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Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that Iran may attempt to interfere with Israel’s October 27 parliamentary elections by activating one of its terrorist proxy organizations, saying intelligence gathered by the Mossad indicates that Tehran could seek to disrupt the voting process.

Speaking in an interview with i24NEWS less than a week before Israelis head to the polls, Netanyahu said Israeli intelligence agencies have obtained information suggesting that the Iranian regime is considering using organizations under its influence to interfere in the election.

The prime minister did not identify which Iranian-backed group might be involved or specify what form the attempted interference could take. However, he portrayed the threat as part of Tehran’s broader campaign against Israel, which includes supporting terrorist organizations and spreading anti-Israel propaganda through online platforms.

Netanyahu said Iran’s efforts to undermine Israel extend beyond military confrontation, with the Islamic Republic employing affiliated groups and information campaigns to advance its objectives against the Jewish state.

The prime minister also used the interview to renew his call for the removal of Iran’s ruling regime, arguing that replacing the government in Tehran is essential to permanently eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat.

“That’s the directive I gave to the Mossad and the IDF,” Netanyahu said, describing the objective he has established for Israel’s security services and military.

He maintained that the downfall of the Iranian regime would have enormous implications for its terrorist allies throughout the Middle East, particularly Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

According to Netanyahu, both organizations depend heavily on Iranian support and would be unable to sustain themselves without the regime currently governing Tehran.

He predicted that the organizations would ultimately collapse, “because neither of them will survive once this regime falls.”

Netanyahu’s remarks came amid continuing tensions between Israel, Iran and the United States, with President Donald Trump indicating that Washington is considering its next steps in the confrontation with Tehran.

The prime minister was also questioned about reports that US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had traveled to Israel on Monday for discussions with senior Israeli officials.

Rather than address the reported visit or reveal the subjects discussed, Netanyahu declined to comment.

“I didn’t say there was such a visit, and I don’t discuss visits, I’m not saying that,” he responded.

The interview also addressed the political unrest in France, where violent disturbances have prompted Netanyahu to criticize President Emmanuel Macron’s handling of radical Islamist movements.

Netanyahu described the scenes unfolding in France as “heartbreaking” and accused the French government of failing to take adequate steps to confront the threat of radical Islam.

“They didn’t prepare, and they simply gave up. They surrendered to the invasion of radical Islam.”

The prime minister recalled a conversation with Macron following the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre, saying the French president had advocated a diplomatic approach to resolving the conflict.

Netanyahu said he had rejected that proposal, warning Macron that Hamas represented a terrorist threat that could eventually endanger European countries as well.

“‘Emmanuel, that’s not going to happen. What you have here is ISIS. Hamas is ISIS, and in some ways, even worse. And if we don’t eliminate them here, you’ll have them in Paris.’ And that’s exactly what’s happening.”

Netanyahu also defended President Trump’s public endorsement of his reelection bid, rejecting criticism that the American president was improperly involving himself in Israel’s domestic political affairs.

“At least he’s saying it honestly! What did Obama, Clinton, Biden do?” Netanyahu asked, suggesting that previous Democratic administrations had also sought to influence Israeli politics, although they had been less open about their preferences.

Trump’s endorsement has become a significant development in the closing days of the Israeli campaign. The president has publicly backed Netanyahu as the leader best equipped to confront Iran, while Vice President JD Vance has declined to endorse a candidate, saying his immediate political focus remains on the upcoming American midterm elections.

Netanyahu also intensified his criticism of opposition leaders, arguing that they lack the experience and determination necessary to confront Iran and other threats facing Israel.

He singled out former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, one of his principal political opponents, questioning his approach to the Iranian nuclear program.

“Gadi Eisenkot, who says we need to learn to live with a nuclear Iran?” Netanyahu asked.

The prime minister further argued that an opposition-led coalition would be forced to rely on Arab political parties for parliamentary support, potentially limiting its ability to pursue the security policies he considers necessary.

In a separate interview with i24NEWS several days earlier, Netanyahu had already raised concerns that hostile forces might attempt to manipulate the election by engineering security incidents intended to influence public opinion.

“There will likely be an attempt to interfere in the elections, at least, that is what the signs suggest,” he said at the time.

“They may try to orchestrate security-related incidents in order to convince the Israeli public that the achievements are not all that significant.”

Despite those concerns, Netanyahu insisted that the election should proceed as planned.

“As far as I am concerned, the elections will certainly take place on schedule; however, they are attempting to disrupt, or at the very least, influence the elections.”

Israeli security officials have reportedly been examining potential threats to the election, including terrorist attacks, targeted violence and foreign interference. Netanyahu recently convened senior security officials to review the situation as the country approaches Election Day.

The prime minister’s latest warnings also coincide with renewed American-Israeli consultations over Iran. Hegseth’s previously unannounced visit to Israel has since been independently confirmed, with officials reporting that he met Netanyahu at Uvda Air Force Base in the Negev to discuss regional threats and military cooperation.

With Israelis scheduled to vote on October 27, Netanyahu is presenting the election as a choice over the country’s future security strategy, while his opponents argue that a change in leadership is necessary after years of war and political turmoil.

{Matzav.com}

MK Meir Porush, chairman of Agudas Yisroel’s Shlomei Emunim faction, has dismissed the newly established Chareidi Public party headed by Moti Leitner, insisting that the movement poses little threat to United Torah Judaism and questioning whether its supporters ever voted for the established chareidi parties in the first place.

In an interview with Yishai Cohen of Kikar HaShabbat, Porush was asked about the growing attention surrounding Leitner’s party, particularly after hundreds of supporters attended an election gathering at Binyanei HaUma in Yerushalayim over the weekend.

The interviewer suggested that the turnout demonstrated that the movement could no longer be dismissed as a political gimmick, with hundreds of chareidim openly expressing dissatisfaction with the existing political establishment.

Porush was unimpressed.

“You can ignore it,” he responded. “If you’re asking whether I saw people in the pictures who are identified with our party, with Agudah, I didn’t see any. Not from Degel HaTorah either.”

Porush suggested that the new party’s supporters may have come from outside United Torah Judaism’s traditional voter base.

“It could be that these people voted for Ben-Gvir until now. It could be that they didn’t vote at all,” he said.

He also expressed skepticism about Leitner’s chances of winning representation in the next Knesset, saying that even the party’s supporters understood the difficulty of crossing the electoral threshold.

“They know very well, and so do you, that in the end they aren’t getting in,” Porush said. “Whoever wants to vote for them… I don’t want to speak about anybody. I’m looking for votes for United Torah Judaism.”

Asked what he would tell chareidim who say they are dissatisfied with the existing political parties and want something different, Porush offered a sarcastic response.

“What can you do? You would also like to be a Knesset member, wouldn’t you?” he asked the interviewer. “There are people you know who want to be Knesset members. Do they all get into the Knesset? Not everybody gets in. Some people say, ‘I’ll try. What’s the harm? I’ll try.’”

The interview also touched on the fact that Leitner’s party has included a chareidi woman among its Knesset candidates, a departure from the longstanding practice of the established chareidi parties.

Porush rejected the suggestion that the development was relevant to United Torah Judaism.

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

The Chareidi Public party has been attempting to attract voters who believe the established chareidi political parties have failed to adequately address their concerns. Its campaign has generated considerable attention, particularly because of its willingness to challenge traditional political arrangements within the community.

Porush, however, maintained that the party’s emergence should not be interpreted as evidence of significant defections from Agudas Yisroel or Degel HaTorah.

His remarks came during a broader interview in which he addressed the upcoming elections, the military draft controversy and the conditions under which United Torah Judaism would consider joining the next government.

On the draft issue, Porush acknowledged that the chareidi parties had made a serious mistake during the outgoing government’s term by allowing other coalition partners to advance their legislative priorities while the status of yeshiva students remained unresolved.

He said that legislation concerning Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Aryeh Deri, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich had moved forward, while the chareidi parties were repeatedly told that their own legislation would come later.

“And we agreed, and we were nice, and we didn’t make a fuss,” Porush said, describing what he considered a major political error.

He insisted that United Torah Judaism would not repeat that mistake after the elections and that any future coalition agreement must include a firm arrangement protecting the status of full-time Torah learners.

Porush also addressed internal developments within Agudas Yisroel, including the administrative separation between Shlomei Emunim and the party’s Central Faction. He maintained that the arrangement concerned campaign financing and did not represent an electoral split, emphasizing that the factions would continue running together on the same United Torah Judaism ballot.

In a notable comment about internal party governance, Porush expressed support for holding primary elections within Agudas Yisroel, pointing out that the party’s regulations permit representatives to be selected either through primaries or through its national council.

“I wish they would hold primaries!” he said, adding that he would be prepared to work toward implementing such a process.

Despite his criticism of Leitner’s independent campaign, Porush stressed that his own priority was strengthening United Torah Judaism’s representation in the Knesset.

He said he was personally contacting voters, explaining the stakes of the election and urging participation among those whose rabbinic leadership permits voting.

“Only a strong United Torah Judaism will be able to stand up for the Torah world,” Porush said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States is approaching a critical decision on how to achieve its objectives against Iran, raising the possibility of renewed American military strikes while refusing to disclose details of high-level defense discussions between Washington and Israel.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump indicated that his administration was weighing its next steps in the confrontation with Tehran and suggested that the remaining question was whether American objectives could be achieved without additional military force.

