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Benny Gantz, the former IDF chief of staff and defense minister who heads Israel’s Blue and White party, announced Monday that he is withdrawing from the upcoming Knesset elections, abruptly reversing his declaration just one week earlier that he would remain in the race regardless of political pressure.

The announcement represents a significant development in Israel’s election campaign, removing a prominent political figure from the contest and prompting immediate reactions from leaders across the political spectrum.

Gantz, who has repeatedly advocated the formation of a broad national unity government, said that his decision to withdraw does not mean he is abandoning his efforts to bring Israel’s competing political factions together.

“I will not run in the upcoming elections, but I will continue fighting for unity. This is the only solution that will prevent another disaster and protect Israel against all the challenges it faces, both at home and abroad,” Gantz stated.

A statement released by his office indicated that he intends to devote his efforts to advancing the establishment of a unity government that he believes would be better equipped to confront Israel’s domestic and security challenges.

Gantz is expected to address reporters Monday evening to explain his decision and outline his plans following his withdrawal from the race.

The withdrawal comes just eight days before Israel’s October 27 elections and follows weeks of mounting pressure on Gantz to leave the contest amid polls consistently showing Blue and White falling short of the 3.25 percent electoral threshold required to enter the Knesset.

Gantz had previously indicated that he would reconsider his candidacy if his party remained below the threshold during the final week of the campaign. Nevertheless, on October 10, he delivered a forceful statement insisting that he would continue running, arguing that neither the government nor the opposition was offering the broad unity he believed Israel needed.

“We are heading toward disaster. We must stop and save the country,” Gantz declared at the beginning of that address.

He accused political leaders on both sides of the divide of placing their electoral interests ahead of the country’s need for cooperation.

“Politicians from both blocs oppose the unity that I am promoting with all my heart. They want a decisive victory. The division serves their political interests.”

Gantz warned that the continued struggle between the rival blocs could produce additional elections and governments dependent on narrow parliamentary majorities, deepening internal divisions at a time of serious security concerns.

“They are leading Israel toward more elections, toward narrow governments that will tear us apart from within and cause our enemies to attack us again,” he said.

At the time, Gantz presented his determination to remain in the election as an essential part of his effort to prevent further political instability.

“I have decided not to surrender to our enemies. In order to fight our enemies, I must fight for unity among us, and that is why I am staying in the race until the very end.”

Monday’s reversal was welcomed by several opposition figures, including Gadi Eisenkot, the former IDF chief of staff who once served alongside Gantz in the National Unity alliance before establishing his own Yashar party.

“I thank my friend, Lt. Gen. (res.) Benny Gantz, for his correct and responsible decision to withdraw from the most fateful election contest since the establishment of the state. I thank him for his many years of contributions to Israel’s security and am confident that he will continue contributing to Israeli society in the future,” Eisenkot said.

Eisenkot had publicly urged Gantz to reconsider his candidacy, expressing concern that votes cast for Blue and White would be discarded if the party failed to secure sufficient support to enter the Knesset.

Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party, also praised the decision, describing it as an important development for the opposition.

“Gantz has made a responsible and correct decision. At a decisive moment for Israel’s future, our shared responsibility is to ensure the victory of the change bloc.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionist Party, interpreted Gantz’s withdrawal as evidence that opposition parties were taking steps to prevent votes from being lost on parties unlikely to cross the electoral threshold.

“Gantz’s withdrawal stems from his sense of responsibility not to waste votes for the left-wing bloc. Now, following his withdrawal, the left is perfectly organized in a way that ensures not a single vote will be wasted.”

Smotrich contrasted that development with the situation among parties on the right, criticizing former IDF general Ofer Winter and other smaller political movements for continuing their campaigns despite uncertainty about whether they would enter the Knesset.

“By contrast, on the right, there is currently a complete lack of responsibility on the part of Ofer Winter and the other splinter parties that are nowhere near the electoral threshold, yet insist on throwing votes in the trash and endangering the State of Israel by bringing to power a left-wing government with supporters of terrorism, which will bring disaster upon us.”

Smotrich concluded with a warning about the electoral consequences of votes going to parties that fail to cross the threshold.

“This is a genuine emergency. I call on Ofer and his colleagues to come to their senses and take responsibility. But more than that, I call on the public not to vote for parties that are not absolutely certain to cross the electoral threshold. If the right loses votes, the left will come to power. We must not gamble with the State of Israel!”

Gantz’s decision marks another major change in the political career of a former military chief who emerged as one of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s principal challengers during Israel’s successive election campaigns beginning in 2019.

Gantz entered national politics in late 2018, subsequently joining forces with Yair Lapid and Moshe Ya’alon to form the original Blue and White alliance. The party emerged as a major electoral force and repeatedly competed with Likud for leadership of the Knesset.

In 2020, Gantz entered a unity government with Netanyahu, serving as defense minister and alternate prime minister. The arrangement ultimately collapsed, and Gantz later joined the government headed by Naftali Bennett and Lapid.

Ahead of the 2022 election, Gantz joined forces with Gideon Sa’ar and Eisenkot under the National Unity banner, which secured 12 Knesset seats. That alliance subsequently fractured, with Eisenkot establishing his own political movement and several prominent figures departing Gantz’s camp.

In the current campaign, Gantz had sought to position Blue and White as an alternative to the competing political blocs, maintaining that Israel required a government capable of bringing together parties from across the political spectrum.

His party, however, struggled to attract sufficient support. Recent surveys placed Blue and White well below the minimum threshold for Knesset representation, raising concerns among other opposition figures that its continued participation could result in votes being excluded from the allocation of parliamentary seats.

The announcement leaves Gantz outside the upcoming electoral contest, although he has made clear that he intends to remain involved in public life and continue advocating for the formation of a national unity government.

Text messages recovered from the cellphone of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s sister reportedly provided federal investigators with evidence used to obtain a search warrant for the Minnesota Democrat’s Washington, D.C., residence, according to a New York Times report. The discovery represents a significant development in an ongoing federal investigation into allegations that Omar and members of her family may have provided false information to immigration authorities when they entered the United States in the 1990s.

Three individuals familiar with the investigation told the Times that federal authorities had confiscated a cellphone belonging to Omar’s sister, Sahra Noor, earlier this year. Investigators were reportedly examining whether the Somalia-born congresswoman and her relatives had participated in a coordinated effort to commit immigration fraud after fleeing their homeland during its civil war.

According to the report, information contained in communications between family members became part of the evidence presented to a federal judge in support of a warrant authorizing the search of Omar’s home on Monday, October 12. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations subsequently entered the residence and reportedly confiscated several items, including Omar’s cellphone, passport, personal computers and notebooks.

The investigation centers partly on allegations that Omar or her father may have misrepresented her date of birth on immigration documents, potentially allowing her to acquire American citizenship through her father’s naturalization when she otherwise would not have been eligible.

Federal investigators are reportedly seeking to establish whether Omar was 17 or 18 years old when her father became an American citizen in 2000. The distinction is significant because the citizenship rules in effect at that time allowed certain minor children to derive citizenship through a naturalized parent, while individuals who had already reached adulthood generally needed to complete their own naturalization process.

Omar and her family arrived in the United States as refugees after escaping Somalia’s civil war. Her father subsequently obtained American citizenship, and Omar has maintained that she legally acquired citizenship while she was still a minor.

Meanwhile, the investigation appears to have disrupted the public schedule of Omar’s sister, who currently resides in Kenya. Noor reportedly withdrew from a previously scheduled appearance in Rochester, New York, where she had been expected to promote her book, Salt in the Snow: A Somali Immigrant Story.

According to the New York Post, Noor attributed her cancellation to a “family emergency” following the federal search of her sister’s residence.

Investigators reportedly employed additional evidence-gathering techniques before executing the search warrant. NewsNation reported that federal agents had examined garbage discarded outside Omar’s home in an effort to obtain DNA evidence.

Law enforcement authorities are generally permitted to inspect trash left in areas accessible to the public without first obtaining a search warrant. The practice is commonly used in criminal investigations to recover discarded documents, biological material and other items that could help establish connections between individuals and suspected offenses.

The case is expected to eventually be presented to a federal grand jury in Minnesota, where prosecutors could seek additional evidence or an indictment if they determine that the investigation supports criminal charges.

