A legal petition filed by the Movement for Freedom of Information has led to the release of detailed data outlining the costs of flights and accommodations for Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu during his overseas visits since the beginning of 2025. The figures reveal extensive expenses tied to charter flights, luxury suites, and hotel rooms for large delegations and security teams during trips to the United States and Hungary.
According to the data made public on Tuesday, Netanyahu traveled to four international destinations this year, accompanied by dozens of staff members and security personnel. The expenses covered airfare, high-end hotel suites for the prime minister, and multiple rooms for his entourage.
In February, Netanyahu traveled to Washington for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. He was accompanied by approximately 40 aides and security staff. The prime minister stayed at the Willard Hotel in a suite costing $5,000 per night, for a total of $25,000. The flight aboard Israel’s official aircraft, known as Wing of Zion, cost $434,000. Members of the delegation and security team stayed in hotel rooms costing $415 per night.
In April, Netanyahu visited Hungary, accompanied by 36 delegation members. Rooms for the entourage cost $417 per night. The prime minister and his wife stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel at a rate of $4,632 per night, with the total cost of their stay reaching $18,528. During the same trip, Netanyahu made an additional short visit to Washington lasting three days. Delegation members stayed in a hotel where rooms cost $520 per night, while the Netanyahu couple and additional staff occupied 14 rooms at Blair House.
In July, Netanyahu returned to Washington for another meeting with Trump, this time accompanied by 41 staff members. Hotel rooms for the delegation cost $375 per night, while the prime minister again stayed in a suite at Blair House.
The most recent trip disclosed took place in September, when Netanyahu traveled to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, accompanied by 38 delegation members. Rooms for the entourage cost $1,199 per night, while the prime minister’s suite cost approximately $6,000 per night. The total cost of that stay reached $41,993.
Netanyahu is expected to travel to the United States again next week. As with previous trips, the costs of that visit are likely to become public only through additional legal petitions and court rulings.
{Matzav.com}
Former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad reportedly left several of his closest associates stranded at a luxury hotel in Moscow with an enormous bill after fleeing Damascus, then stopped responding to their calls and disappeared, according to an investigative report published Tuesday in the United States.
Citing The New York Times, the report says Assad instructed three of his most trusted confidants to accompany him as he escaped Syria during what was presented as a trip to Moscow. Events unfolded so rapidly that the aides allegedly had no time to gather personal belongings, passports, or cash before leaving Damascus.
Once in Moscow, Assad arranged for the group to stay at the upscale Four Seasons Hotel Moscow. However, when the hotel presented them with a staggering bill for their stay, Assad reportedly cut off contact entirely and could no longer be reached.
The account adds another layer to earlier reporting by The Guardian, which described Assad as living a quiet, low-profile life in an affluent area on the outskirts of Moscow. According to sources close to the family, Assad has been attempting to return to his professional roots, studying Russian and refreshing his knowledge in ophthalmology—the field he practiced before entering politics and before the outbreak of Syria’s civil war.
The Assad family is believed to be residing in Rublyovka, a gated and prestigious enclave known for housing members of Moscow’s elite. Much of the family’s wealth was reportedly transferred to Russia during the early years of Western sanctions imposed in 2011, allowing them to safeguard assets and maintain a high standard of living even after the collapse of Assad’s regime.
Despite their comfortable surroundings, the family’s lifestyle is described as highly isolated. Sources say Assad maintains contact with only a small inner circle of longtime associates and former officials from the presidential palace. A source close to the Kremlin reportedly said that within Russian leadership circles, Assad is now viewed as entirely irrelevant and no longer a figure of political significance.
Russian authorities have also made clear that Assad’s public role is over. Russia’s ambassador to Iraq confirmed that Assad is barred from all political and media activity and is not permitted to give interviews or make public appearances, even though he continues to receive protection and security while in Moscow.