“We just have to make a final decision. Which way do we want to win? Do we want to win the nice way or the not nice way?” Trump said.

Trump on Iran:

We just have to make a final decision on Iran. Which way do we want to win, the nice way or the not nice way?

But we're doing very well. pic.twitter.com/gaMEki2tMS

— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 20, 2026

The president’s remarks came amid growing speculation that Washington could launch another round of attacks against Iranian military targets, following weeks of escalating warnings between American and Iranian officials.

Trump also disclosed that he had contacted several European governments to gauge their willingness to join the United States in its confrontation with Iran. According to the president, the countries he approached declined to participate, although he insisted that American military capabilities were more than sufficient without foreign assistance.

“We don’t need any help, but I was testing them,” he said.

The president was additionally asked about Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s surprise trip to Israel on Monday, during which the Pentagon chief held talks with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Hegseth’s previously unannounced visit attracted particular attention because of its timing, coming as Washington and Yerushalayim continued consultations over the Iranian threat and the possibility of further military operations.

When a reporter asked whether he could reveal what Hegseth and Netanyahu had discussed, Trump declined to elaborate.

“I can’t do that now, no.”

The president’s refusal to discuss the meeting left unanswered questions about the extent of American-Israeli coordination and whether preparations for another confrontation with Iran had advanced.

His comments followed increasingly aggressive statements from Tehran, where senior Iranian officials have warned that any new American attack would trigger retaliation against US forces stationed throughout the Middle East.

Iran’s new defense minister, Mehrdad Ahlaghki, issued one of the strongest warnings earlier this week, declaring that the Islamic Republic was prepared for another round of fighting and would respond forcefully to any American military operation.

Ahlaghki specifically addressed speculation that the United States might deploy the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast weapon, commonly known as the Mother of All Bombs, against Iranian military installations.

The massive conventional bomb is among the most powerful nonnuclear weapons in the American arsenal, and reports that Washington could consider using it have fueled concern in Tehran about the potential scale of another American offensive.

The Iranian defense minister claimed that his country’s military had already developed measures intended to counter such an attack.

“We have taken the necessary measures to deal with such an action, and we continue our work with confidence,” he declared.

Ahlaghki then directed a warning at Trump, threatening that American personnel in the region would pay a heavy price if Washington ordered another strike.

“If he drops one bomb, he should check how many of his forces he will have to remove from the region lying down,” Ahlaghki said.

The exchange followed a recent Newsmax interview in which Trump was questioned about reports that American military planners were examining the possibility of using the powerful conventional bomb against heavily fortified Iranian targets.

One potential target reportedly under consideration is Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried facility associated with Iran’s nuclear program near Natanz. The site has drawn particular attention because of concerns that its underground location could make it difficult to destroy using conventional airstrikes.

Trump did not confirm that he had authorized the use of the weapon, but he stressed that the MOAB is entirely different from a nuclear bomb.

“The mother of all bombs is not nuclear. It’s not nuclear at all. This is just an extremely large bomb. It’s like a tiny nuclear bomb. But the mother of all bombs is one big bomb, but it’s not nuclear.”

The president also explicitly rejected the suggestion that the United States would need nuclear weapons to achieve its military objectives against Iran.

“No, I wouldn’t use nuclear [against Iran]. We don’t have to. We’re the greatest nuclear power in the world.”

The possibility of renewed strikes comes after American and Israeli forces conducted major operations against Iranian targets earlier this year. Despite those attacks, concerns remain about Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, missile capabilities and its ability to rebuild military facilities.

Additional details about Hegseth’s Monday visit emerged from Israeli officials, who confirmed that the meeting with Netanyahu took place at Uvda Air Force Base in the Negev.

According to Netanyahu’s spokesman, Doron Spielman, the two discussed regional security threats and cooperation between the United States and Israel in responding to those threats through both offensive and defensive measures.

Hegseth also expressed appreciation for Israel’s hosting of thousands of American military personnel. The presence of those forces has become an important element of the two countries’ coordination during the confrontation with Iran.

The unannounced meeting took place just over a week before Israel’s October 27 parliamentary elections, with Netanyahu seeking another term as prime minister. Trump has publicly endorsed Netanyahu, while American officials have continued consultations with Israel over Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities.

Hegseth also visited American personnel serving in the region and emphasized their readiness to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, Iran’s newly appointed defense minister, whose full name is Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, has outlined plans to move more of the country’s weapons manufacturing infrastructure into protected underground and mountainous facilities.

The Iranian official, a longtime figure in the country’s defense industry who has been subject to international sanctions over missile-related activities, said Tehran intends to strengthen its military production capabilities despite the threat of additional American and Israeli attacks.

{Matzav.com}

United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher has recalled an emotional encounter with Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt”l, describing how the revered rosh yeshiva broke down in tears over the challenges facing the Torah world, as the controversy surrounding the military draft and arrests of yeshiva bochurim continues to dominate Israel’s election campaign.

Speaking during an interview with Menachem Toker on Kol Chai radio, Asher reflected on the profound concern Rav Shteinman displayed for the future of yeshivos and the responsibility borne by those entrusted with representing the chareidi community.

The recollection comes at a particularly sensitive moment, with Israel’s October 27 Knesset elections approaching and widespread anger over the detention of yeshiva bochurim who have not reported for military service.

Asher, who recently assumed the leadership of United Torah Judaism, has made the legal protection of full-time Torah learners a central issue in his public statements. He has repeatedly maintained that legislation establishing the status of yeshiva students must be a prerequisite for his party’s participation in the next government.

The MK has also sharply criticized the timing of recent arrests, accusing legal authorities of pursuing enforcement measures that could provoke demonstrations and interfere with the election campaign.

In statements issued Tuesday following the detention of Chabad bochurim at Ben Gurion Airport, Asher said he had been warning for some time about attempts to disrupt the electoral process through intensified arrests.

He argued that such measures would do little to increase military enlistment and could instead create fear and uncertainty among chareidi voters.

Asher called on the chairman of the Central Elections Committee to intervene and instruct police to halt what he described as unnecessary, deliberately initiated arrests during the final days before the election.

The controversy has intensified following reports that dozens of Chabad bochurim returning from New York were detained at Ben Gurion Airport over their military-service status.

Asher has also expressed concern about the possibility of enforcement action near polling places, raising questions about whether eligible chareidi voters might be discouraged from participating in the election.

During his conversation with Toker, Asher reportedly addressed assurances concerning election-day enforcement, indicating that election officials had conveyed that arrests connected to voting would not take place.

His recollections of Rav Shteinman came against the backdrop of the broader debate over the responsibilities of chareidi representatives and the importance that gedolei Yisroel have historically attached to protecting Torah institutions.

Rav Shteinman, who was among the leading figures of the Litvishe Torah world until his petirah in 2017, played a central role in guiding Degel HaTorah and its representatives through numerous political and communal challenges.

Those close to the rosh yeshiva have frequently recalled his personal involvement in election campaigns, even at an advanced age, and his insistence that political disagreements and personal grievances should not overshadow the interests of the Torah community.

Asher’s remarks come as United Torah Judaism faces pressure from voters dissatisfied with the outgoing government’s failure to enact legislation regulating the status of yeshiva students.

In recent interviews, Asher has acknowledged that confidence in Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was seriously damaged by the failure to pass a draft law, while declining to commit his party to any particular political bloc following the election.

He has maintained that the party’s future coalition decisions will be made in consultation with gedolei Yisroel, with the preservation of the Torah world remaining its central concern.

In an interview earlier this week, Asher also insisted that economic sanctions and arrests would not persuade chareidi men to enlist, arguing that coercive measures would instead deepen divisions within Israeli society.

He said that the first priority of the next government must be legislation defining the status of those whose full-time occupation is Torah learning.

{Matzav.com}

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul holds a narrow 4.4-percentage-point advantage over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman in a newly released Republican-commissioned survey, a significantly smaller lead than the margins reported by several independent pollsters as the November 3 gubernatorial election approaches.

The poll, conducted by OnMessage Inc. for Republican attorney general candidate Saritha Komatireddy, found Hochul receiving 50.3% support among likely voters, compared with 45.9% for Blakeman, the Nassau County executive. The same survey placed Democratic Attorney General Letitia James at 50.7%, ahead of Komatireddy at 44.7%, a six-point difference.

The findings suggest a more competitive contest than other recent polling has indicated, although the survey was commissioned by a Republican campaign and its results differ considerably from the broader polling average.

One of the survey’s most striking findings was Blakeman’s performance in western New York, particularly the Buffalo region, which includes Hochul’s home area. The Republican received 56% support there, compared with 42% for the governor.

Although Buffalo itself generally votes Democratic, the surrounding counties have traditionally provided strong support for Republican candidates.

The poll also showed Blakeman ahead in the Albany region, where he received 52% against Hochul’s 44%. In other rural areas of New York, his advantage was substantially larger, with 62% supporting the Republican and 33% backing the Democratic incumbent.

Hochul’s strongest showing came in the New York City media market, where she led 54.2% to 41.9%. That region encompasses the city’s five boroughs, Long Island and suburban communities north of the city, including Westchester and Rockland counties.

The governor maintained smaller advantages in two additional upstate regions. In Rochester, Hochul led 50% to 46%, while Syracuse voters favored her by 49.1% to 47.1%, according to the survey.

