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Billionaire Elon Musk responded with humor Wednesday to the Republican Party’s crushing midterm election losses, despite having poured nearly $500 million into efforts to help GOP candidates retain control of Congress and win key races across the country.

Democrats captured both the House of Representatives and the Senate in Tuesday’s elections, dealing President Donald Trump a major political setback and leaving Republicans confronting the consequences of an expensive campaign that failed to prevent a sweeping Democratic victory.

“Guess my election-interfering space lasers didn’t work this time,” Musk wrote on X, adding a shrugging emoji.

The Tesla and SpaceX chief executive emerged as the largest individual political contributor of the election cycle, according to OpenSecrets, which tracks campaign financing. His spending approached half a billion dollars, an extraordinary amount made possible by campaign finance rules permitting unlimited independent political expenditures.

Much of Musk’s financial support flowed through America PAC, his Republican-aligned political organization, and the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC dedicated to electing Republican senators.

Among the most closely watched contests was the Texas Senate race, where Musk’s financial backing proved insufficient to secure a victory for Republican Ken Paxton, a close Trump ally.

In September alone, Musk contributed $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, which directed substantial resources toward helping Paxton defeat Democratic candidate James Talarico.

The Texas contest became the most expensive Senate race of the election cycle, with outside political organizations spending more than $200 million opposing Talarico.

Despite the enormous financial effort, Talarico defeated Paxton, becoming the first Democrat to win a statewide election in Texas since 1994.

Celebrating his victory at a rally in Austin, Talarico portrayed the result as a rejection of the influence wielded by wealthy political donors.

“In this race, we went up against our own Goliaths. The richest man in the world, the most powerful man in the world, and the entire Washington, D.C. establishment,” Talarico told supporters.

He also criticized billionaires “who own the social media algorithms, who own the cable news networks, who own the politicians fighting on our screens” and who “want us at each other’s throats.”

Texas delivered another major embarrassment for Republicans when Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Governor Greg Abbott, ending years of Republican dominance in the state’s highest office.

Hinojosa made opposition to billionaire influence a central theme of her campaign, arguing that wealthy corporate interests had gained excessive power over decisions affecting ordinary Texans.

After her victory, she recalled asking voters whether Texas was “a state that is by and for the people of Texas.”

“Or is this the billionaire’s world and we just live here? Does Texas belong to the parents and their children? Or the billionaires trying to dismantle our schools? Does Texas belong to the farmers and ranchers who have worked this land for generations? Or the corporations trying to buy it up?” Hinojosa said.

Both Hinojosa and Talarico campaigned for stricter oversight of artificial intelligence data centers, an increasingly contentious issue in Texas as communities express concern about electricity prices, water consumption and the strain that massive computing facilities place on local power supplies.

The issue has particular significance for Musk, who relocated the headquarters of Tesla, SpaceX and X to Texas and has substantial business interests in the state.

Reacting to the election results, Musk offered another sarcastic observation on his social media platform.

“Data centers in space looking pretty appealing right now,” he wrote.

Musk’s political spending has reached unprecedented levels. Estimates published Wednesday placed his contributions to Republican candidates and organizations at approximately $474 million, although figures vary depending on the reporting period and which expenditures are included.

His financial involvement follows the 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which removed restrictions on independent political spending by corporations and unions. Subsequent court decisions allowed political organizations known as super PACs to accept unlimited contributions, provided their expenditures are not coordinated with candidates’ campaigns.

Those rules have enabled wealthy individuals to direct enormous amounts of money toward elections, frequently through organizations operating independently of the candidates they support.

The scale of Musk’s involvement has renewed debate over the influence of billionaires in American politics, particularly after the candidates receiving some of his largest contributions suffered decisive defeats.

The election results have also raised concerns among technology investors about the potential impact of Democratic control of Congress and new state-level restrictions on artificial intelligence infrastructure. Shares of Tesla and several AI-related companies declined Wednesday as investors assessed the possibility of tougher regulation.

Musk had warned before Election Day that Democratic victories could lead to major changes in immigration policy, the composition of the Supreme Court and the balance of political power in Washington.

In an October 30 post, he argued that maintaining Republican control of the Senate was essential to preventing what he feared could become permanent Democratic dominance.

The billionaire’s extraordinary spending ultimately failed to stop Democrats from capturing both chambers of Congress or winning historic statewide victories in Texas, where his companies have become major employers and investors.

It was a big night for the Democrats and a very, very bad night for U.S. President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. But amid the wreckage left by the blue wave that flipped control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, members of the GOP aren’t the only big losers. Supporters of the U.S.-Israel alliance and those who worry about the surge of antisemitism that has swept across the globe over the past three years should be equally worried about the implications of the Democrats’ midterm victory.

The consequences of the Democrats’ return to power on Capitol Hill will be primarily directed at the Trump administration. But whatever that will mean for Trump’s ability to govern effectively in his final two years in office, control of Congress by a party that is now largely dominated by its intersectional left-wing will have a serious impact on the U.S.-Israel relationship as well as the battle against Jew-hatred.

Jews in denial

That will not be the message we hear from most Jewish Democrats. They will point to the exit polls that show Democrats winning their usual two-thirds of the Jewish vote, though we don’t know for sure yet whether that was also true in states like Michigan where their candidate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, is an open antisemite.

They will also say that the leadership of the Democratic Party in both the House and Senate will remain in the hands of relative moderates like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) who both speak of themselves as supporters of Israel. Though, especially in the case of Schumer, his longtime pose as the shomer or “guardian” of Israel in Congress has been largely conditional with the senator backing up efforts by his fellow Democrats to attack the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hamstring its efforts to defeat Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran and even downplaying the threat of antisemitism.

But as we saw throughout 2026, the moderates are no longer in control of the Democratic Party, especially where Israel is concerned.

As a result of primary wins across the nation, the composition of both the House and Senate Democratic caucuses has been materially altered. Progressives, including members of the Democratic Socialists of America and their left-wing allies will now be sitting in seats that were once held by traditional liberals.

Progressives dominate

That doesn’t just mean that the ranks of the far-left congressional “Squad,” which had already grown since its first four members were elected in 2018, will be increased. The swing to the left is being felt across the country amid a midterm election where Democrats made gains at every level of government.

What will this mean?

During the campaign, the primary theme of the Democrats largely centered on the economy. The rise in gas prices as a result of the ongoing conflict with Iran has hit voters across the board, but most of the pain is felt by those working-class voters who largely supported Trump and the GOP in 2024. Their defection to the Democrats seems to have gone well beyond the usual backlash against the party in power two years after it won the presidency and Congress.

But while dissatisfaction with the economy as well as a sense that Trump had not improved the lives of voters during the past two years may have won them the midterms, the winners will have other priorities once they are sworn into office in January.

As the primaries demonstrated, the two issues that are the main motivating factors for the party’s activists and their candidates are only tangentially connected to what enabled them to win. The organizing principles of the Democratic Party and its base are now opposition to enforcement of immigration laws and hostility towards Israel.

Trump has effectively ended the flood of millions of illegal immigrants that entered the United States during the Biden administration. That will likely remain the case even with a Democratic Congress. But we can expect them to try to use their control of Congress and government funding to end the deportations of illegals.

And it’s equally true that their priority will be to confront Trump.

