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President Donald Trump warned Thursday that Iran will be hit “very hard” if investigators determine that Tehran was behind the attempted downing of a Flydubai flight carrying more than 170 people to Israel, saying information reaching him suggests that an Iranian connection is possible.

Trump issued the warning at the White House as Israeli, Emirati and Saudi authorities continued investigating the extraordinary attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, in which an Omani copilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the Boeing 737 MAX before passengers and other crew members managed to intervene.

Asked by reporters whether Iran was involved in the attack on the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, Trump replied: “I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is yes but we’re working on it right now,”

When Trump was then asked whether the United States would retaliate against Iran if investigators established that Tehran was responsible, he responded: “Oh, they’ll be hit very hard, don’t worry.”

Trump’s comments went further than the conclusions publicly announced thus far by investigators. Israeli officials said Thursday that no evidence establishing Iranian involvement had yet been found, and the possibility that the copilot acted alone remains under investigation.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said Thursday that investigators have learned that the Omani copilot had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination.” An Israeli official said the suspect’s social-media activity included references to killing Jews, while Netanyahu said the attacker appeared to have been suicidal.

New testimony from passengers who helped overpower the copilot has added to suspicions about his intentions. Yaniv Hayun, one of those who subdued him, said the attacker repeatedly called out “Kill me” after being restrained, which Hayun interpreted as an indication that the man believed his mission had failed.

The UAE has opened a criminal investigation into the incident, including whether the attack had a terrorist motive and whether the copilot acted independently or with assistance. The suspect and the wounded captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, have both since been transferred from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi.

Israel’s Mossad and Shin Bet are also involved in examining the attack, including the suspect’s background, possible connections and how an Omani national came to be assigned as a copilot on a flight bound for Israel. Israeli authorities are seeking to participate in questioning the suspect.

The Iran question has become particularly explosive because of the continuing war between Washington and Tehran and Trump’s increasingly forceful warnings that the United States could launch another major round of strikes against the Islamic Republic.

In a Time magazine interview published Thursday, Trump said it was “possible” that the United States would resume intensified bombing of Iran following the November midterm elections.

The president was asked whether he would follow through on his recent threat to “annihilate” Iran, language he had also used during his address to the United Nations General Assembly last week.

“Yeah, I would do that. It’s possible,” Trump told Time. “Because by annihilating Iran, we’ve created peace in the world. With Iran, I don’t think you could ever have peace.”

Trump has maintained that the U.S. military campaign against Iran is aimed at preventing the Islamic Republic from developing a nuclear weapon. The conflict has continued for more than seven months, with Iran retaining significant influence over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and periodically exchanging attacks with the United States and its regional allies.

Tensions are now rising further as the Pentagon prepares a substantial new military buildup in the Middle East. The United States is sending the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group to the region along with additional Marine Corps forces, a deployment expected to add approximately 9,000 to 10,000 American personnel.

Once the new forces arrive, the American military presence in the region could exceed 60,000 personnel. The Theodore Roosevelt is expected to join the USS George H.W. Bush and potentially the USS George Washington, creating a concentration of as many as three American aircraft-carrier strike groups in the region by late November.

The buildup comes as Trump weighs his next steps against Iran following months of fighting and unsuccessful attempts to secure a lasting diplomatic settlement. Iran, meanwhile, is reportedly preparing for a significantly broader response if the United States launches another major attack.

Against that already volatile backdrop, the investigation into Flight FZ1073 has taken on potentially enormous geopolitical significance. Israeli authorities currently believe the Omani copilot may have acted alone, but they have not ruled out the possibility that another party was involved.

The attack unfolded Wednesday after Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv with 174 passengers and eight crew members aboard. According to Israeli officials, the copilot attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit and then attempted to send the aircraft into a catastrophic dive.

Flight-tracking data showed the plane plunging nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Despite suffering serious stab wounds, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit, allowing passengers and crew members to rush inside and overpower the copilot. Two other qualified pilots who were aboard the aircraft subsequently helped bring the jet safely down in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The passengers were later flown to Israel aboard a replacement aircraft, while Machchhar received emergency medical treatment before being transferred to Abu Dhabi. The copilot was also transferred to the UAE, where investigators are now attempting to establish precisely what motivated the attack and whether anyone else was involved.

The incident has also prompted Israel to tighten its scrutiny of foreign pilots operating flights into the country, while Flydubai temporarily suspended its Israel service as the investigation continues.

For Trump, however, the most consequential unanswered question is whether the trail ultimately leads beyond the individual attacker to Tehran. His warning Thursday made clear what he says the consequences would be if investigators establish such a connection: “Oh, they’ll be hit very hard, don’t worry.”

{Matzav.com}

[Full video below.] Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has sharply criticized media coverage of the near-catastrophe aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, accusing news organizations of dramatically understating an incident in which Israeli officials say a co-pilot stabbed the captain and apparently attempted to crash an aircraft carrying 174 passengers, most of them Israelis.

Reviewing the extraordinary episode on his program, Shapiro argued that descriptions of what happened as a cockpit “scuffle” or altercation bore little resemblance to passenger accounts and the version of events subsequently presented by Israeli officials.

“A couple of hours into the flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv, the Omani pilot, who was the co-pilot, repeatedly stabbed the Indian pilot and then attempted to take control of the plane and crash it directly into the ground.”

Flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was carrying 174 passengers when the crisis erupted Wednesday. The flight ultimately made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft descending dramatically from approximately 33,000 feet to around 17,000 feet in roughly a minute during the crisis. Passengers described a terrifying plunge accompanied by intense G-forces as panic spread through the cabin.

Passenger accounts indicate that Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked and stabbed by the co-pilot inside the cockpit. Despite his wounds, Machchhar managed to unlock the reinforced cockpit door, making it possible for others aboard the aircraft to intervene.

Shapiro highlighted the frantic intervention that followed.

“The crew member and passengers, mostly passengers, break down the cockpit door, get inside, and subdue the attacker.”

Passengers who later described the incident said several people rushed toward the cockpit after realizing something had gone terribly wrong. They eventually managed to overpower the alleged attacker and remove him from the controls.

“All credit goes to the passengers. The passengers stormed the cockpit. They get the pilot out, and then they get the co-pilot out as well.”

Passenger Zvika Meness later said that he and two other passengers jumped into the struggle and helped neutralize the attacker. According to his account, they restrained him using zip ties and headphones available aboard the aircraft.

Yaniv Hayun, another Israeli passenger who played a central role in the rescue, said the wounded captain was near the cockpit entrance and that the attacker appeared to be attempting to disable the aircraft. Hayun helped overpower the co-pilot and then attempted to stabilize the plane.

A doctor traveling aboard the flight, Dr. Shota Musayev, turned his attention to the badly injured captain and helped treat his wounds until the aircraft could land and additional medical care became available.

Two additional Flydubai pilots who were traveling aboard the aircraft were also able to assist after the attacker was subdued, helping regain control of the plane and bring it safely to the ground in Saudi Arabia.

Machchhar underwent surgery following the stabbing and was reported Thursday to be in stable condition. Israeli and Indian officials have praised the captain for continuing to fight despite his injuries and for opening the cockpit door, an action that allowed passengers and crew members to reach the cockpit.

Shapiro argued that the composition of the passenger cabin may have played a crucial role in the extraordinary response.

“If you are on a plane and it is filled with 174 Israelis, the likelihood that there are some people on that plane who are militarily trained and experienced is basically 100%. The likelihood that there is a doctor on that plane is also basically 100%. The likelihood that there are people willing and ready to help is extremely high.”

The passengers included numerous Israelis with military experience, as well as medical professionals and individuals who immediately joined the effort to subdue the attacker, assist the wounded and regain control of the aircraft.

Shapiro said the consequences of a successful attack would have extended far beyond the deaths of those aboard.

“This wasn’t just a human tragedy that was prevented,” Shapiro said. “What was prevented here was an international crisis, because this could have been a crisis that involved Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, India and potentially every country in the region.”

The international dimensions of the incident are unusually complicated. The aircraft was operated by a UAE-based airline, the accused co-pilot has been identified as an Omani national, the wounded captain is Indian, most of the passengers were Israeli, and the aircraft ultimately landed in Saudi Arabia, a country that does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

The incident also triggered an immediate security response in Israel. Israeli fighter jets were scrambled as authorities monitored the aircraft, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held emergency consultations as the crisis unfolded.

The aircraft reportedly transmitted both the general aviation emergency code 7700 and code 7500, which indicates unlawful interference with an aircraft.