{Matzav.com}
A brief security scare unfolded Tuesday evening at Ben Gurion Airport when a vehicle bearing a forged license plate broke through a security checkpoint at the airport’s main entrance from Road 1 and continued inside the perimeter before the driver abandoned the car and fled on foot.
Police said an extensive manhunt was launched immediately after the incident, with ground units and aerial support searching the area for the suspect. Authorities emphasized that there is no indication of a terrorist incident and that the event is believed to be criminal in nature.
According to Israel Police, officers from the Ben Gurion Airport district, together with security personnel from the Airports Authority, are conducting coordinated searches for the driver. A police helicopter was deployed as part of the operation.
Investigators said the vehicle arrived at the main entrance gate and ignored instructions from security guards. After forcing its way past the checkpoint, the driver exited the vehicle and escaped on foot, leaving the car behind.
The abandoned vehicle was examined by a police bomb disposal unit as a precaution. Officials confirmed that no explosive device was found and that the inspection ruled out any security-related threat.
Airport operations continued as usual following the incident, and police said updates would be provided if the suspect is located.
{Matzav.com}
[COMMUNICATED]
by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler
The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.”
It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.)
Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them.
Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year!
Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)!
YES! YOU CAN MAKE
your OWN SIYUM on the ENTIRE Shas, Rashi & Tosfos IN JUST ONE YEAR!
The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha
The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly: It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact.
All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned.
Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year
The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own.
Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden.
Official Shtar from Shas Yiden
Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim.
All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: 718-702-1528.
The opportunity to complete the entire Shas has been a cherished way to honor family members and others as a prized achievement. It has also proven to be a source of comfort for mourners to obtain such a zechus for their dear ones during the year of mourning – a siyum of the entire Shas can be completed on the yahrzeit!
Yissachar-Zevulun Pact –
Beyond the Grave
The legendary visionary and “Father of Yeshivos”, Reb Chaim of Volozhin, was the founder of the famous yeshiva in the town of Volozhin and the beloved talmid of the Vilna Gaon.
Reb Chaim had an ongoing Yissachar-Zevulun pact with a local shoemaker – a man who was not learned but who dearly valued Torah learning. They had a ‘deal’ whereby the shoemaker would pay the monthly financial support needed for Reb Chaim and his family. For this financial support, the shoemaker would have an equal share in all Reb Chaim’s daily Torah study – both in the mitzvah of Torah study בעוה”ז and that the knowledge of the Torah learned would continue to be his בעוה”ב (in the World to Come).
One day the shoemaker passed away suddenly. During the shiva period, Reb Chaim was facing a perplexing halachic question and researched high and low for a solution. That night the shoemaker appeared to him in a dream and gave him the full solution that he sought. Reb Chaim was amazed and commented, “Azoi gich, Azoi Gich – So quickly, so quickly has he acquired the zchus and knowledge of the Torah that I have studied!”
In the words of Gedolei Torah:
Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden:
“In just ONE year, through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden, you can be zoche to the entire Shas forever – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in olam hazeh and olam habah).
“Moreover, whoever supports Shas Yiden is zocheh to fulfill both Yissachar-Zevulun and support of aniyei (the poor of) Eretz Yisroel in the fullest sense of the word.
“Those who support Shas Yiden will be saved from chevlei (the travails of) Moshiach – spiritually and materially, and will be zoche to have ehrlicher bonim u’vanos yir’eishomayim ”
Maran Hagaon Harav Dov Lando, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Slabodka:
“Who compares to the Shas Yiden? Incredible talmidei chachomim geonim who raised the bar in limud Hashas b’iyun u’v’amkus. Blessed are those who enter a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with them.”
Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Meilech Biederman, shlit”a:
“Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden – best possible deal, and in just 1 year! 100% partnership! 100% Shas x 5 times! 100% Shisha Sidrei Mishna – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב”
Sanzer Rebbe, shlit”a:
“A first in 2000 years of Jewish history! Until Shas Yiden, never a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim metzuyonim v’geonim know the entire Shas by heart”
Harav Yaakov Hillel, shlit”a:
“Therefore, the great mitzvah to support the efforts [of the Talmidei Chachomim] with generous donations in order that they should continue diligently with their studies to enhance the greatness of the Torah and its glory.
A draft U.S. Defense Department assessment warns that China is rapidly advancing its nuclear forces, including the loading of more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles into newly built silo fields near its border with Mongolia, according to a report seen by Reuters.
The document, which has not yet been formally submitted to Congress and could still change, says Beijing has likely placed over 100 solid-fueled DF-31 missiles into the silo complexes. While the Pentagon previously revealed the construction of these sites, it had not publicly estimated how many missiles were operationally deployed within them. The report does not specify potential targets for the missiles.
The Pentagon declined to comment when asked by Fox News Digital about the contents of the draft assessment.
The report portrays China’s military expansion as unmatched in speed among nuclear-armed states, stating that Beijing is growing and modernizing its nuclear forces faster than any other country with such capabilities. Chinese officials have routinely rejected these conclusions, saying they are meant to “smear and defame China and deliberately mislead the international community.”
Although China’s nuclear warhead inventory stood in the low 600s in 2024, the report says that number is still expected to surpass 1,000 by 2030, even with what it describes as a slower production rate in recent years.
The assessment also addresses diplomacy, concluding that Beijing remains uninterested in formal arms control negotiations. “We continue to see no appetite from Beijing for pursuing such measures or more comprehensive arms control discussions,” the report said.
Those findings stand in contrast to comments made last month by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he may seek denuclearization talks with China and Russia.
China publicly maintains that its nuclear posture is defensive and governed by a no-first-use policy, but analysts cited in the report argue that Beijing’s behavior increasingly undercuts that message. “For a country that still advocates a policy of ‘no-first use,’ China has become increasingly comfortable showcasing its nuclear arsenal, including parading its nuclear triad together for the first time in September,” said Jack Burnham, a senior research analyst in the China Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Burnham added that China’s refusal to engage in arms control talks aligns with the scale of its weapons buildup. “China has no interest in locking in a long-term strategic disadvantage, and every intention of building an arsenal on par with its perceived place in the world, alongside and potentially eventually ahead of the United States,” he said.
Beyond nuclear forces, the Pentagon assessment warns that Beijing believes it could be capable of fighting and winning a conflict over Taiwan by the end of 2027. China claims the self-governed island as its territory and has never ruled out the use of force. According to the report, China is refining plans to seize Taiwan by “brute force,” including long-range strikes reaching up to 2,000 nautical miles from the mainland that could disrupt U.S. military operations across the Asia-Pacific.
The findings emerge as the 2010 New START treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms agreement between the United States and Russia, nears its expiration. That treaty caps each side at 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads.
Some analysts questioned the pace of China’s silo deployment. “What is surprising is that China has now loaded only about 100 of the silos it has built recently,” said Gordon Chang. “That’s an indication money is tight in the People’s Liberation Army.”
Chang also cautioned Washington against renewing New START without China’s involvement. “This is no time for the U.S. to agree to an extension of the New START Treaty with Russia,” he said. “Russia and China are de-facto allies, and they are ganging up on America. Without China in a deal — Beijing has flatly rejected every nuclear arms-control initiative of the U.S. —no treaty can be in America’s interest.”
Responding to the report, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told Fox News Digital that Beijing follows a policy of “peaceful development,” adheres to a no-first-use nuclear doctrine, and keeps its nuclear forces “at the minimum level required for national security.”
Liu said China observes a moratorium on nuclear testing and cited a recently released arms control white paper as evidence of its commitment to disarmament and nonproliferation. He added that Beijing is willing to cooperate with other countries to strengthen the international arms control framework under the United Nations and promote global stability.
{Matzav.com}