Republican political strategist O’Brien “O.B.” Murray, who worked on George Pataki’s successful 1994 gubernatorial campaign, characterized the findings as evidence of a closely contested election.

“This race for governor is very competitive,” Murray said.

“In this race anything can happen. Four years ago people were tiring of Kathy Hochul. Nobody expected that race to be that close,” he added.

Murray was referring to the 2022 gubernatorial election, when Hochul defeated Republican Lee Zeldin by approximately six percentage points, a relatively narrow margin in a state where Democrats enjoy a substantial voter-registration advantage.

The latest findings are consistent with an internal survey commissioned by Blakeman’s own campaign last month, which also showed the Republican trailing by approximately four points.

A separate poll released last week by Pollfinity likewise placed Hochul ahead by four points.

However, those findings contrast with surveys conducted by several established independent polling organizations, which have generally reported a considerably larger advantage for the governor.

According to the RealClearPolling average of four recent independent surveys, Hochul led Blakeman by 12.8 percentage points. Individual polls included a nine-point lead in a Siena University survey and a 19-point advantage in a Quinnipiac University poll conducted during the past month.

The Quinnipiac survey anticipated stronger voter participation in New York City, a factor that could significantly influence the statewide result because of the city’s large Democratic electorate.

The OnMessage survey interviewed 1,000 likely New York voters between October 12 and October 14 and reported a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

OnMessage was rated among the more accurate polling firms during the 2024 election cycle, although the latest survey’s sponsorship and differences from independent polling remain important considerations when interpreting its results.

Hochul’s campaign disputed the suggestion that the Republican challenger is closing the gap, insisting that the governor continues to enjoy an advantage as Election Day approaches.

“Governor Hochul continues to build her lead and momentum – New Yorkers want nothing to do with the same Bruce Blakeman who promised to ‘cut Medicaid in half,’ never disagree with Donald Trump, and said ICE was doing a ‘very, very good job’ as they abused their power in New York and across the country,” said Hochul campaign spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki.

The latest poll arrives as both candidates intensify their campaigns following their October 13 debate in Manhattan, where they clashed over public safety, affordability, immigration enforcement and the state’s relationship with President Trump.

On Tuesday, Blakeman appeared alongside former Republican Gov. George Pataki in Manhattan to advocate expanding New York’s natural gas production, arguing that the state’s energy policies have contributed to rising utility costs. Hochul has defended her administration’s energy strategy and pointed to financial assistance intended to reduce the burden on consumers.

The candidates are also competing over crime and public safety, with Blakeman criticizing conditions in New York City’s transit system and Hochul emphasizing her administration’s investments in law enforcement and public transportation security.

Early voting in New York begins October 24, with Election Day scheduled for November 3.

{Matzav.com}

A newly disclosed Israeli government document reveals that 143 individuals wanted by military authorities for failing to report for service were detained by police and subsequently released because military personnel failed to arrive to take them into custody within the required time. The disclosure comes as a major operation to arrest chareidi draft avoiders has been postponed for the second time amid disagreements between the IDF and Israel Police.

The findings emerged from an October 14 meeting chaired by Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon, whose office is preparing an update for the Israeli Supreme Court concerning enforcement of military conscription requirements among the chareidi population.

According to the document, which was circulated Monday and reported Tuesday, police recorded 143 cases between July 1 and October 12 in which individuals identified as draft avoiders were encountered during routine police activity but were ultimately allowed to leave.

Under the existing arrangement between the police and the IDF, civilian officers who encounter someone wanted by military authorities are required to contact the Military Police and wait up to 30 minutes for military personnel to arrive.

If the Military Police fail to appear within that period, the individual is released rather than transferred into military custody.

That is precisely what occurred in the 143 cases documented by police, according to the report.

The individuals were instead given notices instructing them to report to military recruitment authorities.

Representatives of the Military Police disputed the figures during the meeting, saying they were unfamiliar with the 143 cases cited by civilian police.

Limon described the number as unusually high and warned that it could indicate serious problems in the implementation of the agreement between the two law enforcement agencies.

The document instructed Israel Police to provide military authorities with details of the incidents so that the IDF could investigate the discrepancies, identify failures and determine how to prevent similar occurrences.

The agencies were ordered to provide an update by November 1.

The report also disclosed that only 14 draft avoiders were recorded as having been arrested during random encounters with police over the same three-and-a-half-month period.

The document did not fully clarify the relationship between those 14 arrests and the 143 cases in which detainees were released.

Meanwhile, a planned joint operation targeting individuals wanted for failing to report for military service has been delayed for a second time.

The operation had been scheduled for October but was postponed after Israel Police demanded that the IDF provide several hundred additional soldiers to assist with the enforcement effort.

Police officials argued that the extra personnel were necessary to manage the anticipated security challenges and public disturbances that could accompany large-scale arrests in chareidi neighborhoods.

The IDF rejected the demand, maintaining that the proposed arrangement was impractical and inconsistent with the division of responsibilities between the military and civilian police.

Military representatives insisted that the IDF is responsible for carrying out the arrests, while Israel Police must handle crowd control, public disturbances and the maintenance of public order.

Limon sided with that interpretation, stating that civilian police cannot condition their participation in enforcement operations on the deployment of hundreds of soldiers to perform policing duties.

The government document criticized the continuing delays and warned that enforcement operations could not remain suspended indefinitely.

“The situation described does not meet the state’s obligation to combat the phenomenon of draft evasion,” the document stated.

The IDF and police were instructed to develop a workable arrangement allowing coordinated arrest operations to resume, with a detailed progress report required by November 1.

Although large-scale joint operations have been delayed, the military said its police units continue conducting targeted arrests in various locations each week.

However, the government document observed that the number of arrests resulting from those activities remains limited.

The IDF said that dozens of draft avoiders had been arrested in recent weeks through targeted operations and enforcement at border crossings.

The disclosure comes amid continuing demonstrations against the arrest of yeshiva bochurim, including protests in Yerushalayim and Bnei Brak.

On Tuesday morning, five yeshiva bochurim wanted by military authorities were detained by civilian police near the Ein Zeitim junction in the Yerushalayim area.

According to Israeli media reports, Military Police personnel failed to arrive within the required half-hour period, and all five were released with instructions to report to a recruitment office.

The incident occurred on the same day that dozens of Chabad bochurim returning from New York were detained at Ben Gurion Airport over their military-service status.

The government document also raised questions about enforcement at Israel’s border crossings.

According to figures presented during an earlier meeting, more than 200 individuals wanted by military authorities were arrested during September.

In 64 cases, individuals were detained at Ben Gurion Airport upon returning to Israel after apparently leaving the country without being identified as subject to military-service enforcement.

The Population and Immigration Authority reported that those cases had been referred to police for investigation into suspected border-related violations.

Police representatives, however, said they were unaware of receiving the reports.

The conflicting accounts are expected to be examined at another meeting involving the Population Authority, the IDF and Israel Police.

Another unresolved issue concerns the criteria used to determine which individuals wanted by military authorities are arrested at border crossings and which are permitted to travel or return home.

The Deputy Attorney General’s office had previously requested a written explanation of those criteria in August, but the IDF had not yet supplied the document.

Military authorities were again instructed to provide the information before the next scheduled meeting.

The findings are expected to form part of the state’s response to the Supreme Court in proceedings concerning implementation of its ruling on chareidi military conscription.

The state is scheduled to submit its update to the court on Wednesday, October 21.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli forces have eliminated a Hamas terrorist who participated in the kidnapping of Shani Louk, the 22-year-old German-Israeli woman whose abduction during the October 7, 2023, massacre became one of the most horrifying and widely recognized images of the Hamas atrocities.

The IDF and Shin Bet announced Tuesday that Tamer Mohammad Ibrahim Al-Zabaq, a member of Hamas’s military wing, was killed Monday in a targeted Israeli airstrike in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip.

According to Israeli security officials, Al-Zabaq was among the Hamas terrorists who crossed into Israel during the October 7 assault and participated in Louk’s abduction from the area of the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im.

Louk was attending the festival when Hamas terrorists launched their murderous assault on southern Israel, killing hundreds of festivalgoers and abducting others into Gaza.

In the hours following the massacre, disturbing footage emerged showing Louk’s body lying in the back of a pickup truck as armed terrorists drove through Gaza. The images, which circulated around the world, became a symbol of the brutality of the October 7 attacks.

Israeli authorities confirmed Louk’s death later that month. Her remains were subsequently recovered from Gaza during an Israeli military operation in May 2024 and returned to Israel for burial.

The IDF said Al-Zabaq remained actively involved in Hamas operations throughout the war and continued working to rebuild the terrorist organization’s military infrastructure even after the ceasefire agreement.

“Throughout the war, and specifically recently, the terrorist advanced attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians and operated to restore the terrorist organization’s military capabilities, in systematic violation of the ceasefire,” the military stated.

Israeli officials said the decision to target Al-Zabaq followed intelligence indicating that he continued to pose a danger to Israeli soldiers and civilians.

The military said the strike was conducted using precision weaponry and aerial surveillance, with measures taken beforehand to reduce the possibility of harm to civilians in the surrounding area.

