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President Donald Trump’s ambitious plans for a presidential library that could raise nearly $1 billion are drawing growing scrutiny from Democrats preparing to take control of Congress, with lawmakers threatening investigations into corporate contributions, lawsuit settlements, and potential conflicts of interest involving the project.

According to a CBS News report published Thursday, the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation anticipates collecting $950 million by the end of 2027, including approximately $600 million during that year alone. The projections were contained in an October 2025 application to the Internal Revenue Service obtained by the network.

The foundation is overseen by Trump’s son Eric Trump and his son-in-law Michael Boulos, and its fundraising efforts are expected to intensify as the president enters the final two years of his administration.

“He undoubtedly recognizes that the library development season opens now, and he will go for it,” a senior administration official told CBS News.

Democrats, who won control of both the House and Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections, are signaling that the foundation’s financial arrangements could become a major target of congressional oversight when the new Congress convenes in January.

“The donors bankrolling his personal vanity project will have to answer to a new majority in Congress,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told CBS News.

A significant portion of the money associated with the foundation has come from settlements reached with major corporations that previously faced lawsuits brought by Trump.

ABC News agreed to pay $15 million following a defamation dispute, while Meta committed $22 million to the library as part of a settlement concerning the suspension of Trump’s social media accounts.

Paramount reached a $16 million settlement involving Trump’s lawsuit over CBS’s editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris. Elon Musk’s social media platform X also agreed to resolve separate litigation for $10 million.

Trump’s financial disclosure filed in June reported $56.5 million in payments to the foundation from ABC, Meta, and Paramount. Another $8 million from X was disclosed as having been paid directly to the president.

Questions have nevertheless emerged about the status of some of those contributions. In responses to congressional inquiries, ABC indicated that its payment remained in escrow, while Meta confirmed that its settlement money had been earmarked for the library without clarifying whether the funds had actually been transferred.

The foundation also received a $50 million contribution in January from Japanese investment conglomerate SoftBank, intended to finance an exhibition examining relations between the United States and Japan.

The donation has attracted attention because the Department of Energy subsequently announced plans to lease federal property in Ohio to a company affiliated with SB Energy, a SoftBank subsidiary, for construction of a major artificial intelligence data center.

Administration officials have maintained that the project was already being developed before SoftBank made its contribution. The federal lease agreement was finalized approximately one month after the donation.

Another issue involves PublicSquare, a company whose board includes Donald Trump Jr. The foundation has used a donation-processing platform operated by the company, although a representative said Trump Jr. played no role in establishing or managing the fundraising page.

The proposed presidential library itself has also generated controversy, particularly over its design, location, and possible commercial uses.

In March, Trump presented architectural renderings of a 47-story tower in downtown Miami, complete with gold-colored escalators, an Air Force One aircraft, and a statue commemorating his response to the July 2024 assassination attempt.

The president later indicated that the development would “most likely” function as a hotel rather than a conventional presidential library, raising additional questions about the project’s ultimate purpose.

Those questions have become part of a federal lawsuit challenging Florida’s decision to donate a 2.63-acre parcel in Miami valued at more than $67 million for the development.

The plaintiffs argue that transferring such valuable property for a project associated with a sitting president could violate constitutional prohibitions against certain financial benefits provided by states to federal officeholders.

The Justice Department has sought dismissal of the case on the grounds that Trump is immune from the lawsuit. A federal judge has temporarily suspended discovery while considering the government’s arguments.

Another unresolved question concerns a Boeing 747 aircraft donated by Qatar. Trump had previously discussed eventually transferring the plane to his presidential library, although Eric Trump has since indicated that the aircraft’s inclusion is no longer an immediate priority.

White House spokesman Davis Ingle rejected criticism of the development, predicting that the completed library would be “one of the most magnificent buildings in the world” and would serve as a lasting tribute to Trump’s presidency.

A onetime Trump adviser, however, suggested that the library’s fundraising operation reflects the president’s longstanding business approach.

“The library is one of the last few places he can squeeze people for money,” the adviser told CBS News. “That’s what a businessman does. He just creates opportunities.”

Additional reporting indicates that the incoming Democratic majority is preparing a wider examination of Trump’s financial dealings, extending beyond the library to businesses, donors, and government contractors with ties to his administration.

Representative Robert Garcia of California, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, issued a blunt warning following the election results: “Lawyer up.”

The foundation is expected to file financial disclosures covering 2025 by November 15. Its earlier IRS application projected that compensation expenses for foundation personnel would rise from $400,000 in 2025 to $1.2 million in 2027, although the organization’s bylaws prohibit paying trustees for serving in that capacity.

The library’s fundraising operation is led by Meredith O’Rourke, a longtime Trump fundraiser. Meanwhile, the foundation’s use of PublicSquare’s donation platform has attracted additional attention because securities filings show that Donald Trump Jr. began receiving $42,000 per month in consulting fees from the company in August 2024. His spokesperson said he had no involvement with the library’s fundraising page.

The Miami property dispute remains before U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz II, who has halted evidence-gathering while considering the administration’s request to dismiss the lawsuit. Lawyers challenging the land transfer have indicated that they would likely appeal if the case is thrown out.

{Matzav.com}

United Torah Judaism MK Yitzchok Pindrus insisted Thursday that his party’s refusal to recommend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form Israel’s next government does not mean it is abandoning its longstanding relationship with the religious right. However, he emphasized that UTJ is not committed to any candidate and will base its political decisions primarily on securing a solution to the military draft crisis facing yeshiva bochurim.

Speaking with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News at the President’s Residence, Pindrus sought to clarify UTJ’s position following its decision to withhold an endorsement during consultations over the formation of the next coalition. He explained that the party remains deeply committed to Israel’s religious community, regardless of which political leader ultimately receives its support.

“We will not abandon them for a moment. The leaders of the Torah world are deeply concerned about the religious community in the State of Israel and our partnership with them,” he said. “Right now, we are not recommending anyone, but if we enter negotiations with anyone, there is no doubt that the religious community in Israel will remain an integral part of our agenda.”

When questioned about the possibility that UTJ’s refusal to back Netanyahu could help topple the prime minister’s political bloc, Pindrus rejected the premise of the question.

“How did you get to Netanyahu? How did you get to the right? How did you get to that?” he responded.

The MK also addressed reports that opposition figures Avigdor Lieberman and Gadi Eisenkot have been attempting to persuade the chareidi parties to consider joining an alternative governing coalition.

“Netanyahu is courting us too. It’s all fine. We’re not aligning ourselves with anyone just yet.”

Pindrus made clear that the overriding consideration for UTJ is finding an acceptable arrangement that would protect yeshiva bochurim from military conscription and the enforcement measures currently being pursued against them.

“We are committed to finding a solution, as I said, including on matters concerning the religious community, but right now, above all, on the issue of yeshiva students who are being persecuted,” he said.

Asked whether UTJ would oppose an effort to remove Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, a move that could become part of the political maneuvering surrounding the next government, Pindrus declined to announce a position of his own.

“We will receive instructions, and that is what we will do.”

The interview also touched on the possibility of cooperation with Lieberman, whose previous statements and policies targeting the chareidi community have made him a particularly controversial figure among chareidi voters.

Pindrus suggested that past political hostility should not automatically rule out future cooperation, pointing to criticism his own party has received since declining to endorse Netanyahu.

“I was told that there are media outlets now speaking against us because we didn’t recommend Netanyahu, including some very serious things. So what, should we not forgive them? It’s all fine,” he replied.

During Thursday’s consultations with President Isaac Herzog, UTJ representatives reinforced that position, insisting that the next government must address the treatment of lomdei Torah. Pindrus argued that the longstanding principle of Toraso umnaso must remain the foundation of any arrangement governing military service for yeshiva bochurim.

The delegation, which included Pindrus, Yitzchok Goldknopf and Moshe Rosenthal, was questioned by Herzog about whether the party would accept a framework requiring chareidi men who are not studying to enlist. Pindrus maintained that UTJ’s traditional position applies to those whose Torah study is their full-time occupation.

Goldknopf went further in distancing the party from automatic allegiance to Netanyahu, declaring that UTJ was not obligated to any political bloc.

The decision has significantly complicated Netanyahu’s efforts to remain prime minister. Following the completion of presidential consultations, Gadi Eisenkot emerged with recommendations from 67 Knesset members, compared with 46 for Netanyahu, although neither candidate has secured a governing majority.

Herzog is expected to announce Sunday which candidate will receive the first opportunity to form a government. That candidate will initially have 28 days to assemble a coalition, with the possibility of a 14-day extension.

