regulate the status of yeshiva students, and the result is the disgraceful arrests we are witnessing,” Rabbi Goldknopf said. “The responsibility for this situation rests on his shoulders.”

Meanwhile, the nationwide Tzeva Shachor emergency alert network, which mobilizes activists when military police attempt to arrest yeshiva students, sent an urgent letter to Rabbi Asher and Rabbi Goldknopf demanding immediate action.

The letter, titled “An Urgent Outcry and Protest Over the Arrest of the Groom Yaari Lieberman During His Days of Wedding Celebration,” described the distress experienced by Lieberman’s family following the arrest.

“We are turning to you urgently and with great pain following the difficult reports and appeals received by our organization from the family members of the groom Yaari Lieberman concerning the shocking and distressing circumstances of his arrest,” the organization wrote.

The group said it remained in constant contact with Lieberman’s extended family, who were overwhelmed by the incident and struggling to comprehend what they described as the humiliation of a ben Torah during the days traditionally devoted to celebrating his marriage.

Addressing the two lawmakers, the organization stressed their responsibility to defend yeshiva students against military enforcement actions.

“You are emissaries of Hashem and representatives of the rabbonim, and this is your role and mission: to stand as a fortified wall in defense of Torah learners and prevent any harm to the Torah world and those who toil in it,” the letter stated.

The organization concluded with an appeal for the lawmakers to use every available means to obtain Lieberman’s release.

“We appeal to you with a heartfelt request that you employ every tool at your disposal, shake the heavens and the earth, and neither rest nor remain silent until his sentence is canceled and the groom is returned to his home and his celebration without delay.”

MK Rabbi Meir Porush also joined the growing chorus of condemnation, describing the arrest as an incident that should deeply disturb the Jewish public.

“The criminal conduct of the Military Police, who arrested a groom during his Sheva Brachos, should shock every Jew,” Rabbi Porush said.

Rabbi Porush recalled an earlier incident in which a newly married man was detained and Knesset members from several political parties signed a petition seeking his release. That effort ultimately succeeded, he noted, expressing hope that similar intervention would secure Lieberman’s freedom.

“I call on the authorities this time as well to be attentive to the Jewish heart and release the groom immediately,” he added.

The arrest has also prompted discussions within the Yerushalmi Faction about organizing demonstrations in response to Lieberman’s imprisonment.

Lieberman’s detention comes less than a month after military police made an unsuccessful attempt to arrest him at his parents’ home in Modi’in.

On October 6, military police arrived at the residence intending to take him into custody over his military draft status. An emergency alert brought hundreds of protesters to the location, where demonstrators entered the building and prevented officers from completing the arrest.

After approximately two hours, military police withdrew without taking Lieberman into custody.

At the time, Lieberman was preparing for his wedding and had reportedly expressed concern that authorities might attempt to arrest him during the wedding itself.

Although the wedding proceeded without incident, military police apprehended him during the subsequent Sheva Brachos celebrations.

Lieberman’s reported 20-day sentence comes amid continued enforcement against yeshiva students classified as military draft evaders, an issue that has generated widespread demonstrations and intensified tensions between Israel’s military establishment and the chareidi community.

{Matzav.com}

As Israel’s political parties weigh their options following last week’s Knesset elections, a chareidi commentator is urging Shas and United Torah Judaism not to rush into a coalition headed by parties that have spent years attacking the chareidi community, even if such a government offers major concessions on yeshiva funding and military conscription.

In an opinion column published by Emess, Yanki Hess argues that the chareidi parties face a fundamental choice between securing immediate political gains and preserving the principles, dignity and public trust of the communities they represent.

Hess maintains that the question is not whether the chareidi parties should remain loyal to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, but whether they should enter a government led by politicians whose previous positions were openly hostile to chareidi interests.

He acknowledges that the community is experiencing an exceptionally difficult period, with yeshiva bochurim facing arrests, Torah institutions struggling financially and families confronting considerable uncertainty over the future of the draft law.

A new coalition, he writes, might offer legislation protecting yeshiva students from conscription, restore funding to Torah institutions and bring an end to the arrests. Nevertheless, he argues that those potential achievements do not automatically justify joining forces with longtime political adversaries.

Among the figures he identifies are Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett, both of whom have repeatedly clashed with chareidi parties over military service, religious policy and the role of the chareidi community in Israeli society.