The operation was carried out jointly by the IDF and Shin Bet as part of their continuing efforts to locate and eliminate Hamas terrorists involved in the October 7 massacre and those engaged in renewed terrorist activity.

Israeli security forces said they remain positioned in the Gaza area under the terms of the existing agreement but will continue taking action against terrorists who threaten Israeli personnel or civilians.

“The security forces are deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to operate to remove any threat,” the IDF concluded.

The elimination of Al-Zabaq also marked the end of the Hamas cell identified in the notorious footage of Louk’s abduction. According to additional Israeli military reporting, three other terrorists from the five-member group had previously been killed during the war, while a fourth was captured by Israeli forces and remains in Israeli custody.

Al-Zabaq, who was identified as a member of Hamas’s elite Nukhba force, was the last member of that group still at large.

Louk’s remains were recovered on May 17, 2024, from a tunnel in Gaza during an operation that also brought home the bodies of three other October 7 victims: Amit Bouskila, Yitzhak Gelernter and Ron Binyamin. The operation followed intelligence gathered by Israeli security agencies, including information obtained during interrogations of captured terrorists.

Israeli officials described the latest strike as closing the circle on the terrorist cell responsible for transporting Louk’s body into Gaza, more than three years after the massacre.

Moti Leitner, the head of the independent Chareidi Public party, faced pointed questions during a radio interview over his decision to challenge the established chareidi political parties in Israel’s upcoming Knesset elections, with the interviewers repeatedly demanding to know which rabbonim had authorized his candidacy.

The confrontation took place on Kol Chai radio, where veteran broadcasters Betzalel Kahn and Dovid Chacham questioned Leitner about the rabbinic backing for his new political movement and whether his decision to run independently was consistent with the longstanding practice of chareidi political parties operating under the direction of gedolei Yisroel.

Leitner insisted that his party has the support of a rabbinical committee, but his responses failed to satisfy the interviewers, who pressed him to identify the rabbonim involved.

The exchange reflected broader tensions within the chareidi political community ahead of the October 27 elections, particularly as new political initiatives seek to attract voters dissatisfied with the existing parties.

“WHO ARE YOUR RABBONIM?”: Independent Chareidi Candidate Moti Leitner Grilled in Heated Radio Confrontation Over Challenge to Gedolei Yisroel

Moti Leitner, chairman of the independent Chareidi Public party, found himself at the center of a heated confrontation Tuesday morning when two prominent chareidi radio hosts challenged his decision to run for the Knesset independently of the established chareidi parties and demanded to know which gedolei Yisroel had authorized his political campaign.

The contentious exchange unfolded during Kol Chai’s morning news program, hosted by Betzalel Kahn and Dovid Chacham, who accused Leitner of undermining the authority of gedolei Torah and challenging the established leadership of the chareidi community just one week before Israel’s October 27 elections.

Leitner rejected the accusations, insisting that his political movement operates under rabbinic supervision and arguing that publicly identifying its rabbinic supporters would expose them to intimidation and harassment.

The interview quickly developed into a sharp argument over the legitimacy of an independent chareidi political movement, with the hosts questioning whether Leitner had any recognized Torah authority behind his candidacy.

Opening their challenge, Kahn and Chacham argued that the chareidi community had survived generations of persecution through its commitment to Torah observance and adherence to gedolei Yisroel.

“The chareidi public survived decrees and persecution throughout history solely through observance of Torah and mitzvos and uncompromising obedience to gedolei Yisroel throughout the generations,” the hosts said.

They then directly challenged Leitner’s authority to establish a competing political party.

“By what spiritual, moral or educational authority do you get up and decide that you know better than hundreds of thousands of chareidim and all the gedolei hador?” they demanded.

“All the chareidi representatives operate as direct emissaries of recognized gedolei Torah and rabbonim. Which gedolei Yisroel, exactly, stand behind you and give you their backing?”

Leitner responded that the premise of the question was itself insulting to the many chareidim who support his movement.

“This question expresses patronizing arrogance and contempt for hundreds of thousands of chareidim,” he said.

“The Derech movement was not established on its own initiative, but under the close supervision of a committee of rabbonim, community rabbonim and various dayanim.”

He argued that identifying the rabbonim publicly would subject them to pressure from opponents of his political movement.

“Revealing the names of rabbonim during a live broadcast would only expose them to pressure and bullying, as we have seen happen to others who departed from the established line,” Leitner maintained.

The hosts refused to accept that explanation and continued pressing him to identify recognized gedolei Torah who had endorsed his candidacy.

They argued that the rabbonim associated with his movement did not represent the mainstream chareidi leadership and accused him of presenting himself as a representative of the community without the backing of its established rabbinic authorities.

“The few names you have cited are completely unknown to the chareidi mainstream, and there is no recognized gadol Yisroel standing behind you,” they charged.

“It is arrogance and audacity to use the name of the chareidi public when no prominent chareidi figure supports you, and those cheering your movement are primarily people on the left and the general media.”

The hosts further accused Leitner of encouraging opposition to the authority of gedolei Yisroel at a particularly sensitive time for the community.

“You are taking upon yourself a serious rebellion against gedolei Yisroel and endangering the entire chareidi public,” they declared.

The confrontation comes amid growing controversy surrounding Leitner’s party, which is seeking to offer an alternative to Shas and United Torah Judaism.

The Chareidi Public party has advocated changes in chareidi education, including expanded instruction in English and mathematics, and supports greater military participation among chareidi men who are not engaged in full-time Torah study.

Those positions have generated considerable debate within the community, particularly as the military draft controversy continues to dominate the election campaign.

Leitner has argued that the established chareidi parties have failed to adequately represent segments of the community seeking different approaches to education, employment and military service.

Earlier this month, his party publicly identified a rabbinic committee overseeing its activities, headed by Rav Yehoshua Pfeffer of Yerushalayim.

The announcement, however, did little to quiet criticism from opponents who argued that the committee did not include recognized members of the established chareidi rabbinic leadership.

The party’s published list of rabbinic supporters also drew attention because Rav Dovid Leibel, founder of Achvas Torah, was not among its signatories.

At a campaign gathering in Yerushalayim on Motzoei Shabbos, Leitner sharply criticized the existing chareidi political establishment, accusing its representatives of failing to address violence directed at chareidi soldiers and other problems confronting the community.

His movement has also faced criticism from individuals previously associated with its municipal political activities.

Yisrael Schweibel, who was involved in establishing the Derech municipal list in Beit Shemesh, said in a separate interview that he was concerned about the consequences of an independent national campaign and questioned whether Leitner was free to withdraw from the race.

The party rejected Schweibel’s criticism and accused him of attempting to pressure its leadership into abandoning the campaign.

Tuesday’s Kol Chai interview ended without agreement, as Kahn and Chacham maintained that Leitner’s candidacy lacked the authorization of recognized gedolei Yisroel, while Leitner continued to insist that his movement was operating with rabbinic guidance.

{Matzav.com}

Federal investigators descended on at least two adult day care facilities in Brooklyn on Tuesday as part of an extensive investigation into suspected Medicaid fraud involving more than 100 taxpayer-funded service providers across New York. Authorities are examining allegations ranging from fraudulent billing and illegal kickbacks to money laundering, in a crackdown targeting the misuse of public funds intended to serve elderly and vulnerable residents.

The enforcement operation included raids in Borough Park and Sunset Park, where agents from Homeland Security Investigations and other law enforcement agencies were seen entering adult day care facilities and removing boxes of potential evidence.

Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed that the raids were connected to an ongoing investigation that has been underway for several months, describing the operation as a “massive effort to combat fraud and abuse” involving public money and services for vulnerable New Yorkers.

“We are targeting providers we believe who engaged in illegal activity ranging from money laundering to kickbacks to improper billing and other fraudulent activities,” Hochul said during a press conference Tuesday.

According to the governor, investigators have been examining more than 100 providers receiving taxpayer funding because of concerns about possible fraudulent or unlawful practices. Officials have not disclosed how many of those facilities have been found to have committed wrongdoing, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Photographs taken during the Brooklyn raids showed federal agents carrying evidence boxes out of the targeted locations. One of the facilities was Happy Adult Day Care in Sunset Park, while another location in Borough Park was also searched.

Homeland Security Investigations emphasized that submitting false claims for services that were never delivered constitutes a serious offense, rather than an administrative error.

“Billing public programs for care, transportation or other services that were never provided is fraud, NOT a paperwork mistake,’’ the agency stated in a social media post.

An HSI spokeswoman confirmed that agents were conducting a “court-authorized law enforcement action,” but declined to identify the targets or provide additional information because the investigation is still active.

The operation follows growing scrutiny of New York’s adult day care industry, which receives substantial Medicaid funding to provide supervision, activities, transportation and other services for eligible elderly and disabled residents.

Investigators have been examining whether some operators submitted claims for services that were never provided, inflated the number of participants attending their facilities, or used improper financial arrangements to generate Medicaid reimbursements.

The latest raids come after earlier investigations raised questions about facilities receiving millions of dollars in government payments despite concerns about whether they were providing the services reflected in their billing records.

In one previously reported case, the operator of a Brooklyn adult day care facility received approximately $32 million in Medicaid payments while questions were raised about activity at the location. Separate investigations have examined alleged multimillion-dollar schemes involving adult day care operators and improper Medicaid reimbursements.