For UTJ, the central question remains whether either prospective prime minister can deliver an acceptable arrangement for yeshiva bochurim, with Pindrus making clear that the party is prepared to negotiate but will not commit itself politically before receiving guidance from the Gedolei HaTorah.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has firmly denied reports that he is preparing to leave President Donald Trump’s administration following the Republican Party’s midterm election defeat, declaring that he intends to remain in his position until the president completes his term in office.

Speaking to The New York Times on Thursday, Rubio dismissed speculation that he was considering stepping down to position himself for a possible presidential campaign in 2028. Remaining in the administration until the end of Trump’s presidency had “always been my plan,” he said.

“I don’t know where these things come from, to be honest with you,” Rubio said when questioned about reports that his departure could be imminent.

“I love the work I’m doing,” he continued. “And plus I always laugh when they say he’s going to leave his job. I go, ‘Which one?’”

Rubio, who serves as both secretary of state and White House national security adviser, was responding to a report in Britain’s The Independent suggesting that he might resign in the aftermath of Tuesday’s elections to begin preparing for a potential bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

The British newspaper, citing senior Republican figures in Washington and government officials in London, reported that Rubio’s departure was becoming increasingly likely following the Democratic Party’s capture of both chambers of Congress.

Rubio, however, rejected attempts to draw him into a discussion about his political ambitions beyond the Trump administration.

“I literally will not talk about 2028 anymore,” he told The New York Times during an interview conducted in his White House office. “I just won’t do it.”

The secretary of state was also pressed about Vice President JD Vance’s explanation for the Republican Party’s disappointing election performance, particularly his contention that the administration’s war with Iran had contributed significantly to the losses.

In a lengthy social media statement Wednesday, Vance argued that dissatisfaction over the Iran conflict, economic concerns, and the administration’s relationship with Israel had influenced voters who previously supported Trump but backed Democrats in the midterms.

Asked whether he agreed with the vice president’s assessment, Rubio initially declined to weigh in on the political fallout, explaining that he was not “really involved in domestic politics.”

He nevertheless offered a strong defense of Trump’s leadership, saying the president “deserves a tremendous amount of credit” for making difficult decisions that he believes serve the country’s interests, even when those decisions carry political risks.

“Ultimately, that is the price of leadership – is the willingness to do things that may not be politically popular or expedient but are necessary for your country and its long-term future,” Rubio said.

The resignation rumors prompted unusually forceful denials from administration officials. The State Department rejected the reports as fabricated, while the White House insisted that Trump’s senior advisers remained united behind his agenda.

Bloomberg also reported Thursday that Rubio and his advisers had discussed his political future following the elections, citing people familiar with those conversations. According to the report, Rubio had not reached a decision about leaving and no departure timetable had been established.

Rubio is widely regarded as a possible contender for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, alongside Vice President Vance. He has previously indicated that he would support Vance if the vice president decided to seek the nomination.

Rubio’s prominence in the administration has been enhanced by his unusual combination of responsibilities as secretary of state and national security adviser, giving him considerable influence over American foreign policy. He also joined Trump at a campaign rally in Kansas on Sunday, just two days before the elections.

The secretary of state is scheduled to address the Federalist Society’s National Lawyers Convention next week, providing another opportunity for public remarks as speculation about his political future continues.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is refusing to back down in the face of mounting impeachment threats following the Republican Party’s midterm election losses, accusing his opponents of attempting to destroy him politically as President Donald Trump publicly defended his leadership of the Pentagon.

In a defiant video posted Thursday on social media, Hegseth lashed out at Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who has threatened to pursue impeachment proceedings unless the secretary voluntarily leaves office.

Hegseth charged that “a disgruntled, defeated congressman, along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly.”

“Just like they tried against President Trump twice. You see, their policies don’t work, so their obsession with political theater disguised as power drives them to try to destroy their opponents. It’s all about the politics of personal destruction. Didn’t work against President Trump, and it won’t work with me. You can rest assured of that,” he added.

Massie has made clear that he intends to continue his effort to remove Hegseth. According to CNN, the Kentucky Republican is preparing to force a congressional vote on impeachment, leaving open only one possibility that would persuade him to abandon the initiative.

In a Wednesday social media post, Massie declared that “there is one contingency in which I won’t reintroduce the articles of impeachment: Hegseth resigns.”

The congressman followed up Thursday with a warning that his own impeachment proposal could prove relatively mild compared with the investigations Hegseth might face under Democratic control of Congress.

“My Hegseth impeachment resolution is a much gentler version of what’s coming when Dem’s control Congress. They’ll have hearings & trials.”

Democrats emerged from Tuesday’s elections with majorities in both the House and Senate, placing the Trump administration on course for considerably more aggressive congressional oversight when the new Congress convenes.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who is expected to become the next House speaker, added his voice to the demands for Hegseth’s departure.

“Why is Pete Hegseth still around?” Jeffries wrote Thursday on X.

President Trump, however, showed no indication that he was preparing to dismiss his defense chief. Asked in the Oval Office about possible changes in Pentagon leadership, Trump offered an unequivocal endorsement.

“Pete Hegseth has done a fantastic job,” the president told reporters, according to The Hill.

The growing political pressure on Hegseth comes amid criticism of the administration’s handling of the war with Iran, which has emerged as a major issue in the aftermath of the Republican election defeat. Reports have identified public dissatisfaction with the conflict as an important factor in the party’s losses.

Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the political consequences Wednesday, writing on social media, “The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night,”

Vance pointed to polling of voters who backed Trump in 2024 but supported Democrats in the midterms. According to his assessment, those voters placed particular importance on ending the Iran conflict, controlling inflation, prioritizing American interests, and reconsidering Washington’s relationship with Israel.

Trump subsequently agreed that the war had carried a political cost, while maintaining that the military operation had achieved an essential national security objective.

“I thought it was good. I knew that when I went in. We stopped them from having a nuclear weapon, and they’ll never have a nuclear weapon,” the president said.

Massie’s impeachment effort could reach the House floor as soon as next week, before Democrats formally assume control of Congress in January. He plans to use a privileged resolution, a parliamentary procedure that can force lawmakers to address the measure within two legislative days, although Republican leaders could attempt to table it or send it to a committee.

Several Republican lawmakers have privately indicated that they believe the impeachment resolution could attract enough support to pass, according to Fox News. The allegations include Hegseth’s handling of the Iran conflict without congressional authorization and other disputed military operations. Impeachment by the House would not automatically remove Hegseth; a Senate conviction would still be required.

The pressure is also coming from within Republican ranks outside the House. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has questioned whether Hegseth remains the right person to lead the Pentagon, warning that the secretary faces “a reckoning” following the election.

Despite Trump’s public expressions of confidence, reports indicate that the president has privately asked advisers whether Hegseth should remain in his position. Pentagon officials have dismissed suggestions that the secretary intends to step aside, insisting that he remains committed to serving through the remainder of Trump’s presidency.

Democratic socialist Nithya Raman has defeated Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a stunning political upset, becoming the city’s next mayor and immediately drawing concern from Jewish organizations over her positions on Israel, the anti-Israel boycott movement, and rising antisemitism.

The Associated Press projected Raman’s victory Thursday, with the Los Angeles City Council member receiving 429,450 votes, or 52.1%, compared with 394,796 votes, or 47.9%, for Bass. With approximately 76% of ballots counted, Bass conceded the election, ending her bid for another term.

Raman, 45, has drawn comparisons to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani because of their shared democratic socialist politics and controversial positions concerning Israel. Both have received support from the Democratic Socialists of America, reflecting the growing influence of the party’s progressive wing in major American cities.

The mayor-elect faced criticism from Jewish community leaders during the campaign, particularly following a September 29 mayoral forum at the Skirball Cultural Center. At that event, Raman defended the movement to boycott Israel, describing it as a “legitimate form of peaceful protest”. She also defended accusing Israel of “genocide” and her appearance on a program hosted by streamer Hasan Piker, who has been accused of antisemitism.

Bass took a different position at the forum, rejecting the allegation that Israel had committed “genocide” and expressing opposition to the boycott movement.

Following Raman’s election, Jewish Federation Los Angeles joined 35 Jewish organizations and congregations in congratulating the incoming mayor while pressing her to address the concerns that emerged during the campaign.

The organizations “called on her to rebuild trust with Jewish Angelenos that was strained during the campaign, starting with proactive steps against antisemitism.”

Their statement pointed specifically to Raman’s use of the term “genocide” in reference to Israel and her “ambiguous position on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement,” saying those positions “call into question how she will prioritize the Jewish community’s most pressing concerns.”

Rabbi Noah Farkas, president and CEO of Jewish Federation Los Angeles, said Raman must take concrete steps to reassure Jewish residents that their safety and concerns will receive serious attention.

“Our community cannot accept continued rhetoric that harms Jews,” Farkas stated, according to JNS. “As mayor-elect, she has both an opportunity and a responsibility to address these issues through meaningful engagement and clear commitments.”