Hess questions whether politicians who previously portrayed chareidim as a burden on the country should suddenly be embraced as acceptable coalition partners simply because the parliamentary arithmetic has changed.

He also challenges the argument that chareidi representatives should participate in any government willing to meet their legislative and financial demands.

For years, he notes, critics have accused chareidi politicians of caring primarily about budgets and being prepared to join virtually any coalition in exchange for concessions. Entering a government headed by outspoken opponents of the community, he suggests, would reinforce precisely that accusation.

Hess argues that the political benefits of such an arrangement must therefore be weighed against the damage it could cause to the community’s credibility and confidence in its elected representatives.

The commentator goes further, suggesting that remaining in opposition, or even allowing Israel to return to the polls, may be preferable to accepting a coalition agreement that lacks a foundation of mutual trust.

Another election, he contends, could give right-wing parties an opportunity to reassess the mistakes that contributed to their disappointing showing and develop a more coordinated electoral strategy.

He specifically points to the parties associated with Ofer Winter, Leithner and Avi Maoz, which failed to cross the electoral threshold, arguing that their leaders must examine the consequences of running separately and allowing votes to go unrepresented in the Knesset.

Shas, he writes, must also evaluate its electoral performance, determine why some voters abandoned the party and work to rebuild confidence among its traditional supporters.

Hess additionally calls for a thorough investigation into suspicions surrounding the unusually high voter turnout in Arab communities, including allegations of foreign financial involvement and possible Qatari funding. He emphasizes that any wrongdoing would need to be established through an investigation and that there is currently no basis for predicting how such findings might affect future elections.

Turning to the prospect of a new coalition agreement, Hess warns that even apparently significant concessions could prove unreliable.

Draft legislation enacted by a new government might subsequently face challenges in court, while promised financial allocations could encounter legal or administrative obstacles before reaching the institutions they are intended to support.

For that reason, he argues, chareidi representatives should demand meaningful guarantees rather than accept political declarations that may ultimately prove impossible to implement.

The commentator also raises the possibility that joining a controversial coalition could have serious electoral consequences for the chareidi parties themselves.

He describes a scenario in which Shas and United Torah Judaism enter a new government, announce a trial period and promise major accomplishments, only to see the coalition collapse months later without delivering the expected results.

Such an outcome, he warns, would leave party leaders struggling to explain why they had entered an alliance with political opponents without securing the achievements that supposedly justified the decision.

The resulting disappointment could extend beyond negative publicity and produce a lasting loss of confidence among voters who traditionally support the chareidi parties.

Hess suggests that even the loss of one or two Knesset seats would represent a serious setback, particularly following an election that exposed tensions and dissatisfaction within segments of the chareidi electorate.

He cautions against assuming that traditional voters will continue supporting their parties regardless of the political decisions their representatives make.

While acknowledging the urgent need to address the hardships facing yeshiva students, avreichim and Torah institutions, Hess concludes that those concerns must be balanced against the longer-term consequences of entering an unstable and politically uncomfortable alliance.

In his view, if the choice is between joining a government whose leaders cannot be trusted and preparing for another election, the chareidi parties should seriously consider the latter option.

The central question, he argues, is not merely which politicians will occupy ministerial positions in the next government, but what price the chareidi community will be asked to pay to put them there.

{Matzav.com}

A newly married yeshiva bochur was arrested by Israeli military police on Sunday while traveling with his kallah to a Sheva Brachos celebration, in an incident that has sparked outrage throughout the chareidi community and prompted Shas to demand his immediate release.

The chosson, Yaari Lieberman, a talmid of Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim in Yerushalayim under Rav Reuven Elbaz, was apprehended shortly after he and his wife stepped off a bus on their way to the celebration. According to eyewitness accounts, military police officers dressed in civilian clothing and without visible identification badges suddenly approached Lieberman, seized him and forcibly removed him from the scene.

His kallah, who had married him only days earlier, was reportedly not informed initially that the men were military police officers. Fearing that unidentified individuals were abducting her husband, she believed she was witnessing a kidnapping.

Lieberman was subsequently transferred to military prison over his status as a military draft evader.

The incident is particularly striking because Lieberman had already been the subject of a dramatic attempted arrest less than a month earlier, when hundreds of protesters gathered outside his parents’ home in Modi’in and prevented military police from taking him into custody.

During that earlier operation, military police arrived at the residence intending to arrest Lieberman. An emergency alert was circulated through the chareidi community using the “Tzeva Shachor” warning system, bringing hundreds of demonstrators to the location.