Early reports of the incident were considerably more cautious, with several accounts describing what occurred as a fight, altercation or “scuffle” between the two pilots. As additional passenger testimony, video footage and statements from Israeli officials emerged, a far more serious picture developed.

It was that discrepancy that drew Shapiro’s strongest criticism.

“The way the media coverage of this is happening is insane,” he said. “Completely insane, to call this a ‘scuffle in the cockpit.’ If you can read a news headline and understand the exact opposite of what happened, that’s a failure of the media.”

Some major news organizations subsequently reported Israeli officials’ assertion that the co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft, while continuing to note that the investigation remained underway and that the attacker’s motive had not been conclusively established.

Flydubai has similarly cautioned against drawing conclusions before investigators determine precisely what occurred, saying that the circumstances and motive behind the incident remain under formal investigation.

Shapiro also acknowledged that the evidence currently available does not establish why the co-pilot allegedly carried out the attack or whether anyone else was involved.

“We still don’t know the political motivation,” Shapiro said, adding that authorities would need to determine whether there had been any outside coordination.

Netanyahu has likewise said that investigators have not yet determined whether the incident was connected to Iran, a terrorist organization or another motive. The prime minister said the available evidence appeared to indicate an attempt to destroy the aircraft rather than a conventional hijacking, but stressed that the investigation must establish what drove the attacker.

The co-pilot was taken into custody by Saudi authorities after the emergency landing, and officials from several countries are expected to participate in the investigation.

The episode has also raised new questions about aviation security, particularly the danger posed when a potential attacker is already authorized to be inside a reinforced cockpit. Security measures introduced after the September 11 attacks were designed largely to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering cockpits, making an attack originating inside one a substantially different security challenge.

Flydubai temporarily suspended service to and from Israel following the incident as the investigation proceeded.

After the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, the passengers were eventually transferred to another Flydubai aircraft and flown to Israel, where several of those involved in overpowering the attacker were greeted as heroes.

For Shapiro, however, the story was not only about the passengers who helped save the aircraft. It was also about how an extraordinary event involving an alleged stabbing, a massive midair plunge and passengers storming a cockpit could initially reach readers under descriptions that, in his view, made the episode sound like little more than an argument between pilots.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Some of the world’s most prominent news organizations are facing a wave of criticism over their initial coverage of the attempted takeover of Flydubai Flight FZ1073, with critics accusing them of dramatically understating an incident in which a co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and tried to bring down an aircraft carrying 174 people, most of them Israelis.

As the horrifying details emerged Wednesday, early headlines and reports from the BBC, The New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, Sky News, USA Today and the Financial Times continued using descriptions including “fight between pilots,” “brawl,” “clash” and “altercation” — language that triggered furious reactions online as evidence increasingly pointed to an attempted hijacking and deliberate effort to crash the plane.

The Flydubai flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. Despite suffering serious stab wounds, Machchhar fought back and managed to release the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the attacker.

Flight-tracking data captured the terrifying descent as the Boeing 737 MAX 8 lost well over 14,000 feet in a matter of seconds. The aircraft also transmitted emergency codes, including the 7500 transponder code used internationally to signal unlawful interference or a possible hijacking.

Passengers and crew members eventually subdued the co-pilot, while off-duty pilots traveling aboard the flight took control of the aircraft and stabilized it. The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Israeli fighter jets had meanwhile been scrambled as officials monitored what they feared was a hijacking in progress.

Despite those circumstances, some of the earliest international reporting portrayed what happened primarily as a dispute between the two men in the cockpit.

The BBC initially described the incident as a “physical altercation between the pilots,” while one of its early headlines characterized the episode simply as a fight between the pilots. The broadcaster subsequently updated its reporting as information about the stabbing, dramatic descent and passengers’ intervention became available.

The BBC also committed a bizarre on-air blunder while covering the unfolding drama, with a presenter mistakenly referring to Ben Gurion Airport as “Ben Gvir Airport.”

The presenter said the flight had been scheduled to land at “Ben Gvir Airport,” apparently confusing Ben Gurion Airport — named for Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion — with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The New York Times similarly drew criticism for initially describing the flight as having been diverted “after a confrontation between the pilot and co-pilot.” Another version of its breaking coverage referred to an “altercation between the pilot and co-pilot,” while its live coverage carried a headline describing the pilots as having “clashed” in the cockpit.

Critics noted that some of that wording remained even as the Times itself was reporting that one pilot had stabbed the other, that the aircraft had lost altitude, that passengers had forced their way into the cockpit and that the attacker was accused of trying to interfere with the plane’s systems.

The Guardian likewise described the episode in early coverage as an “apparent brawl” between the pilots, even as subsequent details indicated that the confrontation was not a mutual fight but an alleged attack by one pilot upon the other.

The newspaper defended its handling of the rapidly developing story, saying that it reported information as facts became verifiable and would not present speculation as established fact. Its coverage was updated repeatedly as additional information emerged.

CNN also came under fire for using the term “violent altercation” while reporting on the incident, while Sky News told viewers that the pilots had gotten into a fight during the flight. USA Today referred to an “apparent pilot fight,” and the Financial Times used the phrase “cockpit brawl.”

Critics argued that the issue was not whether news organizations should have immediately labeled the incident terrorism before investigators established a motive. Rather, they contended that words such as “fight,” “clash” and “brawl” suggested a mutual confrontation and failed to accurately describe an alleged stabbing followed by an apparent attempt to seize control of an airliner.

Flydubai itself initially used restrained language, saying that an “altercation occurred in the flight deck” and emphasizing that investigators had not yet established why the incident occurred.

“At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation,” the airline said.

It urged the public to “refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts.”

There was another remarkable television error during coverage of the incident. Fox News briefly aired footage connected to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks while discussing the Flydubai drama, showing images from the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Fox News subsequently acknowledged the mistake.

“We apologize for any confusion,” host Brian Kilmeade said.

By then, firsthand accounts from passengers were painting a picture vastly different from the comparatively mild language of a “brawl” or “altercation.”

Passengers described a sudden, violent plunge that sent people and objects flying through the cabin, terrified families believing they were moments from death and a desperate rush toward the cockpit after the wounded captain managed to unlock its reinforced door.

One passenger recounted hearing his daughters scream, “We don’t want to die,” as the aircraft plunged.

Israeli passengers Yaniv Hayoun, Zvika Manes and Asaf Rajuan were among those who rushed to the cockpit and helped overpower the attacker. Hayoun also helped pull back on the aircraft’s controls as the plane descended, while Manes later described using headphone cords to help restrain the alleged attacker.

Dr. Shota Musayev then provided emergency medical treatment to the seriously wounded captain while reserve pilots aboard the aircraft assumed control and ultimately brought the plane safely into Tabuk.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu subsequently said the co-pilot had “apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board.”

The precise motive remains the subject of an international investigation. Authorities are examining whether the co-pilot acted alone and whether terrorism or foreign involvement played a role. President Donald Trump said Thursday that, based on information he was receiving, there appeared to be a connection to Iran, although he stressed that the matter was still being investigated.

Whatever investigators ultimately determine about the motive, critics of the early media coverage say the basic events aboard FZ1073 no longer resemble the “brawl” that initially appeared in headlines around the world: the captain was stabbed, the aircraft transmitted a hijack-related emergency code, the plane plunged thousands of feet, and passengers and crew members had to overpower the alleged attacker before other pilots could regain control.

A beautiful and uplifting Simchas Bais Hashoeivah was held during Chol Hamoed Sukkos in the sukkah of Rav Yehoshua Krupenia, rosh kollel at Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ, drawing a distinguished gathering of leading rabbanim, poskim, dayanim and talmidei chachomim.

The gathering brought together many of Rav Krupenia’s longtime talmidim, including numerous figures who today serve in prominent positions of rabbonus, psak and dayanus throughout Lakewood and beyond.

For decades, Rav Krupenia has taught Choshen Mishpat at an advanced level, guiding generations of talmidei chachomim through some of the most complex areas of halacha. Many of those who gathered in his sukkah consider themselves his talmidim, having learned under his guidance before going on to serve communities and batei din of their own.

The highlight of the Simchas Bais Hashoeivah was the opportunity to hear divrei Torah from Rav Krupenia and to spend Yom Tov together in the company of a remarkable cross-section of his distinguished talmidim.