“Mayor-elect Raman will take office at a moment when our community is experiencing an unprecedented level of antisemitism,” he continued. “At the Jewish Los Angeles Mayoral Forum in September, she said every Angeleno deserves to feel safe, including Jewish and Israeli-Americans. We call on her to fulfill that commitment.”

Rabbi Pini Dunner, senior rabbi of Young Israel of North Beverly Hills, was considerably more critical, calling Raman “an antisemite.”

“She may not admit to it, but she is someone who has no consideration for the feelings of Jews when it comes to Israel,” Rabbi Dunner told JNS.

“She’s joined the very extreme elements of the progressive movement in its way of dealing with the issues of Oct. 7 and the war in Gaza, the war in Iran,” he said. “Everything is about pleasing her crowd, not about dealing with the real issues at hand.”

Rabbi Dunner predicted that Raman would do a “dreadful job” as mayor, adding, “It’s going to be to the detriment of all of us and of California.”

Not everyone in the Jewish community viewed the election with the same level of alarm. Mitchell Schwartz, a longtime Democratic campaign operative and founder of the Jewish Solar Challenge nonprofit, said he was less concerned about Raman’s victory, despite her statements concerning Israel.

“She did say ‘genocide,’ but I imagine she’ll stick to local issues. I can’t imagine her getting involved in Israel or things like that,” Schwartz said. “I certainly hope not.”

Schwartz also questioned the comparison between Raman and Mamdani, who has advocated arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“She’s not Mamdani.”

“I don’t believe she’s anti-Israel, but I do think she mouths some of the more silly things coming out of the Democratic Socialists of America.”

Raman’s victory was also a major rejection of Los Angeles’ Democratic establishment. Bass entered the race with support from Governor Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, and other prominent Democratic figures, but faced mounting dissatisfaction over homelessness, housing costs, and her administration’s handling of the devastating January 2025 wildfires.

Raman campaigned on promises to accelerate housing construction, reduce street homelessness by half before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and overhaul aspects of city government. Her victory makes her the first challenger in more than two decades to defeat a sitting Los Angeles mayor.

In another indication of the divisions surrounding her Israel positions, the Democratic Socialists of America’s national leadership considered withdrawing its endorsement of Raman because she had not explicitly embraced a boycott of Israel. Just one day before the election, the organization’s national political committee voted 14-13 against rescinding its support.

Raman, who has previously condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks and affirmed Israel’s right to exist, has maintained that her political independence will take precedence over the demands of the socialist organization. She has also pledged to protect Jewish and Israeli-American residents of Los Angeles.

The mayor-elect is expected to take office next month, succeeding Bass as the leader of America’s second-largest city.

{Matzav.com}

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has halted its operations in Florida after a federal judge declined to suspend the state’s designation of the organization as a domestic terrorist group, allowing the controversial classification to take effect while a legal challenge proceeds.

Chief U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor ruled Wednesday that CAIR had not demonstrated sufficient grounds for an emergency order preventing Florida from enforcing the designation. The ruling followed a decision by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet to classify CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as domestic terrorist organizations.

“We have suspended our operations in Florida because of Gov. DeSantis and other state officials’ baseless and unconstitutional enforcement of the state’s unprecedented new ‘domestic terrorist organization’ laws against us,” CAIR-Florida announced on its website.

The November 4 ruling did provide CAIR with a narrower form of temporary protection. Winsor prohibited state authorities from prosecuting the organization, its employees, or third parties furnishing legal services under Florida’s material-support statute, subject to CAIR posting a $1,000 bond.

The judge made clear that he was not determining whether CAIR actually qualifies as a terrorist organization. His decision concerned whether the organization had satisfied the legal requirements for temporarily blocking the state’s action while the lawsuit moves forward.

DeSantis praised the outcome, declaring, “Florida is holding CAIR accountable.”

Florida’s designation originated with a September 29 vote by DeSantis and members of his Cabinet. The state also classified the Muslim Brotherhood as a domestic terrorist organization and placed more than 90 additional organizations on its list of foreign terrorist groups. Florida authorities alleged that CAIR had maintained connections to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The classifications appeared in the Florida Administrative Register on October 6, beginning a 30-day period before they became legally effective.

Under the state’s newly enacted legislation, designated organizations can be barred from receiving government funding or entering into public contracts. Government institutions are restricted from providing resources that support or promote designated groups, and individuals who knowingly furnish prohibited material assistance may face criminal charges. The law also establishes a mechanism through which designated organizations could potentially be dissolved.

The legislation, signed by DeSantis earlier this year, expanded Florida’s authority to identify and impose sanctions on organizations the state considers involved in terrorism.

The governor had previously sought to designate CAIR through an executive order issued in December 2025. A federal judge blocked that effort in March, finding that DeSantis could not unilaterally impose the classification and its associated penalties without the necessary legal authority.

Florida’s actions parallel an initiative undertaken by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations. The Texas measure included restrictions on land acquisition by the organizations and their affiliates, along with additional enforcement provisions.

The dispute also comes amid broader federal scrutiny of the Muslim Brotherhood. President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to examine whether certain branches of the movement should be classified as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

In January, the United States formally imposed terrorism-related designations on the Egyptian, Jordanian, and Lebanese branches of the Muslim Brotherhood, citing their alleged support for Hamas.

The court’s 36-page decision also revealed that CAIR had an opportunity to challenge the designation in Florida state court during the 30-day period before it took effect but chose not to pursue that option. Winsor cited the availability of that appeal process as an important reason for rejecting the organization’s claim that it had been denied adequate procedural protections.

CAIR’s shutdown extended to its Tampa headquarters, where a notice announcing the suspension was posted on the building’s entrance Thursday. The organization said its Florida activities and funding had been suspended indefinitely, although its federal lawsuit remains active.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also celebrated the ruling, describing it as a “great win by our solicitor general’s office and for the people of Florida!”

The judge directed both sides to submit a proposed schedule for the continuing litigation by November 18, leaving the broader constitutional challenge unresolved even as the state designation remains in force.

{Matzav.com}

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Likud MK Moshe Saada declared Thursday that the draft legislation being demanded by United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzchok Goldknopf would not become law in its current form, while insisting that the chareidi parties remain natural partners of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and predicting that a broad coalition would ultimately emerge under his leadership.

Speaking with Avi Mimran on Kol Chai Radio’s central news program, Saada addressed the political uncertainty following Israel’s elections, the growing controversy surrounding efforts to recruit chareidi parties into an alternative government, and recent developments in Netanyahu’s ongoing criminal trial.

Saada strongly criticized opposition leaders Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman, accusing them of reversing years of hostility toward the chareidi community in an effort to secure political support for a government that would replace Netanyahu.

“Opposition leaders such as Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman have engaged in fierce incitement against the Torah world for years,” Saada said. “Now, suddenly, they are displaying hypocrisy and trying to sell illusions. In reality, they have neither the intention nor the ability to pass a draft law that would survive the High Court of Justice.”

His remarks came amid reports that figures in the emerging anti-Netanyahu bloc were exploring arrangements with United Torah Judaism that could include an agreement on military conscription and protections for yeshiva students.

Saada maintained that the opposition’s sudden willingness to discuss concessions on the draft issue should not be taken seriously, arguing that the same politicians who previously demanded tougher enlistment requirements would be unable to deliver the legislation sought by the chareidi parties.

At the same time, he acknowledged that the version of the draft law being advanced by Goldknopf would not be enacted, indicating that any eventual agreement would require a different legislative approach.

Despite the disagreements surrounding the draft, Saada emphasized that the chareidi community belongs within the broader religious and traditional political alliance that has supported Netanyahu.

“The chareidim are our brothers, and the Jewish faith-based bloc won the elections,” he said. “Netanyahu took a risk and advanced a Basic Law on Torah Study out of a moral and principled obligation, despite the attacks. All the attempts to portray Torah learners negatively come from hypocritical fringe elements. Most of the public appreciates Torah learners and the Jewish identity of the state.”

Saada also dismissed reports suggesting that chareidi parties might cooperate with Arab factions or help establish a government supported by the political left.

He described such suggestions as “nonsense and political spin,” insisting that fundamental ideological differences made those arrangements unrealistic.

“We have no place alongside parties such as Ra’am and the Joint List that call for the release of terrorists,” Saada declared. “This discussion is a chillul Hashem and has no practical possibility of materializing.”

Turning to Netanyahu’s criminal trial, Saada claimed that recent courtroom proceedings, including testimony involving former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, had exposed serious irregularities in the investigations against the prime minister.

Saada, a former senior official in the Justice Ministry’s Police Internal Investigations Department, argued that the judges were increasingly aware of the potential consequences of allowing the proceedings to continue.

