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The three chief rabbonim of Bnei Brak have issued an urgent public warning ahead of the shorter winter Fridays, calling on residents to leave ample time for travel, complete their shopping early, and ensure that businesses close well before Shabbos. The rabbonim cautioned that those who set out on journeys too close to Shabbos risk violating its sanctity and may bear serious halachic responsibility for failing to anticipate delays.

The directive was issued jointly by Rav Chaim Yitzchok Isaac Landau, Rav Shevach Tzvi Rosenblatt, and Rav Masoud Ben Shimon, who expressed concern that the transition to winter time and the earlier arrival of Shabbos could lead to dangerous last-minute rushing and inadvertent chillul Shabbos.

In a detailed letter addressed to residents, business owners, shoppers, and travelers, the rabbonim established specific guidelines intended to ensure that preparations for Shabbos are completed with sufficient time to spare.

The letter, titled “Pnei Shabbos Nekabelah,” opens with an appeal to the residents of Bnei Brak, explaining that the clocks have been moved back an hour and that Friday afternoons have consequently become considerably shorter.

“To the dear residents of our city,” the rabbonim wrote. “As of this Shabbos, the time of Shabbos has been moved an hour earlier, and Friday has become very short. It is therefore necessary to observe the following guidelines.”

The most forceful warning concerns individuals traveling out of the city on Friday, whether by public transportation or private vehicle.

The rabbonim instructed travelers to arrange their departures so that they are expected to arrive at their destinations at least two hours before the local candle-lighting time.

For those facing pressing circumstances, they established an absolute minimum: A person must not begin a journey if the anticipated arrival time is less than 80 minutes before sunset at the destination.

“Many delays commonly occur along the way, which can lead, chas v’shalom, to chillul Shabbos,” the rabbonim warned. “Those who depart later than this time may come to violate Shabbos, and this is considered an inadvertent violation bordering on deliberate wrongdoing.”

The warning reflects the halachic principle that a person who knowingly places himself in circumstances where a prohibited act is foreseeable cannot necessarily claim that the resulting violation was entirely accidental.

The rabbonim also emphasized that travelers must consider the needs of the drivers transporting them, particularly those operating buses, taxis, and other vehicles on Friday afternoons.

“We are obligated to think about the driver who transports us on Erev Shabbos,” they wrote. “He still needs to return home before Shabbos begins. We must not, chas v’shalom, fall into the category of ‘Do not place a stumbling block before the blind.'”

The rabbonim stressed that passengers who arrange late journeys may place drivers in a position where they are unable to return home before Shabbos, thereby contributing to a potential violation of Shabbos.

Another section of the letter addresses the practice of visiting the mikvah on Friday.

Residents were urged to attend the mikvah earlier in the day rather than waiting until the final hours before Shabbos.

The rabbonim explained that arriving early would allow sufficient time to complete preparations for Shabbos while also preventing overcrowding and preserving appropriate standards of tznius.

The letter also contains detailed instructions for Bnei Brak’s business community, with the rabbonim calling on store owners to end commercial activity well ahead of Shabbos.

All stores must have their doors closed and secured no later than 30 minutes before the candle-lighting time published in the local calendars, the rabbonim instructed.

They emphasized that shopkeepers should begin the process of closing their establishments sufficiently early to ensure that the deadline is met, rather than waiting until the final moments to begin shutting down.

The restrictions apply not only to serving customers but also to cleaning, organizing merchandise, and other activities associated with closing a business.

Store owners were additionally advised that their display windows should remain dark throughout Shabbos.

Regarding Motzoei Shabbos, the rabbonim directed businesses not to reopen until at least 30 minutes after the published time for the conclusion of Shabbos.

The letter also places responsibility on customers, warning them against pressuring merchants to remain open or continue serving them after the prescribed closing time.

“We appeal to the shoppers: Do not pressure the sellers to violate these guidelines,” the rabbonim wrote. “Beyond the harm you cause them, you are violating ‘Do not place a stumbling block before the blind,’ and causing chillul Shabbos, chas v’shalom.”

The rabbonim urged the public to complete Shabbos shopping earlier in the day, thereby allowing merchants and their employees sufficient time to return home and prepare for Shabbos without unnecessary pressure.

The directives come as communities throughout Eretz Yisroel adjust to the winter schedule, when the shorter daylight hours significantly reduce the amount of time available for Friday travel and preparations.

In Bnei Brak, where large numbers of residents travel to other cities for Shabbos and busy commercial districts serve thousands of shoppers, the rabbonim expressed particular concern about the potential consequences of last-minute activity.

Their message emphasizes that proper Shabbos observance requires advance planning and consideration not only for one’s own needs but also for the welfare and religious obligations of others.

The letter concludes with a reminder of the tremendous reward associated with safeguarding the sanctity of Shabbos.

“And whoever guards Shabbos from desecrating it, his reward is exceedingly great, according to his deeds,” the rabbonim wrote.

{Matzav.com}

The Skverer community in New Square is mourning the heartbreaking petirah of Reb Yisroel Boruch Avrohom Leffler z”l, a beloved and dedicated Chaverim volunteer who succumbed to injuries sustained in a devastating drunk-driving accident approximately a year and a half ago. He was just 32 years old.

Reb Yisroel Boruch Avrohom, the son of Reb Yaakov Yosef Leffler, was a respected member of the Skverer community and was widely known throughout the Monsey area for his extraordinary dedication to helping others. As an active volunteer with Chaverim, he devoted himself to assisting people in need, earning the admiration and affection of countless friends, neighbors, and fellow volunteers.

His life was tragically altered on a Motzoei Shabbos when an intoxicated driver struck a group of pedestrians with tremendous force, leaving the community reeling from the horrific consequences.

The crash claimed the life of four-year-old Golda Eisenbach a”h, the young daughter of Spring Valley Trustee Reb Yisroel Eisenbach, and left Reb Yisroel Boruch Avrohom critically injured.

The devastating incident sent shockwaves throughout the New Square and Monsey communities, as residents struggled to come to terms with the loss of a young child and the critical condition of a man who had devoted so much of his life to helping others.

Following the collision, Reb Yisroel Boruch Avrohom was rushed to the hospital, where he remained under intensive medical care. He was sedated and placed on a ventilator as doctors worked to treat his severe injuries.

In the months that followed, family members, friends, and Yidden throughout the community continued to daven fervently for the recovery of Yisroel Boruch Avrohom ben Chava Yitta.

Despite the passage of time and the severity of his condition, those closest to him never abandoned hope. His family and friends continued to await a yeshuah, with countless tefillos offered on his behalf.

Tragically, after approximately a year and a half of suffering, Reb Yisroel Boruch Avrohom was niftar Thursday night, leaving his family and the broader Skverer community devastated.

Those who knew him remembered a man whose life was defined by chesed and concern for others. His involvement with Chaverim was an expression of his willingness to give of himself whenever someone needed assistance.

As a devoted volunteer, he was always prepared to respond to calls for help, extending himself on behalf of individuals and families facing difficulties. His warm personality and selfless dedication made him a cherished figure among his fellow volunteers and throughout the community.

The circumstances of his passing have compounded the sorrow surrounding the original tragedy, which had already claimed the life of young Golda Eisenbach a”h.

The levayah took place at midnight Thursday night, departing from the main bais medrash in New Square. Members of the Skverer community gathered to accompany Reb Yisroel Boruch Avrohom on his final journey.

The kevurah followed at the New Square bais hachaim.

He is survived by his father, Reb Yaakov Yosef Leffler, and his grieving family.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Federal immigration authorities arrested 4,170 illegal immigrants during an intensive 10-day enforcement operation across Texas, including individuals convicted of violent crimes, assault, drunk driving and human smuggling, the Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday.

The operation, dubbed “Lone Star Mission,” ran from October 19 through October 29 and involved coordinated efforts by five U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field offices throughout Texas. The arrests averaged 417 per day, marking one of the largest concentrated immigration enforcement operations conducted in the state.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the results during a news conference in Dallas, revealing that more than 60% of those taken into custody had criminal backgrounds.

