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In a surprising twist, a sitting member of Israel’s Knesset has voiced his public support for one of New York City’s most polarizing political figures, Zohran Mamdani — a candidate whose outspoken hostility toward Israel has made headlines across the Jewish community.

MK Ahmad Tibi, chairman of the Ta’al party, lavished praise on Mamdani in a statement released Monday. “There is a young, articulate, and visionary character who brings a new and refreshing spirit of social justice and universal principles to the elections in New York,” Tibi declared, hailing Mamdani as a unifying force among the city’s diverse population.

According to Tibi, “Zohran is a leader who unites all of the cities’ communities, Christians, Muslims, and Jews, around him, thanks to his integrity, courage, and public commitment.” He further commended Mamdani for what he described as resilience in the face of bigotry. “Despite the racist and Islamophobic attacks, he continues to stand strong, speak clearly against hate and discrimination, and represent the clear and important idea that everyone is equal and deserving.”

Tibi ended his statement with a rousing endorsement, saying he is “sure” Mamdani will “defeat the racists for the good of all residents of New York and become a symbol of unity, tolerance, and hope. Haideh Zohran! Go Zohran! Ila al-Amam (onwards) Zohran Mamdani!”

Mamdani’s record, however, has drawn sharp criticism from Jewish leaders and pro-Israel groups. He has questioned Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, claiming it must instead “guarantee equal rights for all.” His vocal backing of the BDS movement — which he has called a legitimate “form of protest” — has been condemned as a direct assault on Israel’s legitimacy. Mamdani has also refused to denounce the inflammatory slogan “globalize the intifada,” deepening the unease surrounding his candidacy among Jewish and pro-Israel voters.

{Matzav.com}

Palm Beach, Florida realtors are being flooded with “wealthy New Yorkers” preparing to flee Zohran Mamdani if and when he wins. “New Yorkers are taking a closer look at Florida’s no state income tax, especially as a potential tax hike looms. Raising taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers has been of one of Mamdani’s key […]

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made clear on Monday that Israel’s fight is far from finished, declaring that “the war is not yet over.” Speaking at his Religious Zionism Party meeting, he said that while diplomatic discussions are underway, what matters is not talk, but action on the ground.

“There are agreements and attempts to stabilize the situation, but the real test lies in implementation,” Smotrich said. “The State of Israel will not allow the reconstruction of Gaza as long as Hamas is not completely dismantled – militarily, politically, and administratively.”

He was adamant that humanitarian narratives cannot be used as a cover to reestablish terrorist control. “We will not allow the creation of a renewed terrorist entity under the guise of ‘humanitarian reconstruction.’ Genuine demilitarization is a fundamental condition for rebuilding, and any attempt to bypass this will be categorically rejected. The security of Israel’s citizens comes first.”

Reflecting on the broader meaning of the conflict, Smotrich noted that its impact went far beyond the battlefield. “This war was not only a military test – it was a national, social, and economic one. Those who carried the main burden were Israel’s middle class – in the reserves, at work, in business, with mortgages, and under financial strain. They brought us victory, and now they should be the first to benefit from its fruits.”

To that end, Smotrich said his ministry is moving forward with economic measures aimed at easing the pressure on working families. He announced plans for income tax reductions designed to promote employment and growth while supporting those who bore the brunt of the crisis. He also unveiled new initiatives to encourage aliyah, explaining, “This is not just an economic policy – it’s a national statement.”

On the matter of regional diplomacy, Smotrich reaffirmed Israel’s approach to the Abraham Accords and ongoing efforts by the Trump Administration to expand them. “We believe in peace – but not at any price. We will expand the agreements, deepen cooperation, but insist on a fundamental principle: peace for peace. True peace built on truth, not on the falsehood of establishing a terrorist state that would endanger our future and our existence. No one – and I emphasize, no one – is doing us a favor by normalizing relations with us or joining the Abraham Accords. We have always extended a hand in peace and continue to do so, but we will not agree to any country imposing conditions on us involving partition of the land, relinquishing parts of our homeland, or denying our heritage and roots.”

Closing his remarks, Smotrich addressed Israel’s defense spending, emphasizing fiscal responsibility alongside security needs. “The defense establishment will be required to become more efficient and return to a reasonable budget. Yes, the budget will remain higher than it was before the war – that’s natural – but it cannot continue to grow without limit. Economic security is an inseparable part of national security,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz on Wednesday condemned a massive chareidi anti-draft protest planned for Thursday in Jerusalem, calling the demonstration “dangerous for Israeli society — and dangerous for the chareidi community.” The rally, organized by representatives of Degel HaTorah, Agudas Yisroel, Shas and other chareidi factions, comes amid fury over a wave of […]

Widespread outrage erupted today after a yeshiva bochur who arrived at a police station to file a complaint was instead arrested and handed over to military police — a move that prominent chareidi figures are calling a severe blow to the community’s trust in law enforcement.

Yaakov Yisroel Gil, a talmid at Yeshivas Nachlas Shlomo in Bnei Brak, was detained Monday afternoon by the Military Police after arriving at the Be’er Sheva police station to lodge a formal complaint. According to his family, officers checked his identification, discovered that he was listed as an army deserter, and immediately transferred him to military custody.