“This is an unprecedented event in which the judges understand that continuing the case will lead to its collapse and enormous embarrassment,” Saada said. “The judges are not trying to protect Netanyahu, but rather the system itself, so that they will not be forced to write a verdict that would require opening a criminal investigation against Mandelblit and Shai Nitzan.”

He went further, alleging that the investigations involved serious misconduct, including unauthorized surveillance and improper investigative practices.

“Beneath the judges’ sanitized language lie serious criminal offenses — wiretapping, spyware, extortion through threats, unauthorized actions, and obstruction of an investigation,” Saada claimed. “Mandelblit was questioned while frightened and contradicted the prosecution. As I said in real time when I was inside the system, unacceptable acts were committed here, and plots were devised to bring down a prime minister.”

The allegations reflect Saada’s interpretation of the proceedings and have not been established as judicial findings.

Saada concluded by expressing confidence that Netanyahu would eventually overcome the current coalition difficulties and assemble a government with the participation of his traditional political partners.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to resolve the draft issue from a genuine and sincere place,” Saada said. “My assessment is that ultimately a broad and stable government will be established under Netanyahu, including all the natural partners, and the judicial system will also understand that the establishment of a strong government requires respect for the laws passed by the Knesset.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli journalist and commentator Yedidya Meir has sharply criticized what he describes as a sudden reversal by Israel’s political left on the issue of drafting chareidi yeshiva students, accusing opponents of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of abandoning years of fierce opposition to draft exemptions in an effort to secure chareidi support for a new government headed by Gadi Eisenkot.

In a pointed column published Thursday, Meir argued that politicians and media figures who spent years condemning proposed legislation protecting yeshiva students are now discussing compromise arrangements and a more lenient draft law, just days after Israel’s elections created the possibility of a government without Netanyahu.

Meir said he was not surprised by what he characterized as the hypocrisy of the left, but was astonished by the speed with which its public messaging had changed.

Within hours of the election, he wrote, leaders of the anti-Netanyahu bloc and their supporters in the media began suggesting that the draft controversy could be set aside, describing it as a complicated issue that did not require an immediate solution.

“The hypocrisy of the left doesn’t amaze me. Only the speed does,” Meir wrote. “Within just a few hours, they know how to replace a campaign, engineer public opinion, change the conversation and invent an entirely new one.”

As evidence, Meir pointed to recent comments by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak during an interview with Radio 103FM, in which Barak suggested that the IDF would be unable to absorb all chareidi men into its ranks even if they were required to enlist.

“The IDF is incapable of absorbing all the chareidim anyway,” Barak said, according to Meir, adding that the principal issue was not the additional military units that could be created through chareidi enlistment.

Instead, Barak suggested that those who do not enter the military could perform a limited period of national service.

“The real main issue is that they participate in the burden, meaning that they serve. For example, anyone who chooses not to enlist should perform nine months of national service, or however long it might be, and then go on with his life,” Barak said.

Meir expressed astonishment at the proposal, arguing that a requirement of just nine months of national service was considerably more lenient than the demands previously advanced by opponents of chareidi draft exemptions.

He suggested sarcastically that even chareidi negotiators would not have dared propose such an arrangement themselves.

Meir also cited journalist Ben Caspit, who recently suggested that political leaders would need to find a way to “somehow round off the draft law,” a remark Meir interpreted as another indication that the political establishment was suddenly willing to compromise.

Particularly striking, Meir argued, was a report on Channel 12 referring to the possibility of a “soft draft law.”

For the past three years, he wrote, opponents of the chareidi parties had repeatedly described proposed draft legislation as a “draft evasion law,” portraying protections for yeshiva students as an unacceptable injustice toward those serving in the military.

Meir accused that campaign of contributing to hostility toward bnei yeshiva, including verbal harassment and incidents in which yeshiva students were insulted or spat upon in public.

He estimated that tens of thousands of yeshiva students had been subjected to abuse during the controversy, although he did not provide independent figures supporting that estimate.

Now, he observed, the same political and media circles were speaking approvingly about a more accommodating arrangement.

“Suddenly, a ‘soft draft law,'” Meir wrote, comparing the new terminology to the marketing of a gentle shampoo.

The columnist recalled that nearly two years earlier, writing in the newspaper B’Sheva, he had predicted that the political left would eventually seek to redefine its proposed alliance of military-serving Israelis in order to accommodate new coalition partners while excluding religious and right-wing voters.

At the time, he suggested that an alliance originally presented as a coalition of those sharing the burden of military service could eventually be rebranded as an alliance of service and reconciliation.

Such an arrangement, he predicted, might include Arab parties while excluding supporters of Religious Zionist politicians Bezalel Smotrich, Orit Strock and Itamar Ben Gvir.

Meir said that although he had anticipated such a political development, even he had not expected the terminology of a “soft draft law.”

Beyond his criticism of the draft debate, Meir issued a direct appeal to chareidi elected officials not to abandon their alliance with Israel’s religious and traditional right.

He warned that cooperation with the emerging anti-Netanyahu bloc could fracture a political and cultural partnership that he believes extends far beyond the question of who serves as prime minister.

Meir described the alliance as a “bloc of believers,” arguing that its foundation is a shared attachment to Jewish tradition and religious identity rather than simply loyalty to Netanyahu.

He acknowledged that many right-wing commentators, including those associated with Channel 14, view the bloc primarily as the political vehicle necessary to keep Netanyahu and the right in power.

Meir said he agreed with that objective but considered the alliance far more important than any individual political leader.

“There is a genuine connection here that rises above every political interest, however important it may be,” he wrote. “There is a shared identity. There is a deep bond that must continue long after Bibi’s 130th birthday.”

He added that the partnership should endure until the arrival of Moshiach and beyond.

To support his argument, Meir invoked the teachings of Maran Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l, the longtime leader of the Lithuanian Torah community, who had articulated a distinction between the religious attitudes of Israel’s political right and left decades earlier.

Rav Shach described Likud supporters as people possessing “simple faith,” Meir recalled, explaining that although many on the political right were not personally observant, they nevertheless maintained respect for religious tradition.

By contrast, Rav Shach had criticized the ideological secularism he associated with the political left.

Meir also quoted the late MK Rabbi Avrohom Ravitz, a leading figure in Degel HaTorah, who argued that chareidi political decisions should take into account the broader cultural character of Israel’s competing political camps.

Ravitz maintained that the right generally represented traditional Jews who respected authentic Jewish values, retained connections to Jewish heritage and did not seek to replace longstanding Jewish culture with modern secular ideology.

Meir argued that these distinctions, articulated during the 1980s and 1990s, have become even more pronounced in recent decades.

In his assessment, the Israeli left has moved further toward progressive secularism, while the political right has become increasingly connected to Torah, emunah and Jewish tradition.

He warned that dismantling the right-wing alliance at the present moment, particularly following the widespread expressions of Jewish identity and religious awakening during the war, would be a historic mistake.

Meir pointed to the enormous crowds of traditional and religious Jews who gathered at the Kosel during the recent season of Selichos, describing them as evidence of the deep spiritual connection shared by millions of Israelis.

He estimated that approximately two million people had visited the Kosel during that period and argued that severing political ties with such a population would create an unnecessary and painful division among Jews who share fundamental religious values.

Concluding his column, Meir expressed confidence that the chareidi parties would ultimately resist efforts to draw them away from the traditional right-wing alliance.

He ended with a prayer that the political maneuvering would not succeed in dividing the religious and traditional public, insisting that such a rupture must not be allowed to occur.

In a dramatic development that could reshape Israel’s post-election coalition negotiations, Maran Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, has reportedly refused to authorize United Torah Judaism to recommend Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for another term, declaring that the prime minister had betrayed the trust of the chareidi leadership.

According to sources, UTJ chairman MK Yaakov Asher personally approached Rav Landau after coming under sustained pressure from Netanyahu and his associates to reverse the party’s decision not to endorse any candidate during consultations with President Isaac Herzog.

Netanyahu reportedly spoke with Asher several times in an effort to persuade him to change the party’s position. Asher eventually agreed to bring the matter before Rav Landau, visiting the rosh yeshiva at his home and requesting permission to recommend Netanyahu.

During the meeting, Asher reportedly argued that the recommendation would carry little practical significance and would not prevent UTJ from simultaneously conducting negotiations with Gadi Eisenkot, who is attempting to assemble an alternative governing coalition.

Rav Landau, however, rejected the request.

“I don’t believe him. He lied to us, so how can we recommend him?” the rosh yeshiva reportedly told Asher, instructing him not to endorse Netanyahu.

The refusal represents a significant setback for Netanyahu, whose longstanding political alliance with the chareidi parties has been severely strained by the failure to resolve the status of yeshiva students facing military conscription.

A senior Degel HaTorah official told Kikar HaShabbat that the party’s position should not have come as a surprise, explaining that Rav Landau had explicitly warned before the elections that the movement was no longer committed to any political bloc.