“Lone Star Mission has been an incredible success, with the brave patriots of ICE arresting more than 4,100 illegal aliens across the state of Texas in ten days,” Mullin declared.

“Thanks to Texas law enforcement and our federal partners, over the course of this operation, we arrested murderers, …assailants, drunk drivers, and alien smugglers,” he continued. “This operation shows exactly how important our state and local partnerships are for protecting American communities.”

The operation brought together ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations personnel from Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso and Harlingen, working alongside state and local law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend individuals subject to immigration enforcement.

Among those arrested was Javier Hernandez Alcon, a Mexican national who had previously been deported from the United States twice. He was apprehended in Liberty, Texas, on October 20. According to DHS, his criminal record includes convictions for residential burglary and illegal reentry, as well as a previous arrest for capital murder.

Another individual identified by federal authorities was Orlando Aguilar, a Mexican national arrested in Dallas on October 24. His criminal history includes convictions for felony intoxication assault involving a vehicle that caused serious bodily injury and driving while intoxicated.

In Houston, ICE agents arrested Ramon Antonio Martinez, a Honduran national wanted by authorities in his home country in connection with the alleged killing of a man alongside two other suspects. Martinez was taken into custody on October 23.

Federal agents also apprehended Gerardo Daniel Rivera-Rivera, a Mexican national with convictions for felony assault and illegal reentry. He was arrested in Zapata County on October 24.

In El Paso, authorities arrested Victor Manuel Macias-Castro, whom DHS identified as a member of the La Linea cartel. His criminal history includes convictions for conspiracy to transport or harbor illegal immigrants, illegal entry and illegal reentry. He was apprehended on October 22.

Of the 4,170 arrests statewide, 879 occurred in North Texas, according to federal officials.

Mullin credited cooperation between ICE and local law enforcement agencies with allowing investigators to locate individuals who had been sought by immigration authorities for extended periods.

“Most of these individuals are looking for, for quite some time, but we just didn’t have the resources to be able to go in and do a pattern of life on the individuals, make sure we know where they live, know where they work out,” Mullin said.

The homeland security secretary also acknowledged that approximately 40% of those arrested did not have criminal records. He described those individuals as collateral arrests, explaining that some were encountered while agents were carrying out enforcement actions targeting other individuals.

“They may not been the target, but they were in the vehicle, they were in a house, or wherever the warrant was served at,” Mullin explained.

The distinction means that while the administration emphasized the arrests of dangerous criminals, a substantial portion of those detained were not identified as having prior criminal convictions. DHS did not release a comprehensive breakdown of the offenses associated with those who had criminal histories or specify how many had been convicted of violent crimes.

Mullin nevertheless defended the operation as an important component of the Trump administration’s broader effort to enforce immigration laws and remove individuals residing in the country illegally.

“They should have never been on our streets. We were able to make the Lone Star State safer,” he said.

The secretary also criticized jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, arguing that such policies make it more difficult for ICE to apprehend individuals who pose public safety threats.

“This is what law and order looks like. This is what safety looks like,” Mullin said.

He added that the administration would continue pursuing immigration enforcement operations across the country, regardless of whether local governments cooperate with federal authorities.

“Those individuals who entered this country illegally? We’re going after you every single day,” Mullin said.

Federal officials highlighted the role of ICE’s 287(g) program, which allows participating state and local law enforcement agencies to carry out certain immigration enforcement responsibilities under federal supervision.

The program has become an important component of the administration’s enforcement strategy, enabling immigration authorities to work with local police departments and sheriff’s offices in identifying and processing individuals subject to removal proceedings.

According to Mullin, ICE’s Texas enforcement offices took more than 136,000 individuals described by the administration as criminal illegal immigrants into custody during the federal fiscal year that ended September 30.

The secretary praised President Donald Trump for expanding immigration enforcement and giving federal agents additional resources and authority to pursue individuals residing in the United States illegally.

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, ICE has been fully unleashed to go after criminal illegal aliens and make America safe again,” Mullin said.

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri is reportedly considering convening the party’s Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah following a devastating election setback that saw the Sephardic chareidi party lose nearly 100,000 votes, representing approximately one-quarter of its electoral support. Despite speculation about his political future, individuals close to Deri insist that he has no intention of relinquishing the party’s leadership.

The disappointing results have sent shockwaves through Shas, raising difficult questions about the party’s political direction and its ability to regain the confidence of voters who abandoned it in Tuesday’s Knesset elections.

According to sources, Deri has taken the election results particularly hard, with the magnitude of the losses prompting extensive consultations among senior figures in the party and its rabbinic leadership.

On Thursday, Rishon Letzion Rav Dovid Yosef visited Deri’s home, accompanied by senior members of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, including Rav Avraham Salim, Rav Shmuel Betzalel and Rav Yehuda Cohen.

Additional rabbonim and Torah figures also came to Deri’s residence throughout the day to offer encouragement and support following the party’s electoral defeat.

Sources familiar with the developments said that intensive discussions were taking place throughout Thursday, at Deri’s own initiative, concerning the possibility of convening the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah in the near future.

Such a gathering would provide the party’s senior rabbinic leadership with an opportunity to assess the election results and determine what steps should be taken as Shas confronts a dramatically altered political landscape.

The discussions come amid widespread speculation about Deri’s future, with various reports and social media posts suggesting that the longtime Shas chairman could be preparing to resign following the party’s poor performance.

However, Emess reported that it contacted three separate sources within Deri’s closest circle, all of whom firmly rejected suggestions that he was contemplating stepping down.

According to those sources, Deri has not raised the possibility of resigning, and no discussions have taken place concerning his departure from the party leadership.

The denials are significant given Deri’s longstanding dominance of Shas and his central role in shaping the political representation of Sephardic chareidi Jewry.

Nevertheless, political observers have raised the possibility of a different arrangement under which Deri would remain chairman of Shas while relinquishing his position as a member of the Knesset.

Such a move would allow him to continue directing the party’s political strategy and maintaining control of its operations without serving as a sitting lawmaker.

The speculation follows changes in Deri’s personal routine during the previous Knesset term. In recent years, he has substantially reduced his appearances at public events and spent considerably more time at home.

According to Emess, Deri has devoted much of that time to intensive Torah learning, including in-depth study and the study of pnimiyus haTorah.

Political commentators suggest that this shift could eventually influence how Deri chooses to balance his personal commitments with his responsibilities as chairman of Shas.

Under one possible scenario, Deri could step away from the day-to-day responsibilities of serving in the Knesset while continuing to exercise authority over the party’s elected representatives and political decision-making.

There is, however, no indication that such a decision has been made, and sources close to Deri have not confirmed that he is actively considering surrendering his Knesset seat.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] The Sanzer Rebbe paid a special visit to the home of Maran Rav Dov Landau in Bnei Brak on Thursday, personally expressing his appreciation for the Rosh Yeshiva’s extraordinary efforts during Israel’s recent Knesset election campaign and praising his dedication to strengthening the honor of Torah and ensuring the success of chareidi Jewry.

The meeting took place while the Sanzer Rebbe was in Bnei Brak to be menachem avel Rav Shimon Galai following the petirah of his brother, Rav Mordechai Galai zt”l. During his visit to the city, the Rebbe made a special trip to Rav Landau’s residence to convey his gratitude.

The Sanzer Rebbe spoke warmly about the Rosh Yeshiva’s tireless efforts in the days leading up to the elections, during which Rav Landau traveled to communities throughout Eretz Yisroel to encourage participation and rally support for the chareidi parties.

The Rebbe described those efforts as an extraordinary kiddush Hashem, emphasizing the personal sacrifices made by the Rosh Yeshiva in his determination to uphold kavod haTorah and kavod Shomayim.

“I do not want to take up the Rosh Yeshiva’s time, but I simply could not restrain myself,” the Sanzer Rebbe said. “I want to be here on behalf of the tens of thousands of Yidden to express my gratitude for the tremendous kiddush Hashem that the Rosh Yeshiva brought about, for the mesirus nefesh to elevate the honor of Torah and the honor of Heaven. That is why I felt obligated to come and personally say yasher koach.”

The Rebbe then offered Rav Landau a heartfelt bracha for continued strength and longevity in his leadership of the Torah world.