One of the principal questions reportedly under examination is whether Omar’s age was accurately represented when she obtained citizenship through her father. Her father, Nur Omar Mohamed, previously served as an officer in the Somali military before the family relocated to the United States.

If investigators were to establish that Omar had already turned 18 when her father became a naturalized citizen, it could raise questions about whether she qualified for citizenship through him under the laws applicable at the time. Any effort to challenge her citizenship would require further legal proceedings, and an incorrect age alone would not automatically establish criminal wrongdoing or invalidate her status.

The investigation has also prompted sharp reactions from Republican lawmakers, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the third-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives.

Emmer told Fox News over the weekend that Omar should face imprisonment and deportation if investigators prove that she or members of her family deliberately falsified immigration records.

“That judge had to determine that there was probable cause that a federal crime has been committed [to approve a warrant],” Emmer said. “And I’ll tell you what, as long as it was Ilhan Omar, it was going to be scrutinized to the very detail.”

Emmer also offered his personal assessment of the congresswoman during his televised appearance.

“I think she is a liar,” Emmer also told Fox on camera. “I think she is a fraud.”

Federal authorities have reportedly issued subpoenas to additional members of Omar’s family as investigators continue gathering information about the circumstances surrounding their immigration to the United States.

The New York Post has also reported allegations concerning Omar’s father’s background in Somalia. According to the newspaper, Nur Omar Mohamed served as a senior military officer under dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, whose regime was responsible for widespread repression and mass killings before being overthrown in 1991.

The newspaper cited sources who alleged that Omar’s father concealed or misrepresented aspects of his identity when the family sought admission to the United States. Those claims have not been established in court, and the extent to which they form part of the current investigation remains unclear.

Additional reporting indicates that federal authorities are examining discrepancies in records concerning Omar’s year of birth. A 2019 request from her congressional staff reportedly resulted in the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library changing her listed birth year from 1981 to 1982, a difference that has attracted renewed scrutiny because of its potential implications for her citizenship eligibility.

The federal investigation is unfolding alongside a separate inquiry into Omar’s financial disclosures. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has acknowledged that investigators are examining multiple matters involving the congresswoman, including questions about financial information she reported.

Omar has denied wrongdoing, and her representatives have characterized the immigration investigation as an effort by President Trump to punish a political adversary.

“Trump has spread lie after lie about the congresswoman in a desperate attempt to justify his extraordinary abuse of power,” Omar spokeswoman Jackie Rogers told the Times in a statement.

“This is politically motivated and an escalation of Trump’s personal vendetta against her lasting over a decade.”

The political controversy has intensified as the investigation proceeds only weeks before the November midterm elections. Former President Barack Obama has also defended Omar, accusing the administration of improperly targeting a lawmaker because of her political views.

Meanwhile, Omar is seeking the return of materials seized during the search. Her attorneys have challenged aspects of the government’s handling of the evidence, including potential access to documents protected by constitutional safeguards governing congressional activities.

A federal judge has imposed special procedures intended to protect materials connected to Omar’s legislative duties, while the Justice Department has disputed allegations that investigators violated restrictions governing the search.

The Washington Post has separately reported that federal immigration officials examined Omar’s citizenship records during Trump’s first administration in 2019 but did not uncover sufficient evidence of wrongdoing to proceed at that time.

The current investigation has nevertheless advanced considerably further, with the seizure of electronic devices, subpoenas directed at relatives and evidence reportedly being prepared for grand jury review.

No criminal charges have been announced against Omar, and federal authorities have not publicly disclosed the contents of the family text messages that reportedly helped investigators obtain the search warrant.

{Matzav.com}

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MK Meir Porush, chairman of Shlomei Emunim, declared that United Torah Judaism will refuse to participate in Israel’s next government unless legislation protecting the status of yeshiva bochurim is enacted, insisting that the chareidi parties will not repeat what he described as the costly mistakes of the outgoing coalition. Porush also expressed confidence that Ger chassidim will follow their Rebbe’s instructions to vote, dismissed the electoral challenge posed by a new chareidi party, and voiced surprising support for introducing primaries within Agudas Yisroel.

In an extensive interview with Yishai Cohen of Kikar HaShabbat, conducted approximately a week and a half before Israel’s October 27 elections, Porush addressed growing frustration within the chareidi community over the arrest of yeshiva students, military draft orders, and the government’s failure to resolve the status of full-time Torah learners.

Porush acknowledged that the public’s anger runs considerably deeper than ordinary dissatisfaction.

“The public doesn’t feel ‘uncomfortable’ — it feels terrible! Very terrible. We hope these things will not happen, but for something to change, several basic things must happen,” he said.

He argued that meaningful change would require reforms to the judicial system, including appointments to the Supreme Court and changes in the legal establishment’s approach toward the chareidi community.

“Judges need to be appointed to the Supreme Court. It depends on who the justice minister is — someone who can ensure that the judges do not appear one-sided, that they are connected to the public and know how to judge. If we don’t have an attorney general who is specifically focused on harming the chareidi public, then the situation will certainly be different,” Porush said.

Reflecting on the past four years, Porush acknowledged that the chareidi parties had made a serious strategic mistake by allowing other coalition partners to advance their legislative priorities while the draft issue remained unresolved.

“What are you asking me we did wrong? We knew exactly what was going to happen!” Porush said. “Our arrangement regarding yeshiva students was supposed to be a law stating that Torah study is essential, together with judicial reform legislation. But what was the mistake of those who let the driver keep driving? They allowed four other laws to move forward: Bibi’s incapacitation law, Deri with his law, Ben-Gvir with his, Smotrich with his. And regarding ours, they told us ‘later,’ and we agreed, and we were nice and didn’t make a fuss — that was our mistake!”

Porush said that experience had fundamentally changed his approach to future coalition negotiations. He insisted that the chareidi parties would no longer accept promises that the draft issue would be addressed after a government was formed.

“There can never be compromises on the draft issue. Will we agree to postpone it? We will not agree to postpone it! That’s it. Either we have a law and we can have this matter settled, or there is no law and we are not part of it. This time, we are not making those concessions. We will not even allow laws that the coalition wants to pass until this matter is resolved. Did you vote for United Torah Judaism? You can know that no government of which we are a part will be established before there is a draft law. We are committed to that!”

Porush also declined to give Netanyahu an unconditional commitment of support ahead of the election, explaining that the chareidi parties do not want Likud to assume their participation in a future coalition is guaranteed.

“I always answer you: Let me get through the elections. Does Degel HaTorah say it is not part of the Netanyahu bloc? It doesn’t want Bibi to think for a moment that he has us, that he can move ahead without having to pay attention to us. No! You want us in the government? You want us to be part of this? Please, settle what you were supposed to settle four years ago. Just as you arranged ambassadors, representatives, budgets, everything you did for everyone else — please, now settle this matter,” he said.

Asked whether he would consider a new compromise proposal on the draft issue, Porush rejected the suggestion, saying he had received no authorization from the rabbonim to negotiate a different arrangement.

“I was not authorized by any of the rabbonim to bring a new arrangement. We are demanding something very simple: Whoever sits and learns should receive the deferment as was the case all these years. For 75, 76 years, this was regulated. Please regulate it again,” he said.

Although Porush avoided making an unconditional coalition commitment, he expressed confidence that Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc would secure the 61 Knesset seats needed to form a government.

Porush also criticized opposition figures, particularly Avigdor Lieberman, accusing them of allowing political considerations to override their previous relationships with chareidi representatives.

“Anyone you see who truly lives only for politics and has no truth in what he says — that’s what the situation looks like. After all, Lieberman, when he needed to form a coalition with chareidim for Moshe Lion, spoke with us: ‘I have votes, let’s unite.’ The moment he made him mayor, he ran away from us! These people simply disgrace themselves with their conduct,” Porush said.

Porush was equally dismissive when asked about the new HaTzibur HaChareidi party headed by Motti Leitner, which has attempted to attract dissatisfied chareidi voters and recently held a gathering attended by hundreds of people at Binyanei HaUma in Yerushalayim.

When Cohen suggested that the party’s growing activity could no longer be dismissed as a publicity stunt, Porush rejected the premise.