Protesters entered the building and the apartment where Lieberman was staying, making it impossible for the officers to complete the arrest. After approximately two hours, the military police withdrew without taking him into custody.

The failed operation reportedly led to disagreements between the Israel Police and the IDF over responsibility for the unsuccessful arrest attempt.

At the time, Lieberman was approximately three weeks away from his wedding. His rebbi, Rabbi Dor Salti, subsequently told Kol Chai radio that the young man was concerned military police might attempt to arrest him even during his wedding ceremony.

Although Lieberman was able to celebrate his wedding without incident, military authorities apprehended him during the week of Sheva Brachos, while he was accompanied by his new wife.

Reports have also raised suspicions that military authorities may have located Lieberman by tracking his cellphone. However, that allegation has not been confirmed, and no evidence establishing that such surveillance occurred has been publicly presented.

Lieberman’s arrest comes amid a continuing series of detentions involving yeshiva students classified by military authorities as draft evaders.

Earlier Sunday, Yosef Chaim Mansour, a talmid of Yeshivas Tiferes Ovadia, was arrested by traffic police at the Morasha Interchange.

According to the Am Kadosh organization, which assists yeshiva students facing military detention, Mansour was expected to be transferred to Military Prison 10 and was receiving legal representation through the organization.

Another arrest occurred Friday when Shlomo Ovadia, a talmid of Yeshivas Romemus Halev in Givat Ze’ev and a resident of Netivot, was stopped by traffic police on Route 3 while traveling home from yeshiva for Shabbos.

The encounter took place at approximately noon. During a check of Ovadia’s identification, officers discovered that he was listed as a military draft evader and summoned military police to take him into custody.

Ovadia, who serves as a representative of Am Kadosh at his yeshiva, managed to activate the organization’s emergency notification system, known as “The Kidnappers Have Arrived,” which alerts activists when a yeshiva student is being detained.

However, before protesters could reach the location, Ovadia was handed over to military police and transported to Military Prison 10 at Beit Lid.

According to Am Kadosh, Ovadia is expected to face proceedings before a military court because of the length of time he has been classified as a draft evader.

Following his arrest, prison authorities reportedly asked his attorney to agree to a hearing within 48 hours rather than the customary 24-hour period. His attorney refused the request, and a hearing was held Friday, resulting in an extension of his detention.

A subsequent hearing was scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Shas issued a strongly worded statement condemning the arrest of Lieberman during his Sheva Brachos celebrations and calling for his immediate release.

The party declared, “We strongly condemn the brutal arrest of a groom in front of his bride, in the midst of the seven days of Sheva Brachos, and call on the Military Police to release him immediately!”

Shas also appealed to members of the Knesset to sign a petition demanding that Lieberman be freed so he could return to his wife and continue celebrating their marriage.

The party described such a release as an essential first step toward repairing the divisions that have developed within Israeli society over the military draft controversy.

The arrests come amid renewed enforcement of military conscription requirements against yeshiva students, an issue that has generated repeated demonstrations, road closures and mounting political tensions.

As of the latest reports, Lieberman remained in military custody, while efforts to secure his release were continuing.

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday that he is willing to postpone a new trade agreement with the United States until President Donald Trump leaves office if the two countries cannot reach terms favorable to Canada, signaling that Ottawa is prepared for a prolonged economic confrontation with Washington.

In an interview with Politico following a meeting with European Union leaders in Montreal, Carney made clear that he would rather continue without a new agreement than accept concessions he considers harmful to Canadian interests. He also criticized Washington’s handling of relations with Canada and expressed frustration over American policy toward Russia and Ukraine.

Negotiations between the neighboring countries have remained largely stalled since Canada withdrew from discussions in August. The dispute has intensified in recent months, with both governments introducing additional tariffs and showing little indication that a compromise is imminent.

Carney reiterated that Canada would not sign an agreement “just for the sake of it.” When asked whether that position meant waiting until a different American president takes office, he indicated that he was prepared to do exactly that.

“We’ll have to, if that’s what it takes,” Carney said after a summit in Montreal with European Union officials. “And American families, American businesses, will also lose out because of that. They’re not winners in this circumstance.”

Meanwhile, Canada is exploring ways to strengthen its economic relationship with Europe. According to the CBC, Carney has been pursuing a proposal that would make Canada the European Union’s first associate member, although the initiative has encountered resistance from several European governments, including Germany.