Chareidi leaders and relatives of the student sharply condemned the incident, describing it as a dangerous precedent. “This is a serious violation of the chareidi public’s trust in the Israel Police,” said one family member. “If a yeshiva bochur who walks into a station to submit a complaint ends up in a military jail, who will dare go to the police if they’re victimized? This completely severs the connection between the chareidi community and the police.”

An askan told Matzav.com, “This is an infuriating act that directly undermines the already fragile cooperation between the chareidi public and law enforcement. The police should have maintained the long-standing status quo and refrained from targeting yeshiva students. Instead, they have acted with total insensitivity and a complete lack of judgment.”

The Ezram UMaginam organization released a statement saying, “The Israel Police violated the status quo once again by transferring a yeshiva student to military detention after summoning him for questioning. The young man, who was called to appear at the Be’er Sheva station, is now being held in a military facility in southern Israel. He and his family are receiving legal assistance from Ezram UMaginam’s legal department and attorney Shlomo Haddad. The public is urged to continue following guidelines and not to go to police stations without first consulting with advocacy organizations.”

{Matzav.com}

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated that the war against Hamas will not be over until the last of the deceased hostages held in Gaza are returned, remarks made during a conference today with all operational unit commanders ranked lieutenant colonel and above. The IDF described the gathering as the start of […]

At a special Mishmeres HaShalom ceremony in Bnei Brak honoring the Chasan HaShalom, the Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch delivered the keynote address and extended heartfelt brachos to Los Angeles philanthropist Reb Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz, lauding his dedication to Torah and Klal Yisroel.

Although Rav Hirsch was unable to travel to Los Angeles for the Keren Olam HaTorah event there and the wedding of Shlomo Yehuda’s daughter due to the start of the winter zeman, he conveyed his deep appreciation and brocha during the event.

Speaking to the large gathering, Rav Hirsch emphasized the importance of studying the sefer Chofetz Chaim and the obligation to live with constant awareness of Hashem’s presence. “A person must always strive to live with ‘Shivisi Hashem lenegdi samid’. It is a very lofty level. Yet one who guards his tongue, pausing before every word to consider whether it is lashon hara or not, naturally lives with constant awareness of Hashem’s will — and thereby fulfills ‘Shivisi Hashem lenegdi samid’ in practice.”

Rav Hirsch turned to express his admiration and brocha for Shlomo Yehuda, renowned for his remarkable support of Torah institutions across Eretz Yisroel and the world. “May he continue to help and spread good throughout Klal Yisroel,” said the Rosh Yeshiva.

“I find it fitting, at this elevated event, to express my blessing and appreciation to this extraordinary ish chesed who supports the Torah world wherever it flourishes.”

He concluded with a personal brocha for Shlomo Yehuda: “May he merit abundant nachas from all his descendants, and continue to support the Torah world with blessing, good health, and great success in all his endeavors.”

{Matzav.com}

With just over a week to go before New Yorkers head to the polls, Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani still leads the crowded mayoral field — but former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is tightening the gap in a volatile, high-stakes race that has scrambled city politics. A new Quinnipiac University poll released Monday shows Mamdani, 34, holding […]

How Yidden spend a long flight from Eretz Yisroel to NY. Photo via Arzei Harry

Hamas announced on Monday that it plans to transfer the body of an Israeli hostage it murdered back to Israel later in the evening. The handover is scheduled for 9:00 p.m., according to the terror group’s statement.

Israeli authorities are preparing to receive the remains once the casket arrives. Teams will be on site to perform identification procedures and confirm the hostage’s identity following the return.