“May he continue to reign for many years,” the Rebbe said, invoking the words of the posuk, “Orech yamim u’shenos chaim yosifu lach” — “Length of days and years of life shall be added to you.”

“That is all I wanted to say,” the Rebbe added.

Rav Landau responded with appreciation, telling the Rebbe, “Thank you very much for the bracha.”

The Sanzer Rebbe replied simply, “I felt obligated.”

The Rosh Yeshiva then reciprocated with a bracha for the Rebbe, saying, “May the one who has blessed be blessed with the finest of blessings.”

The meeting also came ahead of an important overseas journey scheduled for Sunday, when Rav Landau is expected to travel to Europe as part of fundraising efforts on behalf of the Torah world.

Before the conclusion of the visit, Rav Landau personally requested the Sanzer Rebbe’s bracha for the success of the upcoming trip, which is intended to raise vital financial support for yeshivos and kollelim.

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge has ruled that members of an Orthodox shul in Maryland may carry firearms inside their shul for security purposes but cannot carry those same weapons while walking to and from the building, creating a difficult situation for Shabbos-observant congregants who are prohibited from driving.

The ruling, issued Tuesday, October 27, by U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow, represents the latest development in a legal battle between the Silver Spring Jewish Center, also known as Congregation Ahavas Yisrael, and Montgomery County over a law restricting firearms near houses of worship and other public gathering places.

Although the court previously granted the shul permission to maintain armed security inside its building, it has now refused to suspend a separate provision prohibiting firearms within 100 yards of designated public assembly locations, including shuls, schools, parks and other facilities.

The distinction has left members of the Orthodox congregation in an unusual predicament: They may legally carry firearms once inside the shul, but because they must walk there on Shabbos and Yom Tov, they cannot lawfully bring their weapons with them along routes covered by the restrictions.

“Although they can theoretically have firearms at the synagogue, they cannot carry them there when they walk on the days when they have to walk there,” Jacob Huebert, senior litigation counsel at the New Civil Liberties Alliance, which represents the congregation, told JNS.

The controversy began in July when Montgomery County enacted legislation prohibiting individuals from carrying firearms in or within 100 yards of designated places of public assembly. The law includes exceptions for certain authorized security personnel and for individuals transporting firearms in vehicles.

The measure was approved by the County Council on July 21 and signed into law by County Executive Marc Elrich on July 27.

County officials argued that the restrictions were necessary to reduce gun violence and improve public safety in sensitive locations, including schools and religious institutions.

The Silver Spring Jewish Center and Rav J. Menashe Shapiro challenged the ordinance in federal court, arguing that it violated their constitutional rights to religious freedom and armed self-defense.

The congregation had established an armed volunteer security team following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Eretz Yisroel, amid growing concerns about antisemitic violence in the United States. Its security volunteers include individuals with military and specialized firearms training.

In September, Judge Chasanow granted the congregation a preliminary injunction allowing members to carry firearms inside the shul, finding that the prohibition on weapons within houses of worship likely violated constitutional protections.

However, the judge declined to block enforcement of the 100-yard restriction surrounding public gathering places.

The congregation subsequently asked the court to reconsider that portion of the decision, arguing that the county’s rules unfairly burden Orthodox Jews by permitting motorists to transport firearms through restricted areas while preventing Shabbos-observant Jews from doing so on foot.

In Tuesday’s ruling, Chasanow rejected that argument.

The judge acknowledged that the plaintiffs had established religious obligations concerning self-defense within the shul and walking to shul on Shabbos and Yom Tov. However, she determined that they had not sufficiently demonstrated a separate religious requirement to carry firearms while making that journey.

The court also concluded that the 100-yard restrictions were neutral and generally applicable because they did not expressly target religious activity.

Huebert criticized the ruling, arguing that it places Orthodox Jews at a particular disadvantage because they cannot simply drive to shul with their weapons.

“Most other religions that I know of don’t require you to walk to the place of worship on the days when you go there to worship,” he told JNS. “So this law doesn’t affect their ability to carry a firearm to their place of worship and have it there, because they can drive there.”

“But since these people have to walk, they’re not able to fulfill their religious obligation to defend themselves and other members of the synagogue,” he added.

Huebert also maintained that the responsibility to protect Jewish lives does not end at the shul’s entrance.

“If you’re walking to the synagogue with your family, and you’re out and about, you have the same obligation and at least as much need, because you’re out in public,” he said.

Rav Shapiro similarly condemned the restrictions, arguing that the county’s ordinance discriminates against Orthodox Jewish residents who rely on walking to attend Shabbos and Yom Tov services.

He said the law “unfairly and unduly burdens Jewish religious firearms carriers” and violates both the First and Second Amendments.

The dispute comes amid heightened security concerns at Jewish institutions throughout the United States following a series of violent antisemitic incidents.

In May 2025, two Israeli Embassy employees were murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The following month, an attacker targeted a gathering supporting Israeli hostages in Boulder, Colorado.

The Silver Spring Jewish Center has also cited security incidents closer to home, including an attack on a visibly Jewish congregant outside the shul in October 2024 and an attempted unauthorized entry into the building in June 2026.

Montgomery County is home to a substantial Orthodox Jewish population, with approximately 45% of Maryland’s Jewish residents living in the county.

The federal government’s Justice Department has also challenged the county’s firearms restrictions in separate litigation, raising constitutional objections to the legislation.

Tuesday’s decision does not conclude the broader legal dispute. The shul’s lawsuit remains ongoing, and the congregation may continue pursuing relief from the restrictions.

{Matzav.com}

Thailand has revoked the citizenship of Rav Yosef Chaim Kantor, the longtime Chabad shliach and chief rabbi of the country, in a stunning development affecting one of the most prominent figures in Jewish communal life in Southeast Asia.

Rav Kantor, who has spent more than three decades developing Jewish religious and communal infrastructure in Thailand, reportedly lost his naturalized Thai citizenship following a government determination concerning his continued use of an American passport.

The decision has raised concern within the international Jewish community, particularly given Rav Kantor’s longstanding role in serving Jewish residents, businesspeople and travelers throughout Thailand.

Chabad representatives have indicated that the matter is being addressed through legal channels and that the country’s Jewish institutions are continuing their activities.

The citizenship revocation was ordered Wednesday, October 28, by Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. According to the Interior Ministry, Rav Kantor continued using his American citizenship for international travel after becoming a naturalized Thai citizen in 2013.

Thai investigators identified 16 occasions on which Rav Kantor allegedly used his American passport to enter or leave Australia. The most recent documented instance occurred on January 26, 2026.

Authorities cited Section 19(2) of Thailand’s Nationality Act of 1965, which permits the government to revoke naturalized citizenship when an individual continues using a previous nationality in violation of naturalization requirements.

Rav Kantor’s Thai citizenship was officially granted on April 11, 2013, and he received his first Thai identification card the following month. The government maintains that he was aware of the conditions attached to his naturalization.

On Thursday, Charnvirakul defended the decision, insisting that the government had acted in accordance with Thai law. Asked whether additional proceedings could follow, he referred questions to the relevant government agencies. No criminal charges were announced in connection with the citizenship order.

The development follows a series of government inspections and searches involving Chabad-affiliated institutions and businesses earlier this month.

On October 8, investigators from Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation, police, tax authorities and other government agencies searched several locations in Bangkok, including offices associated with the Chabad Foundation, Gan Chabad and the Jewish Association of Thailand.

The authorities examined business registration documents, property ownership records, donations and financial transactions as part of an investigation into possible violations of restrictions on foreign ownership of Thai businesses and real estate.

Investigators reportedly discovered records involving more than 60 companies registered at a single address, with some businesses sharing directors or shareholders. Officials are examining whether Thai citizens were used as nominal owners on behalf of foreign investors.

The citizenship order against Rav Kantor, however, was based specifically on his use of American nationality. Authorities have not announced criminal findings against him in connection with the separate financial and property investigations.

The government scrutiny has also extended to Chabad-related properties elsewhere in Thailand, including Phuket, where protests against Israeli visitors and businesses have intensified in recent months. Some demonstrations have included anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric.