Among those in attendance were Rav Chaim Meir Roth, rov of Sterling Forest and dayan on Bais Din Maysharim; Rav Shlomo Zafrani, rov of Kehal Bnei Torah and posek at Bais Medrash Govoha; Rav Ari Marberger, rov of Faraday and dayan on Bais Din Maysharim; Rav Moshe Mandelbaum, rov of Waterview; Rav Moshe Peretz Schwartz, rov of Kol Aryeh; Rav Mendel Weinberger, sgan av bais din of Bais Din Maysharim; Rav Yonason Rubin and Rav Yehoshua Greenspan, dayanim at Bais HaVaad; Rav Daniel Harris, dayan on Bais Din Maysharim; Rav Dovid Leiser, dayan at Bais HaVaad; Rav Meir Bloch, dayan on Bais Din Maysharim; Rav Yosef Fund, dayan at Bais HaVaad and posek of KCL; Rav Hillel Freid, dayan on Bais Din Maysharim; Rav Avrohom Naftali; Rav Dovid Mordechai Rothenberg; and Rav Eluzar Falk.

The caliber of the gathering reflected Rav Krupenia’s decades-long impact upon the world of halacha and, in particular, the study and practical application of Choshen Mishpat. His talmidim have gone on to assume positions of responsibility in batei din, kehillos and institutions throughout the Torah community, while continuing to look to their rebbe for guidance.

Rav Krupenia is one of Lakewood’s senior gedolei Torah and a revered figure in the world of halacha and Choshen Mishpat. He is a son of Rav Levi Krupenia zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Kamenitz, and a son-in-law of Rav Shneur Kotler zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoha. His decades of harbotzas haTorah have produced generations of accomplished talmidim, including many of today’s prominent rabbanim, poskim and dayanim. The Simchas Bais Hashoeivah offered a striking reflection of that legacy, as rebbi and talmidim gathered together in the sukkah for an evening of Torah and simchas Yom Tov.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog will recommend five Israeli passengers who helped prevent the Flydubai flight disaster for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, honoring the group whose split-second actions helped overpower the attacker, regain control of the plunging aircraft and save the lives of everyone aboard.

Herzog initially announced that he would recommend Yaniv Hayoun, Dr. Shota Musayev, Zvika Manes and Asaf Rajuan for the prestigious honor. Later Thursday, after further details emerged about the critical role played by Manes’ wife, Tali, Herzog announced that he would recommend her for the award as well.

The dramatic incident unfolded aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv after the Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to take control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, sending the aircraft into a terrifying dive with more than 170 people aboard.

Despite being seriously wounded and bleeding heavily, Machchhar fought his attacker and managed to release the cockpit door before collapsing, allowing passengers and other crew members to gain access.

Tali Manes was the first passenger to realize that something was seriously wrong inside the cockpit and sounded the alarm. Hayoun, Zvika Manes and Rajuan then rushed forward and entered the cockpit, where they fought with the attacker and ultimately managed to overpower him.

Hayoun, a 50-year-old plumber traveling with his family, later described grabbing the attacker and placing him in a chokehold before dragging him away from the controls. With the aircraft still descending, Hayoun returned to the cockpit controls and pulled back on them in an effort to bring the plane’s nose up until another qualified pilot aboard the flight could take over.

In one of the more remarkable details to emerge from the incident, Hayoun later said that his familiarity with the television program “Air Crash Investigation” helped him understand what needed to be done when he found himself inside the cockpit.

Manes, meanwhile, helped restrain the alleged attacker using airline earphones until he could no longer pose a threat.

Once the attacker had been subdued, Dr. Musayev turned his attention to Machchhar, who had suffered serious stab wounds. He administered emergency treatment and worked to stabilize the captain as the aircraft diverted for an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The plane ultimately landed safely with the assistance of other pilots aboard, ending a harrowing episode that officials have said could easily have resulted in a catastrophic loss of life.

Herzog personally spoke with the four men following their return and praised the courage and presence of mind they displayed during the emergency.

“At a time when the lives of so many people were in danger, you acted without hesitation, with courage, resourcefulness, and extraordinary mutual responsibility,” Herzog said.

“You put yourselves at risk to save others and prevented a terrible disaster. Today, the whole world saw the beautiful and courageous face of Israeli society. I am proud of you, and I thank you on behalf of the State of Israel.”

“I intend to bring your story of heroism before the advisory committee for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism and to recommend that it grant you the award,” he added.

Herzog also singled out Captain Machchhar, whose actions despite his severe injuries proved crucial in allowing the passengers to reach the cockpit. Herzog said the captain’s determination and actions “made it possible to subdue the attacker and saved many lives.”

Machchhar, an experienced Indian pilot who has worked for Flydubai since 2022 and has more than a decade of flying experience, underwent surgery following the attack and has been reported in stable condition. His actions have drawn widespread praise in both Israel and India.

Dr. Musayev, however, told Herzog that the dramatic rescue could not be credited to any single passenger.

“It was a very difficult incident, and we truly were saved. It wasn’t only my heroism. Everyone who was there and came near the cockpit was part of it. We were all heroes,” he said.

“All the passengers were heroes. We supported one another on the plane and also when we arrived in Saudi Arabia, and we took care of each other as we should. It shows our strength as a people.”

During Herzog’s conversation with Zvika Manes, the president specifically asked him to convey his appreciation to Tali for being the first person to sound the alarm as the crisis unfolded. Manes responded emotionally and thanked Herzog.

After additional accounts of Tali’s actions became known, Herzog went a step further and announced that she too would be recommended for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism. Herzog said her ability to recognize the danger, alert the other passengers and continue assisting even after the attacker was restrained had played a significant role in saving those aboard.

Hayoun, meanwhile, told Herzog about the emotional reception he received after returning home.

“Everyone was so moved and welcomed me with great emotion. I’m glad we’re here, glad it’s all behind us, and very grateful for the call and the warm embrace. It’s truly moving.”

Rajuan described the ordeal as “extraordinary.”

“We felt helpless, suspended in midair, and I didn’t know who to turn to. But it was all instinct: to survive, to save the family, the people, and the children,” he said.

Rajuan has similarly resisted being portrayed as a lone hero, saying after arriving at Ben Gurion Airport that his reaction was instinctive and driven by the knowledge that his family and everyone else aboard the aircraft were in mortal danger.

The Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism was created by Herzog following the October 7, 2023 massacre, when numerous civilians placed themselves in mortal danger to rescue others during the Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel.

Candidates for the honor are reviewed by an advisory committee appointed by the president before the award is formally granted. The recognition is Israel’s highest civilian honor for acts of heroism and is reserved for people who display extraordinary courage while endangering their own lives to save others.

Herzog’s recommendations will now be brought before that committee, with Hayoun, Musayev, Zvika Manes, Rajuan and Tali Manes set to be considered for recognition for their roles in preventing what could have become one of the deadliest aviation disasters involving Israelis in years.

Photos: Lipa Moser

Ezer Mizion’s Simchas Beis Hashoeivah brought together the organization’s beneficiaries, their families, volunteers and members of the wider community in an uplifting celebration held in Yerushalayim on Wednesday, the fourth day of Chol Hamoed Sukkos.

Hundreds of participants gathered for several hours of singing, dancing and chizuk together with children and adults with special needs, individuals facing emotional and mental-health challenges, their families and the devoted volunteers who accompany them throughout the year.

The event, held at the Shirah Chadashah hall in Givat Shaul, marked the first time in many years that Ezer Mizion’s renowned Simchas Beis Hashoeivah was held in Yerushalayim. Over the years, the annual celebration has become one of the highlights of Chol Hamoed for Ezer Mizion service beneficiaries, volunteers and their families, and was hosted annually in Bnei Brak.

Already from the early afternoon hours, the hall began filling with participants who came to take part in the simchah. At the center of the event were the program participants themselves, with volunteers and family members joining them in the lively circles of dancing. They were joined by members of the broader Yerushalayim community who came especially to bring simchah, offer chizuk and become part of the unique atmosphere.

One of the most moving features of Ezer Mizion’s Simchas Beis Hashoeivah over the years has been the powerful bond created between the public and the participants. Children and adults in wheelchairs and with walkers dance together with volunteers and family members, as the singing and dancing transform the entire hall into large circles of achdus and simchah.

For many families who deal throughout the year with the challenges of raising a child with special needs, or a member struggling with mental illness, the event is far more than a Chol Hamoed celebration. It offers an opportunity to meet their friends from the program as well as other families, connect with Ezer Mizion’s supportive community, receive chizuk and encouragement, and return home with renewed strength for the road ahead.