That will mean attempts at impeachment of the president and members of his cabinet that will likely fail. But it will tie the administration up in knots, as was the case during the Democrats’ efforts to undermine Trump during the last two years of his first term. Even more important, control of congressional committees will give the ability to launch investigations of every department as well as members of the president’s family. Yet whether any of it leads to any tangible consequences for those put in their crosshairs, it will materially influence Trump’s ability to govern effectively or get anything done.

Targeting Israel

But along with that, the large number of anti-Israel Democrats elected by voters who have accepted lies about the war in Gaza will be trying to sever the relationship with Israel.

Democrats who were long considered “moderates” or even pro-Israel have been signaling over the course of the last year that they can no longer be relied upon to back a Jewish state under assault by Iran and its terrorist proxies. The reason is that they can read the polls that indicate those who identify as Democrats have turned upon Israel as well as the primary results that are sending anti-Israel leftists to Washington.

Rather than try to resist the base of their party and find themselves out of power, figures like Schumer are going along with the progressives.

During the campaign, that meant backing an open antisemite like El-Sayed. They feared being targeted by angry leftists. And now that the Michigan Democrat with links to the Muslim Brotherhood appears poised to join Schumer on the Senate floor while others with similar views enter the House, the same dynamic will be in play.

We already know that will lead to measures that will fundamentally alter the alliance with the Jewish state. That will mean sanctions on Israelis in Judea and Samaria—an effort that will be driven by acceptance of the false narrative about “settler violence.”

Military aid to Israel will also be targeted by the Democrats.

Trump may have thought he could forestall such efforts by announcing this week that the aid will now wind down by the end of the year and be replaced with a partnership rooted in joint efforts to research and develop weaponry.

In the long run, that is, as Netanyahu has actually been saying for decades, exactly what Israel needs. Doing so will enable the Jewish state to be less dependent on the United States and remove a major talking point employed by Israel-bashers. That’s in spite of the fact that almost all of it was spent in the United States and was as much of an aid package for American arms manufacturers as the Israelis. It’s also true that the amount spent on assistance to Israel is actually dwarfed by the aid that Europe gets via American participation in NATO that is part of the Pentagon budget rather than called “aid.”

Still, making this change abruptly rather than gradually, as Israelis who desire this shift wanted, will create a strain on their military at a time of war when it is already hard-pressed.

Mainstreaming antisemitism

What Trump and whoever winds up leading the next Israeli government need to realize is that the anti-Israel progressives are not really focused so much on ending aid so much as they are interested in severing the relationship altogether.

For one thing, that will likely mean efforts to stop the transition from aid to partnership. But the impact of congressional majorities that are overwhelmingly hostile to Israel will transcend the ongoing debate about the aid package.

It’s been clear for years that the Democrats have not only rejected any idea of a bipartisan consensus about the alliance but have been transitioning to being an anti-Israel party. But the 2026 results have produced more than just majorities that don’t want to aid Israel’s efforts to defend itself.

With the victories of figures like El-Sayed and others who were willing to spread blood libels about Israel committing “genocide” in Gaza and who sought to anathematize the pro-Israel AIPAC lobby, we’ve gone well beyond arguments about military assistance.

A public square in which the sort of antisemitism that they spout is normalized is one that can fundamentally change the way that Jews interact with society. El-Sayed’s focus on AIPAC, which was echoed in other campaigns around the country, employed classic tropes of Jew-hatred. This will make it even harder for the dwindling numbers of pro-Israel Democrats to be heard or influence policy.

But it will also impact Republicans.

The majority of Republicans remain supportive of Israel and opposed to the left’s antisemitism that is driven by their acceptance of the toxic doctrines of the left about race such as critical race theory, intersectionality and settler-colonialism.

It won’t only be the antisemitic extremists of the far right who are influenced by podcasters like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens who will be speaking of the conflict with Iran as being the primary reason for the GOP defeat. There were other causes for the Republican catastrophe including Trump’s failure to adequately explain his decision to the American people, choosing terrible candidates in several states and general disillusionment with the administration.

But rather than just blaming Trump for his correct decision to go to war against an Islamist regime that is a threat to America, some will likely blame it on Israel.

That will likely undermine Republican efforts to resist the Democrats’ push to target the Jewish state. It will also make it more difficult for them to join in efforts to push back against a tsunami of antisemitism that is making itself felt in every sector of society including academia, popular culture and the arts, as Trump has attempted to do.

The pendulum swings

Nothing is permanent in politics and the Democrats celebrating now should remember that. In the 21st century, the two parties have exchanged control of both Capitol Hill and the White House with increasing frequency. There is no telling now which side will be in a better position to win in 2028. The more the currently triumphant Democrats overplay their hand with their harassment of Trump and even their measures against Israel, the less likely it will be that they will win the presidency, especially if they nominate one of the increasingly dominant progressives who will be running.

The one thing that is certain is that the pendulum of American politics is always swinging.

Some Jewish liberals who appear deaf, dumb and blind to the way they are being marginalized along with the rest of the community may try to deny this or focus solely on their hatred for Trump. But there can be no disguising the fact that the midterms have delivered a devastating blow to supporters of Israel and a victory to those who wish to eradicate the Jewish state. That will make it all the more necessary for decent persons, whether Republican or Democrat, Jewish or non-Jewish, to redouble their efforts to fight back against the growing volume of antisemitic invective that has insinuated itself into so much of public discourse.

Jonathan S. Tobin is editor-in-chief of JNS. 

Newly released dashcam footage has raised serious concerns in Lakewood after a motorcyclist was reportedly seen driving directly toward three yeshiva bochurim walking along a sidewalk, forcing them to jump out of the way to avoid being struck.

The incident occurred Monday afternoon, November 2, along Route 9 near Todd Plaza, several hours before a separate confrontation in which a motorcyclist allegedly harassed and chased a bochur in Lakewood.

A local resident who was traveling with his son witnessed the earlier incident at approximately 1:50 to 2 p.m. The witness said a red motorcycle suddenly veered onto the sidewalk and headed toward three bochurim who were walking in the area.

The bochurim reportedly scrambled to get out of the motorcycle’s path as the rider approached them, narrowly avoiding what could have been a serious collision.

The witness said the motorcyclist then continued into the Todd Plaza parking lot, driving recklessly and nearly striking additional pedestrians before speeding away.

“Guy looked like he was having a blast scaring people,” the witness told The Lakewood Scoop.

The resident suggested that surveillance footage from nearby businesses and properties be reviewed to help identify the rider and establish precisely what occurred.

The newly surfaced footage has attracted particular attention because of another incident reported later that same evening, when a motorcyclist allegedly ran a red light before harassing and pursuing a yeshiva bochur.

The Lakewood Scoop reported that the motorcycle seen during the afternoon incident appeared similar to the one involved in the nighttime confrontation. However, it emphasized that the identity of the rider has not been established and that it remains unconfirmed whether the same individual was involved in both episodes.

The reports have prompted concern among residents about the dangers posed by reckless motorcycle riding, particularly in areas heavily traveled by pedestrians and yeshiva bochurim.

Additional residents responding to the reports described other troubling encounters with groups of motorcyclists in Lakewood. One motorist claimed that several motorcycles had passed his vehicle while being operated erratically and that one rider kicked his car while passing.

Those accounts have not been independently verified, and authorities have not publicly established a connection between the reported incidents.

It was not immediately clear whether police have identified the motorcyclist, whether formal complaints have been filed in connection with the sidewalk incident, or whether any charges are being considered.

The footage and eyewitness account nevertheless raise serious safety questions, particularly given the possibility that pedestrians were deliberately frightened by a motorcycle being driven toward them.

