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After the Hamas terror group blatantly violated the so-called ceasefire on Wednesday evening, when terrorists opened fire on IDF forces along the Yellow Line, the IDF announced on Thursday that troops discovered a large rocket launcher with eight barrels and four rockets aimed at Israel. B’Chasdei Hashem, no soldiers were injured by the terrorists’ gunfire. […]

WATCH:

Yoaz Hendel on Wednesday evening announced the launch of his “Reservists” party [HaMiluimnikim], with his central platform based on stripping voting rights from Israelis who don’t serve in the IDF. Hendel served as the communications minister in the Bennett-Lapid government and has moved from one party to another in recent years, including Telem, Blue and […]

A disturbing report was published by Walla on Wednesday evening amid serious security concerns about the scourge of smuggling operations across the Egyptian border. According to the report, female lookout soldiers in the Edom Division on the Egyptian border told their parents that in recent weeks the soldiers were instructed that “it is not necessary […]

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President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday that he will host New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office later this month, agreeing to a meeting that Mamdani himself initiated.

On Truth Social, Trump underscored who had reached out first and sharpened his criticism of the incoming mayor, writing that the “Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran ‘Kwame’ Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st. Further details to follow!”

Mamdani, who secured the mayoralty earlier in November by defeating Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, enters office with a long record of antagonism toward Israel. He sparked outrage when he attacked Israel on October 8, 2023—just a day after the Hamas massacre in southern Israel—and he has refused to repudiate the chant “globalize the intifada.”

His rhetoric has gone even further at times, as he has repeatedly accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza and has pledged to have Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he sets foot in New York City.

Trump himself had tried to block Mamdani’s rise, endorsing Cuomo on the eve of the election and cautioning that the city could face steep federal funding cuts under a Mamdani administration. Months earlier, Trump had warned he would not allow the “communist lunatic” to “destroy New York.”

Following Mamdani’s victory, Trump told Fox News that the incoming mayor “should be very nice to me,” an idea he repeated when asked if he had watched Mamdani’s election-night remarks. “Yeah, I thought it was a very angry speech, certainly angry toward me. And I think he should be very nice to me. You know, I’m the one that sort of has to approve a lot of things coming to him. So he’s off to a bad start.”

Despite the bitterness of the campaign, both men now appear ready—at least for the moment—to sit down face-to-face.

{Matzav.com}

Retired judge David Cheshin — who served as the arbitrator in the major Ponovezh dispute — spoke for the first time about his decision during an interview on Kol Berama’s main news broadcast, addressing whether there is any avenue to challenge the ruling.

Cheshin opened the interview by emphasizing that he is bound by confidentiality. He said he is not permitted to delve into the details of the decision itself, noting that the process was private and that he has deep respect for both sides of the dispute. He expressed his sincere hope that the talmidim on both sides continue learning Torah with strength and peace. According to him, he ruled strictly based on the evidence presented, and he feels completely at ease with the ruling he issued.

When asked outright whether either side plans to appeal, Cheshin said he does not know.

He then clarified the legal framework surrounding arbitration rulings. For many years, he explained, the standard rule in Israel was that an arbitration decision could not be appealed at all. However, it was always possible to petition the district court to cancel an arbitration ruling under very specific conditions — for example, if the arbitrator failed to address a particular claim or refused to hear relevant witnesses.

Cheshin added that the law was changed several years ago, and today, if both parties agreed before the arbitration began that an appeal would be allowed, then an appeal option exists.

Meanwhile, at the Ponovezh Yeshiva itself, learning continues as usual. The sedorim and shiurim proceeded normally today, and with time, more information is expected regarding what the future holds following this dramatic and far-reaching ruling.

{Matzav.com}

New York City’s incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is preparing to reshape the city’s posture toward federal immigration authorities, insisting that once he steps into office, the NYPD will not be part of civil immigration actions.

In an interview with PIX 11, Mamdani explained that he has already begun policy discussions with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who has agreed to remain at the helm of the NYPD. He emphasized his opposition to any return to the approach taken under the current administration. “Well, what I’ve shared with the commissioner and I’ve also shared publicly is the fact that we can never go back to the days where [Mayor] Eric Adams would go on national television and open the door to the NYPD handling civil immigration enforcement,” Mamdani said. “That can never even be entertained.”

Mamdani posted on X on Wednesday that he expects to build a strong relationship with Tisch once he enters office. “I look forward to working with Commissioner Jessica Tisch to deliver genuine public safety in New York City,” he said. “Together, we will deliver a city where rank-and-file police officers and the communities they serve alike are safe, represented, and proud to call New York their home.”

While speaking with PIX 11, he described hearing deeply emotional stories from residents who fear ICE operations. “The other day, I was speaking with a New Yorker who broke into tears as she told me about her aunt who had been visited by ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] at their home.”