“On the eve of the elections, the rosh yeshiva, Rav Dov Landau, made it absolutely clear that we are not part of any bloc,” the official said. “Unfortunately, the political establishment, and particularly Likud, did not take us seriously. Now they are seeing those statements translated into action.”

The official emphasized that Degel HaTorah’s political decisions would be determined exclusively by the needs of the olam hayeshivos, rather than loyalty to Netanyahu or his opponents.

“We are not part of the Netanyahu bloc, but it is important to clarify that we are also not part of the change bloc. We belong to only one bloc: the bloc of Torah learners, and our only mission is to secure the status of yeshiva students.”

Perhaps the most consequential aspect of the party’s emerging position is its willingness to consider cooperation with Eisenkot, even if doing so would help establish a government outside the traditional right-wing and chareidi alliance.

The senior Degel HaTorah official said the party would not automatically reject an arrangement with Eisenkot if he could secure agreement among his coalition partners on legislation protecting yeshiva students from conscription.

“If Eisenkot can bring his entire bloc to support a law acceptable to the gedolei Yisroel, we certainly would not rule out such cooperation,” the official said.

“We are not blindly following Netanyahu, and we have not entered into any unbreakable marriage with him. We are looking for a real, substantive solution for Torah learners. Now the only question remaining is whether Gadi can bring his bloc to support such a law.”

According to the report, senior figures in the anti-Netanyahu camp are exploring a political arrangement under which UTJ would provide Eisenkot with a parliamentary safety net, potentially allowing him to establish a government without formally joining the coalition.

Under one scenario being discussed, UTJ’s cooperation would reduce Netanyahu’s effective parliamentary bloc to 46 seats while increasing Eisenkot’s support to 55 seats. The chareidi party would demand an agreed-upon draft law and formal protections for yeshiva students in exchange for abstaining during the government’s inauguration vote.

The possibility of such an arrangement has generated considerable interest because Eisenkot’s prospective coalition includes parties that have previously demanded stricter military enlistment requirements for chareidi men.

Earlier this week, Asher met in Bnei Brak with Agudas Yisroel representatives MK Yitzchok Goldknopf and MK Meir Porush in an effort to coordinate UTJ’s position ahead of the presidential consultations.

Among the options discussed was declining to recommend any candidate for prime minister.

Porush appeared skeptical of the possibility of cooperation with Eisenkot, remarking as he entered the meeting, “Gadi Eisenkot will not call us.”

Goldknopf, meanwhile, emphasized that UTJ was not committed to either political camp.

“We are not in anyone’s bloc; we demand a draft law without sanctions,” he told Kikar HaShabbat.

Avi Greenzeig, a spokesman for Rav Landau’s household, cautioned that the party’s final position had not yet been determined.

“I can say only one thing: Whatever the rabbonim decide, when it becomes relevant, that is what will happen,” he said.

While UTJ has withheld its endorsement, Shas has taken a different approach, formally recommending Netanyahu to President Herzog.

During the consultations at the President’s Residence, Shas MK Michael Malkieli explained that his party was honoring its pre-election commitment.

“Shas is a party that keeps its promises. We promised that we would recommend Bibi, and that is what we are doing. We suffered a decline in seats and faced very harsh incitement specifically directed against Shas,” Malkieli said.

Fellow Shas MK Yinon Azulai also spoke about the political atmosphere surrounding the draft controversy.

“I experienced severe violence over the draft law issue. There was an effort to manipulate public perception regarding the entire chareidi community,” he said.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, released his first recorded statement since the elections, attacking the possibility that Eisenkot could establish a minority government dependent on support from Arab parties.

“A government dependent on parties that support terrorism will not be able to confront the challenge of radical Islam threatening us from within and without,” Netanyahu declared.

He argued that Israel requires a broad national government under Likud leadership rather than a coalition dependent on outside parliamentary support.

“Only a broad national government headed by Likud and under my leadership, including all components of the national bloc and all Zionist parties that wish to join, will be able to confront this challenge,” Netanyahu said.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli MK Gilad Kariv of the Democrats party said Thursday that he does not believe United Torah Judaism will join a prospective government headed by Gadi Eisenkot, warning that any effort to bring the chareidi party into the emerging coalition would have to address the contentious issue of military conscription.

Speaking in an interview with Radio A-Shams, Kariv expressed skepticism about the possibility of securing UTJ’s participation in a government seeking to replace Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, even as political leaders explore possible coalition arrangements following Israel’s recent elections.

Kariv made clear that while he was not categorically ruling out cooperation with UTJ, the parties negotiating a new government could not simply abandon their positions on the draft issue in order to secure chareidi support.

“I think United Torah Judaism will ultimately not join our government, and I think we cannot completely cast aside the issue of military conscription,” Kariv said.

His remarks come amid efforts to assemble a coalition under Eisenkot, with the potential participation of UTJ emerging as one of the questions facing the parties seeking to establish an alternative government.

The possibility of bringing UTJ into the coalition presents a significant political challenge, particularly because several of the parties involved have taken positions on the draft of chareidi yeshiva students that are sharply at odds with those of the chareidi parties.

Kariv was specifically asked about the possibility that Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Lieberman and Beyachad chairman Naftali Bennett could persuade UTJ to join the coalition by reaching an acceptable compromise on the draft.

Although doubtful that such an arrangement could be achieved, Kariv indicated that he would not automatically oppose an agreement that adequately addressed the issue.

“If Lieberman and Bennett know how to bring United Torah Judaism and also bring some reasonable and appropriate solution to the conscription issue, then please, go ahead,” he said.

Kariv’s comments highlight the competing pressures facing the parties seeking to form the next government. While support from chareidi lawmakers could help Eisenkot assemble a parliamentary majority, the military draft issue remains a major obstacle to cooperation between UTJ and several of the prospective coalition partners.

For UTJ, preserving the ability of yeshiva students to continue learning without being drafted into the military remains a central political priority. Other parties involved in the coalition discussions, however, have made changes to the existing draft arrangements a major component of their political platforms.

Kariv’s remarks suggest that even if Bennett and Lieberman attempt to negotiate a compromise with UTJ, they may face resistance from within the emerging coalition unless the agreement includes measures addressing military conscription.

Sen. Ted Cruz delivered a blistering assessment of the Republican Party’s disastrous midterm election performance Wednesday, describing the losses as a “Watergate-level repudiation” and arguing that President Trump’s tariffs, the continuing war with Iran, and widespread frustration over the cost of living drove voters away from GOP candidates.

The Texas Republican offered his assessment in an extensive statement posted on X, warning that his party must acknowledge the magnitude of its defeat rather than attribute the results to insufficient voter participation.

“2026 was not simply a blue wave; it was a blue tsunami. It was an ass kicking. It was not simply a bad 2006 midterm election. It was a Watergate-level repudiation,” Cruz wrote.

Cruz rejected the suggestion that Republicans lost because their supporters stayed home, arguing instead that many voters who ordinarily favor conservative candidates actively chose Democrats.

“When all the votes were counted, the problem wasn’t turnout. Instead, our voters, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, showed up and voted, and rejected our candidates, voting Democrat instead,” he wrote.

According to Cruz, the dominant issue influencing voters was the rising cost of everyday necessities, a concern he believes Republican leaders failed to address convincingly.

He said the public was increasingly frustrated by household expenses, while “too many Republican politicians seem like they didn’t understand or they didn’t care.”

The senator also broke sharply with two major components of Trump’s agenda, criticizing the administration’s trade policies and its handling of the military conflict with Iran.

“Tariffs have made everything too expensive, and the Iran war has dragged on too long,” Cruz wrote. “It should have been brief, decisive, and over. It needs to end, and we should never, under any circumstances, give the Ayatollah billions of dollars.”

Cruz’s remarks reflected growing Republican concerns about the political consequences of the administration’s economic and foreign policies following an election in which Democrats captured control of both chambers of Congress.

At the same time, Cruz warned that the Democratic victories could produce sweeping changes in Washington, including initiatives involving taxation, energy production, immigration enforcement, and transgender policies.

He also predicted “open persecution, and nonstop retaliation” targeting Trump, members of the president’s family, administration officials, and prominent business figures, including Elon Musk.

“Make no mistake. Nationally, the radicals are in charge. The communists and the Islamists who have taken over the Democrat Party have now taken over the United States Congress. They will be unleashed,” Cruz wrote.

Cruz said he intends to resist Democratic proposals he believes would damage the economy, weaken border security, or threaten constitutional protections, while remaining open to bipartisan cooperation on issues where agreement is possible.

He pledged to “work with Democrats when they’re willing to be reasonable.”