Additional concern has arisen over a Jewish cemetery in Thailand, where authorities reportedly demanded the removal of Jewish remains following the expiration of the property’s operating license.

Rav Kantor arrived in Bangkok in 1993 with his family and subsequently developed an extensive network of Chabad centers serving Jewish residents and visitors throughout the country.

Under his leadership, Chabad established facilities providing minyanim, shiurim, kosher meals, Shabbos hospitality and assistance to Jewish travelers, including the large numbers of Israelis who visit Thailand annually.

Chabad of Thailand issued a statement expressing disappointment over the government’s decision while emphasizing its respect for the country’s laws and institutions.

“Rabbi Kantor has served the Jewish community in Thailand for more than 30 years, and Thailand is home to him and his family,” the organization said.

“We respect the Kingdom of Thailand, its laws and its institutions, and we are grateful for the hospitality it has extended over the years. We are saddened by the decision, and the matter is being addressed through the appropriate legal channels, with full confidence in the Thai system,” the statement continued.

Chabad also sought to reassure Jewish residents and visitors that its religious and communal operations would not be interrupted.

“Chabad centers in Thailand are operating as usual and will continue to warmly welcome every Jew and Israeli who comes here,” the organization said.

The citizenship revocation does not constitute a deportation order, and Thai authorities have not announced plans to remove Rav Kantor from the country. The matter is now being challenged through the appropriate legal channels.

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of Israel’s Yashar party, announced Thursday that he intends to advance legislation requiring military or national service from all Israeli citizens as soon as the newly elected Knesset convenes, setting the stage for a confrontation with the chareidi parties even as the opposition struggles to assemble a governing majority.

Eisenkot made the announcement during a special public statement in which he sharply criticized Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the Likud party, accusing them of attempting to undermine the legitimacy of Tuesday’s election results following reports of suspected foreign interference in the voting process.

The Yashar leader said his political team was already preparing several major legislative proposals, including a new military conscription law, the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre, and changes to government funding policies that would give preference to Israelis who serve in the military or perform national service.

“The plans are ready, and in coordination with my partners, we will work to bring them to a vote as soon as the Knesset session opens,” Eisenkot declared.

The announcement places the contentious issue of yeshiva student conscription at the forefront of the emerging political battle, despite the possibility that Eisenkot and other opposition leaders may ultimately need support from chareidi lawmakers to secure a parliamentary majority.

Earlier Thursday, Eisenkot met with Shin Bet director David Zini and Central Elections Committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg to receive updates concerning allegations of foreign interference in the elections.

Eisenkot acknowledged that investigators had not yet established the facts surrounding the allegations and cautioned against drawing premature conclusions.

“It is too early to understand what happened, or whether anything happened at all. The professionals must be allowed to complete their investigation without political interference,” he said.

Nevertheless, Eisenkot accused Netanyahu and Likud of exploiting the controversy to cast doubt on the election results.

“What is already clear is that Likud and Netanyahu have embarked on a coordinated and organized campaign to delegitimize the election results,” he charged.

“They are doing this because they lost. They do not have a majority,” Eisenkot added.

He also warned against any attempt to postpone the swearing-in of the newly elected Knesset, declaring, “I will not allow a deviation of even one centimeter from the scheduled inauguration of the Knesset.”

Eisenkot further accused Netanyahu of having used government institutions to advance his personal political interests, declaring, “The days when Netanyahu used the institutions of government against Israel’s interests and for his own personal needs are over.”

Despite Eisenkot’s forceful statements, the election results have produced a complicated parliamentary situation. Although parties outside Netanyahu’s existing coalition collectively hold a majority of Knesset seats, significant ideological divisions remain among them, particularly over whether a government should be established with the support of Arab parties.

Those disagreements could make the formation of an alternative government difficult, while Eisenkot’s proposed conscription legislation threatens to further complicate relations with the chareidi parties, whose support could prove crucial in determining the next government’s composition.

Eisenkot himself acknowledged that the election outcome had created a challenging political landscape.

“Israel is in a complex political situation. I intend to act as I always have — with composure and determination,” he said.

He concluded by urging Israelis to remain patient as the political negotiations unfold, offering a message of confidence in the possibility of a change in leadership.

“There is hope. We will bring it,” Eisenkot declared.

{Matzav.com}

Tensions inside Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s inner circle reportedly erupted on Israeli election day when his wife, Sara Netanyahu, confronted a senior aide and blamed him for the Likud party’s disappointing electoral performance, telling him that he should not return to the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to a report aired Thursday evening by Israel’s Channel 13 News, Sara Netanyahu directed her anger at Ido Norden, the acting chief of staff in the Prime Minister’s Office, as concerns mounted within Likud over the election results.

During the confrontation, Sara Netanyahu reportedly told Norden, “You have no reason to return to the office. We’re losing because of you.”

The reported exchange took place amid growing anxiety within Likud over the party’s showing in Tuesday’s elections, with senior figures attempting to assess the results and the political consequences for Netanyahu.

Norden had assumed the position of acting chief of staff following a series of personnel changes at the top of the Prime Minister’s Office. His appointment came after the removal of his predecessor, Tzachi Braverman, who had been sidelined amid allegations connected to a controversial late-night meeting with Eli Feldstein.

Sources within the Prime Minister’s Office cited by Channel 13 said that Norden has since been pushed out of Netanyahu’s immediate circle. According to those accounts, he is no longer accompanying the prime minister during trips in his official vehicle, a change suggesting that his standing within the office has deteriorated.

Meanwhile, Braverman was photographed alongside Netanyahu at a Likud election event, despite having previously been removed from his position in connection with the investigation surrounding his meeting with Feldstein.

Braverman’s appearance at the event attracted attention because of the ongoing tensions within Netanyahu’s office and the circumstances surrounding his earlier departure.

Channel 13 had reported a day earlier that Norden was already being excluded from certain discussions and consultations involving Netanyahu’s senior advisers. Individuals close to the prime minister were quoted as saying that Netanyahu and members of his inner circle were dissatisfied with Norden’s performance and that his continued tenure was uncertain.

Norden, who assumed the acting chief of staff position in April, previously spent approximately a decade as an economist at the Bank of Israel. He also held senior advisory and administrative positions in government, including roles connected to the Economy Ministry and Israel’s Innovation Authority.

In a separate development Thursday, Channel 12 reported that Norden had provided senior police officials with information that led to an investigation of three activists affiliated with the Arab Ra’am party over suspected election bribery. Law enforcement sources cited in that report suggested that the evidence was weak and unlikely to result in indictments.

The political tensions have intensified following Tuesday’s election, in which final results gave Netanyahu’s bloc 53 Knesset seats, compared with 67 for parties outside his bloc, leaving him short of the 61 seats needed to form a majority government.

The Prime Minister’s Office has denied the reports concerning Sara Netanyahu’s confrontation with Norden and the claims about his removal from the inner circle. It has also disputed reports suggesting that Norden is preparing to leave his position.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined Thursday to rule out pursuing impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump if Democrats gain control of the House in next week’s midterm elections, although he insisted that his party’s immediate priority would be addressing rising living costs.

During an interview with ABC News Live correspondent Jay O’Brien, the New York Democrat was pressed about whether impeachment could become part of his party’s agenda if voters return Democrats to power in Congress. Jeffries avoided making a commitment either way, instead emphasizing economic issues and congressional oversight of the administration.

“The American people are clearly poised to give House and Senate Democrats a chance to govern on their behalf, and to fight to actually make life more affordable. We have gained the trust advantage,” Jeffries said.

O’Brien questioned whether that perceived advantage reflected growing dissatisfaction with Trump rather than increased confidence in Democratic leadership.

“But is that just because they don’t trust the president?” the correspondent asked.

Jeffries rejected the suggestion that Democratic gains were based solely on opposition to Trump, arguing that voters increasingly preferred his party’s positions across multiple policy areas.

“No. Well, I think we’ve gained the trust advantage, Democrats, as compared to Republicans, on a whole host of issues,” he responded.

He maintained that Democrats would need to demonstrate their commitment to tackling the financial pressures facing American households.