{Matzav.com}

JetBlue passengers will now have to pay as much as $70 to check their first suitcase, following another round of baggage fee increases announced Tuesday as the airline seeks to offset rising fuel costs and other operating expenses.

The new pricing, which took effect November 3, represents JetBlue’s second increase in checked-baggage charges this year and comes just weeks before the busy Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel seasons.

Under the revised fee structure, passengers traveling on domestic flights and routes to Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean will pay a minimum of $50 each way for their first checked bag when purchasing the service more than 24 hours before departure. That represents an $11 increase from the previous minimum charge of $39.

Passengers traveling during peak periods will pay $55 for their first checked bag when purchasing it in advance. Those who wait until within 24 hours of departure will face a $60 charge during regular travel periods and $70 during peak dates.

The higher prices mean that a traveler checking one suitcase on a round-trip flight during a busy holiday period could spend as much as $140 on baggage alone, in addition to the cost of the airline ticket.

Second checked bags are also becoming more expensive, with fees ranging from $70 to $85 each way, depending on the travel date and when the baggage charge is paid.

For a family of four checking one suitcase per person during a peak travel period, the new charges could total $440 round-trip when paid in advance. Waiting until shortly before departure could increase the family’s baggage bill to $560.

JetBlue said the increases are necessary because of the continued rise in aviation fuel prices and other expenses affecting the airline industry.

“We’re adjusting checked bag fees to help offset rising fuel and operating costs,” a JetBlue spokesperson said.

The airline explained that charging separately for checked luggage allows it to avoid raising base fares for every passenger.

“This helps us keep our base fares competitive while giving customers the choice to pay for a checked bag only if they need one,” the spokesperson added.

The new fees apply to tickets purchased on or after November 3. Travelers who booked their flights before that date will remain subject to the previous baggage rates.

JetBlue’s peak travel periods include November 19 through November 30 for Thanksgiving and December 17 through January 18 for the winter holidays. Additional peak periods are scheduled around other holidays, spring break and the summer travel season.

The airline has also increased baggage charges on certain transatlantic flights. Passengers purchasing its lowest-priced Main Base fares for flights to Europe will now pay at least $80 each way for their first checked bag during off-peak periods, up from $60.

The latest increases follow a previous round of baggage fee hikes in March, when JetBlue raised prices amid a sharp increase in jet fuel costs following the outbreak of the Iran war.

Fuel expenses have become an increasingly serious concern for American airlines. Jet fuel prices have more than doubled since the beginning of the year, rising from slightly above $2 per gallon in January to approximately $4.41 per gallon this week.

JetBlue has also been struggling financially, reporting a $257 million loss during the third quarter. Additional baggage revenue could help the carrier offset some of those losses without imposing equivalent increases on advertised ticket prices.

Not all passengers will be required to pay the higher fees. Customers holding eligible JetBlue Plus, Business or Premier credit cards can receive a complimentary first checked bag for themselves and up to three companions traveling on the same reservation.

Members of JetBlue’s TrueBlue Mosaic loyalty program also qualify for baggage benefits, with Mosaic 1 members receiving one free checked bag and higher-tier members receiving two.

Travelers who do not qualify for those exemptions can reduce their expenses by purchasing baggage allowances at least 24 hours before departure, potentially saving as much as $15 per suitcase.

JetBlue’s decision could also lead to additional increases across the airline industry. Earlier this year, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines followed JetBlue in raising baggage charges after the carrier announced its previous increases.

Former New York Yankees star Mark Teixeira is heading to Washington after winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in Tuesday’s midterm elections, defeating Democrat Kristin Hook in Texas’ 21st Congressional District and launching a new career in politics nearly a decade after retiring from Major League Baseball.

Teixeira, a Republican who helped lead the Yankees to their 2009 World Series championship, captured approximately 55% of the vote, compared with 45% for Hook, a former federal scientist. The 46-year-old will succeed Republican Congressman Chip Roy, who gave up his seat to pursue an unsuccessful campaign for Texas attorney general.

The victory represents a remarkable transition for the former first baseman, who spent 14 seasons in Major League Baseball, earned three All-Star selections and established himself as one of the most accomplished switch-hitters of his generation.

Teixeira entered the congressional race with endorsements from President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, campaigning as a staunch conservative who would support the president’s America First agenda, strengthen border security and challenge progressive policies in education and government.

Following his victory, Teixeira thanked voters and pledged to represent the communities that elected him.

“Together, we can build a better future for our families, our neighbors, and every community across Texas 21,” Teixeira wrote in a statement posted on X. “I’m excited to get to work. I will be praying for all of you and for the future of this great nation. God bless Texas, and God bless America.”

The district includes portions of northern San Antonio, communities outside Austin and a large section of the Texas Hill Country. The area has historically favored Republican congressional candidates, although Democrats hoped to make the contest competitive amid a difficult national political environment for the GOP.

Teixeira secured the Republican nomination in March, winning more than 61% of the primary vote against a crowded field of candidates. His name recognition, financial resources and support from prominent Republican leaders helped establish him as the frontrunner early in the race.

Hook, who previously worked at the National Institutes of Health and the Government Accountability Office, campaigned on protecting scientific research, safeguarding Texas’ natural resources and reducing corporate influence in government. She had previously challenged Roy for the same congressional seat in 2024.

Teixeira’s political success follows a distinguished baseball career that began when the Texas Rangers selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2001 MLB draft after his college career at Georgia Tech.

He made his major league debut with Texas in 2003 and quickly developed into one of baseball’s most productive power hitters. After stints with the Rangers, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels, he signed an eight-year, $180 million contract with the Yankees before the 2009 season.

That first season in New York proved especially memorable. Teixeira hit 39 home runs, drove in 122 runs and helped the Yankees capture their 27th World Series championship, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.

Over his career, Teixeira accumulated 409 home runs, 1,298 runs batted in and a .268 batting average. He also won five Gold Glove Awards for his defensive performance at first base and three Silver Slugger Awards for his hitting.

He retired following the 2016 season, ending an eight-year tenure with the Yankees that made him a familiar figure to New York baseball fans. Teixeira and his family subsequently returned to Texas in 2021.

When announcing his congressional campaign, Teixeira emphasized his conservative political beliefs and promised to work alongside Trump on immigration enforcement and educational issues, including opposition to what he described as “radical woke indoctrination.”

His victory came during an otherwise difficult election night for Republicans, who lost control of the House of Representatives as Democrats made significant gains across the country.

A remarkable moment of anavah unfolded in London on Monday when Maran Hagaon Harav Dov Landau responded to being publicly described as the leader of the generation by humbly declaring, “I am not anyone’s leader,” drawing smiles and admiration from those gathered at a special event attended by thousands of children from London’s chareidi community.

The exchange took place during a large gathering organized as part of a special European visit by leading Gedolei Yisroel from Eretz Yisroel, who traveled to strengthen Torah communities and inspire bnei Torah throughout the continent.

Thousands of children assembled for the occasion, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the visiting Gedolim. The youngsters greeted the distinguished guests with singing, creating an atmosphere of excitement and kavod haTorah.

Among the participating Gedolim were Rav Dov Landau, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, and Rav Dovid Cohen, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron, who addressed the gathering and offered heartfelt brachos to the children.

During his remarks, Rav Dovid Cohen, who is a Kohen, bestowed a Birchas Kohen upon the assembled youngsters, blessing them with success in their Torah learning and spiritual growth.