The senator was particularly alarmed by the election results in Texas, where Republicans lost every statewide contest, including Gov. Greg Abbott’s reelection race and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s bid for the U.S. Senate.

Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Abbott, while James Talarico won the Senate seat, ending more than three decades of Republican control of that office. Cruz, whose own Senate term runs through 2030, acknowledged that the results represented a historic political reversal in his home state.

Cruz said he had personally contacted Talarico to congratulate him and expressed hope that they could cooperate on matters affecting Texas.

Nevertheless, he promised vigorous opposition to policies he believes would undermine the state’s economic prosperity or public safety.

“If the newly elected radicals push policies that hurt Texas, raising taxes, destroying jobs, opening the border, releasing violent criminals, threatening our children, undermining our constitutional rights, I will fight with all of my strength to defend Texas and to defend the Constitution,” he wrote.

Looking ahead, Cruz argued that Republicans must reconnect with working-class Americans by pursuing conservative economic policies that directly address the financial pressures facing ordinary families.

He called for rebuilding the GOP “as a true blue-collar party, not by embracing socialism, but by being real free-market conservatives.”

Despite the scale of the Democratic victories, Cruz insisted that Texas has not permanently abandoned its conservative political identity and predicted that Republicans would eventually regain their dominance.

“Texas will be red again,” he said. “We have not suddenly become a bunch of tofu-eating, gun-banning, tutu-wearing pinko commie liberals. That ain’t us. Texas is still Texas.”

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] A disturbing report of an antisemitic demonstration outside a Jewish school in Las Vegas has raised concerns after a man was allegedly seen publicly displaying a sign bearing the words “Hitler was right,” an explicit expression of support for the Nazi dictator responsible for the murder of six million Jews during the Holocaust.

According to a description accompanying the reported incident, the individual stood outside a Jewish educational institution holding the sign in public view. The name of the school, the precise location and the date of the incident have not yet been independently established.

The reported location is particularly troubling because of the possibility that Jewish children, parents and school employees could have encountered the display while entering or leaving the institution. However, it remains unclear whether students were present at the time or whether the individual directly confronted anyone.

The message on the sign is an unmistakable expression of antisemitism, invoking Adolf Hitler and the Nazi genocide of European Jewry. Its reported appearance outside a Jewish school adds to concerns about the intimidation of Jewish communities and the safety of religious institutions.

The incident has now been traced to Friday, October 16, at the intersection of Lake Mead Boulevard and Hills Center Drive in Summerlin, a Las Vegas-area neighborhood containing several Jewish institutions, including Temple Sinai, The Adelson School, the Community Kollel of Greater Summerlin and Bet Yossef.

Local television station 8 News Now reported that a viewer submitted a photograph of the man holding the sign. Subsequent reporting identified the individual as Kenneth Boulet, a social media personality known online as Kenny KO. Reports also described him making Nazi salutes and arguing with a motorist who recorded the demonstration.

Rabbi Ilana Baden of Temple Sinai condemned the display, expressing dismay that the community was once again confronting open praise for Hitler and the Holocaust.

“How sad it is that we have to deal with this, not just as a Jewish community, but as a society as a whole,” Rabbi Baden said.

Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley and Clark County Commission Chair Michael Naft issued a joint statement condemning the incident and warning against allowing antisemitism to become an accepted feature of public life.

“History has taught us what happens when good people remain silent in the face of evil. Seeing someone openly celebrate Hitler on our streets should disturb every one of us, regardless of our faith or background. Antisemitism is not just a threat to the Jewish community. It is a threat to the values that hold our entire community together. We cannot allow hatred to become normalized through our silence. We have a responsibility to stand up, speak out, and make clear that this kind of hate has no place in our society and no place in Las Vegas or Clark County.”

Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen also denounced the incident, writing on social media that glorification of Hitler was unacceptable anywhere in the state or the country.

“I’m deeply horrified by this celebration of Hitler over the weekend,” Rosen wrote. “Any celebration of the architect of the Holocaust and the murder of millions of others has no place in Nevada or this country.”

Stefanie Tuzman, executive director of Jewish Nevada, said the incident presented a familiar dilemma for Jewish communal leaders, who must decide how to respond publicly without giving additional publicity to extremist messages.

According to Tuzman, officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department made contact with the individual on Friday. She noted that even deeply offensive speech may be protected by the First Amendment when it does not cross the legal threshold into threats or violence. No arrest or criminal charge was confirmed in the reporting reviewed.

The incident comes amid continuing concerns about antisemitism throughout Nevada. Jolie Brislin, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said the organization documented 78 antisemitic incidents in Nevada during 2025, including six assaults, representing a 5.4% increase from the previous year.

Jewish community leaders have also pointed to other recent incidents involving Nazi imagery, including swastikas painted on political campaign signs in the Las Vegas area during August.

The ADL has scheduled a November 6 conference at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, titled “Rising Above Together,” aimed at encouraging broader community participation in confronting antisemitism and other forms of hatred.

{Matzav.com}

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is considering a third campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028, saying the party’s heavy losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections have prompted him to reconsider another run for the White House.

Christie discussed the possibility Wednesday during an interview with Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio, indicating that he expects to reach a decision within the next several months.

“I certainly am going to think about it now after the results of last night,” Christie said. “And we’ll see. I’ll make that decision in a few months.”

The former governor, who failed to secure the Republican nomination in both 2016 and 2024, suggested that a third attempt might produce a different outcome. He pointed to Ronald Reagan, who won the presidency in 1980 after previous unsuccessful efforts to capture the Republican nomination.

“If I run this time, it’ll be my third time running. Reagan got elected on his third time running, so maybe there’s a bit of a charm to that,” Christie said.

Christie stressed, however, that he has no interest in launching another presidential campaign merely to participate in the contest. He said he would only enter the race if he identified a credible route to victory.

“You don’t do this a third time just for the experience,” Christie said. “So if I run, that means I’ve seen a path I think I can pursue to win the presidency because otherwise you’d have no reason to run.”

His remarks followed a difficult election night for Republicans, with Democrats winning control of both chambers of Congress in a significant setback for President Trump and his party.

The outcome is expected to fuel disagreements among Republicans about the party’s future, particularly as potential presidential contenders begin positioning themselves for the 2028 election.

Christie, who initially supported Trump before becoming one of his most aggressive Republican opponents, has repeatedly argued that the GOP must reconsider its political direction and move away from Trump’s leadership style.

In September, speaking at the Granite State Summit on Responsible Gambling in New Hampshire, Christie predicted that major Republican defeats could prompt party members to question whether their current political strategy remained viable.

“For our party’s sake, if we do a lot of losing six weeks from today,” Christie said, suggesting that Republicans might conclude that a different approach was necessary.

Christie returned to that argument in an October appearance in South Jersey, predicting that the midterm elections would mark a turning point in Trump’s political influence. He also warned that the final two years of Trump’s presidency could be marked by additional political turmoil.

His criticism became even sharper on election night, when Christie declared during ABC News coverage that the Republican losses signaled the end of Trump’s dominance over the party.

Christie’s political history presents considerable obstacles to another presidential bid. His 2016 campaign ended after a disappointing sixth-place finish in New Hampshire, after which he endorsed Trump and became an early supporter.

By the 2024 election cycle, however, Christie had emerged as a leading Republican critic of Trump, devoting much of his presidential campaign to challenging the president’s conduct and fitness for office. He withdrew shortly before the New Hampshire primary after struggling to attract significant support.

The former governor would likely face a crowded Republican field in 2028, potentially including Vice President JD Vance, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Christie has not announced a campaign or established a timetable beyond his stated intention to decide within the coming months.

An exceptionally rare first edition of the Noam Elimelech, the celebrated sefer of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk zy”a, is being offered at auction with an opening price exceeding $1 million, generating enormous excitement among Chassidic communities and collectors of historic Jewish books worldwide.

The extraordinary volume, printed in Lemberg in 1788, is being offered by the Genazim auction house, with expectations that the sale could establish a new record in the Jewish rare-book market.

The first printing of the Noam Elimelech occupies a unique place in Chassidic history. The sefer, containing the Torah teachings of one of the foremost early Chassidic tzaddikim, was prepared for publication by his sons, Rav Elazar and Rav Eliezer Lipa, with assistance from his talmid, Rav Zechariah Mendel of Yaroslav.

The sefer was published following the passing of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech, in accordance with his instructions.

Rav Moshe Reutman, rov of Khal Bnei Heichala, related a well-known account illustrating the extraordinary nature of the teachings contained in the sefer.

According to the account, when Rav Elazar recorded his father’s Torah teachings and subsequently presented them to him, the Rebbe Reb Elimelech asked who had delivered those words.

When his son explained that he himself had said them the previous day, the tzaddik expressed astonishment, saying that he had believed such teachings could only have come from malachim and serafim.