“We’re going to have to work as hard as we can to make sure that we are relentlessly pushing to end this affordability crisis, because the American people are sending that message,” Jeffries added.

The discussion then turned to impeachment, with O’Brien pointing to Democratic candidates who have publicly raised the possibility of seeking Trump’s removal from office.

“Some of your members have openly talked about, over the course of these campaigns, impeaching the president. Is that something voters want?” O’Brien asked.

Jeffries played down the prominence of impeachment within his caucus, saying Democratic lawmakers had focused more broadly on holding the administration accountable and restoring congressional oversight.

“Well, it’s very interesting because I actually have not heard, coming from House Democrats, a lot of talk about impeachment. In fact, what we have talked about is accountability more broadly defined. And we believe that it is important for Congress to function as a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch,” Jeffries said.

O’Brien followed up by asking whether an impeachment effort could divert attention from the economic agenda Jeffries had identified as his party’s principal objective.

“But would impeachment be a distraction from the work you’re trying to do?” he asked.

Jeffries again stopped short of rejecting the possibility, leaving Democrats’ options open should they secure a House majority.

“Well, we haven’t ruled anything in, and we haven’t ruled anything out, because we’ve made clear that we’re focused on addressing the affordability crisis,” he said.

Jeffries has taken a similar position in previous interviews, including a September appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” when he declined to exclude impeachment from the options available to a Democratic-controlled House. He has identified Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Robert Garcia of California as key figures who would oversee investigations through the House Judiciary and Oversight committees.

Democrats have been preparing a broad oversight agenda should they win the majority, including potential investigations into administration spending, the Trump family’s business dealings, immigration enforcement and the conduct of senior Cabinet officials. Some Democrats favor impeachment proceedings, while others have expressed concern that another attempt to remove Trump could distract from the party’s economic priorities.

Trump was impeached twice during his first presidency and acquitted by the Senate both times. A third impeachment would require a simple majority vote in the House, while removing him from office would require a two-thirds majority in the Senate following a trial.

Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress, but Democrats are seeking to overturn the GOP’s narrow House majority in Tuesday’s elections. A Democratic victory would give Jeffries’ party control of committee investigations, subpoena authority and the ability to initiate impeachment proceedings without Republican support.

Rav Shlomo Kanievsky, Rosh Yeshivas Kiryas Melech, delivered a pointed message to his bochurim following Israel’s elections, warning that continued involvement in political discussions and coalition speculation could indicate that their election activities had not been undertaken entirely l’shem Shomayim.

Speaking at a special vaad, the Rosh Yeshiva stressed that although participating in the elections in accordance with the directives of the Gedolei Yisroel had been a tremendous zechus, the time had now come to return to the shtender and devote themselves fully to Torah learning.

“The Rambam writes that a person may not involve himself in any matter unless he first establishes a condition that he knows that immediately upon finishing his involvement in that matter, he will return to his learning,” Rav Kanievsky said. “This applies even to matters that would seemingly involve upholding Yiddishkeit.”

“Now that the election campaign has concluded, Boruch Hashem, we were zocheh to be mekadeish Sheim Shomayim and to listen to the voice of the Gedolei Hador. But we must understand that now comes the time when every person can examine himself and determine whether everything he did for the elections was truly l’shem Shomayim, or whether other considerations were also involved.”

The Rosh Yeshiva then presented what he described as the decisive test of a person’s intentions.

“The test is whether he now returns to his learning with even greater strength. If he does, that is a sign that everything he previously did and accomplished had genuine meaning. But someone who continues discussing the situation, analyzing the numbers and debating what they mean demonstrates that even what he did earlier was not truly l’shem Shomayim.”

Rav Kanievsky pointed to the extraordinary example of the Gedolei Yisroel, who devoted precious time to the election campaign despite their advanced ages and demanding schedules.

“We know that the people whose time is most precious and most carefully accounted for are the Gedolei Yisroel. We know how they treasure every single moment. Yet we saw how they agreed to devote their valuable time, traveling from city to city and from place to place, to work for the success of the campaign, despite the enormous difficulty and exertion involved at their ages and in their conditions.”

“It is clear that if they did this, it means they viewed it as an absolute necessity. It is obvious to us that they did not do it for politics, for honor, or for any other reason, but solely to uphold Yiddishkeit and increase Kavod Shomayim, without any personal interests whatsoever.”

The Rosh Yeshiva acknowledged that ordinary individuals cannot necessarily claim the same purity of motivation.

“We are admittedly not on that level, and we do have an interest in political matters, personal interests and similar things. Nevertheless, I hope that even among us, there was at least some element of Kavod Shomayim, and that we all acted as the Gedolei Hador instructed us, without any hesitation or questioning.”

He then drew attention to another remarkable aspect of the gedolim’s conduct during the election campaign: their immediate return to learning whenever an opportunity presented itself.

“Even during the pressured and busy days before the elections, when they devoted their time to the success of the campaign and did everything possible to bring about the greatest possible Kiddush Hashem, at every free moment they immediately opened a Gemara and immersed themselves in learning.”

“We saw this with my father, Maran the Sar HaTorah, zechuso yagein aleinu, how one fulfills the Rambam’s instruction of v’yachzor l’talmudo. This was how we lived all those years. It was simply the natural way of life. There was nothing else.”

Rav Kanievsky then shared a personal recollection of his father, Maran Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l, illustrating how completely Torah learning occupied every available moment of his day.

“I remember that when my father would return from kollel, he would walk home and sit down beside the table. He had a shtender next to him. If the food was ready, we would begin eating. If it wasn’t ready, he would open a sefer and continue learning until the food was prepared. And when we finished eating, he would immediately return to learning.”

“V’yachzor l’talmudo was the reality of his life.”

Turning back to the election campaign, Rav Kanievsky acknowledged that the excitement and uncertainty of the political contest had naturally captured people’s attention.

“During the elections, perhaps it was somewhat difficult to demand such things, because it truly is an interesting subject, and everyone has his own interpretation of what is going to happen, who will win and who will lose.”

“But now, Boruch Hashem, it is not our responsibility to form the next coalition. And now, the demand of the hour for us is v’yachzor l’talmudo.”

The Rosh Yeshiva also addressed the effect that the elections had on the opening weeks of the winter zman, acknowledging that the campaign had interfered with the yeshiva’s usual momentum.

“It is no secret that because of the situation and the particular challenges we faced, the first two weeks of the zman were somewhat weaker than what we are ordinarily accustomed to at the beginning of a zman.”

“But we can decide that this year’s zman begins now. Especially since this is a leap year, we actually have more than five months, just as in a regular winter zman.”

Rav Kanievsky concluded by expressing hope that the bochurim would seize the opportunity for a fresh beginning.

“With Hashem’s help, we hope that HaKadosh Boruch Hu will grant us abundant siyata diShmaya, that we will have the strength to begin anew, receive fresh siyata diShmaya, and succeed.”

Immediately after delivering the vaad, Rav Kanievsky traveled to the airport to begin a fundraising trip on behalf of Yeshivas Kiryas Melech.

The trip had originally been planned for the beginning of the winter zman, around Rosh Chodesh, but was postponed until after the elections so that the Rosh Yeshiva could remain in Eretz Yisroel and participate in the voting in accordance with the directives of the Gedolei Yisroel.

{Matzav.com}

Vice President JD Vance declared Thursday that President Donald Trump will not allow the confrontation with Iran to become another prolonged American war, insisting that the administration intends to achieve its military and national security objectives without committing the United States to an indefinite conflict.

Appearing at a Fox News town hall in Fort Worth, Texas, just days before the November 3 midterm elections, Vance defended the administration’s approach to Iran amid growing speculation that Trump could authorize another round of military strikes against Tehran.

“We’ve been involved in Iran in some form for seven months. The United States has been dealing with Iran for 47 years, and I promise you that Donald Trump is not going to let Iran become a forever war,” Vance said.

JD Vance defends Trump's war of choice against Iran on the grounds that we've only been at war for 7 months so it's not fair to call it a "forever war" pic.twitter.com/rLEybcr3ts

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 30, 2026

The Vice President rejected the argument that opposition to lengthy foreign military campaigns should prevent the United States from using force when necessary. He maintained that there is a fundamental distinction between avoiding unnecessary overseas entanglements and refusing to deploy American military power altogether.