“I have no idea. You can ignore it!” he responded. “And if you’re asking me whether I saw in the pictures people identified with our party, Agudah, I didn’t see any! Nor did I see people from Degel HaTorah. Maybe these people voted for Ben-Gvir until now, maybe they didn’t vote. You know very well, and they know too, that in the end they aren’t getting in. So whoever wants to vote for them… I don’t want to say anything about anyone. I’m looking for votes for United Torah Judaism.”

Pressed about voters who feel alienated from the established chareidi parties and are seeking different representation, Porush responded with sarcasm.

“What can you do? You’d also like to be a Knesset member, wouldn’t you? There are people you know who want to be Knesset members. Do they go to the Knesset? Not everyone goes to the Knesset. Some people say, ‘I’ll try, why not, I’ll try.'”

Porush also rejected discussion of including a chareidi woman on the candidate lists of the newer parties, questioning why the subject was being raised in connection with United Torah Judaism.

“Where? In United Torah Judaism? You’re talking again about the HaTzibur party… What does the woman have to do with us? How many times do I have to tell you in the same interview?” he asked.

Turning to the internal tensions within Agudas Yisroel, Porush addressed the organizational separation of Shlomei Emunim and Belz from the Central Faction associated with Ger. He insisted that the move was related to the allocation of party funding and would not result in competing ballots in the upcoming election.

“We separated for the technical purpose of funding. Every Knesset member is entitled to a certain amount of money, so instead of it going into one account, we divide it according to the Knesset members into separate accounts. At the ballot box, we all vote for the same single ballot — Gimmel. There is nothing else,” Porush explained.

The issue has attracted considerable attention because of concerns that Ger chassidim, amid tensions within Agudas Yisroel, might refrain from voting or submit blank ballots.

Porush dismissed those concerns, saying Ger chassidim would follow the instructions of the Gerrer Rebbe as communicated through the chassidus’s newspaper.

“A chossid who sees what is written in the newspaper knows what the Rebbe wants them to do. Clear things are written there, and that’s what will happen,” he said.

In one of the more unexpected portions of the interview, Porush openly endorsed the possibility of holding internal elections to determine Agudas Yisroel’s Knesset candidates, arguing that the party’s own regulations permit such a system.

“The regulations of Agudas Yisroel from 5754 state that anyone who wants to become a Knesset member can be elected in one of two ways: either through primaries or through the national council. In our party, that option is open, and the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah approved it. You cannot say this is something unacceptable. I wish they would hold primaries! If you want me to put into practice in Agudas Yisroel what I did in the past, I’m prepared to act,” Porush said.

His remarks come amid longstanding disagreements over the allocation of positions among the chassidic factions represented by Agudas Yisroel. Porush has previously criticized the concentration of prominent party positions in the hands of the Central Faction, and his latest comments signal continued support for changes to the party’s internal selection process.

Concluding the interview, Porush described his efforts to persuade chareidi voters to support United Torah Judaism despite the frustrations surrounding the outgoing government’s handling of the draft issue.

“Every moment I have available, I call people, ask them and explain. Someone who is a chossid of a Rebbe who says it is forbidden to vote — I don’t argue. But everyone else — it is an obligation to vote! The public understands that only a strong United Torah Judaism will be able to stand up for the survival of the Torah world,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

White House border czar Tom Homan says federal investigators believe they have assembled a “strong case” against Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota in an ongoing criminal investigation involving allegations of immigration fraud. His remarks follow reported searches of the congresswoman’s Washington, D.C., residence last week, as federal authorities examine allegations concerning immigration documents submitted by members of her family decades ago.

Speaking during a Saturday interview with Fox News, Homan said investigators had briefed him on evidence uncovered during the inquiry, which has reportedly included multiple searches authorized by federal courts. According to Homan, those overseeing the investigation believe the information gathered thus far provides substantial grounds for continuing the case.

“If she violated law then she’d be held accountable,” Homan said, emphasizing that Omar’s position as a member of Congress would not shield her from prosecution if investigators determine that federal laws were broken.

Omar has not been criminally charged and has rejected the accusations against her. The Minnesota Democrat maintains that the investigation is politically motivated and has denied wrongdoing.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin similarly defended the investigation during a Thursday appearance on “The Charlie Kirk Show,” where he dismissed suggestions that the administration was targeting Omar because of her political views.

“We wouldn’t move forward, and President Trump didn’t want to move forward either, unless we knew that it couldn’t be politically driven,” Mullin told host Andrew Kolvet. “This individual wants to try making it about themselves. This was about enforcing once again our nation’s laws, and it’s a strong case.”

The investigation centers on longstanding allegations raised by President Donald Trump and other Republican officials concerning the accuracy of immigration paperwork filed by Omar’s relatives many years ago. Those allegations have prompted questions about whether members of the family may have obtained immigration benefits through false representations to federal authorities.

According to the report, federal investigators have issued subpoenas to several members of Omar’s family, including her brother and sister. Her cellphone was also reportedly seized as part of the inquiry, suggesting that investigators are examining communications and other potential evidence relevant to the allegations.

Mullin indicated that the potential legal implications could extend beyond individual immigration violations. He raised the possibility that coordinated fraudulent activity involving multiple individuals might fall under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly known as RICO, depending on the evidence and circumstances.

During Thursday’s interview, the Homeland Security secretary outlined a hypothetical situation involving an individual who knowingly submitted fraudulent immigration documents and then used that paperwork to facilitate the entry of additional people into the United States.

“Then that can be considered a RICO [Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations] case, right?” Mullin said. “Because there was conspiracy to deceive the American government, and therefore everything else that came in with it could then be looked at [part of] the same case.”

Mullin’s comments did not establish that prosecutors have decided to pursue racketeering charges against Omar. Such charges would require evidence satisfying the specific legal elements of the federal statute, and the congresswoman remains uncharged.

Additional reporting indicates that investigators are focusing in part on Omar’s age when her family obtained American citizenship in 2000. Authorities are reportedly examining whether she was 17, which could have made her eligible to receive citizenship through her father’s naturalization, or whether information about her age was misrepresented. No public finding has established that the documents were fraudulent.

Homan also acknowledged that a finding of immigration fraud could potentially lead to efforts to revoke Omar’s citizenship and remove her from the United States. He cautioned, however, that denaturalization is a lengthy legal process and would depend on what investigators can prove.

The investigation has generated significant controversy because it comes just weeks before the November midterm elections. Democratic leaders have accused the administration of using federal law enforcement against a political opponent, while administration officials insist that the investigation is based on legitimate evidence.

The controversy intensified Sunday when former President Barack Obama publicly criticized the investigation, arguing that the use of federal investigative powers against Omar should concern Americans regardless of their political loyalties.

Omar’s immigration history had previously been examined by federal officials in 2019 during Trump’s first administration. That review reportedly failed to uncover sufficient evidence of citizenship-related wrongdoing, although the current investigation has expanded to include additional allegations and potential criminal violations.

According to reporting on the latest inquiry, federal authorities are also considering whether the allegations, if substantiated, could provide grounds for denaturalization proceedings. No such outcome has been established, and Omar continues to deny the accusations against her.

{Matzav.com}

California Governor Gavin Newsom is calling for conditions to be imposed on American military assistance to Israel, signaling a further shift in the Democratic Party’s approach to the Jewish state as he positions himself for a possible presidential campaign in 2028. Newsom accused Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of damaging Israel’s international standing and undermining prospects for a Palestinian state.

The Democratic governor made the remarks Saturday during a campaign appearance in New Hampshire, where he spoke with the Washington Examiner about American foreign policy, Israel’s military operations in Gaza, and developments in Yehuda and Shomron.

“Aid has to be conditioned,” Newsom said, maintaining that the idea of restricting American assistance to Israel has gained substantial support among Democratic lawmakers.

Newsom argued that Netanyahu’s policies have severely weakened Israel’s relationships with other countries and eroded its standing among Americans, particularly as opposition to Israel’s military campaign against Hamas has grown within his party.

“Bibi Netanyahu has done a remarkable job of really isolating himself from the rest of the world and increasingly from the American people,” Newsom charged, adding that “the damage he’s done is incalculable.”

The California governor also described Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza as a “moral catastrophe,” continuing his increasingly outspoken criticism of the Israeli government.

