Traffic along key arteries near Bnei Brak was brought to a standstill on Monday as members of the Peleg Yerushalmi daction, affiliated with Rav Tzvi Friedman’s community, demonstrated against the detention of young chareidi men accused of failing to present themselves for military service.
During the protest, demonstrators blocked Route 4 and Jabotinsky Road for several hours, creating major disruptions and leading to direct confrontations with police officers deployed to the scene.
As tensions escalated, a police commander formally announced that the gathering constituted an illegal assembly and warned participants to disperse. Protesters refused to comply, continuing to obstruct the roadway.
Police ultimately resorted to force to clear the area. In response, some demonstrators shouted “Nazis” at the officers. One protester was taken into custody on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.
{Matzav.com}
A second round of direct, civilian-level negotiations between Israel and Lebanon concluded Friday in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura, underscoring sharp disagreements over border arrangements, visible American pressure on Israel, and the notable absence of France, according to a report by Al-Monitor.
The talks were led by US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus and brought together senior officials from Israel, Lebanon, and the United States. The Israeli delegation included Deputy National Security Council chief Yossi Draznin and Uri Reznik, a senior figure in the council’s Foreign Policy Division. Lebanon was represented by former Ambassador to the United States Simon Karam, who was accompanied by a military officer. Also in attendance was US Gen. Joseph Clearfield, head of the Mechanism created to supervise the ceasefire.
One of the most striking aspects of the meeting was the absence of France, despite its formal role within the Mechanism. Al-Monitor reported that French Ambassador to Lebanon Herve Magro sought to attend the talks but was rejected by both Washington and Jerusalem. Israeli officials reportedly made clear that France’s inclusion would prompt Israel to withdraw altogether. While French sources denied that any official request to attend had been submitted, they acknowledged that no French civilian representative participated.
The report linked France’s exclusion to growing strains between Israel and Paris. These tensions have been fueled by disputes over President Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic initiatives and French criticism of Israel’s military conduct in Gaza and Lebanon. Although Israel initially viewed French engagement with Lebanese actors as potentially beneficial in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, officials later worked to curtail France’s involvement as relations worsened.
Substantive differences between Israel and Lebanon also surfaced during the discussions. Lebanese representatives focused primarily on enabling the return of civilians displaced from southern villages since fighting erupted in October 2023. Israel, by contrast, pressed for the establishment of an economic or security zone along the border, which it considers necessary to prevent attacks by Hezbollah.
Israeli officials emphasized that Israel has no territorial or maritime ambitions in Lebanon and portrayed the proposed zone as a strictly defensive measure. Lebanese officials declined to endorse the idea, arguing that creating an uninhabited zone would constitute forced displacement and violate Lebanese sovereignty. Karam reportedly maintained that the return of civilians must come before any conversation about economic or security frameworks.
According to Al-Monitor, Ortagus also relayed American concerns to the Israeli side regarding civilian casualties caused by Israeli strikes in Lebanon, cautioning that such incidents complicate efforts to stabilize the border area. Lebanese officials, for their part, pressed Israel to recognize actions taken by the Lebanese Armed Forces south of the Litani River since the ceasefire, including the dismantling of unauthorized military sites and the expansion of troop deployments.
Israeli representatives were described as cautiously receptive to acknowledging these Lebanese measures, while stressing that sustained enforcement would be essential. Another round of talks is scheduled to take place on Jan. 7.
{Matzav.com}
The levayah of Harav Mattisyahu HaKohen Katz zt”l, one of the roshei yeshiva of Yeshivas Binyan Olam, took place in Yerushalayim on Monday, Zos Chanukah, following his petirah at the age of 86.
Rav Katz was born on the 12th of Teves, 5700, to his father, Rav Meir Yosef HaKohen Katz, and his mother, Mrs. Tzipporah Katz. From a young age, he immersed himself in Torah with exceptional diligence and depth, becoming known as a devoted and beloved talmid to his rabbeim. He studied with great hasmadah in the yeshivos of Ponevezh and Mir, where he distinguished himself through profound iyun and clarity in learning.
Upon reaching marriageable age, he married the daughter of Rav Ephraim Lerman.
A towering figure of yiras Shamayim, Rav Katz devoted his life to Torah and chinuch. Over the years, he raised generations of talmidim while serving in prominent teaching roles at Yeshivas Kol Torah, Ohr Somayach, Beis HaTalmud, and Maoros HaTorah. He later served as one of the roshei yeshiva of Yeshivas Binyan Olam in Yerushalayim.
Renowned for his humility and gentleness, he dedicated himself selflessly to guiding students, drawing them close to avodas Hashem, and instilling in them precision in halachah and mitzvah observance. He was especially known for his exceptional care in shemiras halashon, setting a personal example that left a lasting impression on all who encountered him.
The levayah departed at midday on Zos Chanukah from the Beis Medrash Beis Yisrael in the Ezras Torah neighborhood of Yerushalayim, accompanied by large crowds, and proceeded to Har HaMenuchos, where he was laid to rest.
The family is sitting shivah at his home, 3 Dovav Meisharim Street.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}
Rabbi Uri Lupolianski, the widely respected chessed leader, founder and chairman of Yad Sarah, and former mayor of Yerushalayim, has been hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem.
According to reports, Rabbi Lupolianski, 74, was admitted after developing a severe case of pneumonia accompanied by breathing difficulties. He is currently receiving medical treatment and is in need of significant rachamei Shomayim.
Rabbi Lupolianski, who battled serious illness in the past and recovered with great siyata d’Shmaya, went on to continue leading the life’s work he established, building Yad Sarah into one of Israel’s largest and most impactful chessed organizations, providing medical equipment and support to hundreds of thousands annually.
All are asked to daven for Uri ben Malka.
{Matzav.com}