Hochul maintained that her administration has been working to strengthen oversight of the industry since she took office in 2021, saying enforcement efforts and administrative reforms have helped save taxpayers more than $15 billion in Medicaid expenditures.

New York’s Medicaid system, which provides healthcare coverage and related services to low-income residents, has grown into a program costing approximately $116 billion annually. The enormous volume of spending has intensified concerns about whether the state has adequate safeguards to identify fraudulent claims and prevent improper payments.

The governor’s administration has repeatedly pledged to reduce waste and abuse within the program, although its own handling of Medicaid reforms has also come under federal scrutiny.

The federal investigation comes amid a separate dispute between the Trump administration and Hochul’s government over New York’s restructuring of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, known as CDPAP, which allows eligible Medicaid recipients to receive care at home from caregivers of their choosing.

Federal prosecutors have alleged that the state’s overhaul of the multibillion-dollar program involved improper conduct in the selection of a contractor. Hochul’s administration has rejected those accusations and sought dismissal of the federal lawsuit brought earlier this year.

Tuesday’s operation extended beyond Brooklyn. The FBI confirmed that investigators were conducting enforcement activity at locations in Queens and Staten Island as well, with search warrants being executed at multiple businesses throughout New York City.

Additional reporting identified two Borough Park locations associated with Happy Adult Day Care Center, at 5118 Fort Hamilton Parkway and 4022 Eighth Avenue, where investigators were seen removing materials.

The crackdown follows several major Medicaid fraud prosecutions involving Brooklyn adult day care operators. Earlier this month, Ahsan Ijaz, a Brooklyn businessman, pleaded guilty in a scheme involving approximately $65 million in fraudulent Medicaid claims. Prosecutors said businesses under his control paid kickbacks to Medicaid recipients and billed for services that had not been provided, including services supposedly delivered while recipients were outside the United States.

In September, another Brooklyn adult day care operator, Zakia Khan, received a 76-month federal prison sentence for her role in a $64 million Medicaid fraud and kickback operation. She was ordered to pay more than $56 million in restitution and forfeit $5 million in proceeds, including property, cash and gold jewelry.

The latest investigation could also bring significant changes to the future of New York’s adult day care program. Hochul has directed the state Health Department to prepare recommendations by December 31 on whether the program should be restructured with stricter oversight or phased out in favor of alternative services.

A moratorium on new adult day care providers, imposed in July, is scheduled to remain in effect until January 2027 and could be extended. State officials have also been directed to strengthen reviews of claims before payment and consider suspending reimbursements to providers where warranted.

Authorities have not announced how many of the more than 100 providers under investigation will face criminal charges, and the searches themselves do not establish that the businesses involved committed fraud.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu sharply criticized the arrests of yeshiva bochurim on Tuesday, declaring that the detention of Torah learners is unacceptable and accusing those responsible for the enforcement measures of deliberately undermining efforts to resolve the military draft controversy without coercion.

Speaking in an interview with Yaki Adamker and Yisrael Cohen on Kol Barama radio, Netanyahu also pledged to continue pursuing legislation regulating the status of yeshiva students if he forms the next government. However, he declined to guarantee that the legislation would be enacted before the new government is sworn in, despite demands from the chareidi parties that the matter be resolved as a condition for joining a coalition.

The interview came just one week before Israel’s October 27 Knesset elections and amid heightened tensions following the detention of dozens of chareidi bochurim at Ben Gurion Airport upon their return from the United States.

“This is unacceptable. We need to preserve the world of Torah study because it has preserved us,” Netanyahu said, addressing the ongoing arrests.

The prime minister argued that the arrests were counterproductive, describing them as a deliberate effort to interfere with attempts to encourage chareidi enlistment without forcing the issue through police and military enforcement.

At the same time, Netanyahu distinguished between those engaged in Torah learning and those who are not studying in yeshiva, maintaining that chareidi men who are not learning should enlist in the military.

Asked whether he believed Torah study had protected the Jewish people throughout history, Netanyahu strongly affirmed its importance.

“What preserved us in exile and throughout all these generations? It is Torah study,” he said. “We cannot throw away our heritage.”

Netanyahu acknowledged the anger and disappointment within the chareidi community over the failure of his government to enact a law protecting the status of yeshiva students.

“I understand that there was a lot of frustration and pain,” he said.

The prime minister claimed that his coalition had come extremely close to passing legislation during the outgoing Knesset term, asserting that the government had fallen short by just one vote.

“We were on the verge of passing a real draft law, and we were short by just one vote,” Netanyahu said.

He expressed confidence that a legislative solution could be advanced during the next Knesset term, arguing that such a measure could establish a lasting arrangement between the chareidi community and the broader Israeli public.

However, when asked whether he would agree to the chareidi parties’ demand that a draft law be passed before the next government is established, Netanyahu stopped short of making a firm commitment.

“I wish we could do that. Will we be able to do it before the government is formed? Who knows? It depends on goodwill, it depends on understanding and cooperation,” he said.

The distinction is significant because representatives of Degel HaTorah and other chareidi political factions have repeatedly insisted that verbal promises will no longer be sufficient following years of unsuccessful attempts to resolve the draft issue.

The legal uncertainty surrounding the status of yeshiva students has intensified since the Israeli Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that the government could no longer maintain broad military-service exemptions without legislation authorizing them.

The ruling led to increased enforcement measures against individuals who failed to report for military service, including arrests that have sparked demonstrations throughout the chareidi community.

Netanyahu’s remarks came as Israeli military authorities detained at least 40 chareidi men at Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday morning. The IDF said the individuals were subject to military-service obligations and would be processed in accordance with the law.

The prime minister’s condemnation of the arrests therefore placed him at odds with the enforcement policy being carried out under the existing legal framework.

The interview also addressed the possibility that chareidi political parties could support former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot following the elections instead of renewing their alliance with Netanyahu.

Netanyahu dismissed that possibility, citing the longstanding political and cultural relationship between the chareidi community and Israel’s right-wing parties.

He said he hoped chareidi voters and their representatives would recognize what he described as the significant differences between the political alternatives.

His comments drew immediate criticism from opposition leaders, who accused him of seeking to preserve his political alliances by promising legislation that would reduce military-service obligations for yeshiva students.

Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of offering exemptions in exchange for political support, while opposition figures Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid criticized the proposed legislation and argued that Israel’s security needs require broader military participation.

The debate has become a central issue in the election campaign, with chareidi parties demanding legal protection for Torah learners and opposition parties calling for more extensive enforcement of military-service requirements.

Netanyahu also addressed speculation concerning a possible plea agreement in his ongoing criminal trial, rejecting suggestions that he was pursuing such an arrangement.

For the chareidi parties, the immediate question remains whether Netanyahu’s renewed pledge to pursue a draft law will be accompanied by a binding commitment before they agree to participate in another coalition.

Netanyahu left that question unresolved, saying that passage of the legislation before a new government takes office would depend on political cooperation and the willingness of the parties involved.

{Matzav.com}

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Degel HaTorah is preparing to hold a major election gathering in Yerushalayim featuring leading gedolei Yisroel, replacing earlier plans for a series of smaller neighborhood events with one central assembly intended to bring together thousands of chareidi residents ahead of Israel’s October 27 Knesset elections.

The change in plans follows extensive discussions among party organizers and representatives of the various chareidi neighborhoods in Yerushalayim, where preparations had initially been underway for separate gatherings featuring senior rabbonim and roshei yeshiva.

According to a report by Chareidim Yerushalayim, the original proposal called for a series of local gatherings in different sections of the capital, allowing residents to hear directly from leading gedolei Torah without having to travel to a single large event.

However, as planning progressed, requests began arriving from additional neighborhoods seeking their own appearances by the rabbonim. The growing number of proposed gatherings created logistical difficulties and prompted organizers to reconsider the format.

Party officials ultimately decided to consolidate the planned events into one major gathering, which would allow participants from across Yerushalayim to assemble in a central location.

The event is expected to serve as one of Degel HaTorah’s principal public gatherings in the capital during the final days before the election.

The decision reflects the importance party organizers attach to the participation of senior gedolei Yisroel and the practical challenges of arranging numerous appearances during the final week of the campaign.

The original plan reportedly included gatherings in Bayit Vegan and Neve Yaakov. Representatives of other neighborhoods subsequently requested similar events, leading organizers to conclude that a single large assembly would be more practical.

The rally is being planned amid heightened tensions within the chareidi community over the military draft and the arrests of yeshiva bochurim, issues that have become central to the current election campaign.

Degel HaTorah has been conducting an extensive series of meetings and public gatherings involving leading roshei yeshiva and rabbonim, as party officials seek to address concerns among supporters and communicate the positions of the movement’s rabbinic leadership.

The preparations come against the backdrop of disagreements within United Torah Judaism and concerns expressed by some supporters over the party’s handling of the draft controversy.

The decision to organize one major gathering in Yerushalayim follows a separate election assembly held in Bnei Brak earlier this week, attended by prominent members of Degel HaTorah’s rabbinic leadership.

Organizers have not yet publicly confirmed the precise venue, time or complete list of participating rabbonim for the planned Yerushalayim gathering.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump announced a new federal initiative Tuesday that will pay Americans up to $30,000 for information leading to fraud charges, while proposing an additional reward equal to 1% of stolen government funds recovered through their assistance. The president said the incentives could make some whistleblowers millionaires and declared that he intends to personally oversee decisions about who receives the payments.