The White House had not issued an immediate response to Carney’s comments when Politico sought its reaction.

Relations between the two countries have also been strained by accusations concerning possible Canadian involvement in American electoral politics. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa recently distributed material to journalists raising concerns about “potential interference in U.S. elections” by Canadian officials.

American Ambassador Pete Hoekstra subsequently clarified that U.S. authorities had reached no “definitive” conclusion that Canadian politicians had interfered in the election process.

“I think Canadians are tired of it,” Carney said. “I think that’s very clear.”

Carney also took issue with the Trump administration’s approach to Russia’s war against Ukraine, suggesting that changes in American policy have complicated efforts by Western governments to maintain a coordinated response to Moscow.

With Tuesday’s midterm elections approaching, Trump has eased certain economic restrictions involving Russia while seeking additional diesel supplies to reduce energy costs. Carney avoided criticizing any single decision but pointed to “variance in terms of U.S. actions, with respect to restrictions on, sanctions on Russia, provision of defensive capabilities to Ukraine.”

“That’s been unhelpful,” Carney said.

The Canadian leader also dismissed suggestions that Ottawa should reconsider its growing relationship with the European Union out of concern that Trump might impose retaliatory measures.

Asked whether he had modified his approach to the Montreal summit to avoid provoking the American president, Carney answered emphatically.

“Absolutely not,” he said. “That way lies madness.”

At the summit, Canadian and European leaders agreed to pursue closer cooperation on trade, defense, technology and critical minerals. Although Carney has expressed interest in an associate-membership arrangement with the EU, the joint declaration stopped short of adopting that designation. The two sides aim to define their expanded partnership by their next summit in 2027.

Despite the political friction, Carney also shared a lighter detail about his relationship with Trump, revealing that the president recently presented him with four Brooks Brothers shirts.

The Canadian prime minister said he had yet to wear any of the gifts but suggested that reaching a satisfactory trade agreement might finally give him a reason to do so.

“I haven’t had occasion to put on the shirts, because we don’t have a mutually advantageous trade deal,” he said.

For the moment, Carney added, “They’re sitting in my closet.”

{Matzav.com}

Join tens of thousands of Lomdei Oraysa as they embark on Masechta Kiddushin

On a cold November evening in 2025 at the CURE Insurance Arena in New Jersey, thousands of Lomdei Oraysa heard the voice of Hagaon Rav Shlomo Feivel Schustal shlita ring out as he read the first Mishnah of Yevamos. To many lomdim, the goal that lay ahead seemed daunting: to learn the entire Masechta Yevamos, a masechta known to be challenging even for accomplished talmidei chachamim. However, the electricity that coursed through the arena that night as they celebrated a siyum of Seder Moed, and the pure simchas haTorah that permeated the atmosphere, left every lomed with a renewed sense of mission: The goal was within reach, amud by amud, day by day.

Now, almost a year later, their persistence and perseverance—their dedication to the daily amud and rigorous chazarah—have borne fruit. This past Thursday night, October 29, 2026, well over a thousand people gathered for a beautiful siyum celebrating Masechta Yevamos, following many months of genuine ameilus and toil by Lomdei Oraysa.

Besides being a unique masechta in its own right, Yevamos is also the first masechta in Seder Nashim, which will be the focus of Lomdei Oraysa for the next few years.

While Kesubos ordinarily follows Yevamos, Gedolei Roshei Hayeshivos have guided Oraysa to learn Kiddushin next as a special one-time change to the regular order. After Masechta Kiddushin, Oraysa will learn Masechta Kesubos and resume learning the masechtos in the order of Shas.

Today, Sunday, November 1, heralds the beginning of Masechta Kiddushin, and lomdim across the globe are excited to begin this new masechta with vigor.

Masechta Kiddushin contains many fundamental sugyos that are relevant throughout Shas, including kinyanim, avadim, shlichus, and much more. These exciting sugyos will bring many lomdim back to the geshmak they experienced during their yeshiva years.

The Oraysa Amud V’Chazara program was developed in collaboration with leading Roshei Yeshiva and Gedolei Yisroel to address the growing demand for a Gemara-learning framework that balances consistent progression with meaningful review.

By learning one amud a day from Sunday through Thursday, chazering the previous day’s amud daily, and reviewing the week’s 2½ blatt over Friday and Shabbos, the program provides the lomed with momentum—steadily covering ground while retaining the material as well.