He then turned to Rav Landau, who was seated beside him, and referred to the revered Rosh Yeshiva as the “manhig hador,” the leader of the generation.

Rav Cohen offered a heartfelt bracha that Rav Landau should continue disseminating his Torah teachings and guidance throughout Klal Yisroel, witness the strengthening and elevation of kavod haTorah, and merit to see the arrival of Moshiach Tzidkeinu speedily in our days.

Rav Landau listened quietly as the bracha was delivered, waiting patiently until Rav Cohen had finished speaking.

Then, in a spontaneous response that reflected his characteristic humility, Rav Landau gently rejected the title that had just been bestowed upon him.

“Thank you for the brachos, but I am not anyone’s leader,” Rav Landau said.

He then added a warmhearted remark directed at Rav Cohen, making a playful reference to his status as a Kohen.

“Forgive me, Kohen. Perhaps you will yet become the Kohen Gadol.”

The unexpected response brought smiles to the faces of those present, as the elderly Rosh Yeshiva, widely regarded as one of the foremost Torah authorities of the generation, brushed aside the honorific with a few simple words.

{Matzav.com}

House Speaker Mike Johnson has decided against seeking the position of House minority leader in the next Congress following a devastating Republican defeat in Tuesday’s midterm elections, according to multiple members of his staff who spoke to the New York Post.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who has led the House since October 2023, informed aides Wednesday morning that he would not pursue the top Republican leadership position when Democrats assume control of the chamber in January.

The decision comes as Republicans confront sweeping losses that appear likely to give Democrats one of their largest House majorities in nearly two decades, dramatically altering the balance of power in Washington for the remaining two years of President Donald Trump’s term.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio is now expected to seek the minority leader position, setting the stage for a leadership transition as Republicans begin assessing the causes of their election defeat.

Johnson had spent the final weeks of the campaign insisting that Republicans could overcome the historical tendency of the president’s party to lose congressional seats during midterm elections. He repeatedly expressed confidence that the GOP would retain its narrow majority, even as polling indicated Democrats were gaining ground in competitive districts.

The election results instead delivered a major setback for Republicans, with Democrats capturing numerous seats and positioning themselves to exercise control over House committees, legislative priorities and oversight proceedings beginning in January.

Johnson’s rise to the speakership came during an extraordinary period of Republican turmoil in October 2023, when internal party divisions led to the removal of Speaker Kevin McCarthy. After several other candidates failed to secure enough support, Johnson emerged as a compromise choice and ultimately won the gavel.

He subsequently spent more than three years managing one of the narrowest Republican majorities in House history, frequently struggling to unite conservative members with more moderate lawmakers over federal spending, government funding and other contentious legislation.

His close relationship with Trump helped him navigate some of those disputes, although the party’s internal divisions repeatedly complicated efforts to advance the administration’s agenda.

The announcement represents a reversal from Johnson’s public comments last month, when he suggested that Republican lawmakers would want him to remain their leader even if Democrats captured the House.

In an October interview with CBS News, Johnson said, “In the unlikely scenario where we lost the majority, I would expect my colleagues would ask me to continue leading this conference, even if we have divided government.”

“My intention is to stay and serve, and that’s what I’ve been doing, as best I can,” he added at the time.

The scale of Tuesday’s defeat, however, has intensified calls within the Republican Party for a change in leadership. Some GOP lawmakers have privately blamed the losses on inflation, high fuel prices, immigration enforcement controversies and the administration’s handling of the conflict with Iran.

The setback was particularly striking because National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson, who was responsible for overseeing the party’s efforts to preserve its House majority, also lost his own reelection bid.

Attention is now shifting to the contest to replace Johnson as the top House Republican. Jordan, a prominent Trump ally who previously sought the speakership in 2023, is widely regarded as a leading contender. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.

Republicans are scheduled to hold their leadership elections on November 10, with candidates required to declare their intentions by November 6.

Johnson, meanwhile, is expected to remain in Congress as a rank-and-file Republican lawmaker rather than retire from public office, according to a source familiar with his plans.

The Democratic takeover will also elevate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is positioned to become the next speaker when the new Congress convenes in January. Democrats will gain control of House committees and the ability to launch investigations into the Trump administration, creating a significantly more difficult political environment for the White House.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has seized on the results of Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections to issue a warning to President Donald Trump’s administration, claiming that American voters have rejected the war with Iran and threatening severe consequences if Washington continues its military campaign.

In a statement issued following the elections, Ghalibaf portrayed the Republican Party’s electoral setbacks as evidence of growing American opposition to the conflict, arguing that the administration must heed the message delivered at the ballot box.

“Whether out of conscience or because of the cost of living, Americans said no to war, and we support that message,” Ghalibaf declared.

The Iranian official then escalated his rhetoric, warning that the United States would face consequences if the administration disregarded what he characterized as the will of American voters.

“If the American administration betrays the will of its own people to serve international moneyed interests and extortionists, it will learn that our ‘no’ comes with a nightmare,” he warned.

The remarks represent an attempt by Tehran to capitalize on domestic political divisions in the United States following the midterm elections, framing Republican losses as a public rejection of the administration’s military and foreign policy toward Iran.

Ghalibaf’s interpretation of the election results is a political claim rather than an established conclusion about voter intentions. Economic concerns, dissatisfaction with the administration, and other domestic issues also figured prominently in the campaign.

Nevertheless, Iranian officials appear eager to use the election outcome to strengthen their position in the continuing confrontation with Washington.

The latest threat follows similarly aggressive remarks delivered by Ghalibaf a day earlier during an address to Iran’s parliament in Tehran.

Ghalibaf, who has also been involved in Iran’s negotiating efforts with the United States, said that Tehran had delivered a firm but measured response to Washington and warned that Iranian forces remained on heightened alert.

He cautioned that another American strategic miscalculation could trigger a military confrontation extending beyond the geographic boundaries of previous fighting.

His comments come amid continuing uncertainty over the future of the conflict and the prospects for a diplomatic settlement.

Despite the hostile public rhetoric, indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran have reportedly continued through regional intermediaries, including Qatar.

The discussions have involved several longstanding points of contention, including American sanctions against Iran, the possible release of frozen Iranian assets, and arrangements governing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic waterway remains a particularly sensitive issue because of its importance to international energy shipments and the broader security situation in the Persian Gulf.

Reports indicate that the two governments remain far apart on major questions, notwithstanding efforts by regional mediators to explore the possibility of renewed negotiations.

The Iranian warning comes against a backdrop of growing American dissatisfaction with the costs of the war.

A Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted immediately before the midterm elections found that 55 percent of respondents believed U.S. military action against Iran had not been worth its cost, compared with 25 percent who believed it had been justified.

The same survey found that 48 percent of registered voters considered the rising cost of living their most important election issue, substantially ahead of concerns about immigration and other major political questions.

The economic consequences of the conflict have been particularly significant, with higher fuel prices contributing to financial pressures on American households.

Those findings provide some support for Ghalibaf’s argument that public frustration with the war has become a political liability for the Trump administration. However, they do not establish that opposition to the war was the decisive factor in Tuesday’s election results.

Trump has defended his administration’s military actions against Iran as necessary to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons and to protect American security interests.

The president has also acknowledged that the conflict may have contributed to Republican electoral difficulties, while maintaining that confronting Iran was more important than the immediate political consequences.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders secured another four years in office Tuesday, defeating Democratic state Senator Fred Love and Libertarian candidate Colt Shelby in a decisive reelection victory that extends Republican control of the governor’s mansion.