The announcement came during an Oval Office event attended by Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the administration’s campaign against fraud involving federal programs, and 24-year-old independent journalist Nick Shirley, whose investigations into suspected misuse of government money in Minnesota have attracted national attention.

The Justice Department’s new Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, known as WHIP, is being launched with $25 million available for rewards. Under the initial framework, individuals who provide information resulting in federal fraud charges may qualify for payments of up to $30,000. Trump went further during the announcement, proposing an additional percentage-based incentive for tips that help the government recover stolen money.

“You could have stolen $2 trillion, or whatever the ultimate number is going to be, and at 1% people will make millions and millions of dollars for turning in what actually is a somewhat routine crime,” Trump said.

“$100 billion, you get a 1% commission, and I think that will be amazing.”

The president also announced that he would take a direct role in determining who deserves compensation, explaining that competing claims could arise when several individuals provide information about the same fraudulent operation.

“It’s too bad that you had to ruin your youth to find that such bad people exist,” Trump told Shirley, praising the young investigator’s efforts to uncover suspected fraud.

Shirley gained widespread recognition after releasing videos examining Minnesota childcare facilities, including the Minneapolis establishment whose sign identified it as the “Quality Learing Center,” with the word learning misspelled.

Speaking from behind the Resolute Desk, Shirley recalled his reaction upon seeing the sign, saying, “I couldn’t believe it when I saw that”.

Shirley was identified as the first recipient of a $10,000 award under the new initiative, although the payment was not publicly presented during the Oval Office event.

The president said he wanted to personally resolve disagreements about whistleblower eligibility rather than leave every decision to government officials.

“sometimes there’s a dispute as to who turned them in and who didn’t turn them in,” Trump explained.

“So I am going to do something which I think people will like. I will be the arbitrator of all of these decisions,” he said.

“In other words, I’ll determine whether or not the person is deserving … and I will be very generous.”

Trump also encouraged members of the news media to participate in the program, suggesting that journalists could use information obtained through their reporting to help uncover government fraud.

“you know a lot of things that are happening,” he told reporters, describing journalism as “not a very profitable thing to do — but it’s a very important thing to do.”

Under the Justice Department’s announced rules, whistleblowers will be able to submit information through the federal government’s fraud-reporting website. One of the program’s distinguishing features is that payments may be issued much earlier than under traditional federal whistleblower arrangements.

The Justice Department explained that “most existing Government whistleblower rewards programs issue awards only after the final resolution of a criminal matter, including the forfeiture and appeals process,” whereas the new initiative would permit rewards “following the filing of criminal charges.”

Existing federal programs already provide substantial incentives for reporting certain categories of wrongdoing. The Internal Revenue Service operates a whistleblower program that can award eligible individuals between 15% and 30% of recovered tax proceeds, while the False Claims Act allows qualifying whistleblowers to receive a portion of money recovered from fraud against the government.

Vance argued that those existing mechanisms fail to address most of the fraudulent activity being uncovered by the administration.

“over 99% of the fraud that we’re finding in the federal government isn’t covered by the False Claims Act,” the vice president said.

He also indicated that the proposed 1% recovery incentive would not necessarily require criminal charges to be filed against the individuals responsible.

“our plan is not to limit this just to criminal prosecutions… if you find the money and you help us recover it, then you benefit from the program,” Vance said.

The new program will cover suspected fraud involving federal healthcare spending and benefits administered by several government departments, including Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Veterans Affairs, and the Small Business Administration. It will also cover certain programs administered by the Department of War.

Healthcare-related investigations will place particular emphasis on suspected fraud involving hospices, home healthcare providers, daycare operations and specialized services.

Attorney General Todd Blanche described the initiative as an effort to enlist ordinary citizens in identifying fraud and accelerating federal investigations.

“Protecting the American people from fraud remains a top priority for the Department of Justice,” Blanche said. “The Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program (WHIP) offers everyone the opportunity to be part of the solution, help expose fraud, and be rewarded quickly for their efforts. I urge all Americans to use this program and play an active role in bringing fraudsters to justice.”

Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald, who leads the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, said the new incentives would expand the government’s ability to uncover schemes that might otherwise remain hidden.

“This groundbreaking program will enlist the public as part of the fraud-fighting apparatus and reward them quickly for helping the country in the war on fraud.”

The Justice Department said qualifying payments will generally range from $10,000 to $30,000, with recipients potentially remaining eligible for larger awards through other federal programs if their information eventually results in significant financial recoveries. The department will retain discretion over the awards.

The announcement builds upon an extensive anti-fraud campaign led by Vance, whose task force has targeted suspected abuses in federal healthcare programs, government benefits and other taxpayer-funded services.

Last month, Vance announced that approximately 750,000 Affordable Care Act enrollees would be removed from coverage because of suspected fraudulent enrollment, with another 450,000 cases placed under review.

The administration has also withheld certain Medicaid reimbursements involving programs considered vulnerable to fraud, imposed restrictions on some Medicare medical-equipment suppliers and suspended 447 hospice providers in California.

Other enforcement measures have included action against 270 commercial driver’s license training schools accused of providing inadequate instruction and improperly qualifying truck drivers.

Under the new initiative, Americans with credible information about suspected fraud can submit reports for federal review. The Justice Department said rewards will be considered after criminal charges are filed, rather than requiring whistleblowers to wait until the conclusion of potentially lengthy prosecutions and appeals.

The Treasury Department has committed $25 million to launch the program, while the administration continues developing the additional recovery-based incentives outlined by Trump and Vance during Tuesday’s announcement.

WATCH:

A growing sanitation crisis in Bnei Brak has triggered a confrontation within the city’s municipal leadership, with Deputy Mayor Akiva Stern warning that the deteriorating condition of the streets constitutes a chillul Hashem and demanding full managerial authority to overhaul the city’s sanitation operations.

Stern, a Degel HaTorah representative who serves as deputy mayor and holds the municipal sanitation portfolio, sent a sharply worded letter to City Manager Yisrael Ehrenstein, expressing frustration over the condition of the streets and insisting that he cannot be held responsible for the sanitation department without being given the authority necessary to manage it.

The dispute comes amid mounting complaints from residents about garbage collection, street cleanliness and the general appearance of Bnei Brak, one of the largest chareidi cities in Eretz Yisroel.

In his letter, Stern described the situation as unacceptable and called for immediate administrative changes to address the problem.

“Personally, I am pained by the state of cleanliness in the city,” Stern wrote. “A city of Torah must be clean, and this situation is a chillul Hashem, this is our obligation to the residents of the city.”

Stern is demanding that he be formally appointed to oversee the city’s entire sanitation operation, with full managerial powers to implement changes and ensure that the system functions properly.

He made clear that accepting public responsibility for the department without having the authority to direct its operations is an untenable arrangement.

“Without authority, there is no responsibility,” he declared.

Among his demands is the preparation of a comprehensive sanitation improvement plan to be presented to the City Council, outlining how the municipality intends to address the longstanding problems.

Stern is seeking specific answers regarding the expansion of street-sweeping operations, increased garbage collection and more frequent emptying of underground waste containers, particularly before and after Yomim Tovim, when the volume of household garbage increases considerably.

He also wants stronger inspection and oversight procedures to ensure that sanitation services reach every neighborhood and street, rather than leaving certain areas without adequate attention.

The issue was discussed at a City Council meeting Sunday, reflecting growing concern among municipal officials over the condition of the city and the increasingly vocal complaints from residents.

The controversy has also exposed the financial difficulties confronting Bnei Brak’s municipal government.

Approximately two weeks ago, Deputy Mayor Menachem Shapira, who serves as acting mayor and is also a senior Degel HaTorah official, publicly acknowledged the severity of the situation during an address to hundreds of yeshiva bochurim at the Asherichem conference.

“The situation of the Bnei Brak municipality is not the easiest right now, financially,” Shapira said, explaining that the city’s budgetary difficulties were visible in the condition of its streets.

He acknowledged that the accumulation of dirt and garbage had reached a point that could no longer be ignored.

“We are not going to give up on this issue, and I am certain that it will be resolved as quickly as possible,” Shapira declared.

“The city cannot look like this, it cannot remain like this, and it will not remain like this. The city, with Hashem’s help, will be clean and properly maintained.”

The growing controversy has also drawn the attention of MK Yaakov Asher, chairman of United Torah Judaism and a former mayor of Bnei Brak.

In an interview with Yated Ne’eman, Asher acknowledged that the city’s sanitation problems had become an embarrassment and said that major changes were necessary.

“The cleanliness and appearance of the streets do not honor what the city represents,” Asher said.

Asher pledged to pursue a substantial overhaul of Bnei Brak’s sanitation services following the upcoming Knesset elections, working in cooperation with Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry and the municipal government.

He expressed confidence that a coordinated effort involving government assistance and local administrative changes could bring about a meaningful improvement.

“It can and must be done,” Asher said.

The dispute has placed additional pressure on Bnei Brak’s leadership to produce a practical solution, particularly as senior municipal officials themselves publicly acknowledge the severity of the problem.

Stern’s demand for expanded authority now leaves the municipality facing a decision over whether to restructure management of its sanitation department and place its operations directly under his control.