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox, Every election is more than just a political decision. It is a moment to reflect on the crossroads we face as individuals, as a community, and as a people. A vote for Zohran Mamdani is not merely a vote for a candidate; it is a vote for socialism—a system that, though cloaked in promises of fairness and equality, has cast long shadows over Jewish history. Socialism has often left us vulnerable, silenced, and marginalized, and as we stand in galus, we must approach this moment with open eyes, full hearts, and fervent tefillah. Socialism, in its essence, seeks to erase distinctions, to flatten the differences that make societies dynamic and unique. To some, this vision may sound noble, even inspiring, but for us, Klal Yisroel, it has often come at a devastating cost. Under socialist regimes, from the Soviet Union to other experiments in collectivism, countless Yidden suffered under governments that sought to suppress Torah, strip away our religious freedoms, and stifle our identity. Shuls were shuttered, mikvaos destroyed, and the words of the Torah were forced underground. What socialism promises in equality, it often delivers in persecution and suffering. For centuries, Jews have flourished in societies that upheld religious liberty, allowing our communities to thrive and practice Torah freely. Socialism, however, undermines these values by replacing personal freedom and responsibility with state control. This shift extinguishes the beauty of community-driven support and mutual care, replacing it with a rigid, impersonal system. Even more troubling, socialist regimes throughout history have often turned against Jews during times of crisis, scapegoating us for societal problems and making us targets of persecution. Yet, we know that we are in galus, and galus is not just a geographical exile—it is a spiritual condition. The rise of socialism and its growing popularity may, in fact, be a message from Hashem. Perhaps we are being reminded of the need to turn to Him, to strengthen our faith, and to recognize that no human system—whether capitalism, socialism, or anything else—can solve the world’s problems or bring the geulah. The challenges we face in this world are reminders that we must never place our trust in human ideologies, no matter how appealing they may seem. Our trust must be in Hashem alone. As we approach this election, we must daven. We must daven for clarity, for wisdom, and for the strength to make choices aligned with our values as Torah Jews. We must daven for the safety of our community, for the ability to live freely as ovdei Hashem, and for the day when galus will end, and we will no longer have to navigate these difficult decisions. We must daven for a world where justice and kindness are not dictated by governments but flow naturally from the hearts of humanity, guided by the light of Torah. A vote for Mamdani is a vote for socialism, and socialism has never been a friend to the Jewish people. It is a system that has stripped away our freedoms, diminished our unique role in the world, and attempted to replace Hashem’s vision with human arrogance. We must be cautious, but we must also be hopeful. Every challenge is an opportunity to turn to Hashem, to connect more deeply to our mission, and to remind ourselves that our future is not in the hands of politicians or ideologies—it is in the hands of the Ribono Shel Olam. So as we stand at this crossroads, let us not only cast our votes but lift our voices in tefillah. Let us daven for the strength to remain steadfast in our values, for the wisdom to navigate the challenges of galus, and for the ultimate redemption, when the world will no longer be divided by ideologies but united under the sovereignty of Hashem. May we be zoche to see that day speedily in our times. Binyomin Waldman 

 

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  Name: Yisrael Meir  Mother: Hadasa Age: 6 months   Residence: Israel   Treatment Location: Schneider children’s hospital, Israel  Diagnosis: Malignant head tumor Yisrael Meir was diagnosed with cancer soon after his birth. Due to the quick diagnosis he survived so far and has a very good chance to be completely cured, if only… Yisrael Meir is […]

Gazan sources report that members of Hamas’s Shadow Unit, tasked with guarding hostages, arrived in Gaza City’s Tufah neighborhood, accompanied by Red Cross teams and Egyptian engineering equipment, to search for the remains of deceased Israeli hostages.

In late September 2017, a photo posted to Facebook from a losing City Council race in Bay Ridge seemed unremarkable: a group of campaign volunteers kneeling on a Brooklyn sidewalk, fists raised, rallying behind Palestinian-American pastor Khader El-Yateem. But that image — featuring activist Linda Sarsour in her trademark hijab and a young organizer named […]

Mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani is brushing aside doubts about whether NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch would align herself with his sweeping criminal-justice overhaul, declaring that as mayor, “everyone will follow” his direction.

During an appearance on the Hell Gate podcast, the 34-year-old left-wing lawmaker was pressed by host Christopher Robbins about his promise to retain Tisch, despite her history of resisting the kind of reforms Mamdani and his Democratic Socialist supporters have long championed. Robbins noted, “Lots of people who support your candidacy care about criminal-justice reform and reforming the NYPD, and for the past year, she has stood to thwart that.” He asked why Mamdani would keep her on board if elected.

Mamdani pushed back, arguing that Tisch had already demonstrated progress toward some of his goals, pointing to her involvement in preliminary discussions about a new Department of Public Safety — one of his central campaign proposals.

Even so, skepticism lingered. Robbins reminded Mamdani that Tisch has been outspoken in opposing major reform measures, including those passed under ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whom she recently blamed for a surge in crime following his criminal-justice changes.

Tisch has also maintained strong support for the city’s contentious gang database, backed crackdowns on so-called minor offenses, and resisted bail and judicial-discovery reforms — stances that seem far removed from Mamdani’s vision of policing. “So she’s going to reverse her position on all those things?” Robbins asked pointedly. “She’s going to follow your lead in City Hall?”

“I think everyone will follow my lead,” Mamdani responded confidently. “I’ll be the mayor.”

The candidate dismissed fears of a repeat of the tense dynamic between former Mayor Bill de Blasio and ex-Commissioner Bill Bratton, whose disagreements over policing philosophies ended in Bratton’s resignation. Mamdani said his relationship with Tisch would be one of unity and cooperation rather than conflict.

Still, Mamdani conceded that he has not yet spoken to Tisch directly about whether she would remain in her post under his administration. “I haven’t had a private conversation with her on that,” he acknowledged in an interview with CNN on Sunday, noting that the two have not spoken one-on-one since July.

For her part, Tisch has stayed silent throughout the mayoral campaign, avoiding public remarks about any candidate.

{Matzav.com}

TRUMP ON MUSK: “It’s good with Elon. I like Elon. I’ve always liked Elon. Elon’s good… He’s a nice guy & he’s a very capable guy… He had a bad spell, a bad period, a bad moment. It was a stupid moment in his life, very stupid… But I like Elon & I suspect I’ll […]

On Monday aboard Air Force One en route to Tokyo, President Donald Trump addressed speculation around a potential attempt to bypass the Constitution’s presidential‐term limits — and in doing so, drew a clearer line while at the same time keeping a future run very much on the table. Pressed on media reports pointing to a […]

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