He stressed that under his leadership, the NYPD’s mission will be singular and focused. “People are living in fear,” he said. “And what we will ensure is the NYPD will be delivering public safety, not assisting ICE in their attempts to fulfill the administration’s goal of creating the single largest deportation force in American history.”

Asked how he expects Commissioner Tisch to respond if she receives advance warning of federal immigration operations, Mamdani stated plainly: “I want her to ensure that no officers are assisting with the actions of ICE.”

Mamdani added that he plans to make it unmistakably clear to President Donald Trump’s administration where New York City stands on this issue. “This city is also an immigrant city. It’s a city that’s proud of its immigrants’ heritage,” he said. “It’s proud of the fact that so many from across the world find their home in this city. And we will protect those New Yorkers as we protect every New Yorker.”

Mamdani will take office on January 1, inheriting a city where conservative critics argue that his broader platform—ranging from government-run food stores to expanded rent regulation and universal child care—could prompt both families and companies to pack up and leave.

{Matzav.com}

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch sent a message to the entire department early Wednesday, making it clear that she intends to remain in her post under incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani — and assuring officers that she will continue advocating for them without hesitation. The note, reported by the New York Post, laid out why she agreed to stay even though she openly acknowledges clashing with some of Mamdani’s far-left positions.

Her email explained that she accepted Mamdani’s offer to continue as commissioner after a series of recent meetings with him. Those conversations, she said, left her confident that she could still lead the NYPD with integrity, even with the mayor-elect’s past anti-police rhetoric sparking concern throughout the force.

“I wanted you — the men and women of the NYPD — to hear this directly from me first. Because the reason I have chosen to stay is you. I believe deeply in the nobility of your work, in what you do every day to keep this city safe, in your commitment, and in your sacrifice,” Tisch said.

She did not hide the fact that she and the incoming mayor see the world differently. “Now, do the Mayor-elect and I agree on everything? No, we don’t. But in speaking with him, it’s clear that we share broad and crucial priorities: the importance of public safety, the need to continue driving down crime, and the need to maintain stability and order across the department.”

The announcement fulfills Mamdani’s pledge during the campaign to keep the 44-year-old commissioner in charge — a move his team framed as reassurance to New Yorkers worried about a spike in crime once he takes office. They highlighted the steep drop in shootings and other major offenses under her leadership.

Tisch told officers she valued serving under a mayor who wants a team willing to challenge one another. “I appreciate that the Mayor-elect wants a team with different points of view — a team where ideas and policies are debated on their merits,” she said.

“In those discussions, you can trust that I will be a fierce advocate for you and for this department. You know how I operate: I don’t mince words. When I say something, I mean it. And that is not going to change.”

She also pointed to the NYPD’s current progress. “This year, we are having tremendous success fighting crime — shattering records across the board. It is extraordinary, and it is because of you. But we can never rest easy, and we can never accept the idea that our best days are behind us. We owe the people of New York City more. Let’s meet that challenge together.”

Police union leaders responded quickly and enthusiastically. Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association, welcomed the decision. “We are very glad to hear that there will be stability and continuity in the NYPD’s leadership going forward,” he said, noting that Tisch understands the real-world struggles officers face.

Scott Munro, head of the Detectives Endowment Association, echoed the praise: “This is a great day for New York City Detectives, the NYPD, and the citizens we are proud to serve. Commissioner Tisch will lead us through the challenges we will face.”

Within the department, officers also took note of the commissioner’s choice to notify them before the press release went out. One police source called it “very classy,” adding, “Shows the deep respect she has for the cops and the work they do.”

In announcing the appointment publicly, Mamdani’s team stressed their goal of maintaining safety for both officers and the communities they patrol. Mamdani himself praised Tisch’s record, saying, “I have admired her work cracking down on corruption in the upper echelons of the police department, driving down crime in New York City, and standing up for New Yorkers in the face of authoritarianism.”

He added, “Together, we will deliver a city where rank-and-file police officers and the communities they serve alike are safe, represented, and proud to call New York their home.”

{Matzav.com}

A federal court blocked the use of a new congressional map that would likely flip five House seats in the state of Texas.

A new PBS News/NPR/Marist poll shows Democrats with a commanding advantage heading into the 2026 midterm cycle, with 55% of voters saying they would choose a Democrat for Congress if elections were held today, compared to 41% who would vote Republican. The 14-point spread is the party’s strongest showing since November 2017. In the 2018 […]

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President Trump revealed on Wednesday that he finalized legislation compelling federal authorities to hand over long-sealed materials tied to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted pedophile whose case has long fueled public demands for transparency.

In a message posted on Truth Social, the president declared, “I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!” He explained that he had urged congressional leaders to move the measure forward, noting, “As everyone knows, I asked Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to pass this Bill in the House and Senate, respectively. Because of this request, the votes were almost unanimous in favor of passage.”

Under the new law, the Department of Justice must provide Congress with every available piece of Epstein-related information — including all “unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials,” along with classified material “to the maximum extent possible.” Lawmakers are required to receive the full trove within a 30-day window.