Despite advocating restrictions on American military assistance, Newsom stopped short of specifying which weapons or defense programs he would seek to limit. He acknowledged that a distinction could be made between defensive capabilities, including Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, and weapons used in offensive military operations.

His comments come amid a broader debate within the Democratic Party over whether Washington should continue supplying Israel with military assistance without attaching political or operational requirements.

Earlier this year, a majority of Democratic senators supported an effort to prevent an American weapons sale to Israel. A separate proposal in the House of Representatives attracted opposition from more than 100 Democrats in July, although the effort ultimately failed by a substantial margin.

Newsom’s latest statements reflect an evolution in his public position on Israel. Although he has repeatedly criticized Netanyahu, he has also emphasized his support for Israel and previously traveled to the country following the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre.

During that visit, Newsom met with survivors of the terrorist attacks and expressed solidarity with Israelis affected by the atrocities.

In March, the governor faced criticism after describing Israel as an “apartheid state.” He subsequently distanced himself from that characterization and acknowledged that using the term had been a “regret.”

The renewed criticism comes as Newsom attracts growing attention as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. His appearances outside California, including in New Hampshire, have fueled speculation about his national political ambitions.

Newsom has nevertheless indicated that his own presidential plans could depend on whether former Vice President Kamala Harris enters the race. Last month, he said he would not seek the nomination if Harris decided to pursue another presidential campaign.

Harris has acknowledged that she is considering another White House bid and has likewise adopted an increasingly critical position toward Israel’s conduct during the Gaza war.

Speaking last week at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, South Korea, Harris faulted both the Biden administration, in which she served as vice president, and President Trump’s administration for failing to exert sufficient pressure on Israel over its military operations.

“Most recently, the failure to use our leverage to curtail the Israeli government’s horrific conduct in the war in Gaza, both under the current administration, which offers [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu a blank check, and our administration before, where we should have acted sooner and more forcefully,” Harris said.

Her remarks included an acknowledgment that the Biden administration should have taken stronger measures against Israel earlier in the conflict, a position that has become increasingly common among prominent Democrats seeking to appeal to voters critical of American support for Israeli military operations.

Harris has also criticized Netanyahu over the American confrontation with Iran, accusing the Israeli prime minister of influencing Trump’s decision to undertake military action against Tehran.

During remarks in April, Harris linked the conflict with Iran to rising gasoline prices in the United States and claimed that Netanyahu had drawn Washington into a war that Americans did not support.

“Trump entered a war – and he got pulled into it by Bibi Netanyahu, let’s be clear about that – that the American people didn’t want. Among the many consequences of it is jacking up the price of gas,” she said.

Harris’s statements about Israel have generated controversy since her unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign, when she faced criticism over an exchange with an anti-Israel protester at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

During that event, a demonstrator accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza before being escorted out. Harris subsequently addressed the disruption in language that critics interpreted as lending credibility to the accusation.

“Listen, what he’s talking about, it’s real. That’s not the subject that I came to discuss today, but it’s real and I respect his voice,” she said.

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to unleash devastating attacks against Israel if Iranian energy installations are targeted, declaring that any such strike would turn Israel into “scorched earth” and force its inhabitants to flee toward Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. The warning comes as tensions between Tehran, Yerushalayim, and Washington intensify following President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s October 27 Knesset elections.

The threat was issued Sunday by IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohabbi, who posted an unusually aggressive warning on X. The message was subsequently taken down after the social media platform determined that it violated its rules.

“Any attack on Iran’s energy infrastructure, although it will immediately be repaired by our young scientists, will turn the occupied territories into scorched earth forever and drive its usurpers into the Sinai Desert,” Mohabbi wrote.

“The world will see what happens,” he added.

The statement represents an explicit threat of large-scale retaliation against Israel in response to any military operation targeting Iran’s energy sector. It also underscores the Iranian regime’s continued use of language denying Israel’s legitimacy, with Mohabbi referring to the Jewish state as occupied territory.

The confrontation has grown increasingly heated following Trump’s public support for Netanyahu’s reelection and his warning that the United States could resume military action against Iran if the regime does not change course.

Earlier Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded directly to Trump’s suggestion that Washington could take additional steps to complete its campaign against Tehran, challenging the American president to attempt another confrontation.

“Last time you wanted to ‘finish the job’, Iran emerged even stronger. Want to try your luck again? Be our guest. But be careful; we have unfinished jobs too,” Araghchi wrote on social media.

Araghchi also attacked Netanyahu, accusing the Israeli prime minister of trying to draw the United States into another war with Iran in order to protect his own political and legal interests.

“Netanyahu is driving America into another war to stay out of jail, whatever the consequences for Israel-let alone POTUS,” he added.

The Iranian foreign minister’s remarks followed Trump’s endorsement of Netanyahu, in which the president portrayed the Israeli leader as a critical American partner in confronting the Iranian regime and argued that Netanyahu’s reelection would be important to maintaining pressure on Tehran.

In a Truth Social message directed at Israeli voters, Trump praised Netanyahu’s leadership and highlighted the two countries’ cooperation in countering Iranian threats.

“To the Great People of Israel: Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its 51 year old chant, ‘Death to Israel, Death to America! We will destroy the Little Satan and the Big Satan,'” Trump wrote. “What Country can survive when things such as this are allowed to be said, because eventually, they always end up being true?”

Trump maintained that American military and financial pressure had significantly weakened Iran’s capabilities, while cautioning that the United States remained prepared to take further action if Tehran continued its hostile policies.

“It would have been only a question of time until Iran would have put that ominous phrase into effect, but they have been systematically destroyed, both Militarily and Financially, and unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job.”

The president also made the unusual move of directly linking Israel’s upcoming election to Washington’s willingness to continue its efforts against Iran, warning Israeli voters that replacing Netanyahu could alter the division of responsibility between the two allies.

“If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so,” Trump warned.

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Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni launched a sharp attack against Naftali Bennett and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich during a campaign appearance in Haifa, accusing the two Religious Zionist politicians of pursuing policies aimed at drafting yeshiva bochurim into the Israeli military.

Speaking before thousands of members of Haifa’s chareidi communities just days ahead of the upcoming elections, Gafni warned that the political struggle over the future of bnei yeshiva remains a central issue facing the Torah community.

Gafni singled out Bennett, accusing him of making the conscription of yeshiva students the centerpiece of his political agenda.

“There is someone who wears a knitted yarmulke, his name is Naftali Bennett, and all he intends to do in Eretz Yisroel is draft yeshiva bochurim. That’s the only thing he has to talk about all the time,” Gafni declared.

The Degel HaTorah leader then turned his criticism toward Smotrich, grouping him with Bennett and other politicians whom he accused of failing to protect the interests of the chareidi community.

“Together with him is Bezalel Smotrich, another knitted yarmulke. And there are others. Most of them are like that. And people need to know that we care about Am Yisroel, and they don’t. We will stand guard with all our strength,” Gafni said.

The remarks came during a campaign visit to Haifa, where Gafni addressed large crowds of chareidi residents as political parties intensified their efforts to mobilize supporters ahead of Election Day.

Gafni’s comments highlighted the continuing tensions between chareidi political representatives and figures within the Religious Zionist political camp over military conscription and the status of yeshiva students.

With the elections approaching, Gafni pledged that Degel HaTorah would continue fighting efforts to impose military service on bnei yeshiva and would remain vigilant in defending the interests of the Torah community.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has sharply condemned the sale in Norway of a klaf from a Sefer Torah stolen during the Holocaust and desecrated by Nazi SS soldiers, who reportedly used the sacred parchment as wrapping paper. The ministry demanded immediate intervention by Norwegian authorities, denouncing the auction as a moral disgrace and criticizing reports that Norway is considering ending government funding for student visits to Nazi extermination camps.

The controversy centers on Valkyrie Historical Auctions, an Oslo-based auction house that offered the historic parchment for sale on Sunday. The klaf, believed to have been taken from a Polish shul during the Holocaust, was reportedly sold for approximately $8,500 despite the Israeli government’s objections.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the parchment was among the sacred Jewish possessions looted and desecrated by the Nazis during their campaign to destroy European Jewry. Rather than being preserved with the respect due to a Sefer Torah, the parchment was damaged and put to ordinary use as wrapping material by SS personnel.