“I think there’s a difference between criticizing foreign military misadventures and saying that you can never ever use the American military,” he explained.

“If you’re worried about another forever war, Donald Trump is never going to let this be a forever war,” Vance added. “He’s going to accomplish America’s objectives, and then we’re going to focus on the other things that we’re doing.”

Vance’s assurances follow remarks he made to Reuters earlier this month outlining the administration’s requirements for bringing the conflict to an end. At the center of Washington’s demands is a substantial reduction in Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, which American officials regard as a critical test of Tehran’s nuclear intentions.

“If you don’t want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel? And if you want to show commitment to not building a nuclear ⁠weapon, don’t build highly enriched fuel. That’s a very basic threshold issue,” Vance said.

“I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity.”

“We’re not going to trade words for actions,” he emphasized.

Although the administration continues to demand concrete restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, Vance has indicated that Washington remains prepared to negotiate an agreement if Tehran demonstrates a genuine willingness to comply.

His comments come as reports emerge of renewed communication between American and Iranian officials, raising questions about whether diplomatic efforts could prevent another military escalation.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Vance had communicated with Mohsen Rezaei, a senior Iranian security official known for his hardline positions, in an attempt to establish a possible route back to negotiations.

According to the newspaper, the outreach was undertaken at Trump’s direction and was intended to explore the structure of potential talks rather than settle the details of a peace agreement.

Trump, however, challenged that characterization Wednesday, saying the communication concerned humanitarian assistance and denying that he had authorized Vance to initiate peace negotiations.

“No. They need help with medical supplies and various things. He asked me what I thought. I said, ‘If you want to do that, that’s okay’. Basically, it’s getting supplies in to help people that are not well.”

At the same time, the Pentagon is reviewing preparations for possible additional strikes. The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, personally briefed Trump at the White House on military options involving Iran and the ongoing American naval blockade.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and other senior administration officials attended the meeting, which followed discussions between military leaders and Vance a day earlier.

Cooper’s visit was particularly noteworthy because the CENTCOM commander does not routinely present military options to the president in person. The unusual briefing comes as Washington weighs the possibility of renewed combat operations following the midterm elections.

American forces have also been reinforcing their regional defenses, increasing supplies of ammunition and repositioning personnel away from installations considered vulnerable to Iranian retaliation. Reports indicate that Gulf Arab governments have been advised to prepare for the possibility of a brief but intensive American military campaign.

Despite those preparations, diplomatic efforts remain active. Regional intermediaries, including Qatar, have been working to facilitate renewed negotiations, while American officials continue pressing Iran to accept meaningful restrictions on its nuclear program.

No final decision to resume large-scale strikes has been announced.

{Matzav.com}

Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz warned Thursday that Rep. Ilhan Omar could still face criminal prosecution, possible loss of citizenship and even deportation over allegations surrounding a previous marriage, despite an earlier federal investigation that ended without charges.

Appearing on Newsmax’s “The Record With Greta Van Susteren,” Dershowitz disputed the argument that the statute of limitations necessarily prevents prosecutors from pursuing the Minnesota Democrat. He also predicted that the controversy could eventually force Omar to resign from Congress or face an effort to remove her from office.

His comments followed a New York Times report revealing that FBI and Department of Homeland Security investigators uncovered some evidence suggesting possible fraud during a 2016 examination of Omar’s 2009 marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, a British citizen.

“This is not a simple crime. This is a complex and potentially continuing crime,” Dershowitz said.

“So I think it’s still an open, possible open case for criminal prosecution, for denaturalization, for deportation, all of those.”

According to the Times, federal prosecutors decided against filing charges in 2016 after determining that the applicable five-year statute of limitations had expired. Dershowitz challenged that interpretation, arguing that a continuing conspiracy could potentially extend the period during which criminal charges may be brought.

“No, it has never run,” he said.

“If it’s a conspiracy and the conspiracy continues, and she and a status has changed and remains changed based on continuing fraudulent allegations.

“If that can be proved, there are many cases where the statute of limitations for conspiracy goes beyond the usual five years.”

The allegations center on whether Omar married Elmi in 2009 to help him secure immigration benefits. Investigators reportedly examined suspicions that Elmi was actually Omar’s brother, an accusation she has repeatedly rejected as a conspiracy theory.

Omar and Elmi separated in 2011, although their divorce was not finalized until 2017. A spokesperson for the congresswoman told Fox News Digital that the earlier federal inquiry had been closed because investigators lacked sufficient evidence.

Dershowitz also criticized Barack Obama for denouncing the renewed investigation, pointing out that the original federal examination took place during Obama’s presidency. Obama has described the current probe as “appalling.”

“It’s hypocrisy. It was his administration that said this was a serious matter,” he said.

“Even if it were to be barred by the statute of limitations, it would still be a serious matter, and it could still be made public and pursued. And that’s why I have predicted that in the end, I don’t think she has any choice but to either resign from the House or to be barred from sitting in the House,” he said.

Under congressional rules, expelling a sitting member requires the approval of two-thirds of the House of Representatives. Dershowitz suggested that Omar could face difficulties securing unified support from fellow Democrats if the allegations continue to receive scrutiny.

“Many of them are not supporting her on this, and they shouldn’t support her on this,” he said.

The Trump administration has reopened the federal investigation, with authorities reportedly searching Omar’s Washington residence on October 12. Her office has condemned the renewed inquiry as politically motivated and accused the administration of pursuing a vendetta against the congresswoman.

Omar has not been charged with any criminal offense, and the allegations concerning her relationship with Elmi remain disputed.

Additional reporting Thursday revealed that the earlier investigation continued to attract attention after 2016. Fox News reported that a federal prosecutor appointed during the Biden administration closed the inquiry in 2021, according to a person familiar with the case.

The current federal investigation extends beyond Omar’s marriage to Elmi. Investigators are also examining whether she or members of her family provided inaccurate information in immigration and citizenship documents. Several relatives have reportedly received grand jury subpoenas.

The Justice Department has meanwhile asked a federal judge to keep the affidavit supporting the October 12 search of Omar’s home under seal, arguing that releasing the material could interfere with an active investigation. Prosecutors have indicated that they are still reviewing evidence and have not determined whether charges will be filed.

Omar’s attorneys have challenged the search, alleging that federal investigators failed to comply with judicial safeguards protecting her constitutional rights as a member of Congress. The Justice Department disputes that accusation and maintains that investigators followed the court-approved procedures.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo strongly defended the joint American-Israeli military campaign against Iran on Thursday, declaring that the operation should have been launched years earlier and warning that prolonged inaction had allowed Tehran to develop increasingly dangerous military capabilities.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, Pompeo praised President Donald Trump’s decision to authorize the offensive that began in February, arguing that successive administrations had waited far too long to confront the Iranian regime. Asked whether he supported the military operation from the outset, Pompeo responded without hesitation.

“A hundred percent. What actually went through my mind is it was seven years too late, or maybe 17 years too late,” he replied.

“This was a long-delayed effort. It was a deferred liability on the international balance sheet, and thank God President Trump made that choice to go after it,” Pompeo added.

Pompeo, who served as Trump’s Secretary of State during his first administration, maintained that an earlier military confrontation could have prevented Iran from substantially expanding its arsenal of drones and ballistic missiles.

He specifically pointed to Tehran’s acquisition of what he described as “Shia drones” and its progress in developing medium-range ballistic missiles, arguing that the international community had permitted those threats to grow through years of insufficient action.

The former Secretary of State also criticized the nuclear agreement negotiated under President Barack Obama in 2015, suggesting that the deal had failed to address the broader military threat posed by Iran.

Pompeo warned that postponing military action for several more years could have allowed Tehran to develop defenses and weapons systems resembling those of North Korea, making any future attempt to neutralize its nuclear infrastructure considerably more difficult.

He said an additional two to five years of delay might have left Washington facing “a conventional weapon system surrounding a nuclear program that is nearly impossible to touch.”