The Associated Press projected Sanders as the winner Tuesday evening, confirming that the 44-year-old Republican would remain in office through January 2031.

Sanders, who served as White House press secretary during President Donald Trump’s first administration, is the daughter of U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who previously served as Arkansas governor from 1996 to 2007.

Her victory follows a first term characterized by major changes to public education, repeated reductions in state income taxes and efforts to expand educational opportunities for families.

Sanders first won the governorship in November 2022, becoming the first woman elected to the state’s highest executive office. She was sworn in the following January, continuing a political tradition established by her father.

One of the signature achievements of her administration has been the Arkansas LEARNS Act, an education reform package that increased starting salaries for public school teachers and established a school choice initiative allowing qualifying families to use state education funding toward private school tuition and other approved educational expenses.

The program became a major issue during the gubernatorial campaign, with Love criticizing its expansion and arguing that it diverted resources from traditional public schools. He pledged to stop further expansion of the initiative if elected.

Sanders defended the reforms as a means of giving parents greater authority over their children’s education and improving educational outcomes throughout Arkansas.

Sanders also made tax relief a central focus of her first term. Arkansas legislators approved four rounds of income tax reductions and eliminated the state’s grocery tax, measures the governor has promoted as important steps toward making Arkansas more affordable for working families.

She has indicated that she intends to continue gradually reducing the state income tax during her second term, with the eventual goal of eliminating it entirely while maintaining fiscal stability.

Healthcare is expected to be another major priority when the state legislature convenes in January. Sanders has called for improving access to affordable medical care, while lawmakers face decisions concerning Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion program, which provides coverage to approximately 209,000 residents.

The governor has also faced political disagreements over a proposed 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County, which encountered resistance from local residents and state legislators and was subsequently placed on hold.

Her national political profile has remained prominent since leaving the White House. In 2023, shortly after becoming governor, Sanders delivered the Republican response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address.

Sanders also maintains close ties to Israel through her father, Ambassador Mike Huckabee, a longtime supporter of the Jewish state. During a visit to Israel, she accompanied him to the Kosel in Yerushalayim.

With approximately 99% of votes counted early Wednesday, Sanders had secured roughly 54% of the vote, compared with 39% for Love and approximately 8% for Shelby, giving her a comfortable victory in the traditionally Republican state.

Her reelection coincided with another Republican victory in Arkansas, where U.S. Senator Tom Cotton also won another term, defeating Democratic challenger Hallie Shoffner.

Sanders will be sworn in for her second four-year term in January 2027, as Arkansas lawmakers return to Little Rock for a new legislative session focused on taxes, education and healthcare.

Five months after suffering a severe brain hemorrhage that left him hospitalized in critical condition, beloved Jewish singer and composer Yonatan Razel has returned to the stage, marking an extraordinary recovery that has brought tremendous joy to his family, admirers, and the countless Jews who davened for his recovery.

Razel, 53, recently resumed performing at public events following months of recuperation. His return was captured during a special gathering at Binyanei HaUma in Yerushalayim commemorating the life and legacy of Harav Ovadia Yosef zt”l.

Reflecting on his recovery, Razel attributed his return to the countless tefillos offered on his behalf throughout the Jewish world.

“Because of the prayers of Am Yisroel,” he said, expressing his gratitude for the extraordinary outpouring of concern and support.

The performance represented another milestone in a recovery that began under frightening circumstances at the end of May, when Razel suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and was rushed to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim.

His condition was initially described as serious, prompting widespread concern throughout the Jewish music community and among his many admirers.

As news of his hospitalization spread, his family appealed to the public to daven for Yonatan Adi ben Chaya Rochel, and thousands responded with heartfelt tefillos for his recovery.

For more than two weeks, Razel remained hospitalized while receiving intensive medical care. During that period, reports about his condition were followed closely by those who had come to know him through his music, particularly his deeply moving compositions that have become familiar throughout the Jewish world.

B’chasdei Shomayim, his condition gradually improved, and on June 19, after more than two weeks of hospitalization and treatment, he was discharged home in good condition.

At the time of his release, Shaare Zedek Medical Center issued an encouraging statement describing the success of his treatment.

“Thanks to the rapid and professional diagnosis and treatment Razel received immediately upon arriving at Shaare Zedek, and the comprehensive care provided throughout his hospitalization, he returned to normal and full functioning,” the hospital said.

His family also released an emotional message expressing gratitude to the Ribbono Shel Olam and to the many people who had davened for him.

“We are filled with gratitude to HaKadosh Baruch Hu for the revealed miracles He has bestowed upon us,” the family said. “Thank you so much to the wonderful people of Am Yisroel for the prayers and concern for Yonatan’s well-being.”

Although his discharge from the hospital was itself an occasion for celebration, Razel continued recovering privately before gradually returning to the activities that have defined his musical career.

Approximately three weeks ago, another particularly moving moment took place when Razel accompanied his eldest daughter, Rivka, to her chuppah during her wedding.

In a scene that deeply touched those in attendance, Razel sang and played music as he escorted his daughter toward the chuppah, celebrating a family simcha that took on special significance following his medical emergency.

For a father who had faced a life-threatening illness only months earlier, the opportunity to participate in his daughter’s wedding and accompany her with his own music represented an especially meaningful milestone.

Now, with his return to public performances, Razel has reached another important stage in his recovery.

Among his best-known works are “Vehi She’amdah” and “Katonti,” songs that have become enduring favorites at Jewish gatherings, concerts, and family celebrations.

For Razel and his family, the past five months have been a journey from a frightening medical crisis to a series of remarkable moments of gratitude and celebration.

For the many people whose lives have been touched by his music, the sight of Yonatan Razel back on stage is a welcome and heartwarming development, as the singer who has inspired countless Jews through his songs once again has the opportunity to bring music and joy to audiences.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] As previously reported, Abdul El-Sayed, the anti-Semitic progressive Democrat and jihad-supporter who has repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, won Michigan’s closely watched U.S. Senate race Tuesday, becoming the first Muslim elected to the Senate and delivering a victory speech filled with references to his Islamic faith, criticism of President Donald Trump and renewed attacks on American support for Israel.

The 42-year-old physician and former Detroit public health official defeated Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman and FBI agent, in one of the nation’s most closely contested Senate elections. El-Sayed’s victory followed a campaign in which his religious identity, Egyptian heritage and outspoken opposition to U.S. military assistance to Israel became major points of controversy.

Throughout the campaign, El-Sayed publicly embraced his full name, Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed, after Republicans highlighted it in political advertisements and Trump repeatedly mocked or mispronounced his name.

In his victory address early Wednesday, El-Sayed again emphasized his Muslim identity, using Arabic religious expressions as he celebrated the election results.

“Up until right about now, you might have noticed I always say ‘inshallah,’ or ‘God willing,’ whenever the outcome of this race was mentioned,” El-Sayed told cheering supporters. “But today, tonight, we can turn that inshallah into alhamdulillah!”

He then explained the Arabic expression to his political opponents.

“For the right-wing ops, that just means ‘praise be to God,'” he remarked.

The speech also included a pointed message to Trump and Vice President JD Vance, both of whom had sharply criticized El-Sayed during the campaign.

“Donald, I know you struggled with my name,” El-Sayed said. “So after JD swears me in in January, you can just go on and call me ‘Senator.'”