The municipality has not publicly announced whether it intends to grant Stern the powers he is requesting.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] President Donald Trump welcomed 24-year-old independent journalist Nick Shirley to the Oval Office on Tuesday, praising his investigation into alleged fraud involving taxpayer-funded daycare centers in Minnesota and awarding him $10,000 as the administration launched a new federal program offering financial rewards to Americans who help expose government fraud.

Standing alongside Trump and Vice President JD Vance, Shirley accused major news organizations of turning their attention toward him rather than investigating the allegations he had uncovered. He also described receiving threats against his life following the release of his videos.

“When I expose fraud, instead the mainstream media investigating the fraud, they investigated me,” Shirley said, criticizing the coverage that followed his investigation.

Trump expressed sympathy for Shirley’s experience, telling the young journalist, “They went after you instead of the fraudster. I’m not surprised.”

The appearance came as Trump and Vance announced a $25 million federal initiative intended to encourage ordinary Americans to report suspected fraud involving government funds. The new program, administered through the Justice Department, will offer qualifying whistleblowers financial rewards for information that produces enforcement results.

Shirley, whose online videos have attracted millions of viewers, became a national figure after publishing a 42-minute investigation in December 2025 that raised questions about Minnesota childcare facilities receiving substantial government funding.

His footage showed visits to several locations that he alleged were collecting taxpayer money without providing the services for which they were being paid. The video quickly circulated across social media, attracting attention from federal officials, political leaders and national news organizations.

Shirley claimed that his investigation uncovered more than $110 million in questionable payments, although that figure has not been independently established as an amount of proven fraud.

The young journalist has maintained that his work demonstrates how independent investigators, using publicly available information and relatively inexpensive equipment, can expose potential misuse of government money that might otherwise escape public attention.

During Tuesday’s White House appearance, Shirley described the backlash he experienced after publishing his findings, including threats that he said placed his personal safety at risk.

He also alleged that individuals involved in fraudulent government-funded operations had used taxpayer money to purchase expensive vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz cars, and transfer money overseas.

Those specific allegations were not independently substantiated during the event, although federal prosecutors have documented extensive fraud involving Minnesota social-service programs.

Trump praised Shirley’s work, saying, “He’s done an amazing job.”

The president’s decision to recognize Shirley publicly was part of a broader announcement designed to encourage Americans to report suspected government fraud and to give financial incentives to individuals whose information helps federal authorities pursue offenders.

The new initiative, called the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, or WHIP, has an initial allocation of $25 million. According to the administration, Americans can submit reports of suspected fraud through Fraud.gov, with rewards of up to $30,000 under published guidelines.

Trump also discussed a separate incentive tied to the amount of money recovered, saying successful whistleblowers could receive 1% of the fraud uncovered, potentially producing much larger awards in major cases.

“I will be the arbitrator of all of these decisions,” Trump said. “In other words, I’ll determine whether or not the person is deserving and I’ll determine — and I will be very generous, believe me.”

The president said he expected the prospect of financial rewards to encourage individuals with knowledge of fraudulent activities to come forward, including employees, witnesses and ordinary citizens who notice suspicious government-funded operations.

Shirley’s appearance highlighted the controversy surrounding Minnesota’s public assistance programs, which have been the subject of several major federal investigations.

Federal prosecutors have brought extensive fraud cases involving Minnesota social-service programs, including the Feeding Our Future scandal, in which defendants were accused of diverting hundreds of millions of dollars intended to provide meals to children.

More recently, Fahima Mahamud, a woman associated with a childcare facility featured in Shirley’s reporting, pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges involving inflated meal reimbursement claims.

However, some of Shirley’s broader allegations about daycare facilities remain disputed. Minnesota inspectors reported finding several facilities operating as expected, and a CBS News review of licensing records did not establish fraud at most of the locations highlighted in his original video.

Shirley has continued to defend his reporting, arguing that the questions raised by his investigations warrant further scrutiny.

The White House’s decision to recognize him comes as the administration expands its campaign against fraud in federally funded programs, with Vance overseeing a task force examining suspected abuses involving healthcare, food assistance and other government benefits.

“When you expose fraud, you help save America,” Shirley said during the Oval Office event.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Israeli police arrested 21 suspects Tuesday morning in a major corruption investigation involving allegations that civilian contractors and military personnel fraudulently obtained millions of shekels from the IDF through equipment and service contracts during the war.

The arrests followed an extensive undercover investigation by Lahav 433, Israel’s national police investigative unit, working alongside military investigators and tax authorities. The suspects include civilian businesspeople and career military personnel accused of participating in a scheme involving fraudulent payments, bribery and money laundering.

According to police, the investigation centers on contracts for heavy engineering equipment and related services supplied to the IDF during wartime operations.

Investigators suspect that individuals involved in the procurement and payment process exploited the military’s urgent operational needs to arrange improper payments and divert public funds.

The alleged scheme reportedly involved the submission of inflated or fictitious invoices for equipment and services, allowing participants to obtain payments for work that had either not been performed or had been improperly billed.

The investigation examined financial transactions between contractors and military personnel, including suspected payments made in exchange for favorable treatment in the awarding or approval of contracts.

The arrests were carried out in a coordinated operation early Tuesday, with police and military investigators moving against suspects at multiple locations.

Authorities also conducted searches and seized documents, electronic devices and financial records believed to be relevant to the investigation.

The case is being handled by Lahav 433’s National Fraud Investigations Unit, together with the IDF’s Military Police Criminal Investigation Division and the Israel Tax Authority.

According to additional reporting, the suspects include 16 civilian contractors and five IDF noncommissioned officers who allegedly served as intermediaries between the military and the companies supplying heavy machinery.

Investigators are examining allegations that contractors stole large quantities of fuel intended for military equipment and billed the IDF for work that was never performed or was left unfinished.

The suspected misconduct dates back to the period following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, when the IDF dramatically expanded its operations in Gaza and relied heavily on civilian companies to supply bulldozers, excavators and other heavy engineering equipment.

Such machinery played an essential role in military operations, including clearing roads, removing obstacles, constructing defensive positions and supporting ground forces operating throughout the Gaza Strip.

The urgent demand for equipment and operators created extensive financial arrangements between the military and private contractors, which investigators now suspect were exploited to obtain millions of shekels improperly.

The investigation remained confidential for several months while police, military investigators and tax officials examined the suspected financial irregularities.

Tuesday’s arrests marked the transition from the undercover phase of the investigation to an open criminal inquiry.

All 21 suspects were taken to Lahav 433 headquarters for questioning. Civilian suspects were expected to appear before the Be’er Sheva Magistrates’ Court for hearings on extending their detention, while military personnel were to appear before the military court at Beit Lid.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by Lahav 433’s Southern Economic Enforcement Unit, the Military Police’s special investigations division and the Israel Tax Authority’s Be’er Sheva VAT investigations office.

Authorities are examining suspected offenses including obtaining money by fraud, bribery and money laundering, with investigators seeking to establish the extent of the alleged scheme and the roles played by individual suspects.

The arrests raise serious questions about oversight of wartime procurement arrangements, particularly those established under the extraordinary operational pressures facing the IDF during the fighting in Gaza.

Police and military investigators said their joint investigation would continue as they work to determine the full extent of the suspected wrongdoing.

The allegations remain under investigation, and none of the suspects has been convicted in connection with the case.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF announced Tuesday that Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon have destroyed more than 540 Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites and uncovered over 150 weapons and military-related items in recent weeks, as troops continue efforts to dismantle the Iranian-backed terrorist organization’s capabilities near Israel’s northern border.

The newly released operational figures detail the extensive activities of the IDF’s 91st Division, which has been conducting operations against Hezbollah positions, weapons depots and other military installations throughout southern Lebanon.

According to the military, the operations have involved several brigades operating under the division’s command, including the 300th Brigade, 769th Brigade and 4th Brigade, together with additional combat and engineering units.

The forces have been working to locate and destroy infrastructure that Hezbollah established over the years to support attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilian communities along the northern border.

Among the targets destroyed were weapons-storage facilities, fortified positions, underground infrastructure and locations used by Hezbollah operatives to prepare and launch attacks.

The IDF said troops also discovered significant quantities of weapons, including rockets, antitank missiles, launchers, explosive devices and firearms.

The weapons and military equipment were found during searches of Hezbollah positions and other locations identified through intelligence gathering and ground operations.

Military engineering units subsequently destroyed numerous sites to prevent Hezbollah from restoring their operational capabilities.

The IDF emphasized that the figures represent the cumulative results of operations carried out over several weeks, rather than a single military action.

The newly disclosed information provides a broader picture of the military’s continuing efforts to weaken Hezbollah’s presence in southern Lebanon and prevent the organization from rebuilding its infrastructure near Israeli communities.

The 91st Division, also known as the Galilee Division, has played a central role in securing Israel’s northern border and conducting operations against Hezbollah positions across the border.

Its forces have been responsible for identifying terrorist infrastructure, locating weapons and eliminating threats that could be used against Israeli communities or IDF personnel.

The operations have also involved close coordination between ground forces, military intelligence and engineering units, allowing troops to identify concealed weapons and infrastructure before destroying them.

Hezbollah spent years constructing an extensive network of military installations throughout southern Lebanon, including weapons caches, fortified positions and launch sites intended to support attacks against Israel.