This year, Ezer Mizion sought to widen the circle and invite the broader Yerushalayim community to join the celebration as well. Families, bnei yeshivah and local residents joined the dancing and helped bring simchah to the participants, becoming an integral part of the evening’s central mission: to place these special children and adults, and their families, at the very heart of the simchah.

Ezer Mizion’s Simchas Beis Hashoeivah has been held for more than two decades and has merited the participation of Gedolei Yisrael throughout the years, who have come especially to honor the participants and rejoice together with them. At previous events, particularly moving scenes were witnessed as Gedolei Torah themselves joined the dancing circles together with the service beneficiaries and their devoted families.

Ezer Mizion concluded its first Yerushalayim event with great satisfaction, noting that the evening once again demonstrated that the organization’s Simchas Beis Hashoeivah is far more than a Yom Tov gathering. It is an evening of chessed, chizuk, achdus and genuine partnership — giving the participants and their families renewed strength that remains with them long after the music has ended.

A special Leil Hoshana Rabbah Torah learning event hosted by Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu in the Knesset sukkah became the center of a political spat Thursday after opposition leader Yair Lapid refused an invitation that he said arrived only hours before the gathering — and responded with a pointed pasuk from Tehillim accusing the organizers of dishonesty.

The event, held under the theme of “Gevurah,” brought Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana together with senior Israeli security officials, wounded IDF veterans, reservists’ wives and students for an evening of Torah learning on Leil Hoshana Rabbah, traditionally marked by extensive Torah learning and the recitation of Tehillim.

Among those scheduled to participate were Mossad Director Roman Gofman, Shin Bet Director David Zini, Military Intelligence chief Shmuel Ben-Ezra, Police Commissioner Danny Levy and Atomic Energy Commission chairman Moshe Edri.

Students from the Tavor pre-military academy were also invited, along with wives of IDF reservists and soldiers wounded during the war. The learning was dedicated l’ilui nishmas those who fell in Israel’s wars and terror attacks, as a zechus for the refuah of the wounded, and for achdus among Klal Yisroel.

Netanyahu used the gathering to speak about gevurah and siyata diShmaya, reading from Sefer Shmuel and discussing episodes in Tanach in which the courage of an individual helped change the course of a battle. Netanyahu described Israel’s recent experiences as a “chain of miracles and siyata diShmaya.”

But Lapid’s absence quickly became a story of its own.

Lapid said that Speaker Ohana contacted him by WhatsApp at 1:42 Thursday afternoon with an invitation to attend that evening’s learning, leaving him insufficient time to rearrange his schedule.

“The Knesset Speaker sent me a WhatsApp message at 1:42 p.m. with an invitation to a Torah study event in the Sukkah this evening,” Lapid wrote on X.

Lapid then suggested that either the organizers had somehow failed to realize until Thursday that Leil Hoshana Rabbah was approaching, or that the late invitation had deliberately been designed so that he would be unable to attend.

“Two possibilities: 1. they didn’t know ahead of time that tonight is Hoshana Rabbah, and they were shocked to discover it suddenly on the calendar. 2. They intentionally sent it so late so I wouldn’t be able to come, and they can say that I refused to go to a Torah study event.”

Lapid then turned to Tehillim for his parting shot, invoking the longstanding minhag of reciting Tehillim on Leil Hoshana Rabbah.

Lapid concluded his post with a verse from Psalms: “In any case, since I can’t come on such short notice, I will remind them that on Hoshana Rabbah night there is a custom to read Tehillim , and I recommend they delve into the verse: ‘O L-rd, save my soul from false lips, from a deceitful tongue. (Tehillim 120:2).”

Ohana rejected Lapid’s suggestion that the timing was a political maneuver, saying that the event itself had only been finalized Thursday and that the invitations were sent immediately afterward. According to Ohana, other participants also had to alter their schedules on short notice in order to attend.

The gathering proceeded Thursday evening in the Knesset sukkah, as Hoshana Rabbah began in Eretz Yisroel.

The IDF on Thursday released a sweeping dossier identifying 170 Gazans killed during the war who were portrayed internationally as journalists or media workers but who, according to Israeli military intelligence, also served in the military wings of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist organizations.

The newly released figures provide a detailed breakdown of the military’s findings: 118 of the 170 were members of Hamas’s military wing, 49 were affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, two belonged to the Popular Resistance Committees and one was a member of the Mujahideen Brigades.

The IDF further said that 17 of the individuals on the list crossed into Israeli territory during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 massacre.

Following what the military described as an extensive investigation, the IDF published the identities of all 170 individuals together with information about their terrorist affiliations and operational positions. The evidence includes photographs, internal documents produced by the terrorist organizations and materials recovered by Israeli forces during operations inside Gaza.

The list includes individuals who, in their media capacities, worked for or contributed material to prominent international news organizations, including Reuters, CNN, the BBC, AFP, the Associated Press, Le Monde and ABC Australia. The IDF’s allegations concern the individuals’ simultaneous affiliations with terrorist organizations and do not establish that the news organizations themselves knew of those alleged affiliations.

According to the military, the 170 individuals held a wide variety of positions inside the terrorist groups, including commanders, snipers, trainers and propaganda operatives.

Among those identified by the IDF is Asem Adli Ahmed al-Barsh, who was described as a journalist for Palestinian Al-Rai Radio but whom Israel identifies as a Hamas operative. Reporters Without Borders included Barsh in a December 2023 complaint to the International Criminal Court concerning journalists killed in Gaza.

Another individual on the Israeli list, Mohammed Mahmoud Abdel Aziz Abu Sharia, was identified by the IDF as a Palestinian Islamic Jihad sniper while also reportedly working for the Palestinian Shams News Agency. His name was later included by Reporters Without Borders in a memorial honoring journalists killed between June 2024 and June 2025.

The IDF also identified Mohammed Manhal Ahmed Abu Armana as a Hamas operative who commanded the propaganda department of the terror group’s Rafah Brigade. Abu Armana’s death had previously been publicly condemned by UNESCO, which described him in connection with his work as a journalist.

Several of the names released Thursday have also appeared in the Committee to Protect Journalists’ database tracking journalists and media workers killed during the Gaza war. The CPJ has previously removed some individuals from its casualty database after information emerged establishing that they were members of terrorist organizations.

The IDF said the newly published material challenges repeated allegations from international organizations and news outlets that Israeli forces have intentionally targeted journalists during the war. The military maintains that such accusations have often been made without verified evidence establishing that the individuals were targeted because of their journalistic work.

According to the IDF, in a number of cases Hamas or other terrorist organizations themselves publicly acknowledged the deceased individuals as members of their ranks, despite the same people subsequently being presented internationally solely as journalists or civilian media personnel.

The IDF stated that the newly released information demonstrates a discrepancy between international portrayals of those killed and their actual activities within terrorist organizations.

The military further maintained that the findings provide evidence supporting its position that it does not deliberately or systematically target journalists, but instead conducts operations against terrorist organizations and their operatives in accordance with international law.

To accompany the disclosure, the IDF created a special online database called “The Press Files,” containing names and photographs of the individuals, their alleged terrorist organizations and military positions, identification information and supporting intelligence that the military says can be publicly disclosed.

The massive release came only hours after the IDF initially publicized ten cases of Gazans who had been described as journalists following their deaths but whom Israeli intelligence identified as Hamas or Islamic Jihad operatives. The military said some of those ten had participated directly in the October 7 invasion of Israel and indicated at the time that a much larger disclosure was coming.

Among the cases highlighted in the initial release was Hassan Aslih, a prominent Gaza photographer whose work had been used by major international news organizations, including CNN and the Associated Press. The IDF has accused Aslih of having ties to Hamas and participating in the October 7 invasion.

The military’s broader disclosure followed the killing Wednesday of Muhammad Abd al-Aziz Muhammad Nagar in an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza Strip. The IDF identified Nagar as a member of Hamas’s military wing who crossed into Israel during the October 7 massacre.

Following Nagar’s death, Palestinian reports described him as a journalist and presenter associated with Radio Quran. The IDF said those descriptions omitted what it says was his membership in Hamas’s military wing.

According to the Israeli military, Nagar had remained operationally active and was recently involved in planning attacks against Israeli troops and civilians. He was also allegedly participating in efforts to rebuild Hamas’s military capabilities, activity the IDF said constituted a systematic violation of the ceasefire agreement.

The IDF said it took steps before striking Nagar to reduce the danger to civilians, including employing precision weaponry and conducting aerial surveillance.