El-Sayed also addressed Vance directly, using the Arabic term “habibi” while noting that the vice president would be responsible for administering his oath of office in January.

“May we never have to see the likes of you in Michigan again,” El-Sayed declared in another jab at Trump.

The election marks a significant political development in Michigan, a battleground state Trump carried in the 2024 presidential election. El-Sayed received more than 52% of the vote with over 95% of ballots counted, according to election reporting early Wednesday.

El-Sayed’s campaign had drawn national attention following his victory in the Democratic primary, where he defeated Congresswoman Haley Stevens despite substantial spending by pro-Israel political organizations supporting her candidacy.

The senator-elect has called for ending American military assistance to Israel and has accused the Jewish state of apartheid and genocide, allegations Israel rejects. During his victory speech, he again attacked American foreign policy.

“We don’t want our money sent to do apartheid, or genocide, or war,” El-Sayed told supporters.

He made similar accusations during a CBS 60 Minutes interview Monday, arguing that Washington’s military support for Israel was inconsistent with its stated commitment to a two-state solution.

The Michigan Democrat has also faced scrutiny over questions concerning his family’s alleged connections to the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed has denied belonging to the organization and rejected allegations that he supports it.

“I have never been a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, I never will be a member of the Muslim Brotherhood,” he previously told Fox News.

Trump repeatedly targeted El-Sayed during campaign appearances, referring to him as a “jihadist” and questioning his suitability for the Senate. Republican critics also highlighted his associations with controversial progressive activists and his statements concerning Israel.

El-Sayed maintained that the attacks were intended to distract voters from economic issues, including rising living costs, health care expenses and housing affordability.

In an October campaign advertisement responding to criticism of his background, El-Sayed spoke directly about his religious identity.

“My name is Abdul,” he said. “It means servant. I pray every day. I reflect on my role in this life, on this Earth—how we leave it better than we found it.”

His campaign emphasized proposals to expand access to health care, reduce household expenses and challenge corporate influence in Washington. El-Sayed also argued that taxpayer money should be directed toward American families rather than military operations overseas.

“Michigan, it just shouldn’t be this hard. It shouldn’t be this hard to buy a second bag of groceries or to fill your tank,” he said during his victory address.

“It shouldn’t be this hard to pay your taxes and know that that money is going to be spent on you and your kids instead of dropping bombs on somebody else and their kids.”

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all the wonderful people who spent election night posting inspirational messages on their WhatsApp statuses reminding us that Hashem runs the world.

I don’t know what I would have done without you.

There I was, watching the election results come in, seeing candidates lose races I had hoped they would win, when suddenly I began to panic. Who was running the world now? Had something changed? Was the Ribbono Shel Olam still in charge, or had He somehow handed over the reins to the Democratic National Committee?

And then, baruch Hashem, I opened WhatsApp.

There it was. Status after status. Beautiful graphics. Inspiring messages. “Remember, Hashem is in control.” “No matter who wins, Hashem runs the world.” “Lev melachim vesarim b’Yad Hashem.” Some even included pictures of sunsets, because the message is more powerful when accompanied by a nice orange sky.

What a relief.

I had been under the impression that Hashem was running the world only as long as the Republicans controlled Congress. Silly me. Thankfully, dozens of people took time out of their busy evenings to explain that the Ribbono Shel Olam‘s authority does not actually depend on the electoral map.

And the timing! Absolutely impeccable. Not one of these people felt the need to remind us that Hashem runs the world when their preferred candidates were winning. During those elections, everyone seemingly understood that the voters were making excellent decisions and that the country was in very capable hands. But the moment the results went the other way, it became absolutely urgent to inform the public that there is, in fact, a Higher Authority.

I especially want to thank the people who posted the same message three or four times, each with a slightly different background. Hamamlich melachim etc. I wasn’t entirely convinced after the first reminder, but by the fourth, with the gold lettering and the picture of the Kosel, I was finally beginning to come around.

And to those who added “A little reminder for everyone tonight,” thank you most of all. Because until that moment, I had completely forgotten everything I had ever learned in Chumash, Mussar, and hashkafah. Years of yeshiva, countless shmuessen, and a lifetime of sifrei mussar had somehow evaporated because a congressional district flipped blue.

Your status brought me back.

Of course, I have one small suggestion. Perhaps next time your candidates win, you could post the same messages. Just for consistency. Imagine how inspiring it would be to see “Hashem runs the world” posted by someone who is actually happy with the election results. It would be groundbreaking.

In the meantime, I want everyone to know that I am doing much better now. I have regained my emunah, my bitachon, and my ability to function as a normal human being, all thanks to the courageous individuals who reminded me, at 11:19 p.m., that Hashem had not resigned following the election results.

I cannot thank you enough.

You didn’t just post a status. You saved a Yid.

Sincerely,

A Grateful WhatsApp User

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The Twin Miracles of Flatbush Shas Yiden!

In a recent derashah—a snippet of which went viral around the world—the renowned mashpiah, Rav Meilich Biderman, shlit”a, shared a remarkable story that transpired recently in Flatbush which attests to the power of partnering with Shas Yiden in sponsoring siyumim.

Every month, Shas Yiden’s remarkable talmidei chachamim celebrate multiple siyumim on the masechtos that they mastered that month, milestones on their monumental journey of mastering Shas, Rav Biderman explained as he told the miraculous story that transpired at the Flatbush Shas Yiden Kollel over the last few months:

For years, the Rebbetzin of the Rosh Kollel had prepared the fish and challahs for the monthly siyumim. It had become her personal zechus, a quiet act of hakaras hatov and participation in the simchas haTorah taking place each month.

At one particular siyum, a yungerman approached the Rosh Kollel with a request. His sister was an older single who was desperately waiting for her shidduch. Could she acquire the zechus of preparing the fish and challos at the siyum?

The Rosh Kollel explained that this was traditionally the Rebbetzin’s zechus, but when he presented the request, she readily agreed—but then an unexpected complication arose.

This yungerman had another sister who was also waiting for a yeshuah of her own: She had been married for five years and was still waiting for children.

How could he choose between them?

They decided to divide the zechus. One sister would receive the zechus of the fish, and the other the zechus of the challos.

And then, in Rav Meilich’s words, “Rabbosai, the yeshuah came immediately!”

The very next day, a shidduch was suggested for the first sister, and within a week, she was a kallah!

And exactly nine months later, the second sister gave birth to a baby boy.

Two sisters. Two different yeshuos. Both connected to one siyum.

We cannot predict how or when Hashem will answer a person’s tefillos. But stories like this remind us of the immeasurable power of Torah and the extraordinary privilege of becoming a partner in it.

The extraordinary talmidei chachamim of Shas Yiden around the world invest their entire essence into mastering Torah. They acquire Torah one masechta at a time, celebrating siyum after siyum—bringing so much nachas to Hakadosh Baruch Hu.

There is a place for each of us in that accomplishment!

Sponsoring a monthly siyum is essentially taking part in the simchas haTorah, strengthening those who devote themselves to mastering Shas, and attaching oneself and one’s family to the eternal zechus of Torah.

Perhaps that is why Rav Meilich began and ended his story with the words: “Sichu b’chol nifl’osav, speak of Hashem’s wonders!” Tell the stories. Speak about the wonders. Recognize the extraordinary zechus that Hashem gives us.

Sponsor a Shas Yidden siyum! Become a partner in Torah. And the zechus of Torah will surely bring yeshuos and berachos to you and your family.

https://shasyiden.com/donate

I look at my tiny baby sleeping peacefully in the ICU.

