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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}

The frum community in Eretz Yisroel was plunged into mourning following the tragic petirah of Rav Michoel Eliezer Deutsch z”l, a 37-year-old resident of Modiin Illit who was killed in a devastating accident in Rishikesh, northern India. Rav Deutsch, a distinguished talmid chochom who devoted much of his life to intensive Torah learning and authored more than 20 Torah publications, leaves behind five young children who have now lost their father.

Rav Deutsch was born in Yerushalayim on 12 Nissan 5746 to his father, Rav Mordechai Dovid Deutsch, a respected avreich in the Sanhedria Murcheves neighborhood, and his mother, a member of the Weinberg family.

As a young boy, he attended Talmud Torah Knesses Yehuda, where his exceptional abilities and dedication distinguished him from his peers. He subsequently continued his studies at Yeshiva Keter Torah in Yerushalayim.

For yeshiva gedolah, he entered Yeshiva Meor Hatalmud in Rechovot, where he became recognized as one of the outstanding bochurim and later as one of the institution’s distinguished alumni. His attachment to the yeshiva remained strong long after his marriage. For many years, he would travel every Friday from his home in Kiryat Sefer to Rechovot, where he spent six consecutive hours immersed in learning.

Friends from his yeshiva years recalled that he never opened a newspaper throughout his time as a bochur. His attention was devoted entirely to Torah and halacha, and he displayed little interest in matters outside the walls of the bais medrash.

Following his marriage, Rav Deutsch settled in the Neos Hapisgah neighborhood of Modiin Illit, where he earned a reputation as an exceptional avreich whose days revolved around rigorous Torah study. Even a decade after his wedding, he maintained an extraordinary schedule, regularly learning with chavrusos for 14 hours each day, from morning until night.

His remarkable hasmadah was accompanied by an impressive body of written Torah scholarship. During his relatively short lifetime, Rav Deutsch published more than 20 kuntreisim under the titles “Orach Michoel” and “Iyunei Halacha.” Several of these works became known among Torah scholars and those engaged in serious halachic study.

Among the subjects he explored in his writings were techeiles, sunrise and the precise astronomical calculation of haneitz hachamah, the laws of teshuvah, and various areas of hilchos Shabbos. His publications reflected his dedication to careful halachic analysis and his interest in clarifying complex questions.

Those who knew Rav Deutsch described a man whose exceptional commitment to Torah was matched by his pleasant demeanor and warmth toward others. He greeted people with a smile and conducted himself with kindness and refinement.

His avodas Hashem was characterized by extraordinary care and attention. He davened slowly and deliberately, treating each word of tefillah with the concentration of someone counting precious coins. Throughout his life, he was meticulous in observing halacha, maintaining his standards until his final day. When reciting a bracha, he would remain in place until he had completed every word.

In recent years, financial pressures forced Rav Deutsch to seek a means of supporting his growing family outside the kollel. He established a substantial hair-importing business, which developed successfully and provided him with a livelihood.

Despite his business responsibilities, he remained deeply committed to the values that had guided his life. He was known for generously distributing significant portions of his earnings to tzedakah and helping others with the resources he had been blessed to acquire.

Rav Deutsch had recently traveled to Rishikesh, a city in northern India, where he was involved in the tragic accident that claimed his life. News of his sudden petirah spread among his family, friends, and acquaintances, bringing profound grief to those who had known him as a devoted husband and father, an accomplished talmid chochom, and a generous baal chessed.

He is survived by his wife and five children, who have been left without their father at an extraordinarily young age.

Arrangements for transporting his aron from India to Eretz Yisroel are being made, and details regarding the levayah and kevurah will be announced when available.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday of secretly assuring several European governments that Ben-Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit party would be excluded from Israel’s next government, triggering a public confrontation between the two coalition partners just nine days before the October 27 Knesset elections.

Speaking at a special press conference in Yerushalayim, Ben-Gvir claimed that information recently obtained by his office confirmed that Netanyahu’s representatives had conveyed explicit commitments to senior European officials that Otzma Yehudit would have no place in a future coalition.

The Likud party immediately rejected the accusation, calling it a politically motivated fabrication and insisting that Netanyahu intends to preserve the existing coalition partnership following the election.

“I say these things with deep sorrow,” Ben-Gvir told reporters. “For a long time, I heard such reports, but I prayed they were not true.”