The original edition is surrounded by remarkable traditions concerning the manner in which it was produced. Among the descendants of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech, a tradition has been preserved that his sons immersed each individual lead printing letter in a mikveh before the printing process. Another tradition maintains that the workers involved in printing the sefer were among the lamed-vov tzaddikim, the 36 hidden righteous individuals.

Another distinctive feature of the first edition is the appearance of mysterious asterisks, commonly called kochavim, inserted between certain passages.

Rav Reutman explained that Chassidic tradition associates these markings with extraordinary spiritual revelations. According to one account, they identify teachings during which the Rebbe Reb Elimelech experienced aliyas neshamah or giluy Eliyahu. Another tradition maintains that the markings indicate occasions when his son experienced giluy Eliyahu while preparing the manuscript for publication.

The original edition also contains Rav Elazar’s celebrated introduction, Hisnatzlus Ben Hamechaber, as well as the sections Likutei Shoshanah and Igros Kodesh, which include responses to objections raised against the early Chassidic movement.

One of the reasons complete copies are so extraordinarily scarce is that the Noam Elimelech was never treated merely as a collector’s item. For generations, Yidden regularly used the sefer for learning and as a segulah for various yeshuos, resulting in extensive wear and the eventual disappearance of many copies.

Rav Chaim Shweid, a prominent Chassidic collector from New York who owns a first edition, explained that the very reverence accorded to the sefer contributed to its rarity.

Unlike other valuable early printed works that were carefully preserved in private collections, copies of the Noam Elimelech were repeatedly handled, studied, and carried from place to place. Consequently, surviving volumes are frequently missing pages or have suffered substantial damage.

A complete, well-preserved copy retaining its original title page and supplementary sections is therefore considered an exceptional discovery.

The sefer has long been associated in Chassidic tradition with segulos for health, childbirth, and other personal difficulties. It was customary in certain communities to place the Noam Elimelech near the bed of a woman experiencing a difficult delivery, while others placed kvitlech containing requests for yeshuos between its pages.

The Rebbe Rav Aharon of Belz zy”a is said to have been particularly careful about the presence of the Noam Elimelech in homes he visited. According to the account, he would not enter a home without a copy of the sefer, and would sometimes send his gabbai ahead with one.

Rav Shweid revealed that his own first-edition copy contains more than 150 kvitlech placed there by individuals seeking yeshuos.

He said that people who deposited these handwritten requests have subsequently returned to share accounts of the yeshuos they experienced, and that the Noam Elimelech is invariably the first item visitors ask to see when they come to his home.

The extraordinary standing of the sefer extends well beyond Chassidic circles.

A well-known account relates that a visitor to the home of the Chofetz Chaim zt”l noticed a copy of the Noam Elimelech on his table and expressed surprise.

The Chofetz Chaim reportedly responded that he firmly believed Yidden were inspired to do genuine teshuvah every day through the influence of the holy sefer.

The approaching auction has attracted attention from wealthy collectors and admirers of historic seforim across the Jewish world, with the opening price alone placing the volume among the most valuable Jewish books ever offered for public sale.

R’ Moshe Stefansky, one of the owners of Genazim, described the upcoming auction as a historic moment for Jewish book collecting.

He said the level of international interest has been unlike anything he has witnessed in decades in the field, reflecting both the exceptional significance of the Noam Elimelech and the rapidly expanding market for rare Jewish manuscripts and early printed seforim.

With bidding expected to begin above $1 million, collectors are watching closely to see whether the historic first edition will establish a new auction record.

{Matzav.com}

Jackson, New Jersey, is entering a potentially contentious new chapter following Tuesday’s municipal election, in which Elliot Shem-Tov, a candidate who campaigned on tighter development restrictions and opposition to what he characterized as overdevelopment, defeated incumbent Township Council President Chris Pollak. The result has raised serious concerns among the township’s growing frum community about the future of shuls, yeshivos, residential development, and the municipality’s compliance with longstanding legal obligations involving religious discrimination.

Shem-Tov’s victory comes after years of bitter disputes over Jackson’s treatment of Orthodox Jewish residents, including federal and state litigation, allegations of discriminatory zoning practices, and legal settlements intended to ensure that frum families enjoy the same rights as other township residents.

According to unofficial election returns, Shem-Tov received 10,625 votes, or 47.5%, defeating Pollak, who garnered 8,816 votes, or 39.4%. Democrat Brandon Rose finished third with 2,868 votes, or 12.8%. With additional ballots still awaiting tabulation at the time of the report, Shem-Tov’s lead appeared decisive.

The election also brought changes elsewhere in township government. In the contest for the two available council seats, Pollak’s running mates, Amanda Trombetta and John Pojack, were defeated by incumbents Nino Borrelli and Brian McCarron, who received 8,176 and 8,136 votes, respectively.

The incoming administration is scheduled to begin its four-year term on January 1, 2027, leaving Jackson’s frum residents confronting a period of uncertainty over the direction of municipal policy.

One of the central concerns is whether the township will continue implementing the legal and regulatory changes required under agreements reached with state and federal authorities following years of litigation over its treatment of Orthodox Jewish residents.

Those disputes centered on restrictions affecting religious schools, shuls, and other facilities needed by Jackson’s expanding frum population. Residents have argued that zoning regulations and municipal enforcement practices created unnecessary obstacles to religious life and, in some instances, singled out Orthodox Jews for discriminatory treatment.

The settlements and related legal obligations remain binding regardless of who occupies the mayor’s office or sits on the Township Council. Nevertheless, community members are concerned that an administration less sympathetic to their needs could make implementation more difficult, potentially generating additional litigation and prolonging disputes that have already consumed years.

Shem-Tov, a 54-year-old corporate business development manager who has resided in Jackson for 13 years, built much of his campaign around criticism of township spending, development approvals, construction oversight, and municipal legal settlements.

His campaign called for stronger enforcement of zoning regulations, greater scrutiny of new construction, and restrictions on development that supporters believe has placed excessive pressure on Jackson’s infrastructure.

For frum residents, however, some of those proposals raise concerns because development and zoning restrictions have been at the center of previous disputes involving Orthodox families seeking to establish shuls, schools, and other community institutions.

Among the most immediate issues is the future of Jackson’s shuls and neighborhood minyanim. Many frum families have moved into areas where permanent shul buildings are not yet available, leaving residents dependent on temporary arrangements while seeking the necessary municipal approvals.

The incoming administration’s approach to these facilities could have significant consequences. Jackson has previously faced litigation over restrictions affecting Orthodox houses of worship, and any renewed attempt to impose unreasonable obstacles could place the township in conflict with its existing legal obligations.

The controversy extends beyond shuls. Jackson’s growing frum population has also sought to establish yeshivos, mikvaos, and other community institutions. The ability to obtain land-use approvals and develop these facilities without discriminatory treatment remains a major concern.

Hatzolah has emerged as another particularly sensitive issue.

According to reporting in The Voice of Lakewood, Shem-Tov’s campaign amplified social media commentary hostile to Hatzolah volunteers and included individuals who had publicly criticized Orthodox Jewish residents and institutions. The publication also reported that Shem-Tov had promised influential municipal positions to individuals it described as hostile to the frum community.

Those allegations have heightened concerns over whether individuals with established grievances against Orthodox residents could acquire authority over municipal enforcement, zoning, or other departments directly affecting the community.

One figure drawing attention is Mordechai Burnstein, a newly elected member of the Jackson Township Council and a prominent frum voice in local government. Burnstein has been sharply critical of Shem-Tov’s campaign and its supporters, accusing them of exploiting anti-Orthodox sentiment for political purposes.

Following a recent council meeting at which Burnstein clashed with Council President Chris Pollak, Shem-Tov reportedly criticized Burnstein’s conduct and described him as a poor representative of the community.

Burnstein’s presence on the council will be especially significant because Shem-Tov’s two successful running mates, Pollak and Amanda Trombetta, will occupy two of the council’s five seats. Burnstein, whose term continues, will remain an important voice in municipal deliberations, although the incoming mayor and his allies will not control every council vote.

The political tensions have also extended beyond Jackson.

Lakewood Police Chief Gregory Meyer faced criticism after a Facebook account identifying him appeared to praise a Fight for Jackson campaign livestream. The comment, consisting of the words “Nice job,” prompted questions from frum community members about whether the chief was expressing support for a political movement whose supporters had made statements against Orthodox institutions.

The comment alone does not establish agreement with every position associated with the campaign, but the controversy illustrates how deeply the Jackson election has resonated in neighboring Lakewood.

Another major concern is Shem-Tov’s promise to review township legal settlements. Jackson’s previous disputes involving Orthodox residents resulted in substantial legal costs and agreements with government authorities. Any effort to revisit those arrangements will likely be closely watched by community advocates and civil rights organizations.