Southern Command forces remain deployed in the area under the terms of the ceasefire, the military said, and will continue acting against threats it considers immediate.

British counterterrorism police have arrested a dual British-Iranian citizen as investigators probe an alleged terrorist plot targeting RAF Fairford, the strategically important British airbase used by the U.S. military for operations against Iran. The arrest comes after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there are “strong indications” that Iran played a role in the incident.

The 27-year-old suspect was taken into custody Thursday afternoon in Westminster, London, on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism. His arrest is the sixth made in connection with the investigation, which began after five men were detained near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire early Sunday morning.

Police also questioned a 26-year-old British citizen under caution as part of the expanding investigation, although he was not arrested. Counterterrorism officers searched two properties in Westminster as investigators continued attempting to establish whether the alleged plot had connections to a foreign government.

The original five suspects, British men in their 20s from London, were arrested after police received a report shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday concerning three suspicious vans near the military installation. A local resident had spotted unusual activity involving the vehicles and men near the base and contacted authorities.

Armed police descended on the area and detained the five men, initially under Britain’s Explosives Act and subsequently on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism. A massive security operation followed, with approximately 85 households evacuated, a 400-meter cordon established and military bomb-disposal specialists brought in to examine the vans.

Although initial reports raised fears that the vehicles contained explosive devices, subsequent examinations found no explosives. Petrol was discovered inside the vans, however, and authorities are continuing to investigate what the men intended to do with the vehicles and their contents. The five original suspects were released on police bail Monday while remaining under investigation.

The possible Iranian connection has become an increasingly significant focus of the investigation following the arrest of the dual British-Iranian citizen.

Senior national coordinator for counter terrorism policing for the Metropolitan Police Vicki Evan stated: “We’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement.”

British authorities have stressed that the investigation remains open and that investigators have not publicly established precisely what role, if any, the Iranian government or its agents may have played.

Burnham, however, went considerably further Wednesday, publicly revealing that British authorities have information pointing toward possible Iranian involvement.

“There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but of course it remains an ongoing, complex, and serious police investigation,” Burnham told BBC News. “And of course, we are working closely with our colleagues in the United States of America. So it’s ongoing.”

The prime minister said he convened the government’s Cobra emergency committee while he was in Liverpool and stressed that British authorities were treating the case at the highest levels.

“We are on top of it in every possible way imaginable,” he said.

“We will say more in due course, but we can confirm our belief that we believe Iran to have played a part,” he added. Asked why he believed Iran was involved, Burnham said, “Well I can’t go into all of those details, but obviously I wouldn’t say it lightly.”

The case has also drawn direct attention from Washington because of RAF Fairford’s role as a major operating location for the United States Air Force. American bombers based at Fairford have been used in operations connected to the conflict with Iran, making the installation an especially sensitive potential target.

President Donald Trump said following the original arrests that British and American authorities had been working together and that the suspects had been seeking to cause “big damage.” The president also indicated that U.S. authorities had been involved in investigating the group.

The Iran angle is particularly significant because Tehran had previously warned that military installations being used for attacks against Iranian territory could be regarded as targets. In July, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps specifically drew attention to RAF Fairford’s use by American bombers and warned Britain over bases used in operations against Iran.

Iran has strongly denied involvement in the Fairford incident. Tehran summoned British Ambassador Hugo Shorter after Burnham’s remarks, with Iranian officials denouncing the British accusations and criticizing Britain for allowing its territory and military facilities to be used for American and Israeli operations against Iran.

The arrest of the dual British-Iranian suspect nevertheless adds a significant new dimension to an investigation that initially centered on the five men apprehended in the Gloucestershire countryside.

Those five suspects, all London residents in their 20s, were detained after a woman driving home spotted the suspicious vehicles and men near Whelford, close to RAF Fairford. The report triggered the rapid deployment of armed police and bomb-disposal teams and led to the evacuation of dozens of nearby homes.

Counterterrorism investigators are now working with American authorities to determine exactly what was being planned, whether the suspects were acting on behalf of anyone else, and whether the alleged operation was connected to Iran. For now, British officials have publicly pointed to evidence suggesting an Iranian role, while police continue to describe foreign-state involvement as one of several lines of investigation.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that information reaching the United States indicates that the Omani co-pilot accused of trying to bring down Flydubai Flight FZ1073 may have ties to Iran, warning that Tehran would face a severe response if investigators establish that it was involved in the attempted attack.

Trump’s comments represent the strongest public indication yet from Washington that investigators are examining a possible Iranian connection to the extraordinary midair attack aboard the Dubai-to-Israel flight, although authorities have not announced a definitive finding tying Tehran to the incident.

Asked directly whether the Omani co-pilot who allegedly attacked the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft was connected to Iran, Trump said, “I would say the answer based on what I’m hearing is yes, but we’re working on it now.”

When Trump was then asked whether the United States would retaliate if evidence ultimately showed that Iran was responsible, the president issued an unequivocal warning: “They’ll be hit very hard. Don’t worry about it, you just ask them.

Trump went on to portray Iran as badly weakened economically and militarily following months of confrontation with the United States and its allies.

Trump added: “Iran now has 301% inflation, their money is valueless, their economy is gone, they have no military, they have no anti-aircraft, they have very little going, and we control the Strait (of Hormuz). We took out more oil in the past two days than any time in the history of this strait.”

The president’s remarks came as an international investigation intensified into what unfolded aboard FZ1073, a Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 174 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

The co-pilot, an Omani national whose name has not been publicly released, allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit, stabbing him before attempting to send the aircraft into a catastrophic dive. Flight-tracking data showed the plane plunging more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds during the crisis.

Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other crew members to intervene. The alleged attacker was overpowered and restrained, while reserve crew members aboard the aircraft helped regain control of the plane.

The aircraft subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The co-pilot was taken into custody, while Machchhar was hospitalized and reported to be in stable condition. Israeli and Indian officials have hailed the captain’s actions as instrumental in preventing what could have been a mass-casualty disaster.

The United Arab Emirates has opened a formal investigation into the incident, including whether the attack was connected to terrorist activity or involved advance planning. Saudi authorities are also participating in the investigation, while Israeli intelligence agencies are examining the attacker’s background and possible connections.

Israeli officials have said preliminary information indicates that the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radicalization and intended to bring down the aircraft. Reports have also raised questions over how an Omani national was cleared to serve as a pilot on a flight bound for Israel, given that Oman does not maintain diplomatic relations with the Jewish state.

A fellow Flydubai pilot reportedly described the co-pilot as a relatively new employee who had displayed unusually intense religious behavior, including praying frequently and refusing to shake hands with women. Those accounts are among the pieces of information investigators are examining as they attempt to reconstruct the attacker’s background and determine whether he acted independently or had outside assistance.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, speaking earlier in an interview with Fox News, said investigators were specifically examining whether others were involved and whether the attack could ultimately lead back to Iran.

“We will get to the bottom of this. We will investigate whether the pilot had accomplices and whether Iran was behind him. I think we will know very soon,” Netanyahu said.

At the same time, no conclusive evidence publicly establishing Iranian direction of the attack has yet been released. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said earlier Thursday that it remained too early to determine whether Tehran was connected to the incident, while UAE authorities have said their investigation is continuing.

The emerging Iran question dramatically raises the stakes surrounding an incident that already came within seconds of becoming one of the deadliest aviation attacks involving Israelis in decades. What began as an investigation into the actions of a single co-pilot is now expanding into a broader inquiry into possible radicalization, security failures, accomplices and foreign involvement — with Trump making clear that confirmation of an Iranian role could bring serious consequences.

Agudath Israel of America welcomes the release today of the regulations for the Education Freedom Tax Credit (also known as the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit) by the Department of the Treasury. Today’s announcement is great news for American families and provides the necessary clarity to allow states and scholarship organizations to implement the tax credit in time for its launch in January 2027.

The EFTC allows individual taxpayers to contribute to a nonprofit scholarship granting organization (SGO) and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $1700 per taxpayer. The SGO then pools the funds and distributes scholarships to eligible students for a wide range of K-12 educational expenses including tuition to attend a Jewish or other nonpublic school. Eligible uses also include special education services, academic tutoring, and other expenses for public, private, charter, and homeschool students. Treasury estimates that 96% of children in participating states would be eligible to receive scholarship funds.

The 2027 rule satisfactorily answers many of the questions raised in comment letters and meetings by Agudath Israel and its coalition partners, but perhaps none more important than the definition of “each taxpayer.” The new regulation clarifies that a married couple filing jointly may each donate $1700 and receive a combined $3400 tax credit. This decision alone significantly increases the number of additional students receiving scholarships!