Ben-Gvir said he had received what he described as verified and confirmed information indicating that the Prime Minister’s Office had made formal assurances to multiple European Union countries.

“The Prime Minister’s Office has committed to countries in the European Union — whether to foreign ministers or a higher rank — that Ben Gvir and Otzma Yehudit will not be in the next government,” he declared.

The minister said he was stunned by the information, particularly given his party’s longstanding role as a central partner in Netanyahu’s governing coalition.

“I was in shock. I didn’t understand where it came from,” he said.

Ben-Gvir did not identify the European countries allegedly involved, disclose the officials who received the assurances, or present documentary evidence supporting his accusation. The claims have not been independently substantiated.

Addressing Netanyahu directly, Ben-Gvir warned that attempts to win approval from political opponents or European governments by distancing himself from Otzma Yehudit would be misguided.

“Don’t count on legitimacy from the left,” he said. “Don’t count on the left that has been after you for decades. They will hate you forever.”

Ben-Gvir argued that Netanyahu’s political future depends on maintaining the support of his existing right-wing partners rather than seeking a broader coalition with opposition parties.

“Bibi needs a strong Ben-Gvir, not a strong Eisenkot,” he said, referring to former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, whose party has been discussed as a possible participant in an alternative coalition arrangement.

The Otzma Yehudit chairman also accused Likud of attempting to weaken his party ahead of the election by reducing its representation in the Knesset. He claimed that efforts to push Otzma Yehudit down to approximately five seats could ultimately damage the entire right-wing bloc.

“If you hurt Otzma Yehudit, you could cause our voters to stay home,” Ben-Gvir warned, arguing that supporters of his party would not necessarily transfer their votes to Likud or another coalition partner.

The confrontation comes amid growing disagreements over the composition of a potential Netanyahu-led government. Last Thursday, Netanyahu indicated that both the Defense Ministry and National Security Ministry would remain under Likud control in a future administration, complicating Ben-Gvir’s ambitions for a senior security portfolio.

Otzma Yehudit officials have also expressed concern that Netanyahu could seek to replace their party with Eisenkot’s faction or other opposition figures in an effort to form a broader government.

Similar allegations surfaced last month, when Otzma Yehudit accused Netanyahu’s office of sending messages abroad suggesting that Ben-Gvir would not be included in the next coalition. Likud denied those claims at the time, maintaining that Netanyahu intended to build his next government around the parties already belonging to the national camp.

Responding to Sunday’s accusations, Likud issued another forceful denial.

“Ben Gvir is continuing with the false political spin,” the party said, accusing the minister of attacking his own political allies during a critical stage of the election campaign.

“The Prime Minister has made it clear that any government will include the core partners of the current coalition, and that any Zionist party will be invited to join—based on our foundational policy guidelines and the existing composition,” Likud declared.

The party described Otzma Yehudit as a core coalition partner and urged right-wing voters to focus on preventing an alternative government led by opposition figures, including Eisenkot, Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, and Naftali Bennett, potentially with the support of Arab parties.

Despite his accusations, Ben-Gvir emphasized that he continues to support Netanyahu’s return as prime minister. He recalled having defended Netanyahu against challenges from within Likud and claimed that the prime minister had previously expressed greater confidence in him than in some members of his own party.

The dispute also unfolded on a day when President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu’s reelection bid, an endorsement Ben-Gvir cited while arguing that the prime minister already has the international backing necessary to pursue his preferred right-wing policies.

“If you lead a genuine right-wing policy, then history will remember you positively,” Ben-Gvir told Netanyahu, urging him to maintain his alliance with Otzma Yehudit rather than pursue a coalition arrangement involving his political rivals.

{Matzav.com}

A court in Israel has ordered Dutch airline KLM to pay NIS 9,037 in compensation to two Shabbos-observant women who were prevented from boarding a flight from Montreal to Israel because of an error involving their baggage allowance. The Small Claims Court in Tzefas determined that the problem originated with the airline’s own records and rejected its attempt to place responsibility on the passengers.

The incident involved two women traveling from Montreal to Israel with a connection in Amsterdam. One of the passengers was in an advanced stage of pregnancy, while the other was accompanied by an infant. Their journey was disrupted when airline personnel informed them that their reservations permitted only one checked suitcase, although the women maintained that their tickets included two.

After the discrepancy was discovered at the check-in counter, the passengers were instructed to arrange payment for the additional luggage at the boarding gate. However, their attempts to complete the payment were unsuccessful, and the gate closed before the matter could be resolved, leaving both women unable to board their scheduled flight.