The auction house’s own description acknowledged the item’s disturbing origins. According to the listing, a large portion of a Sefer Torah was discovered at a flea market in Poland several years ago, and the parchment being offered was believed to have come from an old Torah scroll stolen from a Polish synagogue during the German occupation.

The listing described the parchment as leather inscribed with Hebrew text in black ink. Although wrinkled and damaged by water, it remained legible.

The auction house promoted the item as suitable for framing and emphasized its direct connection to the Holocaust, presenting the sacred parchment as a historical collectible.

Israeli officials expressed particular outrage over the decision to place such an item on the commercial market, arguing that Jewish religious articles stolen during the Holocaust should not be treated as ordinary merchandise.

The auction reportedly included additional objects connected to Nazi persecution, among them tefillin looted from a Jewish victim, a garment bearing a yellow star, and various Nazi-era memorabilia.

Other items reportedly offered included Nazi insignia, photographs of Adolf Hitler and senior Third Reich officials, and propaganda material reflecting the regime’s racial ideology.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry linked the auction to reports that Norway intends to discontinue financial assistance for educational trips to former Nazi concentration and extermination camps, accusing Oslo of displaying deeply troubling priorities in its treatment of Holocaust history.

“Auctions of sacred texts looted by the Nazis—IN. Visits to extermination camps—OUT,” the ministry declared.

Israeli officials described the situation as a “moral low” and demanded that the Norwegian government intervene to prevent the sale of Jewish religious artifacts stolen and desecrated during the Holocaust.

Norway has maintained a government grant program supporting educational visits to former concentration camps and World War II memorial sites. Its official action plan against antisemitism for 2025–2030 called for reviewing the program, while its published 2026 budget proposal included continued funding. Reports of an impending cancellation have therefore not been independently confirmed.

The controversy has raised renewed questions about the handling of Jewish religious property seized during the Holocaust, particularly items that retain their religious significance despite the destruction and mistreatment they suffered under Nazi rule.

For observant Jews, a Sefer Torah is among the holiest objects in Jewish life, and its parchment is treated with exceptional reverence. The use of such parchment as wrapping paper by Nazi soldiers represented a deliberate degradation of an object central to Jewish religious practice.

The sale of the parchment for $8,500, after Israel had called for the auction to be halted, added to the diplomatic dispute. It was not immediately clear who purchased the item or whether any steps would be taken to seek its return to Jewish communal or religious custody.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is reportedly holding negotiations with Moti Leitner, chairman of the newly established Hatzibur Hachareidi party, in an effort to persuade him to withdraw from Israel’s upcoming Knesset elections, as recent polls indicate that the party is attracting only a fraction of the support needed to enter the Knesset.

The discussions, reported Sunday evening by Channel 12 political analyst Amit Segal, come just nine days before Election Day, with Netanyahu apparently seeking to prevent votes from being cast for a party that current surveys suggest has little prospect of crossing the electoral threshold.

According to Segal, the negotiations have made progress, although Netanyahu has so far declined to guarantee Leitner either a ministerial position in the next government or a secure place on an electoral list in a future election.

Despite the reported discussions, representatives of Hatzibur Hachareidi publicly rejected suggestions that the party was preparing to abandon its campaign.

“We are continuing until the end,” the party declared in response to the report.

Following inquiries from journalists, Leitner issued a separate statement firmly dismissing the possibility of withdrawing from the race, insisting that his party has an obligation to the voters it seeks to represent.

“We do not have the luxury of withdrawing. We must not withdraw. We have an enormous constituency that expects us to represent it,” Leitner said.

He also expressed confidence that his party was gaining momentum, despite polling numbers suggesting otherwise.

“The surge toward us is enormous. We will be the surprise of the elections,” he declared.

Leitner’s optimistic assessment comes as several recent opinion polls show Hatzibur Hachareidi falling well short of the 3.25% electoral threshold required for a party to win representation in the Knesset.

A survey conducted by Direct Polls and published Sunday evening by i24NEWS placed the party below 1% support, leaving it far from the minimum needed to secure parliamentary seats.

A separate poll released by Channel 14 showed Hatzibur Hachareidi receiving just 0.5% of the vote, while a Kan News survey similarly found that the party would fail to cross the electoral threshold.

Under Israel’s electoral system, parties that receive fewer than 3.25% of valid votes do not receive any Knesset seats, meaning that ballots cast for such parties do not translate into parliamentary representation.

The weak polling numbers have apparently prompted efforts by political figures to persuade Leitner to reconsider his candidacy before Election Day.

Last week, reports emerged that individuals close to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had also been in contact with Leitner regarding a possible withdrawal. Leitner denied at the time that such discussions had taken place.

The latest report suggests that Netanyahu himself is now involved in efforts to reach an agreement, although the prime minister’s reported unwillingness to promise Leitner a future political appointment or guaranteed Knesset position remains an obstacle.

For now, Leitner continues to insist that his party will remain in the race, maintaining that it represents a substantial constituency whose interests would otherwise go unaddressed.

{Matzav.com}

The Satmar Rebbe delivered a forceful address to nearly 1,700 Satmar yeshiva bochurim from across the United States, warning them to “stay away from Zionist propaganda” and “distance yourselves from the impurity of Zionism,” while also issuing stern instructions regarding technology, driving, attendance at celebrations, and adherence to the longstanding traditions of the Satmar chassidus.

The address, delivered at a major gathering marking the beginning of the winter zeman, focused on the responsibilities of a chassidishe yeshiva bochur and the importance of maintaining the standards established by the Divrei Yoel, Rav Yoel Teitelbaum zt”l, founder of the Satmar yeshiva network.

The Rebbe began with an extensive Torah discourse, drawing upon the weekly parshiyos and sugyos in Maseches Kesubos, which the bochurim are currently studying in yeshiva.

He subsequently turned to practical guidance, urging the assembled talmidim to conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting genuine chassidishe bnei Torah, both within the walls of the yeshiva and whenever they are outside its environment.

Among the practices he emphasized was daily immersion in a mikvah, along with establishing regular periods for studying sifrei chassidus and mussar. He also reminded the bochurim of the importance of reviewing the weekly parsha with Shnayim Mikra V’Echad Targum.

The Rebbe devoted particular attention to the responsibility of helping others, encouraging the bochurim to participate in raising money for tzedakah and to assist fellow talmidim who may be experiencing difficulties.

He stressed that helping another person must extend beyond financial contributions. Whenever a bochur becomes aware that a friend requires assistance, whether physically, financially, or otherwise, he should respond immediately and make every effort to provide the necessary support.

The Rebbe also discussed the proper observance of Shabbos, stressing the importance of conducting all three Shabbos seudos in accordance with halacha and the accepted traditions of the chassidus.

He placed special emphasis on seudah shlishis, encouraging the bochurim to gather together and sing the traditional zemiros with genuine longing and spiritual feeling, preserving the atmosphere that has long characterized Satmar’s approach to Shabbos.

Turning to the rules governing yeshiva life, the Rebbe demanded strict adherence to the established takanos, including maintaining the required learning schedules, arriving punctually for sedorim, and observing all regulations concerning conduct outside the bais medrash.

He specifically highlighted several longstanding restrictions instituted by the Divrei Yoel, including the prohibition against yeshiva bochurim driving automobiles.

The Rebbe instructed the talmidim to refrain entirely from driving and to observe the yeshiva’s other longstanding regulations, including restrictions on attending weddings and engagement celebrations outside the accepted framework.

Another major focus of the address was the danger posed by modern technology. The Rebbe warned the bochurim to maintain complete distance from technological devices and their harmful influences, emphasizing that the yeshiva’s strict regulations in this area must be followed carefully.

The Rebbe also addressed changes in the music and dancing commonly found at contemporary weddings and other celebrations.

He expressed concern over newer styles of entertainment that have become increasingly widespread and urged the bochurim to preserve the traditional manner of conducting chassidishe simchos, featuring established chassidishe niggunim and dignified, refined dancing.

Toward the conclusion of his address, the Rebbe turned to Zionism, delivering particularly sharp remarks about the obligation of Satmar bochurim to remain faithful to the movement’s longstanding ideological position.