The legislation faced virtually no resistance on Capitol Hill. The House advanced the bill in a 427–1 vote on Tuesday, and the Senate quickly followed by sending it to the White House through unanimous consent, paving the way for Trump’s signature.

{Matzav.com}

The Empire State’s congressional delegation may skew more progresive in the coming midterms. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies could face a far-left primary challenge from New York City Councilor Chi Ossé, a democratic socialist who says the party needs to do more to “fight back” against the Trump presidency. Ossé, 27, filed paperwork Monday with […]

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani reversed course Wednesday on his earlier stance regarding police involvement in domestic violence incidents, saying the NYPD will continue to handle those calls. The shift came during his first public appearance with incoming Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who will remain in her role under Mamdani’s administration. “That has not been part of […]

When a rosh yeshiva speaks about the dangers of drinking culture, the entire community pays attention. But sitting across the therapy couch from your sons each week, I need to say something that hurts: the crisis is not Toameha. The crisis is us. We can outlaw the Kiddush Club. We can close down every Erev […]

Rav Shmuel Markowitz delivered a shmuess to his talmidim at Ponovezh Yeshiva shortly after Justice David Cheshin released his arbitration ruling regarding the long-standing dispute within the institution. The decision granted a clear victory to his brother-in-law Rav Leizer Kahaneman. Within hours, Rav Markowitz gathered the talmidim in the main bais medrash to guide them through the moment and to set the tone for the yeshiva’s response.

Rav Markowitz opened by acknowledging those who devote their “koach, nefesh, and neshama” to raising the talmidim. He explained that a new situation had arrived unexpectedly and that they must understand the proper perspective: “There is now a new situation, and we must know the correct outlook and how to relate to it. This came suddenly, and we need the tools and the thought to know what our mission is now.”

He told them that although the din Torah had affirmed their right to teach and learn where they are, outside authorities now seek to dislodge them. “Since the ruling in the din Torah, the ruling stated that we are here, learning and teaching Torah, and our right according to the Torah is to bring into the yeshiva roshei yeshiva and rabbeim. Now, through the civil system, they want to expel us. What was in our hands to do, we did, to preserve the din Torah ruling, and it did not succeed.”

Despite that, he told the talmidim that they must continue with strength and gratitude. “We must thank Hashem for what you have merited to grow. It is known and public that you are growing and immersed in Torah. It is known throughout the world that here is the finest of the fine.”

Rav Markowitz emphasized that the essence of the yeshiva cannot be uprooted: “The inner dimension that is not connected to any building exists forever. The inner dimension is greater than the outer, and that is what we are speaking about now.” He added later, “The yeshiva is ruchniyus, and ruchniyus cannot be taken.”

He reminded them that generations of struggle do not weaken Torah; they strengthen it. “We are in a time when Hashem has broadened things for us and we will flourish in the land. From something bitter will come something sweet. We will not leave you, and more and more generations will grow.”

He urged the talmidim not to react against anyone. His warning was explicit: “We will continue and grow as usual, and absolutely do nothing against the other side. There is no point in it. Whatever they will do, they will do.”

Rav Markowitz told them that their entire task is to deepen their commitment to learning, tefillah, and mussar. “Our role now is only to learn, and to be immersed in the toil of Torah. What they will do, I do not know. But we do nothing, only learning, davening, and character growth—only what is necessary, only the will of the Creator.”

He spoke openly about responsibility and inner strength: “There is no doubt that the main strength in this is you. If each one, with spirit inside him, wants to grow and use all his abilities, there is guaranteed heavenly assistance.”

He encouraged them not to be intimidated by present circumstances. “We must not measure things in the moment. Days will speak. There is a vision and a process. The vision remains.”

He explained that challenges force a person to become a builder, not a bystander. “Each one of us now becomes a builder. When each one builds himself, his group, and everyone together—that is the construction that passes from generation to generation.”

Rav Markowitz told the talmidim that now is not the time for fear, but for elevated effort. “If we stand in the test, we grow from it and will flourish in the land. This is the greatness that comes from inner strength.”

He reassured them that the yeshiva will emerge stronger. “We will come out of this situation strengthened. The desire that everyone has will continue, and we are certain that from this, Hashem, who desires justice, will magnify Torah and glorify it. The power of Torah will grow from this.”

He concluded with a call for uplifted spirit and confidence. “The atmosphere of wanting to grow must continue. Do not fall into a negative mood. There is no reason for it. From something bitter will come something sweet. Hashem will broaden things for us again. The greatness of Torah will rise among us with heavenly assistance.”

{Matzav.com}

A former senior White House aide to President Barack Obama ignited a political firestorm after arguing that Holocaust education is backfiring on American youth by leading them to sympathize with Palestinians instead of Israel. Sarah Hurwitz, who served as Michelle Obama’s head speechwriter before working for Barack Obama during his second term, told a packed […]