Pompeo expressed hope that the pressure generated by the military campaign would ultimately force Iran’s leadership to reconsider its policies and make fundamental changes to the regime’s conduct.

“I remember thinking, I hope we stay at this until this regime has to make a fundamentally difficult decision and change its nature,” he said.

Pompeo’s comments come as the Trump administration considers whether to resume major military operations against Iran after the November 3 midterm elections. American officials have reportedly advised several Middle Eastern allies to prepare for possible strikes and Iranian retaliation, including attacks on regional energy infrastructure.

On Thursday, U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper briefed Trump and senior administration officials at the White House on military options involving Iran and the continuing American naval blockade. The administration is simultaneously exploring diplomatic avenues, with regional mediators attempting to secure an agreement that could avert another round of fighting.

Pompeo has consistently advocated maintaining pressure on Tehran. In a separate interview Thursday, he predicted that the combination of economic sanctions, the naval blockade and potential additional military operations could eventually bring down the Iranian regime.

Former Secretary of State John Kerry warned Thursday that President Donald Trump would be making a serious mistake by launching another round of military strikes against Iran, arguing that renewed attacks would damage prospects for a negotiated agreement with Tehran and further destabilize the Middle East.

Speaking with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Kerry responded to reports that Trump was weighing additional military operations against Iran following next week’s U.S. midterm elections. He argued that an escalation would make Iranian leaders less willing to engage in negotiations rather than pressure them into accepting American demands.

“Unfortunately, things are so unpredictable that just about anything can happen,” Kerry said. “I think it would be an enormous mistake just to open up post-election with a military barrage. That is not what will impress the Iranians or bring them to the table in a more serious way. In fact, it will push them away.”

Kerry, who served as Secretary of State in the Obama administration and played a leading role in negotiating the 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement, also renewed his criticism of Trump’s 2018 decision to abandon that accord. He questioned why the administration had not attempted to negotiate revisions to the agreement before turning to military force.

“If President Trump really wanted to change and make a better agreement, why didn’t he put something on the table?” Kerry queried. “Why didn’t he actually make a proposal and have the Iranians respond to it or gain into another negotiation?

“No, he rushed into a war, particularly in the last months, with a whole bunch of false assumptions that have made life more expensive and more dangerous for people all over the world.”

The former Secretary of State contended that the administration’s military campaign had diminished America’s diplomatic leverage, leaving Washington with fewer opportunities to extract additional concessions from Iran.

He accused Trump of having “put himself in a very disadvantaged position from which to try to negotiate,” while maintaining that a diplomatic settlement similar to the Obama-era nuclear agreement could still be possible.

Kerry said the United States might eventually “get back to very close to the agreement we had,” but suggested that Iran would be unlikely to accept significantly tougher restrictions after enduring American attacks and major losses within its leadership.

“I do not think after being bombed, after having the Ayatollah killed, the wife killed … so many disruptions within the region, I don’t think it’s going to be very easy to come in and argue you’re going to get more than they’d already agreed to – which the world said was sufficient,” he said. “But maybe you can get a piece here and there. I certainly hope you can.”

Kerry also disputed the notion that military operations alone could permanently eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat, emphasizing that destroying physical facilities would not erase the scientific expertise required to rebuild the program.

“You can’t bomb the memory of how to make a bomb,” said Kerry.

He instead advocated a diplomatic initiative involving both public negotiations and confidential communications with Iranian officials, arguing that multiple channels could improve the prospects for an agreement.

“I think that the key here is really engaging in real diplomacy. And real diplomacy could be several tracks at the same time: one more public and one very private, coordinated clearly,” he added.

Kerry’s remarks also revive longstanding controversy surrounding his own dealings with Iranian officials after leaving government. During Trump’s first administration, he faced criticism for meeting with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s foreign minister at the time, as part of an effort to preserve the nuclear agreement despite the administration’s opposition.

Kerry acknowledged those discussions but defended his conduct, arguing that “every” former Secretary of State maintains contacts with foreign leaders. He also claimed that other individuals had encouraged Iranian officials to wait until the Trump administration was no longer in power.

The disagreement dates back to the early years of Trump’s presidency. In 2017, Kerry publicly cautioned that withdrawing from the nuclear agreement could increase the risk of Iran pursuing nuclear weapons, a position that has remained central to his criticism of Trump’s Iran policy.

The warning came as Washington continued preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting while pursuing indirect diplomatic contacts with Tehran. On Thursday, U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper briefed Trump on the effectiveness of the American naval blockade of Iran and the military situation in the region.

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance had recently sent a message to Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei. Trump said Thursday that the communication concerned assistance with medical supplies rather than an effort to restart peace negotiations. Iranian officials indicated that any diplomatic breakthrough would require Washington to address Tehran’s demands, including relief from the blockade and restrictions on Iranian oil exports.

The nuclear issue remains a central obstacle. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi told the United Nations Security Council this week that inspectors had found no evidence of Iran rebuilding nuclear facilities damaged in American and Israeli strikes, but warned that the agency still lacked access needed to verify the status of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile.

{Matzav.com}

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Polymarket has launched an investigation into potentially suspicious betting activity surrounding Israel’s Knesset election after hundreds of newly established cryptocurrency accounts placed wagers favoring Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his Likud party shortly before voting ended Tuesday. Some of the traders subsequently collected combined profits exceeding $100,000, raising questions about whether they possessed advance knowledge of the election results.

According to a Bloomberg report published Thursday, an examination of blockchain transactions uncovered more than 600 digital wallets established on the same day that were used to wager on Netanyahu retaining the premiership or Likud finishing as the largest party in the Knesset.

The transactions attracted attention because they were made shortly before polling stations closed, when the eventual election outcome remained uncertain. Investigators are examining whether the unusual concentration of bets reflected access to information that had not yet been released to the public.

The value of the wagers increased sharply after Israeli television networks published their exit polls, which suggested that Likud had performed considerably better than some earlier projections indicated. Several of the accounts subsequently cashed out, generating more than $100,000 in combined profits, while other traders continued holding positions carrying significant potential gains.

Polymarket’s internal investigative team confirmed to Bloomberg that it was examining dozens of recently created wallets associated with the election wagers.

Independent blockchain analysis companies have also begun scrutinizing the activity. Polysights and Bubblemaps identified unusual transaction patterns, prompting separate investigations into the origins and timing of the bets.

Bubblemaps told Reuters that it had identified 101 Polymarket accounts that received their first funding on Election Day, before the polls had closed. A representative of the company said some of those accounts had already sold their positions for a profit after the exit poll results became public.

The suspicious transactions occurred during an election that left Israel’s political future unresolved, with neither Netanyahu’s right-wing and chareidi bloc nor the opposition securing enough Knesset seats to establish a government independently.

For several months before the vote, prediction markets had generally favored opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot over Netanyahu as the likely next prime minister. That assessment changed dramatically once the exit polls were released Tuesday night.

According to Bloomberg, Netanyahu’s implied probability of becoming prime minister climbed to 54%, while Eisenkot’s dropped to 23%, reflecting the sudden shift in expectations among traders.

Polymarket operates a prediction market in which participants purchase and sell contracts tied to the outcomes of elections, political developments, and other events. Its international platform uses cryptocurrency transactions recorded on a publicly accessible blockchain, allowing outside researchers to track wallet activity and examine patterns that may suggest coordinated trading.

The investigation is unfolding amid growing concerns that prediction markets could be exploited by individuals who possess sensitive government or military information before it becomes publicly known.

Earlier this year, Israeli prosecutors charged a military reservist and a civilian with allegedly using classified information about Israeli operations against Iran to make profitable wagers on Polymarket.

A separate American case involves a U.S. soldier accused of using confidential military information to place bets connected to an American operation in Venezuela. The soldier has pleaded not guilty.

Although the Israeli election wagers have drawn scrutiny because of their timing, concentration, and profitability, investigators have not determined that the traders relied on confidential information. Accurate political forecasts and independent analysis could also account for successful bets.

There is likewise no indication that the suspicious Polymarket transactions affected the actual Israeli election or involved interference with the counting of votes. The investigation is focused on whether traders improperly profited from information unavailable to the general public.