The Rebbe warned the talmidim to “distance yourselves from the impurity of Zionism,” stressing that they must avoid all forms of Zionist ideological influence.

He also instructed the bochurim to “stay away from Zionist propaganda,” cautioning them against being drawn into Zionist publicity, news coverage, and other material that could undermine their commitment to the principles established by the Divrei Yoel.

The Rebbe emphasized that Satmar’s opposition to Zionism is an integral part of the mesorah transmitted through the chassidus and urged the bochurim to preserve that outlook without allowing outside influences to weaken their convictions.

The remarks reflected the longstanding position of Satmar, whose founding Rebbe, the Divrei Yoel, was a prominent opponent of political Zionism and established ideological principles that continue to guide the chassidus.

Throughout his address, the Rebbe emphasized the importance of remaining firmly attached to the traditions of previous generations, both in the daily conduct of a yeshiva bochur and in broader matters of hashkafah.

{Matzav.com}

An Israeli couple vacationing in Vienna, Austria, were forced to flee their Airbnb apartment after an unidentified man repeatedly pounded on their door while shouting anti-Israel insults and allegedly waiting outside with objects that appeared to be weapons. The couple said local police failed to provide adequate protection, leaving them to rely on fellow Israelis to escape to safety.

Chen and Hadar Barty, residents of Ashkelon, had rented an apartment through Airbnb in what they believed was a safe neighborhood near a local shul. Their vacation turned into a frightening ordeal over the weekend when a stranger appeared outside their apartment at approximately 6 p.m. and began violently banging on the door.

According to the couple, Chen called out to ask who was outside, prompting the man to angrily shout, “Zionists, Zionist occupiers,” while striking the door with increasing force.

Terrified by the confrontation, the couple remained inside the apartment, unsure whether the stranger intended to force his way in. When the banging eventually stopped and they heard what sounded like footsteps descending the staircase, they hoped the man had finally left.

However, when they looked through a window, they discovered that the suspect was still outside the building, apparently waiting for them. They also noticed that he was holding unidentified objects, raising further concerns about what might happen if they attempted to leave.

The couple immediately contacted Vienna police, who dispatched officers to investigate. By the time the officers arrived, however, the suspect had disappeared. According to the couple, the responding officers instructed them to call again if the individual returned.

The relief was short-lived. Soon afterward, the man allegedly returned to the building, leaving Chen and Hadar once again fearing for their safety.

Hadar said their second attempt to obtain police assistance was met with impatience and anger rather than the urgent response they had expected.

“The police officers were angry that we called, they didn’t help us,” Hadar told Israel’s Channel 12 News. “I can’t put into words what we experienced.”

With the suspect apparently determined to continue harassing them and the police response providing little reassurance, the couple decided they could no longer remain in the apartment.

Desperate for assistance, they posted a message in an online group for Israelis residing in Vienna, describing their situation and asking whether anyone could help them reach a safer location.

Their appeal was answered by an Israeli couple living in the city, who immediately volunteered to assist. The local residents traveled to the apartment, helped Chen and Hadar leave the building safely, and escorted them to a hotel elsewhere in Vienna.

The volunteers remained with the shaken couple until they had calmed down and felt secure in their new accommodations.

Although they had escaped the immediate threat, the couple’s difficulties continued when they contacted the owner of the Airbnb apartment to request reimbursement for the unused portion of their reservation.

Hadar explained that they had been forced to abandon the property because of a frightening security incident and asked that the remaining nights be refunded.

According to the couple, the apartment owner refused, arguing that the payment had already been collected through Airbnb and that she was unable to return the money.

The refusal left the Bartys facing an additional financial loss after an incident that had already ruined their vacation and forced them to arrange alternative accommodations.

For Hadar, the experience was particularly unsettling because she and her husband live in Ashkelon, a southern Israeli city whose residents have endured years of security threats and rocket attacks.

“We are residents of Ashkelon, and suddenly we come here and experience an incredible sense of déjà vu,” Hadar said, describing the shock of encountering such fear while traveling abroad.

Reflecting on the possibility that the stranger could have confronted them directly or managed to enter the apartment, she added, “It could easily have ended in disaster.”

{Matzav.com}

An extensive search operation was conducted Sunday in northern Yerushalayim for Yehuda Sperka, a 23-year-old man who has been missing for more than two months, amid growing fears for his life. Police and volunteer search teams are appealing to the public for any information that could help locate him.

Volunteers from the Israel Dog Unit (IDU), known in Hebrew as Yachal, carried out a concentrated search in wooded areas of northern Yerushalayim at the request of the Israel Police’s Lev Habira station. The operation involved specially trained scent-tracking dogs and teams of volunteers who combed through dense vegetation and difficult terrain in an effort to uncover any clues regarding Sperka’s whereabouts.

Sperka disappeared more than two months ago, and authorities have expressed serious concern for his safety. Despite previous efforts to locate him, his whereabouts remain unknown, prompting the renewed search operation.

According to an earlier police announcement, Sperka was last seen in the vicinity of Shaarei Chessed Street in Yerushalayim. Investigators have also been examining the possibility that he traveled to northern Israel, particularly the areas surrounding Teveria and Har Meron.

During Sunday’s operation, volunteers systematically searched the designated area in northern Yerushalayim, spreading out in coordinated formations to cover the wooded terrain as thoroughly as possible. The specially trained dogs were deployed to assist in identifying potential traces of the missing man.

Authorities have released a physical description of Sperka in the hope that members of the public may recognize him or recall seeing someone matching his appearance.

Sperka is approximately 1.70 meters tall, or 5 feet 7 inches, with an average build, dark hair, and green eyes. When last seen, he was wearing a white shirt, dark pants, and a black yarmulke.

Police and the Israel Dog Unit are urging anyone who may have encountered Sperka, seen him traveling, or possesses information that could help establish his movements to contact authorities immediately.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to call the Lev Habira police station at 02-5381550 or the Israel Police emergency hotline at 100.

The search remains ongoing, with authorities emphasizing that even a seemingly minor detail could prove important in helping locate the missing young man.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin delivered an impassioned address at a major gathering of Gedolei Yisroel in Bnei Brak on Motzoei Shabbos, declaring that the ongoing campaign against the Torah community must become a powerful public affirmation of unwavering loyalty to Torah. At the same time, he urged roshei yeshiva to strengthen the confidence and pride of their talmidim, emphasizing that despite the unprecedented pressures facing lomdei Torah, the Torah world is experiencing extraordinary growth in both numbers and the caliber of its talmidei chachomim.

The gathering, convened to address the challenges confronting Torah observance in Eretz Yisroel, brought together dozens of leading roshei yeshiva from across the country. Among the senior Gedolim who addressed the assembly were Rav Dov Landau, Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, Rav Boruch Dov Povarsky, and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, alongside members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and other prominent Torah leaders.

Throughout the gathering, the Gedolim stressed the responsibility of the Torah community to act in defense of Torah and to make a public kiddush Hashem through active participation in the campaign being undertaken under their direction.

Speaking on behalf of yeshiva bochurim and kollel yungeleit, Rav Sorotzkin addressed the ongoing measures against bnei yeshiva and the broader Torah community. He called upon the roshei yeshiva to ensure that their talmidim recognize the remarkable accomplishments of the Torah world during this difficult period and appreciate the privilege of belonging to a generation witnessing such extraordinary Torah growth.

Rav Sorotzkin began his remarks with humility, acknowledging the presence of the Gedolei Hador and explaining that he was speaking from the depths of his heart rather than attempting to deliver a formal address.

He explained that previous communal campaigns had centered on demonstrating loyalty to Hashem, His Torah, and His mitzvos. The present struggle, however, carries an additional significance: It is an opportunity for the Torah community to proclaim publicly that its entire existence is bound to the Torah.

Invoking the familiar declaration, “We have nothing remaining but this Torah,” Rav Sorotzkin said that the current campaign must communicate the inseparable connection between Klal Yisroel, the Torah, and the Ribbono Shel Olam.

He cited the teaching that “The Holy One, blessed be He, the Torah, and Yisroel are one,” explaining that the obligation of the moment is to make a kiddush Hashem by declaring that Torah remains the foundation of Jewish life.