Shem-Tov has defended his campaign as an effort to restore accountability, improve municipal management, and protect Jackson from uncontrolled development. His supporters argue that residents of every background will benefit from stronger enforcement and more responsible planning.

Critics, however, contend that seemingly neutral policies involving zoning, occupancy limits, and building approvals can have discriminatory consequences when applied selectively to a particular religious community.

Jackson’s incoming leadership will also inherit broader municipal problems, including turnover in senior administrative and police positions, disputes over township finances, and increasing pressure on infrastructure from population growth.

For the frum community, the election has created an immediate practical challenge: establishing a working relationship with an administration whose campaign rhetoric and political associations have generated substantial mistrust.

The community’s concerns are sharpened by the fact that Jackson’s history of discrimination litigation is not distant history. The township remains subject to legal requirements designed to prevent the recurrence of practices that previously restricted Orthodox religious life.

A Jackson askan told The Voice of Lakewood that the community had worked closely with the previous administration and participated heavily in the election, with approximately 90 percent of registered frum voters casting ballots. He expressed hope that the incoming officials would recognize the community’s importance and cooperate with its residents.

Whether that cooperation materializes will become clearer after January 1, when the new administration takes office and begins making decisions on development applications, religious facilities, enforcement priorities, and township appointments.

For thousands of frum families who have made Jackson their home, those decisions will determine whether the coming four years bring greater accommodation and stability or another prolonged period of legal battles over their ability to live and practice their religion freely.

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri acknowledged Thursday that his party’s disappointing performance in Israel’s Knesset elections requires a serious cheshbon hanefesh, pledging to examine the reasons behind the loss of five seats while insisting that the movement remains strong and united despite the setback.

Speaking at a special Shas faction meeting at the party’s headquarters, Deri addressed the election results that saw Shas fall from 11 Knesset seats to six, rejecting suggestions that the outcome represented the collapse of the Sephardic chareidi party.

The gathering, attended by Shas Knesset members and representatives from communities throughout Eretz Yisroel, opened with the recitation of Mizmor LeSodah, as Deri sought to place the election results in the context of the challenges the movement has faced in recent years.

“We must thank the Ribbono Shel Olam for both the difficult times and the good times, even when we cannot understand His cheshbonos,” Deri said at the outset.

“Boruch Hashem, 300,000 Yidden answered the call of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah and were not influenced by the relentless campaign of incitement directed against us over the past three years, both from within and from outside.”

Deri maintained that the campaign against Shas had been unlike anything he had experienced during his decades in public life, accusing opponents of exploiting the party’s conduct during wartime to weaken its standing among voters.

“I have been involved in these political battles for decades, and there has never been anything like this. During the war, they took advantage of the restraint and sense of responsibility we demonstrated to attack the movement and its leaders. They even attempted to divide our Torah leadership,” he said.

According to Deri, political analysts had privately expressed doubts that Shas could withstand the sustained criticism and internal pressures it faced.

“Experts told me they did not believe it was possible to survive such a campaign. It is truly a neis, and for that we must thank the Ribbono Shel Olam.”

The Shas chairman argued that the party’s greatest achievement was preserving its organizational and rabbinic unity despite the election losses and the intense political pressures surrounding the campaign.

“Not only did we survive, but we preserved something that hardly exists in any other party: one Torah leadership, one political leadership, one Knesset faction, and all our representatives in the local authorities united. This cannot be taken for granted. For all of this, we recited Mizmor LeSodah.”

Deri expressed appreciation to the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah and the thousands of party activists who worked to mobilize supporters across the country.

“I want to thank, from the bottom of my heart, the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah and the thousands of men and women activists across the country who worked with extraordinary mesirus nefesh for the movement,” he said.

“The result we achieved was with siyata diShmaya and thanks to their hard work and dedication. Their efforts were not in vain. Be’ezras Hashem, we will know how to justify the trust placed in us.”

Addressing critics who have portrayed the election as a devastating repudiation of his leadership, Deri insisted that the hundreds of thousands of votes received by Shas demonstrate that the party continues to command substantial support.

“Those who tried to destroy the movement rushed to celebrate its ‘collapse,’ but 300,000 votes is not a collapse,” he declared.

Deri pointed to the party’s history of electoral fluctuations, recalling that Shas had repeatedly recovered from political setbacks and challenges to its leadership.

“We have known ups and downs. Shas is a movement built on an idea and a derech. We started with four seats, reached 17, fell and rose again. We went through severe crises, lost our leader, Maran Rav Ovadia Yosef, and faced movements that competed against us.”

“Boruch Hashem, we survived it all, while other parties emerged and disappeared,” he added.

At the same time, Deri acknowledged that the results demand more than expressions of gratitude and assurances of organizational strength. He promised a comprehensive internal review of the campaign and the factors that contributed to the party’s diminished representation.

“This is a time for serious cheshbon hanefesh and learning lessons, and we will do so thoroughly. Hard work lies ahead for all of us. This is a yeridah letzorech aliyah,” he said.

Deri concluded by announcing plans to spend considerably more time visiting Shas communities, meeting local activists, and rebuilding the party’s grassroots operations.

“We will travel the length and breadth of Eretz Yisroel. I plan to go out into the field two or three times a week, conduct visits and working meetings, and strengthen the movement,” Deri said.

The remarks followed several days of uncertainty over Deri’s political future. Following the election, reports indicated that he had offered to relinquish the Shas leadership, but the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah instructed him to remain at the helm of the movement.

The final election results showed Shas receiving approximately 299,500 votes, representing 5.26% of valid ballots. Its six seats marked a loss of five mandates compared with the previous Knesset, making the outcome one of the party’s most serious electoral setbacks in recent years.

{Matzav.com}

A formal complaint demanding a criminal investigation has been filed against Israeli military police officers accused of violently arresting the newly married chosson, Yaari Lieberman, as he and his wife were traveling to a sheva brachos celebration. The complaint alleges that masked officers dressed in civilian clothing choked Lieberman, failed to identify themselves, and seized his wife’s cellphone, leaving the frightened kallah believing her husband had been kidnapped.

The complaint was submitted by the organization Emes L’Yaakov B’Yisroel through attorney Nosson Rosenblatt, who is demanding that military investigators examine the conduct of every officer involved in the arrest and determine whether criminal offenses were committed.

Lieberman was arrested Sunday after stepping off a bus with his wife. The arrest was carried out by military police officers wearing civilian clothing. He was subsequently sentenced to 20 days in military detention but was released the following day after intervention on his behalf.

According to the complaint, the officers arrived at the scene in three vehicles, wearing masks and civilian clothing. The organization alleges that they immediately descended on Lieberman and forcibly restrained him, including grabbing him by the neck and choking him.

The complaint further alleges that the officers did not present an arrest warrant, explain the reason for taking Lieberman into custody, or inform him of his rights.

Of particular concern, according to the organization, was the officers’ alleged failure to identify themselves as members of the military police.

Lieberman’s wife, who had been traveling with him to their sheva brachos, reportedly had no way of knowing that the masked men confronting her husband were law enforcement personnel. Fearing that she was witnessing a kidnapping, she contacted the Israel Police to report what had happened.

The organization also alleges that the officers confiscated the kallah’s cellphone during the incident and left her at the scene without her husband.

The complaint also calls for an investigation into suspicions that military authorities used cellphone-location tracking to identify Lieberman’s whereabouts before the arrest. The organization wants investigators to determine whether such surveillance was conducted and, if so, whether the necessary judicial authorization had been obtained.

Additional allegations concern Lieberman’s treatment after he was taken into military custody. According to the complaint, officers mocked him, and personnel at the detention facility refused to provide him with a blanket or adequate heating despite his requests.

The kallah’s mother previously described the ordeal in an emotional radio interview, saying the officers had choked her son-in-law, forced him to the ground, and placed him in a vehicle. She said her daughter was trembling and crying for hours following the incident.

Lieberman, a talmid of Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim headed by Rav Reuven Elbaz, had already been the subject of an attempted military police arrest on October 6 at his parents’ home in Modi’in. That operation ended without his detention after hundreds of protesters gathered and confronted security forces.

His arrest on Sunday sparked widespread condemnation from chareidi political leaders. United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher contacted Defense Minister Yisrael Katz demanding his immediate release, while Shas called upon Knesset members to join an appeal on his behalf.

The latest complaint was sent to military investigative authorities, the IDF Personnel Directorate, and the Soldiers’ Complaints Commissioner. Emes L’Yaakov B’Yisroel is demanding a comprehensive examination of the arrest, the alleged use of excessive force, the treatment of Lieberman and his wife, and the conduct of personnel at the detention facility.

The organization is seeking criminal proceedings against any officers found to have violated the law. The allegations have not yet been established by an official investigation.

{Matzav.com}