But my heart knows the truth this is only the beginning of our battle.

A battle for his life and for my strength to keep going.

My name is Miriam.

My baby’s name is Baruch.

He is only two months old.

He should be sleeping peacefully in my arms.

He should be growing, smiling, and filling our home with joy.

He should be wrapped in blankets, not surrounded by doctors, tests, medicine, and pain.

But Baruch is suffering.

His tiny kidneys are not working the way they should.

The doctors are still trying to understand exactly what is happening inside his little body.

We still do not have all the answers.

But one thing is already painfully clear:

My baby is in terrible pain.

And this is not something that will end tomorrow.

I look at my tiny baby sleeping peacefully in the ICU.

But my heart knows the truth: this is only the beginning of our battle.

A battle for his life — and for my strength to keep going.

Since Baruch became sick, our whole life has changed.

There are appointments.

There are tests.

There are medicines.

There are long days of fear and long nights with almost no sleep.

I hold him in my arms and try to stay calm.

I whisper to him that Mommy is here.

That everything will be okay.

But inside, I am falling apart.

Donate now

Israel’s Supreme Court has ordered a suspension of the 13-year prison sentence imposed on a young Jewish man convicted in connection with the 2018 death of a Palestinian mother of nine, ruling that the unusual circumstances of the case warrant allowing him to remain out of prison while his appeal is considered.

The decision, issued Tuesday by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ronnen, represents a significant development in a case that has generated years of legal controversy, particularly because the original conviction was reached by a divided panel of judges and rested entirely on circumstantial evidence.

The defendant, a resident of the Binyamin region who was a minor at the time of the incident, was convicted of killing Aisha al-Rabi, a Palestinian woman who died after a large rock struck the vehicle in which she was traveling with her family on Route 60 near the community of Rechelim in October 2018.

In September, the Lod District Court sentenced the defendant to 13 years in prison after two judges found him guilty of manslaughter under circumstances constituting an act of terrorism.

A third judge on the panel, however, disagreed with the majority and concluded that the evidence was insufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Following the sentencing, attorneys representing the defendant through the Honenu legal organization filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, challenging the conviction and requesting that the prison sentence be suspended until the appeal could be heard.

Justice Ronnen granted the request, determining that the case falls within the limited category of exceptional circumstances in which a convicted defendant may remain out of prison pending appellate review.

In explaining her decision, Ronnen noted that if the appeal ultimately succeeds and the conviction is overturned, the defendant would not be required to serve any prison sentence. Requiring him to begin serving the 13-year term immediately could therefore result in his spending time behind bars unnecessarily.

The justice also emphasized that the appeal could not be dismissed as frivolous or lacking any realistic prospect of success.

A central consideration was the fact that the District Court’s conviction relied entirely on circumstantial evidence, with one of the three judges concluding that the prosecution had failed to establish the defendant’s guilt to the required legal standard.

That judicial disagreement, particularly in a case carrying such a substantial prison sentence, was among the factors supporting the decision to delay incarceration.

Ronnen also considered the considerable time that has passed since the 2018 incident, the defendant’s lack of a prior criminal record, and the fact that he was a minor when the alleged offense occurred.

Another factor was his conduct throughout the lengthy legal proceedings. According to the court, the defendant has remained under restrictive conditions for years without committing additional offenses.

Taken together, those circumstances persuaded the Supreme Court that the defendant should not be required to begin serving his sentence before the appeal is resolved.

The defendant will remain subject to house arrest and other restrictions while the Supreme Court considers his challenge to the conviction.

Attorneys Yoram Halevy and Adi Keidar, who represent the defendant on behalf of Honenu, welcomed the ruling and expressed confidence that it could pave the way for a complete acquittal.

The attorneys described the decision as the opening step toward overturning the conviction, pointing to the substantial disagreement among the District Court judges and the dissenting opinion of the presiding judge, who favored acquittal.

They argued that the Supreme Court’s willingness to suspend the sentence reflects the seriousness of the legal questions raised by the appeal.

The defense team said it hopes the Supreme Court will ultimately adopt the reasoning of the dissenting judge and overturn the conviction, allowing their client to rebuild his life after an eight-year legal battle.

The case dates back to October 2018, when al-Rabi was traveling with her family on Route 60 near Rechelim in the Shomron.

According to the prosecution, a rock weighing approximately two kilograms was thrown toward the family’s vehicle, striking it and causing al-Rabi’s death.

Israeli investigators subsequently arrested several Jewish teenagers who were students at the Pri Haaretz Yeshiva in Rechelim, including the defendant, who lived in the Binyamin area.

The investigation and prosecution became the subject of intense controversy, with defense attorneys repeatedly challenging the evidence and the methods used by investigators.

At one stage, the defendant was released to house arrest following a forensic opinion that raised questions about whether it could be established with certainty that al-Rabi’s death resulted from the impact of a single rock.

The prosecution nevertheless proceeded with the case, maintaining that the defendant had deliberately thrown the rock toward the Palestinian vehicle for nationalistic reasons.

The District Court ultimately accepted the prosecution’s position by a two-to-one majority, convicting him of manslaughter under circumstances constituting an act of terrorism.

The dissenting judge, however, determined that the circumstantial evidence did not justify a criminal conviction.

That division within the trial court has now become a central element of the appeal, with defense attorneys arguing that the uncertainty identified by the dissenting judge requires the conviction to be overturned.

Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling does not constitute an acquittal, nor does it determine whether the original conviction was correct. It addresses only whether the defendant must begin serving his sentence while the appeal remains pending.

Nevertheless, the decision is a significant procedural victory for the defense, particularly because the court expressly recognized that the appeal raises substantial questions deserving further judicial consideration.

The Supreme Court will now examine the arguments surrounding the evidence, the competing conclusions reached by the District Court judges, and the legal basis for the conviction.

Until a final ruling is issued, the defendant will remain under restrictive conditions rather than entering prison to begin serving the 13-year sentence.

The eventual appellate decision will determine whether the conviction stands, is modified, or is overturned, bringing a potentially decisive conclusion to a legal case that has remained unresolved for more than eight years.

{Matzav.com}

Fox News host Sean Hannity, one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent supporters, acknowledged that the war with Iran had played a major role in the Republican Party’s devastating midterm election losses, arguing that the results would have been dramatically different had the United States not entered the conflict.

Appearing on Fox News’ election-night coverage as Democrats scored major victories across the country, Hannity conceded that the war, rising gasoline prices, and public dissatisfaction with the economy had created serious political difficulties for Republicans, even as he defended Trump’s policies and predicted that the president would ultimately be vindicated.

The striking assessment came during a discussion with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, who asked whether the election would have unfolded differently without the military confrontation with Iran.

“If we as a country did not go into the war in Iran, and that was not on the agenda tonight, is this a much different race tonight?” Baier asked.

“I think 100%. I don’t think there’s any doubt about it,” Hannity responded.

The admission was particularly noteworthy coming from Hannity, who has consistently defended Trump’s presidency and supported his administration’s approach to national security.

Hannity argued that although he believed the president’s economic policies were fundamentally sound, voters were judging Republicans according to their immediate financial circumstances rather than the administration’s longer-term objectives.

He acknowledged a point raised by Democratic commentator Harold Ford Jr., who argued that favorable economic statistics mean little when Americans do not personally experience improvements in their financial situation.