“Agudath Israel thanks the many senior officials and staff across the Trump Administration who listened to the concerns of stakeholders and worked collaboratively with each other to produce regulations that will help millions of students across the country,” said Rabbi A. D. Motzen, Agudath Israel of America’s national director of government affairs. “We now urge the remaining 20 governors to opt in as soon as possible and for all sates to move forward in approving scholarship granting organizations that will provide educational opportunities for eligible students.”

President Donald Trump said he does not believe Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu received advance warnings from Egypt or the United Arab Emirates about the October 7 Hamas massacre, weighing in on reports that have become an issue in Israel ahead of the country’s elections.

In an extensive interview with TIME conducted at the White House on Sept. 28 and published Thursday, Trump was asked about reports alleging that Arab leaders had warned Netanyahu about a possible Hamas attack before October 7, 2023.

“I heard that today for the first time,” Trump said when asked about the claims.

The reports have received renewed attention following allegations that senior Egyptian and Emirati officials conveyed concerns to Netanyahu or other Israeli officials in the months and days preceding the massacre.

When the interviewer specifically told Trump that Egypt and the UAE had reportedly warned Netanyahu, the president rejected the idea that Netanyahu knew an attack was coming and failed to act.

“I don’t think so. I think, you know, I think if he would have known, he would have done something about it. Certainly, he would have had people at least alert. You know, he’s not going to forget about it. That was a terrible day. Oh, you have people on the radical left that denied it ever happened, which is pretty bad.”

Trump’s comments come amid a continuing controversy in Israel over what Netanyahu and senior security officials knew before the Hamas invasion, which left approximately 1,200 people dead and saw roughly 250 people abducted into Gaza.

Recent reports have alleged that then-Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel issued several warnings about deteriorating conditions in Gaza before the attack. One report said Kamel personally traveled to Israel in late September 2023, less than two weeks before the massacre, to communicate Egyptian concerns.

Another report alleged that Kamel telephoned Netanyahu just days before October 7 after earlier Egyptian warnings had failed to prompt a significant Israeli response.

Those reports have generally characterized the alleged Egyptian warnings as concerns that Hamas or Gaza was moving toward a major escalation, rather than intelligence specifying the date, precise scope or operational details of the October 7 assault.

Separate reports have alleged that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan contacted Netanyahu in September 2023 and warned that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was preparing a major operation.

Netanyahu has forcefully denied receiving such an advance warning from the UAE, with his office declaring, “No warning was given to the Prime Minister from the United Arab Emirates before October 7.”

Netanyahu has also threatened legal action over the allegations and has accused those promoting the claims of attempting to influence Israel’s election.

The issue has taken on particular significance because of longstanding questions surrounding the catastrophic intelligence and security failures that allowed thousands of Hamas-led terrorists to breach Israel’s border on October 7 and overrun communities and military positions across southern Israel.

While multiple Israeli military and intelligence investigations have documented serious failures before the attack, the specific claims that Netanyahu personally received warnings from Egypt and the UAE remain disputed.

Trump was also questioned extensively by TIME about Netanyahu’s political future as Israelis prepare to vote.

Asked whether he believes Israelis should give Netanyahu another term as prime minister, Trump declined to directly endorse him.

“Well, I can only say that I’m not involved in politics anymore,” Trump responded.

Trump then turned to his own record on Israel, discussing the support his administrations have provided to the Jewish state and his popularity among Israelis.

When the interviewer again pressed him on whether Netanyahu should receive another term, Trump again avoided directly answering the electoral question and instead emphasized his commitment to protecting Israel and preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“No, my primary thing-I do want to help them defend Israel. My thing that I mention all the time is Iran cannot have a nuclear power because they are crazy and you can’t let crazy people have nuclear weapons,” he said.

The interview took place amid continuing regional tensions involving Iran, which Trump has repeatedly identified as one of the most serious threats facing Israel and the broader Middle East.

Trump was also asked about Gadi Eisenkot, the former IDF chief of staff and current chairman of the Yashar party, who is challenging Netanyahu in Israel’s election.

The interviewer asked whether the United States might be able to work more effectively with Eisenkot if he were to defeat Netanyahu.

“Well, I don’t know. I don’t hear bad things about him,” Trump replied.

After the interviewer characterized Eisenkot as the leading opposition candidate, Trump pointed to Netanyahu’s history of surviving political challenges.

“Well, people have written off Bibi many, many times, just like they’ve written off me many, many times. I wouldn’t underestimate Bibi.”

Trump’s remarks stopped short of an endorsement of either candidate. While expressing confidence that Netanyahu would have acted had he possessed advance knowledge of the October 7 attack, Trump repeatedly declined to say whether Israelis should return Netanyahu to office for another term.

The controversy over the alleged pre-October 7 warnings has become an increasingly prominent issue in the Israeli election campaign. Netanyahu’s opponents have cited the reports while renewing demands for an independent state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the massacre, while Netanyahu and his allies have challenged the allegations and accused political opponents of attempting to assign responsibility to the prime minister.

Netanyahu has maintained that he was not given actionable intelligence indicating that Hamas was preparing the massive invasion that unfolded on October 7.

Trump, for his part, said he does not believe Netanyahu knowingly disregarded an advance warning of the impending massacre.

On Netanyahu’s political future, Trump declined to tell Israelis how they should vote, while observing that Netanyahu has survived repeated political challenges in the past.

[Full video below.] Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu said Israel will take part in the investigation of the Flydubai co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain and trying to bring down an Israel-bound passenger jet, while cautioning that it remains too early to determine whether Iran played any role in the attack.

In an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil following Wednesday’s extraordinary incident, Netanyahu offered new details about what Israeli officials believe happened aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 and praised the passengers and crew members whose actions helped save the 174 people aboard.

“I don’t think it was a hijacking,” Netanyahu said.

Rather, Netanyahu said the evidence available thus far suggests that the attacker was attempting to destroy the aircraft rather than seize control of it and take it somewhere else.

“I think it looks like a suicide attempt simply because of what this hero Yaniv described when he went in,” Netanyahu said, referring to Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun, who entered the cockpit and helped overpower the attacking co-pilot.

Netanyahu said Hayun’s account of what he encountered inside the cockpit was particularly significant.

“This guy was trying to jam the equipment between the two flight seats, the pilot seats,” Netanyahu said. “He wasn’t sitting in the pilot seat trying to stabilize the plane, he was trying to jam the equipment.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu announced Thursday that four Israelis who helped avert catastrophe aboard the Flydubai flight from Dubai will light a torch honoring civilian heroism at Israel’s upcoming Independence Day ceremony.

Netanyahu met at the Prime Minister’s Office with Yaniv Hayun, Or Fradilov, Dr. Shota Musayev and Musayev’s wife, Sigalit, hearing firsthand accounts of the terrifying moments aboard the aircraft and the actions taken by passengers after the captain was attacked.
The four described the struggle to gain control of the situation after the co-pilot allegedly attacked and repeatedly stabbed the plane’s captain as the aircraft carrying scores of passengers rapidly lost altitude.

“The entire world sees Israeli heroism,” Netanyahu told them.

He then informed the four that their actions would receive one of Israel’s most prominent public honors.

“You will light a torch of civilian heroism on Independence Day,” Netanyahu said.

During the meeting, the passengers recounted how the attacker was eventually restrained after they gained access to the cockpit.

“We tied up the stabbing pilot with the headphone cord. He said, ‘Kill me’ — that means he failed in his mission and preferred to die,” they recalled.

Hayun has emerged as one of the central figures in accounts of the extraordinary incident. After passengers gained access to the cockpit, he helped overpower the attacker and pull him away from the controls.

Hayun then returned to the cockpit and attempted to stabilize the aircraft by pulling back on the controls as the plane was rapidly losing altitude.

When Netanyahu asked Hayun how he knew what to do, Hayun gave an unexpected answer: “I watch ‘Air Crash Investigation,’ Mr. Prime Minister.”

Dr. Musayev, a dentist, meanwhile turned his attention to the badly wounded captain, working to stop the bleeding from the stabbing injuries he had sustained during the cockpit struggle.

The captain himself has been widely credited with playing a crucial role in saving the aircraft. Despite suffering serious injuries during his struggle with the co-pilot, he managed to activate the mechanism opening the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other crew members to enter and intervene.