Many of these facilities were established in or near civilian areas, complicating efforts to locate and dismantle them.

The IDF has repeatedly stated that preventing Hezbollah from reestablishing its military presence close to the Israeli border remains a central objective of its operations in Lebanon.

The latest announcement comes amid continued concern that the terrorist organization is attempting to replenish its weapons stockpiles and restore positions damaged or destroyed during earlier Israeli military operations.

Israeli military officials have warned that Hezbollah retains significant capabilities despite suffering heavy losses and that sustained operations are necessary to prevent the organization from rebuilding its offensive infrastructure.

The IDF released photographs and operational footage accompanying Tuesday’s announcement, showing weapons discovered by troops and the destruction of Hezbollah installations.

The military said its forces would continue operating against threats in southern Lebanon to protect residents of northern Israel and prevent Hezbollah from restoring the infrastructure used to launch attacks across the border.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch delivered a forceful warning to chareidi voters Monday night, declaring that frustration with political representatives or the ongoing military draft crisis does not justify voting for another party or staying home on election day, and cautioning that the future of the yeshiva world could be endangered if the wrong government comes to power.

Speaking at an election gathering in Petach Tikvah ahead of Israel’s October 27 Knesset elections, the rosh yeshiva addressed growing dissatisfaction within the chareidi community over the failure of political leaders to resolve the draft controversy and the increasing pressure being placed on yeshiva bochurim.

Rav Hirsch warned that the stakes extend far beyond the immediate dispute over military enlistment, asserting that a future government hostile to the chareidi community could seek to fundamentally change the educational institutions that have sustained Torah life for generations.

He cautioned that such efforts could affect not only yeshivos and kollelim, but also chederim, independent schools and seminaries.

According to Rav Hirsch, there are political forces that would welcome the opportunity to reshape the chareidi educational system and impose changes incompatible with the community’s religious principles.

The rosh yeshiva stressed that the danger is particularly serious because government authorities possess the ability to enact legislation and impose financial and administrative restrictions that could make it increasingly difficult for Torah institutions to operate independently.

Against that backdrop, Rav Hirsch addressed chareidi voters who have expressed disappointment or anger toward their elected representatives, particularly over the handling of the draft issue.

He acknowledged that individuals may have complaints about politicians and may feel that their representatives have failed to deliver the results they expected.

Nevertheless, he insisted that such grievances cannot become a justification for withholding support from the party designated by the Torah leadership.

Rav Hirsch emphasized that the election is not a referendum on the personal performance of individual politicians, but a decision with potentially far-reaching consequences for the preservation of Torah education and the independence of the chareidi community.

He warned that voters who abandon Degel HaTorah because of dissatisfaction with its representatives could inadvertently strengthen parties seeking to impose additional restrictions on the yeshiva world.

The rosh yeshiva also addressed the possibility of chareidi voters supporting other religious or right-wing parties, making clear that he considered such a decision unacceptable regardless of the political arguments offered in its favor.

He stressed that the guidance of the Torah leadership must determine how members of the community approach the election, rather than personal preferences or disappointment with political developments.

Rav Hirsch urged those present to recognize the seriousness of the moment and to ensure that every eligible voter participates in the election.

He also called upon yeshiva bochurim and other members of the community to encourage others to vote, emphasizing the importance of a strong turnout.

The address comes amid considerable uncertainty within the chareidi political establishment, with the military draft controversy creating tensions between voters and their representatives.

In recent months, the detention of yeshiva bochurim, financial sanctions affecting Torah institutions and the absence of a comprehensive legislative solution have contributed to growing frustration among segments of the chareidi public.

Some activists have argued that chareidi parties should face electoral consequences for failing to secure protections for full-time Torah learners.

Rav Hirsch’s remarks were aimed directly at that sentiment, warning that weakening the political representation of the Torah community could produce consequences far more serious than the grievances motivating such a protest.

With the election approaching, his message was that dissatisfaction with individual politicians must not be allowed to jeopardize the collective interests of the yeshiva world.

The gathering in Petach Tikvah was part of Degel HaTorah’s broader effort to mobilize voters and reinforce support for United Torah Judaism in the final days before the election.

{Matzav.com}

Iran is deliberately dragging out negotiations with the United States in an effort to weaken President Donald Trump politically ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, according to senior Iranian officials who acknowledged that Tehran’s leadership is determined to prevent the president from securing a diplomatic victory before Americans head to the polls.

The strategy was disclosed in interviews with Reuters published Tuesday, in which three senior Iranian officials and another individual familiar with the regime’s thinking described a calculated effort to prolong the current diplomatic stalemate, maintain pressure on Washington and exploit growing American dissatisfaction with the eight-month conflict.

At the same time, Iranian leaders are preparing for the possibility that the United States and Israel will resume military operations after the elections, believing that the current pause in major hostilities may prove temporary.

“Iran is preparing for renewed Israeli and US attacks, not for a deal with America to end the war,” one senior Iranian official told Reuters. “The clerical establishment is determined not to give Trump a political victory.”

The remarks offer an unusually direct acknowledgment that Tehran is factoring American domestic politics into its decisions regarding negotiations, military preparations and the future of the conflict.

Iranian officials believe Trump is eager to reach an agreement that could ease pressure on energy markets and demonstrate progress toward ending the war before voters decide control of Congress.

By withholding concessions and prolonging uncertainty, Tehran hopes to deny the administration that achievement while keeping economic pressure on the United States.

Tehran-based political analyst Saeed Leylaz openly described the strategy as an effort to affect the American political process.

“Iran is influencing the US election without taking any unlawful action,” Leylaz said.

The conflict, which began in February with American and Israeli strikes against Iran, has severely disrupted international energy markets, particularly shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transportation routes.

Iranian attacks and threats against commercial vessels have reduced shipping through the strategic waterway, while an American naval blockade and international sanctions have sharply restricted Iran’s ability to export oil.

The resulting disruptions have contributed to higher energy prices and growing political pressure on the Trump administration, with American voters expressing dissatisfaction over the war and its economic consequences.

Despite the severe damage to its own economy, Iran’s leadership believes that maintaining the stalemate could yield political advantages.

The officials interviewed by Reuters indicated that Tehran sees little prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough before November 3, particularly because any agreement would require concessions that could strengthen Trump’s standing with American voters.

Washington has demanded that Iran’s nuclear program be addressed from the outset of negotiations, reflecting longstanding American and Israeli concerns about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Iran, however, insists that the United States first meet a series of conditions outlined in a proposal transmitted through Qatari mediators.

Under the Iranian plan, Tehran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, although the waterway would remain under Iranian control.

In exchange, Washington would be required to lift its maritime blockade, ease restrictions on Iranian oil exports, release frozen Iranian assets and bring hostilities to an end across the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Sunday that the proposal remained available and that messages continued to pass between the two governments through intermediaries.

The United States has not accepted the terms, and Iranian officials have indicated that they have no intention of surrendering their leverage over the Strait of Hormuz without substantial American concessions.

The negotiations have also been complicated by Tehran’s deep distrust of Washington following repeated military confrontations.

Iranian officials pointed to the June 2025 Israeli strikes that disrupted planned nuclear negotiations in Oman, as well as the American and Israeli attacks launched in February shortly after another round of diplomatic discussions.

From Tehran’s perspective, those episodes reinforced concerns that negotiations could be used to buy time for military preparations rather than produce a lasting agreement.

The Iranian leadership now believes that even a negotiated settlement might not prevent another American or Israeli military campaign.

Trump has said that the United States will not resume bombing Iran before the November 3 elections, but Iranian officials told Reuters that they expect renewed attacks sooner or later.

Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said Tehran’s leadership believes the administration’s ultimate objectives extend beyond obtaining concessions on nuclear development and regional security.

“But the fundamental issue is that Tehran believes that Trump is interested in regime change … and following Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu’s policy of seeking to bring down Iran’s ruling establishment,” Vatanka said.

The possibility of renewed military action was also discussed during an unannounced visit to Israel Monday by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

According to three Israeli officials, Hegseth met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to discuss Iran, with the visit taking place just one week before Israel’s own Knesset elections.

The Iranian strategy carries considerable risks for Tehran, whose economy has been devastated by the prolonged conflict and international restrictions.

Official Iranian figures showed annual inflation reaching 73.6% in September, while the country’s currency has lost nearly 35% of its value against the dollar since Washington reimposed its naval blockade in July.

Iranian oil exports have also collapsed. According to energy intelligence firm Vortexa, seaborne crude shipments fell to zero during the second week of September, compared with an average of approximately 230,000 barrels per day at the beginning of that month.

Exports remained at zero as of October 5, according to the firm’s data.

The economic deterioration follows months of domestic unrest, including antigovernment demonstrations that were violently suppressed by Iranian security forces earlier this year.

Nevertheless, Iranian officials appear convinced that making concessions to Washington would pose greater political and strategic risks than continuing the current confrontation.

Leylaz argued that the collapse of trust between the two countries has fundamentally changed the prospects for a diplomatic settlement.

“Reaching a sustainable deal with the US, even after the Trump administration, is no longer possible because of the deepened distrust,” he said. “Nothing will go back to the pre-war status quo.”

Neither the White House nor Iran’s Foreign Ministry responded to Reuters requests for comment on the officials’ account of Tehran’s negotiating strategy.

{Matzav.com}