Turning to the Rambam in Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah, chapter five, Rav Sorotzkin discussed the halachos of kiddush Hashem and the distinction between sanctifying Hashem’s name privately and doing so publicly in the presence of ten Jews.

He noted that the Rambam describes a person who gives his life rather than transgressing when halacha requires such sacrifice as having sanctified Hashem’s name. When this occurs in the presence of ten Jews, the act constitutes a public kiddush Hashem. Conversely, one who violates the obligation under those circumstances commits a chillul Hashem, with the public nature of the act adding to its severity.

Rav Sorotzkin applied this distinction to the upcoming elections, explaining that the electoral process provides an exceptionally public opportunity for the Torah community to express its allegiance to Torah.

He argued that when bnei Torah participate in the elections in accordance with the direction of the Gedolei Yisroel, their collective declaration can constitute an extraordinary public kiddush Hashem, visible to the entire country.

The responsibility, he said, is to ensure that the message reaches beyond the immediate circles of the yeshivos and kollelim, demonstrating to the broader public that the Torah community stands united in its commitment to Torah and its mesorah.

Rav Sorotzkin then turned to what he described as a second crucial point: the remarkable success of the Torah world precisely during a period marked by persecution and hostility toward those who devote their lives to learning.

He acknowledged the seriousness of the current challenges, characterizing the situation as one of religious persecution. Nevertheless, he said that the extraordinary siyata diShmaya evident throughout the Torah world must not be overlooked.

According to Rav Sorotzkin, the expansion of yeshivos and kollelim has reached levels rarely seen before, with growing numbers of individuals dedicating themselves to Torah study. Equally significant, he said, is the emergence of outstanding talmidei chachomim whose depth and accomplishments reflect an exceptional level of Torah scholarship.

He suggested that the very difficulties confronting the Torah community may be contributing to this spiritual growth, as the challenges strengthen the determination of bnei Torah and deepen their connection to learning.

Rather than focusing exclusively on the threats facing the yeshivos, Rav Sorotzkin urged the community to recognize the tremendous chessed Hashem reflected in the flourishing of Torah institutions and the development of a new generation of accomplished talmidei chachomim.

To illustrate the spiritual significance of enduring hardship before receiving the Torah, Rav Sorotzkin cited a Medrash in Mishlei concerning Yisro’s departure before Matan Torah.

The Medrash applies the posuk, “The heart knows the bitterness of its soul, and a stranger does not share in its joy,” to explain why Yisro was sent away before Klal Yisroel received the Torah at Har Sinai.

As Rav Sorotzkin explained, the Medrash teaches that while the Jewish people had endured the terrible suffering of slavery in Mitzrayim, laboring with mortar and bricks, Yisro had remained at home in relative comfort. Although Yisro subsequently abandoned his familiar surroundings and traveled into the wilderness to join Klal Yisroel, he had not shared their earlier suffering.

Consequently, the Medrash describes him as an outsider with respect to the particular joy of Matan Torah experienced by those who had endured the bondage of Mitzrayim.

Rav Sorotzkin explained that this teaching carries a profound message for the present generation. The Torah community is experiencing its own period of hardship, which he compared to the mortar and bricks endured by the Jewish people in Mitzrayim.

Yet it is precisely through these challenges, he said, that bnei Torah are experiencing an extraordinary measure of siyata diShmaya, allowing them to reach new heights in learning and spiritual accomplishment.

Speaking as someone closely involved with talmidim and the daily life of the yeshiva world, Rav Sorotzkin emphasized that roshei yeshiva have a special responsibility to raise the spirits of their talmidim and instill in them a sense of pride in their identity as bnei Torah.

He urged the roshei yeshiva to remind their students that they are privileged to participate in a period of remarkable Torah growth and that their perseverance amid adversity is helping produce an exceptional generation of talmidei chachomim.

Rav Sorotzkin expressed the hope that the Torah world would continue to experience the fulfillment of the posuk concerning Klal Yisroel in Mitzrayim, “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and spread.”

He then addressed the central role of emunas chachomim in Jewish life, stressing that the relationship between Klal Yisroel and its Torah leaders is fundamental to the foundations of emunah.

Rav Sorotzkin raised a question concerning the Rambam’s thirteen principles of faith: Why is belief in the words and authority of the Chachomim not listed separately among the thirteen ikkarim?

He explained that emunas chachomim is so fundamental that it cannot be treated as an independent addition to the principles of faith. Rather, without emunas chachomim, the entire foundation of emunah is lacking.

He referenced the discussion of this subject in the introduction to Chayei Olam, emphasizing that genuine acceptance of the principles of Jewish belief necessarily includes trust in the Chachomim who transmit and preserve the mesorah.

To further illustrate the influence of Gedolei Yisroel, Rav Sorotzkin cited Rashi’s commentary at the beginning of Parshas Noach, concerning the Torah’s description of Noach as a righteous and perfect man in his generation.

Rashi brings the opinion that the posuk praises Noach, teaching that had he lived among righteous people, he would have become even greater.

Rav Sorotzkin pointed out that Rashi does not say that Noach would have learned additional Torah from those tzaddikim or received specific teachings from them. Rather, the very fact of living in the company of righteous people would have elevated his own level of righteousness.

From this, he explained, one can appreciate the profound influence of the Gedolei Hador upon the entire generation.

Their impact extends far beyond the Torah they teach and the guidance they provide. Their very presence among Klal Yisroel elevates the spiritual standing of the community, influencing every Yid and every ben Torah, wherever he may be.

Rav Sorotzkin emphasized that every yeshiva bochur and avreich should recognize the extraordinary privilege of living in a generation guided by such Gedolei Torah, whose influence strengthens and elevates the entire Torah world.

He concluded with a heartfelt appeal for the community to unite in publicly proclaiming its unwavering commitment to Torah and to inspire others to join in that declaration.

Rav Sorotzkin expressed the hope that Klal Yisroel would merit to proclaim together that it has nothing remaining but the Torah and would experience the conviction expressed in the words, “For Hashem is with us.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued a forceful warning to France on Sunday, blaming mass immigration for the violent unrest engulfing the country and urging French authorities to immediately tighten border controls as widespread rioting, arson, and looting have left entire neighborhoods devastated, historic buildings in ruins, and thousands of people under arrest.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said France was suffering the consequences of allowing large numbers of immigrants into the country without adequately addressing questions of integration and security.

“France is burning! The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country. Close your Borders and take control, before it is too late!” Trump wrote.

The president’s remarks followed a weekend of extraordinary violence across France, where demonstrations over rising living costs, deteriorating public services, and problems in the education system deteriorated into widespread clashes with police and attacks on businesses and government buildings.

French authorities reported more than 2,000 arrests following Saturday’s disturbances, with hundreds of police officers and emergency personnel injured. The unrest affected Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Lille, Limoges, and several other cities, leaving authorities confronting one of the country’s most serious episodes of civil disorder in years.

The demonstrations drew enormous crowds, with France’s Interior Ministry estimating approximately 550,000 participants nationwide, while labor unions placed attendance as high as 800,000. Although many demonstrators marched peacefully, groups of masked rioters broke away from the protests, smashing storefronts, setting vehicles ablaze, and attacking public buildings.

Among the most dramatic incidents was the destruction of the historic city hall in Limoges, a landmark building dating to 1883. Rioters set the structure on fire, and footage circulating online showed flames consuming the building before its tower collapsed. The destruction prompted outrage among French officials and became one of the defining images of the weekend’s violence.

In Paris, entire commercial streets were left littered with broken glass, burned bicycles, damaged vehicles, and debris. Stores selling clothing, electronics, cosmetics, and other merchandise were ransacked, with some businesses reporting extensive losses.

French business representatives estimated that approximately 1,500 businesses had sustained damage, with the financial cost expected to reach hundreds of millions of euros. Some merchants described groups of masked individuals arriving with equipment to disable security cameras before breaking into shops and removing merchandise.

The unrest began with demonstrations by students demanding additional teachers and improvements in school conditions, particularly in poorer areas. Those protests expanded into a broader movement involving labor unions, students, and citizens protesting inflation, fuel costs, declining public services, and the government’s economic policies.

Trump, however, focused his response on immigration, arguing that France’s problems reflected a deeper failure of national policy rather than simply public dissatisfaction with economic conditions.