Following the departure of the aircraft, KLM offered the stranded passengers alternative travel arrangements. The proposed itinerary, however, would have resulted in their arrival in Israel on Shabbos, making it unacceptable to the women because of their religious observance.

The passengers declined that option and were eventually accommodated on a different route the following day. In its ruling, the court made clear that their refusal to accept an itinerary conflicting with their Shabbos observance did not eliminate their entitlement to compensation for the airline’s mishandling of their reservations.

Senior Registrar Yosef Pinian, who presided over the case in the Tzefas Small Claims Court, found the women’s account of the incident credible. He also identified inconsistencies in the documentation submitted by KLM, supporting the conclusion that the baggage dispute had resulted from an error in the airline’s registration system rather than any failure by the passengers to comply with their ticket conditions.

The court awarded each woman NIS 3,580 in compensation, bringing the combined amount to NIS 7,160. The ruling also required KLM to reimburse NIS 677 for food and transportation expenses incurred because of the disruption, along with NIS 1,200 in legal costs.

The passengers had originally sought a total of NIS 20,839, but the court declined to grant their entire claim. Among the rejected requests was a demand for additional exemplary damages intended to penalize the airline beyond the compensation awarded for the incident.

The judge also dismissed a separate claim involving a missing suitcase, finding that the evidence presented did not establish that KLM was responsible for its disappearance.

The final judgment requires KLM to pay NIS 9,037, representing the compensation and expenses approved by the court.

{Matzav.com}

Katie Zacharia, whose brief stint as President Donald Trump’s White House press secretary ended after just five days, personally sought the Fox News appearances that reportedly contributed to her departure, according to newly disclosed text messages that challenge suggestions that senior administration officials deliberately arranged the interviews to undermine her.

The messages indicate that Zacharia actively pursued television exposure even as she faced criticism over her first appearance behind the White House briefing room podium. Her subsequent interviews with Sean Hannity and the hosts of “Fox & Friends” drew further scrutiny of her performance and questions surrounding her legal credentials, intensifying the controversy that preceded her exit on Friday.

In a Wednesday exchange with a White House official concerning television bookings that were eventually moved back one day, Zacharia expressed her desire to appear regularly on the network.

“I’d like to do news hits morning and evening,” she wrote.

The newly revealed communications provide a different perspective on the circumstances surrounding her departure. An earlier account suggested that the Fox appearances may have been deliberately arranged by White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who reportedly had not approved Zacharia’s appointment before Trump selected her for the position.

One person quoted in that account described the interviews as a “sanctioned hit,” raising the possibility that Zacharia had been placed in difficult television situations to expose her weaknesses.

The text messages, however, indicate that Zacharia herself was seeking the interviews. They do not establish that Wiles played any role in arranging the appearances or orchestrating the press secretary’s departure.

The correspondence also suggests that Zacharia began pursuing additional television opportunities on Tuesday, the same day she conducted her first White House press briefing. That appearance lasted approximately 14 minutes and drew criticism over her visibly nervous delivery and abrupt conclusion.

One message from a producer working on Hannity’s program indicated that arrangements were already being discussed for Zacharia to appear following a presidential rally.

“Katie said she can join us from the rally tonight,” the producer wrote Tuesday.

Zacharia eventually appeared on Hannity’s prime-time program Thursday evening and returned to Fox News the following morning for an interview on “Fox & Friends.”

Both appearances proved difficult. She faced questions about her professional background, including her unsuccessful attempts to pass the California bar examination, and struggled at times to provide answers beyond prepared administration talking points.

During Thursday’s conversation, Hannity asked Zacharia about her widely criticized first press briefing. In explaining the circumstances, she emphasized how little time she had been given to prepare after assuming the position.

“Given the fact that I’d been on the job less than maybe eight hours and had a briefing book in the morning, I feel like I did my very best, Sean, to deliver for the American people that day,” she told Hannity.

Her explanation prompted the Fox News host to question whether she was suggesting that other White House personnel had failed to prepare her adequately.

“Am I hearing that you think the staff should have prepped you better?” Hannity asked.

By Friday, Trump had publicly acknowledged that Zacharia was not suited to the demanding position, telling her “you don’t need this” as her exceptionally short tenure came to an end.

A White House official subsequently confirmed that Zacharia would not continue working at the executive mansion, saying she “will not be working at the White House anymore.”