Two additional Flydubai pilots who happened to be traveling aboard the flight subsequently entered the cockpit, took control of the aircraft and brought it to a safe emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

The captain was subsequently hospitalized and underwent treatment for his wounds.
Netanyahu praised the four Israelis for the courage, resourcefulness and faith they displayed during the crisis, saying their actions prevented what could have been an enormous disaster and saved many lives.

The prime minister also used the meeting to issue a broader warning to Israelis following the incident.

“I tell the citizens of Israel to learn from you, to keep their eyes open and remain alert. We are in a very sensitive period. Our enemies intend to harm us,” Netanyahu said.

The flight had departed Dubai for Israel when the violent confrontation erupted inside the cockpit. During the crisis, the aircraft descended rapidly by thousands of feet and transmitted emergency signals before control was restored.

The plane ultimately landed safely in Saudi Arabia, and the passengers were later brought back to Israel.

Netanyahu had already praised Hayun upon his return to Israel, calling him a “lion” after hearing how he had rushed into the cockpit and helped overpower the attacker.

President Isaac Herzog has also moved to formally recognize Israelis involved in saving the flight, announcing that he intends to recommend four of those who participated in the rescue effort for the President’s Medal for Civilian Heroism.

The investigation into precisely what occurred aboard the flight remains underway, and Flydubai has cautioned against reaching conclusions about the attacker’s motive before the investigation is completed.

For Netanyahu, however, the bravery displayed by the passengers was already beyond question. Their actions, he told them Thursday, will now be recognized before the country when they light a torch honoring civilian heroism on Independence Day.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump drew cheers at a White House Hispanic Heritage Month celebration Wednesday after joking that “only a Hispanic” could survive a fall from the construction site of the massive new White House ballroom.

The remark came as Trump addressed guests in the East Room during the first White House Hispanic Heritage Month celebration of his second administration. During nearly an hour of remarks, the president invited attendees to get a first look at the floor of the ballroom now under construction.

“There’s a tunnel going to what I think will be the greatest ballroom ever built. It’s also a tremendous military complex with a drone port on top,” Trump said.

Trump then cautioned the crowd about venturing onto the unfinished construction site, noting the potentially dangerous drop surrounding portions of the project.

“You literally will be the first group ever to enter the premises. So be very careful. Don’t fall over the edge, because it’s a long way down,” he continued.

Trump then delivered the line that quickly attracted attention following the event.

“And only a Hispanic could survive that fall,” the president added, receiving cheers from attendees. “So, I’m not overly worried.”

The celebration was held in the East Room and featured Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the highest-ranking Hispanic official in the federal government. Rubio joined Trump during the event and addressed those in attendance.

The White House did not hold a comparable Hispanic Heritage Month gathering in 2025, although Trump issued an official proclamation marking the observance. In that proclamation, Trump praised Hispanic Americans for their contributions to the country and highlighted their commitment to faith, family and freedom.

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs annually from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

Trump’s remarks came at a politically significant moment for Republicans, who are seeking to retain the substantial gains Trump made among Hispanic voters in the 2024 presidential election as the Nov. 3 midterms approach.

Recent polling has indicated that some of those gains have eroded. Surveys of Hispanic voters have shown increased dissatisfaction over economic issues and other concerns, adding importance to Republican efforts to maintain the support Trump received from Hispanic voters in 2024.

Trump used Wednesday’s event to appeal directly to Hispanic voters ahead of the midterms while arguing that his administration’s economic accomplishments have not been communicated effectively enough to the public.

The ballroom itself has become one of the most visible construction projects undertaken at the White House during Trump’s second term. The sprawling project is intended to provide the White House with a permanent venue capable of accommodating large state dinners, receptions and other major events that previously required temporary structures.

The White House is again preventing CNN from carrying out its scheduled role in the television press pool covering President Donald Trump, despite a federal judge’s temporary order restoring access to CNN and two other news organizations barred by the administration earlier this month.

CNN had been scheduled to provide television pool coverage Thursday as Trump travels to Texas and Oklahoma, but the network was omitted from the pool guidance distributed by the White House on Wednesday evening. No substitute television pool camera is expected to accompany the president on the trip.

The latest move comes less than a week after U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, issued a 14-day temporary restraining order requiring the administration to restore White House credentials to CNN, MS NOW and Politico while their legal challenge proceeds. That order is currently scheduled to remain in effect through Oct. 8.

The White House did not immediately comment on the decision to exclude CNN from Thursday’s pool assignment.

The dispute began Sept. 18, when Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be barred from the White House, accusing the three organizations of publishing “fake news” and arguing that their reporting posed national security concerns. Reporters from the organizations were denied entry to White House grounds beginning the following day.

Trump defended the action at the time, writing, “The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish. It is instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS, something that has grown like Cancer in our beloved United States of America.”

The ban prompted a sharp response from news organizations and the White House Correspondents’ Association. It also led to an unusual show of solidarity among the five television networks that traditionally rotate responsibility for providing pooled video coverage of the president: CNN, Fox News, ABC, NBC and CBS.

The networks temporarily suspended their presidential television pool operation rather than replace CNN when it was CNN’s scheduled turn. Other forms of pooled coverage continued.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico then filed suit against the administration, arguing that they had been targeted because of their reporting and that the White House had violated both their First Amendment rights and their Fifth Amendment right to due process.

During a hearing on the case, Kelly pointed to longstanding federal court precedent requiring the government to provide due process before revoking a journalist’s White House access.

Two days later, Kelly granted temporary relief to the three organizations and ordered their credentials restored. The judge concluded that the outlets were likely to prevail on their due-process claim, finding that their journalists had not received adequate notice or an opportunity to respond before their credentials were taken away.

The ruling did not finally resolve the broader First Amendment dispute over whether the administration’s actions amounted to unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. That question remains part of the ongoing litigation.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico subsequently returned to the White House grounds, but the restoration of their credentials did not end the battle over CNN’s role in the television pool.

Tensions erupted again over the weekend when Trump traveled to Tennessee for a college football game. CNN was scheduled to serve as the television pool outlet that day, but the network was not permitted to send its journalists aboard Air Force One.

That incident helped prompt the three news organizations to return to court this week seeking a preliminary injunction that would keep the administration from reinstating its ban while the lawsuit is litigated.

In their latest court filing, attorneys for CNN, MS NOW and Politico accused the White House of applying its restrictions selectively even after Kelly’s order.

“The White House’s words and actions leave little doubt that it will immediately reinstitute a complete ban of CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO if allowed the opportunity.”

The organizations are asking Kelly to preserve the access they had before Trump announced the ban, rather than allow the temporary restraining order to expire Oct. 8 while the larger case remains unresolved.

CNN also argued that the administration has been granting access to Trump and his daily activities “unpredictably and inconsistently,” causing continuing harm to its ability to cover the president.

The original lawsuit alleges that Trump’s decision constituted viewpoint discrimination, arguing that the administration punished the organizations because it objected to the substance and tone of their reporting.

The White House has taken a different position, maintaining that access to the president and White House grounds is a privilege rather than an unrestricted right and that the administration retains authority over who is permitted into sensitive areas.

Attorney General Todd Blanche defended that position over the weekend, saying, “When it comes to the White House, it is the people’s house. It is a privilege, and not a right, to be there.”

The legal fight also comes against the backdrop of a significant change Trump made to White House media operations during his second administration. In 2025, the White House took control of selecting members of the presidential press pool away from the White House Correspondents’ Association, giving the administration greater authority over which organizations receive coveted access to smaller presidential events.

The traditional five-network television rotation initially continued despite that change, making the dispute over CNN particularly significant for the television pool system.

The administration is now required to respond to the news organizations’ latest court filing by Friday, setting up another round in the rapidly escalating legal battle over who gets to cover the president — and under what conditions.

The IDF has eliminated two terrorists who invaded Israel during the October 7 massacre, including a Hamas commander who participated in kidnapping six Israelis from Kibbutz Be’eri and taking them into Gaza.

The military announced Thursday that Muhammad Jamal Mahmoud Abu Al-Shaar, a cell commander in Hamas’ military wing, was killed in an Israeli strike in the Gaza City area on Tuesday.

According to the IDF, Abu Al-Shaar was among the terrorists who infiltrated Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023, where more than 100 residents were murdered and dozens were abducted during the Hamas assault.

The military said Abu Al-Shaar personally participated in the abduction of six Israelis: Sharon Hertzman-Avigdori, her daughter Noam Avigdori, Adi Shoham, her children Nave Shoham and Yahel Shoham, and Shoshan Haran.