Bloomberg’s examination also identified one newly opened account that could earn approximately $180,000 if both its Netanyahu and Likud wagers prove successful. The account reportedly received nearly $40,000 from cryptocurrency wallets previously flagged for suspicious activity, including connections to sanctioned addresses.

The controversy has also attracted attention in Washington. On Thursday, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Republican Sen. John Curtis of Utah raised concerns about whether prediction-market operators have adequate safeguards against insider trading and manipulation.

“The identification of isolated instances of improper trading does not demonstrate that these markets are adequately protected,” the senators wrote. “Instead, it raises serious questions about how much similar activity may be going undetected.”

Israel is facing a difficult political stalemate following the elections for the 26th Knesset, with neither Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu nor opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot commanding the 61 seats needed to establish a governing coalition. The results have left both camps searching for potential partners, with the possibility of a broad unity government or another round of elections looming over the negotiations.

Eisenkot’s Yashar party emerged with 21 seats, making it the second-largest faction in the Knesset. Together with the Together alliance, the Democrats, and Yisrael Beytenu, the anti-Netanyahu camp controls 48 seats. If the eight members of Ra’am, the Islamist United Arab List, were to support Eisenkot, his potential parliamentary backing would rise to 56 seats.

Although that would give Eisenkot more support than Netanyahu’s existing coalition partners, it would still leave him five seats short of a majority. Moreover, assembling such an alliance would require cooperation among parties with sharply conflicting positions on fundamental political and security questions.

One of the principal obstacles is Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman, who has previously ruled out political arrangements dependent on Arab parties. Other members of the opposition have also expressed reservations about such cooperation, leaving considerable uncertainty over whether Eisenkot could assemble even a minority government supported by Ra’am from outside the coalition.

Netanyahu faces a different challenge. His bloc of right-wing and chareidi parties holds 53 seats, leaving him eight short of the 61 required for a majority.

One possibility would involve bringing Naftali Bennett’s seven-member faction, currently part of the joint Together alliance with Yair Lapid, into Netanyahu’s coalition. However, that arrangement would bring the prime minister to only 60 seats, still one short of a majority.

The same difficulty would arise if Netanyahu persuaded Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu, which also holds seven seats, to join his government. Such an agreement would not provide sufficient parliamentary support unless at least one additional Knesset member or faction joined.

A more substantial realignment could give Netanyahu the numbers he needs. If the entire 12-seat Together alliance agreed to enter his coalition, his bloc would expand to 65 seats, providing a workable majority.

Such an arrangement, however, would require major political concessions. Bennett and Lapid have significant disagreements with Netanyahu and his current coalition partners, and any agreement would likely involve demands concerning government policy, ministerial appointments, and the composition of the coalition.

Netanyahu could consequently face pressure to exclude some of his traditional allies, including chareidi parties, as a condition for securing the participation of opposition factions. That would represent a major political reversal and could generate considerable opposition within Likud and the existing right-wing bloc.

Another possibility being discussed is a national unity government involving Likud and Eisenkot’s Yashar party. With Likud holding 26 seats and Yashar controlling 21, the two factions together would command 47 seats, creating the foundation for a potentially broad coalition if additional parties agreed to participate.

Negotiating such an agreement would nevertheless present substantial challenges, particularly over the identity of the prime minister, the distribution of senior cabinet positions, and differences in policy between the two parties.

Reports have suggested that Netanyahu is considering a power-sharing arrangement with Eisenkot that could include a rotation of the premiership. No agreement has been announced, and it remains uncertain whether either leader would accept the concessions necessary to make such a deal possible.

The election results have therefore produced an unusual political balance. Eisenkot could potentially assemble a larger grouping of supporters if Ra’am agreed to cooperate, but would still lack a majority. Netanyahu retains a more cohesive bloc, yet cannot cross the 61-seat threshold merely by recruiting one of the seven-seat opposition factions.

The coming negotiations will determine whether either leader can persuade political rivals to abandon longstanding commitments and enter a new coalition arrangement. Should those efforts fail, Israel could face another election without having resolved the divisions that produced the current impasse.

Additional reporting Thursday indicated that the political divisions were already affecting negotiations. Liberman reiterated that he would not join a government headed by Netanyahu or one dependent on Arab parties, while Eisenkot and Bennett met to discuss possibilities for establishing an alternative coalition.

President Isaac Herzog has urged political leaders to consider compromise rather than force Israelis back to the polls. The official election results are scheduled to be certified on November 4, after which Herzog will begin consultations with the parties before assigning a candidate the task of forming a government.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump received a high-level military briefing Thursday from the commander of U.S. Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, concerning possible new attacks against Iran, as the administration weighs another major military operation against Tehran following next week’s midterm elections.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Cooper traveled to the White House to present military options to the president during a meeting attended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, and other senior administration officials.

The discussions also covered additional security matters, including the continuing American blockade of Iran. The briefing was particularly notable because Cooper, who oversees U.S. military operations throughout the Middle East, does not ordinarily meet with Trump in person.

The meeting followed another round of consultations Wednesday involving Cooper, Vice President JD Vance, and senior military officials at the White House. Cooper previously participated in discussions with Trump, Hegseth, and Caine aboard Air Force One in Delaware in July.

Neither the Pentagon nor CENTCOM offered details about Thursday’s meeting, with representatives of both declining to address the report.

The latest consultations come as Washington reportedly prepares for the possibility of renewed large-scale military action against Iran after the November 3 elections. Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that American officials had alerted several Gulf Arab governments to prepare for a potentially brief but intense U.S. military campaign.

As part of those preparations, American forces have reportedly been reinforcing air defense systems throughout the region while moving personnel away from installations considered particularly exposed to possible Iranian counterattacks.

Trump has refused to disclose whether he intends to authorize another round of strikes, although he has strongly defended his administration’s previous military campaign against Iran.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Texas on Tuesday, the president said he had no regrets about ordering earlier attacks on Iranian targets.

“Somebody asked me yesterday, it’s very interesting, ‘If you had to do it again, would you have attacked Iran?’ I said absolutely,” Trump told supporters.

“It’s one of the greatest things I ever did,” he added.

Trump also insisted that he would determine when the confrontation with Iran concludes, maintaining that any agreement must guarantee that the Islamic Republic never acquires nuclear weapons.

“Somebody asked me before, when will the war in Iran end? I said, whenever I want it to end. It’ll be very quick, but we have to have it end properly, with total and complete – a total statement, they will never have a nuclear weapon. Number one state sponsor [of terrorism]. They will never have a nuclear weapon.”

At the same time, the administration has kept open a diplomatic channel to Tehran. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Vance had communicated with Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Vance reportedly sent Rezaei a letter exploring whether negotiations between the two countries could resume. An individual familiar with the communication claimed that Trump had authorized the outreach and was aware of the effort.

The president, however, rejected the suggestion that he had directed Vance to initiate peace negotiations, explaining Wednesday that the communication concerned humanitarian assistance and medical supplies.

“No. They need help with medical supplies and various things. He asked me what I thought. I said, ‘If you want to do that, that’s okay’. Basically, it’s getting supplies in to help people that are not well.”

Additional reporting Thursday provided more details about the White House meeting. According to Axios, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and presidential envoy Steve Witkoff were also present, and Trump specifically sought Cooper’s assessment of whether the American naval blockade was achieving its objectives. The admiral also discussed U.S. efforts to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and the economic pressure campaign against Tehran.

Meanwhile, Iranian media confirmed Thursday that Tehran had received Vance’s letter but had not yet issued a response. Iranian officials continued to demand the removal of the American naval blockade, relief from oil sanctions, and the release of frozen Iranian funds before negotiations could proceed.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack offered a more optimistic assessment Thursday, telling CNN that Washington and Tehran were approaching a possible agreement to reduce tensions.

“I think we’re very close to finally getting to a place where we can say, ‘Let’s just have a timeout,'” Barrack said. “We’re not going to have an overall solution immediately, but we can allow the region to find its own pace.”

The White House has not announced a decision to resume military strikes, and Thursday’s briefing does not establish that an attack has been ordered.