Vice President JD Vance echoed the president’s criticism, accusing Western political leaders of encouraging immigration without sufficiently considering whether newcomers could integrate into their host societies.

“Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignored fundamental questions of assimilation and compatibility,” Vance wrote on X.

“They were told it would lead to this and they didn’t listen,” he added.

Vance also expressed concern over the destruction of France’s historic landmarks and warned that Americans should view the violence as a cautionary example in the debate over immigration policy.

“I pray that France, a beautiful country of amazing people, will stop this madness before more of its landmarks burn,” he wrote.

“And I hope Americans are paying attention. This is the future congressional Democrats seek for your country.”

The immigration issue has become a central political flashpoint in France, with right-wing politicians arguing that years of permissive immigration policies have contributed to social fragmentation and insecurity. However, French authorities have primarily attributed the latest violence to radical far-left activists and criminal groups exploiting otherwise peaceful demonstrations, rather than identifying immigration as the cause of the unrest.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the rioting Sunday, saying the destruction and attacks on police could not be justified by legitimate public grievances.

Macron acknowledged the anger over economic conditions and public services but insisted that those responsible for violence and destruction would face consequences.

The French government has faced mounting criticism over its response, with opposition figures demanding tougher security measures and some calling for emergency powers to restore order. Authorities have deployed additional police forces while working to assess the extensive damage and prevent further disturbances.

The violence has also intensified political tensions ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election, in which Macron is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term. Immigration, public safety, and the country’s economic difficulties are already major issues in the contest to succeed him.

A Yerushalayim avreich in his 30s has admitted to Israeli police that he helped a known criminal leave the country despite being under house arrest, using a scheme that allegedly allowed individuals barred from traveling abroad to bypass passport control at Ben Gurion Airport. The suspect also acknowledged that this was not the first time he had facilitated such an unauthorized departure.

The details of the investigation were revealed Sunday evening by Li Ayish, head of the crime desk at i24NEWS, during the network’s main news broadcast. The avreich was arrested in recent days by officers from the Modiin Illit police station after authorities investigated how a criminal subject to house arrest had managed to leave Israel.

Ayish had reported the previous week that the criminal succeeded in traveling overseas despite restrictions that should have prevented him from leaving the country. The latest disclosures provide an account of how the suspect allegedly assisted him in evading those restrictions.

During questioning, investigators asked the avreich to explain his involvement in arranging the departure. According to the account he provided, the arrangement began when he received a telephone call from someone who was prohibited from leaving Israel but wanted to travel to Uman.

“A person called me and said he had a travel ban and wanted to get to Uman because he had never been there,” the avreich told investigators.

He reportedly agreed to assist the individual and purchased an airline ticket for him through an online travel booking website. On the scheduled departure date, the two arrived together at Ben Gurion Airport.

The suspect then described to police how the traveler allegedly passed through the airport’s automated border-control system while the avreich himself remained in Israel.

“At the place where you have to put down a passport, I put down my passport and look at the camera, and he passes through the gate that opens,” he explained.

According to the reported confession, the arrangement enabled the other individual to continue toward his flight while the avreich did not leave the country.

The suspect’s statements raised serious questions about the security procedures at Israel’s main international airport, particularly how a person subject to an official travel restriction could allegedly pass through border control using another individual’s identification.

Investigators also learned that the incident was apparently part of a broader pattern. During his interrogation, the avreich acknowledged that he had previously used the same method to help others leave Israel, indicating that the case under investigation was not an isolated occurrence.

Police sought to extend the suspect’s detention while continuing their investigation. However, despite his reported admissions, the court rejected the request to keep him in custody and ordered his release under restrictive conditions.

The judge directed that the avreich remain under house arrest for eight days as the investigation continues.

{Matzav.com}

Israelis planning to renew their passports or obtain new ones can save substantial amounts of money by waiting until November 1, when the Population and Immigration Authority’s discounted winter rates take effect. Under the reduced fee schedule, an adult passport will cost just NIS 185 instead of the regular NIS 315, while a child’s passport will cost NIS 110.

The seasonal discount, which runs through February 28, 2027, could mean savings of hundreds of shekels for families preparing for overseas travel next summer. To qualify, applicants must pay their passport fees online through the Population and Immigration Authority’s website during the designated winter period.

For adults, the NIS 185 winter fee applies to both first-time passport applications and renewals. That represents a savings of NIS 105 compared with the NIS 290 online summer rate and NIS 130 compared with the standard NIS 315 fee.

The reduced rate for minors will be NIS 110, down from the summer online price of NIS 145 and the regular fee of NIS 165. Families renewing passports for several children could therefore see considerable savings by taking advantage of the winter pricing.

For example, a family consisting of two parents and five children would pay NIS 920 under the discounted winter schedule, compared with NIS 1,455 at the regular rates, a savings of NIS 535.

Importantly, applicants do not need to visit a government office immediately after making their payments. Anyone who pays the discounted fee by February 28, 2027, will have until April 30, 2027, to complete the actual passport application process.

This arrangement allows families to secure the lower price during the winter while scheduling their appointments for a later date, provided they complete the process before the April deadline.

Additional discounts will remain available for eligible soldiers, reservists, and national service volunteers. Those entitled to reduced fees will receive the appropriate discount based on their updated eligibility status, with the precise amount displayed when they complete their online payment.

The Population and Immigration Authority also reminded applicants that obtaining a passport requires an appointment in advance through the Govisit scheduling system. Applicants cannot simply arrive at a government office without first arranging a visit.

At certain Population Authority branches, appointments can be booked directly for self-service passport stations, potentially reducing waiting times and making the application process more convenient.

The reduced winter fees will be available beginning November 1, giving Israeli families several months to take advantage of the savings before the regular pricing returns.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli law enforcement authorities are considering opening a criminal investigation against Rav Dov Lior, one of the most prominent rabbonim in the Religious Zionist community, following a halachic ruling in which he permitted Jews to harvest olives from Palestinian-owned groves. The possibility of investigating a senior rov over a Torah ruling has generated controversy, particularly as legal officials themselves acknowledge that the allegations of incitement are far from clear-cut.

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 13 News, the potential investigation follows a police complaint submitted by the organization Rabbis for Human Rights, which accuses Rav Lior of incitement to racism, encouraging violence, and soliciting the theft of property.

The complaint carries the signatures of 170 male and female religious leaders affiliated with the initiative, who maintain that the ruling could encourage Jews to enter Palestinian-owned agricultural properties and remove produce without the owners’ permission.

The controversy began after Rav Lior issued his halachic position at the start of the annual olive-harvesting season, addressing the permissibility of Jews collecting olives from groves belonging to Palestinians.

However, even within Israel’s legal establishment, officials have reportedly acknowledged that the grounds for criminal prosecution are uncertain. According to the report, the allegation of racial incitement is not straightforward, and the ruling itself does not contain an explicit call for violence.

Despite those legal reservations, authorities have not ruled out summoning Rav Lior for questioning, and the matter remains under consideration.

One senior law enforcement official expressed support for pursuing an investigation, characterizing the halachic ruling as an encouragement to take property unlawfully.

“This is a call for theft; the rabbi should be investigated,” the official said.

The complaint was initiated by Rabbis for Human Rights, an organization that advocates for human rights and Palestinian property rights while presenting its activities as grounded in Jewish religious principles.

Anton Goodman, the organization’s acting executive director, defended the decision to file a police complaint against a fellow religious leader, arguing that the organization considered the matter serious enough to warrant intervention by law enforcement.

“I am sorry that I have to file a police complaint against a rabbi in Israel, but reality requires us to stand alongside the Torah,” Goodman said.

He further criticized the substance of Rav Lior’s ruling, maintaining that taking agricultural produce from land owned by others violates both Israeli law and the religious values his organization seeks to uphold.

“Entering other people’s land and taking their crops in violation of the law is not what God wants from us in this land,” Goodman added.

The case raises questions about the circumstances under which a halachic ruling can become the subject of a criminal investigation, particularly when the legal authorities examining the matter have not identified an explicit instruction to commit violence.

At this stage, no formal criminal investigation has been announced, and officials are continuing to assess whether the complaint provides sufficient legal grounds to proceed against Rav Lior.

{Matzav.com}