The six were members of the same extended family. All six survived their captivity and were released in November 2023 as part of the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, after approximately 50 days in Gaza.

In a separate Israeli strike carried out Tuesday in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza, the IDF eliminated Musab Abd al-Jalil Saqib Balbisi, whom the military identified as a commander in the military wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

According to the IDF, Balbisi also crossed into Israeli territory during the October 7 massacre.

The military said both Abu Al-Shaar and Balbisi had remained actively involved in terrorism long after the October 7 attack and had recently been advancing attacks targeting IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians.

The IDF said those activities constituted systematic violations of the ceasefire and that the two terrorists were targeted in order to remove the continuing threat they posed.

Before carrying out the strikes, the IDF said it took steps intended to reduce the danger to civilians in the surrounding areas, including the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance.

The two eliminations are part of Israel’s continuing effort to track down terrorists who participated in the October 7 invasion and massacre, even as IDF forces operate under the terms of the current ceasefire arrangement in Gaza.

The IDF has repeatedly targeted Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives whom it says have continued planning attacks, rebuilding terrorist infrastructure or threatening Israeli forces despite the ceasefire.

Israeli forces under the IDF Southern Command remain deployed in Gaza in accordance with the agreement and continue to operate against what the military defines as immediate threats to Israeli troops and civilians.

The latest eliminations follow an intensive month of targeted operations against Hamas and other terrorist organizations in Gaza.

According to figures released by the IDF, approximately 70 terrorists were eliminated during September alone, including a number of senior Hamas commanders.

Among those killed during the month were three brigade commanders, two battalion commanders and nine company commanders, dealing a series of blows to Hamas’ remaining command structure.

Seventeen of the approximately 70 terrorists eliminated during September had participated in the October 7 massacre, according to the IDF.

Those 17 included terrorists involved in the invasion of Israeli communities, the kidnapping of civilians and the subsequent imprisonment of hostages inside Gaza.

Among the senior Hamas figures eliminated during September was Muhammad Yazouri, commander of Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade. The IDF and Shin Bet said Yazouri had been directing attacks against Israeli troops and civilians and was working to rebuild the brigade’s capabilities after the heavy damage it sustained during the war.

The latest announcement puts Abu Al-Shaar among the growing number of October 7 participants subsequently located and eliminated by Israeli forces, nearly three years after the massacre in which he helped abduct six members of one family from Be’eri.

Yehonatan Ovadia, a 35-year-old Israeli citizen and father of five associated with Satmar, remains in federal immigration custody in New York and could be deported to Israel after U.S. authorities declined to extend his legal status, citing his involvement in a 2023 protest during which an Israeli flag was torn down from the Ramapo Town Hall.

Ovadia, who came to the United States in 2022 on a religious-worker visa, was taken into custody by immigration agents in August after appearing at immigration court in Manhattan.

At a hearing Wednesday, an immigration judge declined to release him on bond. Dozens of chassidim came to the courthouse to show support for Ovadia as his attorneys continued their effort to secure his release and challenge the government’s handling of the case.

The immigration proceedings stem from a protest held in Ramapo, New York, in November 2023, approximately a month after an Israeli flag had been placed outside the town hall following the October 7 massacre.

Ovadia and several other anti-Zionist chassidim attended the demonstration to protest the municipality’s display of the Israeli flag. Surveillance footage showed members of the group removing the flag and cutting it with scissors.

Ovadia has maintained that he did not personally remove or damage the flag. He has said that another man was responsible and that he objected to what was being done and attempted to leave the scene.

Ramapo police arrested Ovadia and another man following the incident. Ovadia was initially charged with criminal mischief, petit larceny and conspiracy, with the charges classified as hate crimes.

The hate-crime charges were subsequently dropped. In February 2024, Ovadia pleaded guilty to the much lesser violation of disorderly conduct and paid a $200 fine along with an additional $125 charge.

Ovadia has said that his decision to accept the disorderly-conduct disposition was largely practical rather than an admission that he had torn down the flag.

“I said, ‘You know, I don’t have power, I’m out of money, I have no time, I am a teacher, I need to teach students every day,’” he recalled. “‘Let’s end this with disorderly conduct.’”

Ovadia’s immigration difficulties emerged later. His religious-worker status was due to expire in November 2025, and Congregation Bnai Yoel in Orange County sponsored an application seeking to allow him to continue his religious work in the United States.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ultimately reached an unusual split determination. The agency found that Ovadia remained qualified to perform the religious work for which the application had been submitted and did not find him inadmissible because of a “conviction or commission of a crime involving moral turpitude.”

However, immigration officials refused, as a matter of discretion, to grant him an extension allowing him to remain in the United States.

Government documents cited the circumstances of the Ramapo incident, including the charges that had ultimately been dropped, his disorderly-conduct violation and police records indicating that he declined to identify other individuals involved in the protest.

Once his existing status expired without an approved extension of stay, Ovadia was left without lawful immigration status and became subject to removal proceedings.

His attorneys have filed a lengthy federal lawsuit seeking his release, arguing that the government’s actions improperly punish Ovadia for his political and religious beliefs and conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism.

Attorney Eric Lee has stressed that Ovadia’s opposition to the State of Israel is rooted in his religious worldview, saying that labeling his client antisemitic because of those beliefs is absurd.

Ovadia has participated in a number of anti-Israel demonstrations in New York and New Jersey together with other anti-Zionist chassidim. His attorneys maintain that such demonstrations constitute protected political and religious expression and do not establish that he engaged in violence.

The Department of Homeland Security has rejected the suggestion that Ovadia is being detained merely because of his views.

“In violation of our nation’s laws, he overstayed his welcome and refused to depart,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said. “He will receive due process and remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of his immigration proceedings.”

DHS has also said that permission for a foreign citizen to remain in the United States is a privilege and maintained that the administration has legal authority to act against noncitizens it believes advocate violence, support terrorist activity, harass Jews or steal property.

Ovadia and his attorneys dispute that description of his conduct.

Speaking by telephone from immigration detention, Ovadia explained his participation in the original Ramapo demonstration by saying, “We demonstrated for Gaza and for Palestinian rights, to show the world that true Judaism wants peace. We wanted to express our opinion legally and peacefully.”

One of Ovadia’s attorneys said at Wednesday’s hearing that the government has designated Israel as the country to which it would seek to deport him if a final removal order is issued.

The timing of any possible deportation remains unclear, however, as Ovadia’s lawyers continue challenging his detention and immigration case through the courts.

{Matzav.com}

A seemingly small request by Rav Dov Landau before Sukkos revealed the extraordinary care with which the Rosh Yeshiva approaches even the finest details of halacha.

Ahead of Yom Tov, R’ Shaya Dickstein visited the homes of leading Gedolei Yisroel to present them with exceptionally beautiful esrogim grown in orchards he owns in Morocco.

When he arrived at the home of Rav Dov Landau, the Rosh Yeshiva carefully examined the esrog and asked his son to inspect its quality as well.

After looking it over, Rav Landau made an unusual request: he asked R’ Shaya to formally transfer ownership of the esrog to him through a proper kinyan.

Those present were puzzled.

This year, the first day of Sukkos fell on Shabbos. As a result, the mitzvah of taking the arba minim was not performed that day, and the Torah requirement of “lachem” — that the daled minim belong to the person taking them — would seemingly not apply in the usual way.

Why, then, was Rav Landau particular that the esrog become his personal property?

The Rosh Yeshiva immediately explained the reason.

A number of distinguished American bochurim learn in Slabodka Yeshiva and observe a second day of Yom Tov in accordance with the practice of those who live outside Eretz Yisroel.

For those bochurim, Sunday was their first day on which they would actually perform the mitzvah of arba minim, and the requirement of “lachem” therefore applied fully to them.

The American bochurim traditionally come to the Rosh Yeshiva’s sukkah to use his arba minim. Rav Landau therefore wanted to ensure that the esrog was legally and halachically his, so that he would be able to properly transfer ownership to each of them for the mitzvah.

R’ Shaya immediately carried out the kinyan, formally transferring the esrog to Rav Landau.

Rav Landau then performed a hagbahah on the esrog, completing the acquisition.

That was the esrog subsequently used by the American bochurim of Slabodka Yeshiva when they performed the mitzvah of arba minim on their second day of Yom Tov.

What initially appeared to be an unnecessary technicality was, in fact, a carefully considered effort by the Rosh Yeshiva to ensure that the bochurim could fulfill the mitzvah in the most proper manner possible.

{Matzav.com}