Another administration official said there was no clear information about what position, if any, Zacharia might assume next. Although there had been suggestions that she could move into another role within the administration, no specific assignment had been publicly identified.

Despite the abrupt end to her appointment, Zacharia continued expressing admiration for Trump. She shared a complimentary social media post about the president after leaving the position and reportedly had dinner with Vice President JD Vance on Friday evening.

Asked Saturday about her professional plans, Zacharia did not provide details about a possible new assignment.

Meanwhile, questions persisted about whether Wiles had any involvement in the interviews that preceded Zacharia’s departure. Reports noted that Wiles and Hannity maintain a friendly relationship and communicate regularly, fueling speculation about the circumstances surrounding the television appearances.

The White House rejected accusations that Wiles had worked behind the scenes to damage Zacharia, dismissing the allegations as “hit jobs” and “smear.”

Fox News also disputed suggestions that senior White House officials controlled the Hannity interview, saying the host makes his own decisions about guests and questions.

Kayleigh McEnany, who served as Trump’s White House press secretary during his first administration and now works as a Fox News commentator, offered a sympathetic assessment of the difficulties Zacharia faced after being thrust into one of Washington’s most demanding communications jobs.

“You want to give grace to anyone who takes on that role … How is she doing this 24 hours in? I had about two weeks to prepare and to get thoughts together and to talk to various cabinet administration officials,” McEnany said Saturday.

“That was pretty much doomed from the start to roll out to the press.”

The controversy also unfolded amid speculation about Wiles’ own standing in the administration. Trump sought to put those rumors to rest Friday, declaring there was “zero chance” that he would replace his chief of staff and insisting that she was “going to be here for a long time.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump defended his decision to suspend sanctions against Russia on Sunday, arguing that additional economic pressure on Moscow could derail negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. At the same time, Trump sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over continued attacks on Russian oil facilities, accusing him of undermining efforts to reach a peace agreement.

The president said his approach is intended to keep Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in diplomatic discussions while also easing pressure on American fuel prices. The decision has drawn criticism from those who believe Moscow should face tougher penalties rather than receive sanctions relief while the war continues.

“My decision on Russia is a very simple one. I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don’t want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump maintained that his administration is making significant headway toward an agreement and suggested that other sensitive negotiations are also advancing.

“Great progress is being made, and that includes current hostage negotiations!” he added, without identifying the hostages or explaining which negotiations he was referencing.

The president also directed criticism at Zelensky, accusing the Ukrainian leader of resisting a settlement despite the administration’s diplomatic efforts. Trump claimed that Zelensky “doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did.”

The remarks came as Ukraine continued its campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, including strikes reported in the Saint Petersburg area. The attacks have intensified the dispute over whether military pressure on Russia’s oil industry will help force Moscow into a settlement or complicate diplomatic efforts by escalating the conflict.

The sanctions decision follows an agreement announced earlier this month under which Russia would release large quantities of diesel into international markets. Trump said the arrangement would begin with more than 300,000 tons, followed by additional supplies in November and subsequent months, as his administration seeks to reduce fuel costs.

The administration has temporarily eased restrictions on Russian energy exports to facilitate those shipments. Supporters of the move argue that restoring diesel supplies could relieve pressure on international markets and provide an incentive for Putin to pursue negotiations. Critics contend that allowing additional Russian energy sales could provide Moscow with revenue while its military campaign in Ukraine continues.

The dispute has also widened the rift between Washington and Kyiv. Zelensky has objected to the sanctions relief, arguing that it weakens the economic pressure on Russia. Ukrainian officials maintain that strikes against Russian refineries are a legitimate response to Moscow’s continuing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Earlier this month, Trump announced what he described as an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but the arrangement failed to halt attacks on energy facilities. Zelensky indicated that Ukraine would suspend strikes against Russian refineries if Moscow stopped targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

The latest escalation came Sunday, when Russia reported intercepting more than 1,000 Ukrainian drones during a large-scale assault that sparked fires at oil installations in the Saint Petersburg region. Russian forces also continued attacks on Ukraine’s energy network, leaving tens of thousands of people without electricity.

Trump’s handling of the conflict has drawn objections from lawmakers in both parties, particularly over the relaxation of sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector. The administration maintains that the diesel agreement and its broader diplomatic strategy are designed to bring Putin back into serious negotiations and create an opportunity to end the war.