The program’s structured yet flexible approach makes it accessible to lomdei Torah across the spectrum, from kollel yungerleit to baalei batim and mechanchim. With Oraysa, every participant, regardless of background or schedule, has the ability to grow in limud haTorah and deepen their connection to their learning.

Almost seven years since its inception, Oraysa now has more than 45,000 lomdim in 503 chaburos across more than 110 cities worldwide. With every passing masechta, scores of new lomdim and chaburos join the worldwide chaburah of Lomdei Oraysa.

Lomdim have access to a plethora of high-caliber shiurim available on the Oraysa website and other platforms. The comprehensive Yalkut Askin B’Oraysa, which contains a wealth of resources in print, has become a beloved addition to Oraysa chaburos around the world.

With a long winter ahead, joining Oraysa with the goal of acquiring Masechta Kiddushin, day by day and amud by amud, is sure to add depth, meaning, and fulfillment to one’s daily seder hayom.

Join thousands of Lomdei Oraysa as they embark on their journey into the sugyos of Kiddushin. Savor the satisfaction of learning in a goal-oriented way, with a built-in system for chazarah and retention that ensures every amud remains truly yours for years to come.

Oraysa begins Masechta Kiddushin today, Sunday, November 1.

To join the program, for more information, or to help establish a chabura in your community, contact Oraysa at 914.8.ORAYSA or email info@oraysa.org.

The Kashrus Council of Lakewood (KCL), one of the established kashrus organizations serving Lakewood and the surrounding communities, has announced a major leadership transition following the retirement of Rabbi Avraham Moshe Weisner, who has headed the organization for nearly 40 years.

The KCL has informed its clients that Rabbi Weisner is stepping down after decades of overseeing the organization’s kashrus operations.

The announcement outlined a reorganization under a newly appointed five-member Board of Trustees, along with changes to administrative procedures, contact information and payment arrangements.

The development marks the end of a lengthy chapter in the history of Lakewood’s kashrus infrastructure. Under Rabbi Weisner’s leadership, KCL grew into a recognized kashrus organization providing supervision to food establishments and businesses throughout the area.

The organization expressed its appreciation for Rabbi Weisner’s decades of service, crediting his dedication and leadership with helping build KCL into the organization it is today.

In a separate Hebrew letter addressed to Lakewood’s residents, store owners and business community, Rabbi Weisner reflected on his nearly four decades of involvement in local kashrus supervision and explained his decision to retire.

He wrote that he had been privileged to serve under the guidance of the city’s rabbinic leadership in maintaining standards of kashrus throughout Lakewood. Over the years, he noted, the organization expanded its supervision to numerous stores and businesses operating under the Kehillos Chareidim of Lakewood kashrus system.

Rabbi Weisner explained that he had reached a point in his life when he felt it was appropriate to step away from the demanding responsibilities of administering a kashrus organization. He expressed confidence in those assuming responsibility for KCL’s operations and voiced his hope that the transition would proceed smoothly.

The new Board of Trustees will consist of five community members: Ari Stern, Meir Gelley, Shaul Seigman, Tovia Rosenberg and Yanky Adler. The board will oversee the organization’s operations as KCL undergoes what it describes as a period of transition and restructuring.

KCL emphasized that its fundamental mission and kashrus standards will remain unchanged despite the leadership transition. The organization said it intends to strengthen its administrative operations, improve communication with businesses under its supervision and provide more efficient service.

Rabbi Weisner’s letter also paid tribute to the rabbonim who guided the organization over the years, including Rav Yaakov Forchheimer and the late Rav Gavriel Finkel zt”l, whose guidance and dedication contributed to the organization’s development.

He also expressed gratitude to the rabbonim currently involved in KCL’s leadership, including Rav Shalom Taub, Rav Yosef Fund, Rav Yechezkel Auerbach and Rav Avraham Shlomo Katz, as well as the mashgichim and administrative personnel who have worked to maintain the organization’s standards.

In his letter, Rabbi Weisner called upon the community and the businesses under KCL supervision to cooperate with the new leadership and continue supporting the organization’s work.

As part of the restructuring, KCL has announced updated contact arrangements for businesses requiring assistance. Rabbi Shlomo Perl will handle matters involving stores, products and mashgichim, while Rabbi Avraham Shlomo Katz will address catering, halls, Shabbos events and detailed halachic questions.

{Matzav.com}