Hannity said he agreed with economist Larry Kudlow’s support for the administration’s economic principles but recognized that voters’ perceptions of their own financial well-being were ultimately decisive.

The Fox News host also acknowledged that some of the administration’s immigration enforcement operations had generated negative public reactions, particularly after Democrats highlighted videos showing controversial enforcement actions.

“Americans are good people with a heart, and they didn’t like some of what they saw,” Hannity said.

He then returned to Iran, arguing that the administration’s military campaign could ultimately benefit future generations but that its immediate economic consequences had damaged Republicans politically.

“I would argue on Iran, there was, unfortunately, it’s the best thing for our children and grandchildren, but higher gas prices, how people feel, I think is the more dominant feeling force right now,” Hannity said.

His remarks reflected a central difficulty facing the administration: Even voters who support a tough approach toward Iran may be unwilling to accept the economic consequences of a prolonged military confrontation.

The conflict has contributed to higher energy costs and increased concerns about inflation, issues that became major themes in Democratic campaigns across the country.

Hannity nevertheless insisted that the president’s policies would eventually produce positive results, comparing Trump’s political difficulties to those experienced by previous presidents who suffered major midterm setbacks.

“I really believe in the policies. I think the president will be proven correct, just like Reagan was, and Clinton in a lot of ways was, and even Obama,” he said.

During another portion of the election-night discussion, Hannity pointed to the history of presidents whose parties experienced substantial congressional losses before their political fortunes improved.

“Midterms are very, very predictable and the more dominant a personality that a president is, the more dramatic a loss will be in a midterm,” he argued.

He cited Ronald Reagan’s recovery following Republican losses in 1982, Bill Clinton’s political comeback after the 1994 Republican wave, and Barack Obama’s reelection following the Democratic Party’s heavy losses in 2010.

However, unlike those presidents, Trump is serving his second elected term and is constitutionally barred from seeking another, meaning the political implications of Tuesday’s results will fall heavily on Republicans preparing for the 2028 presidential election.

At another point during the coverage, Hannity expressed frustration with the contrast between Trump’s decisive 2024 victory and the Republican Party’s performance two years later.

“I wish it was two years ago,” he remarked.

His comments came as Democrats captured Republican-held Senate seats in several states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas, dealing a serious blow to the GOP’s hopes of maintaining control of Congress.

In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, a particularly embarrassing outcome for Republicans in a state that had not elected a Democratic U.S. senator since 1988.

The result was also notable because Hannity had previously dismissed a Fox News poll showing Talarico leading Paxton.

During an August discussion with former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Hannity rejected the poll’s findings.

“I don’t believe it for two seconds. Not for two,” Hannity said at the time.

Tuesday’s election results demonstrated that the warning signs reflected in those surveys had been more significant than many Republicans anticipated.

Meanwhile, Trump expressed frustration with Fox News’ election-night coverage, criticizing the network’s polling and its inclusion of Democratic commentators as the unfavorable results became clear.

The president also defended his administration’s record on inflation and gasoline prices while rejecting Democratic criticism of his handling of Iran.

Hannity, for his part, maintained that the president still had time to improve public perceptions of his administration’s performance.

“I think the two years of any president, especially a dominant personality, is an incomplete grade,” he said, arguing that the public would have a more complete picture of Trump’s presidency by the end of his term.

Veteran Shas MK Yaakov Margi has launched a blistering attack on his own party, accusing its leadership of surrendering to extremist elements within the chareidi community, sacrificing efforts to secure a military draft law protecting bnei Torah, and allowing inflammatory rhetoric to alienate the broader Israeli public.

Margi, who is leaving the Knesset after more than two decades of parliamentary service, delivered his unusually sharp criticism in an interview with Ari Kalman broadcast Tuesday evening on i24NEWS. His remarks come in the aftermath of Shas’s disappointing election performance and amid continuing tensions over the military draft and the status of yeshiva students.

The longtime Shas lawmaker argued that the party’s reluctance to confront extremist voices had directly undermined its ability to advance legislation regulating the military service exemptions of yeshiva students.

“Since the passing of Maran Rav Ovadia Yosef, I felt that I was missing someone to back me up,” Margi said.

He recalled being instructed by party officials to refrain from publicly discussing the draft legislation because his comments were provoking opposition from more extreme elements.

“At a certain point, they told me, ‘You want a draft law? Don’t speak out.’ In the party, they told me, ‘This makes it harder for us to advance it because it inflames the extremists.’ By surrendering to the extremists, we sacrificed the draft law.”

Margi’s criticism was particularly striking because it came from a senior figure who has spent much of his political career representing Shas and defending the interests of the Sephardic chareidi community.

He argued that the party’s approach had ultimately harmed the very yeshiva students it was supposed to protect, leaving their legal status unresolved while simultaneously deepening resentment among Israelis who serve in the military.

Margi also took direct aim at comments attributed to Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, which were previously publicized by i24NEWS.

In those remarks, Deri had reportedly warned against any weakening of the party’s position on military service, declaring that nobody should entertain even the slightest notion that perhaps they ought to contribute to the military effort.

“Chas v’shalom,” Deri reportedly said in reference to such thinking.

Margi responded with indignation.

“What do you mean, ‘chas v’shalom’?” he asked. “And what about the young men wandering around doing nothing in Kikar HaChatulot? We abandoned the bnei Torah. They didn’t get a draft law. Their status isn’t regulated.”

The reference to Kikar HaChatulot, a gathering place in Yerushalayim, was part of Margi’s broader argument that the chareidi community must distinguish between serious yeshiva students devoted to learning and young men who are not engaged in Torah study.

Margi has repeatedly maintained that those who are not learning Torah should be required to serve in the military, a position that has placed him at odds with more hardline elements of the chareidi political establishment.

He also acknowledged the anger felt by the broader Israeli public, particularly families whose sons have served during the prolonged period of military conflict.

“On the other hand, the general public is angry, and rightly so,” Margi said. “You cannot remain calm and accept extreme or disconnected statements with equanimity when people are dealing with anxiety, post-trauma, parents who don’t sleep at night, and then you hear statements that are so disconnected.”

The outgoing lawmaker reserved some of his harshest criticism for the anti-draft demonstrations that have repeatedly disrupted roads and intersections across Israel.

Margi questioned whether the individuals participating in these protests genuinely represented the Torah community and challenged the justification for demonstrations that cause widespread disruption.

“Who were they demonstrating for?” he asked. “Percentage-wise, how many of them were bnei Torah? For them I should go out into the street? For them I should block roads? For them I should endanger the broader public? For them I should make a chillul Hashem?”

Margi asserted that many of the protesters were not serious Torah students and expressed frustration that rabbinic and communal leaders had not more forcefully condemned their conduct.

“A large portion of them were not bnei Torah,” he said. “I haven’t heard anyone, any leader, come out against them and condemn them, saying that this is not the way of the Torah.”

He went on to describe the scenes at intersections as deeply embarrassing and inconsistent with the standards expected of members of the Torah community.

“The embarrassing and shameful scenes at intersections — is that the behavior of bnei Torah? Are these bnei Torah? Is this how we were raised? Is this what a ben Torah looks like? Who are the leaders sending them there?”

Margi argued that the behavior of individuals who claim the protections afforded to yeshiva students without actually devoting themselves to Torah study poses a serious threat to the standing of the entire yeshiva world.

“Today, those persecuting the Torah world are not the army, not the sanctions, not anything else,” he declared. “It is those who are not learning and are sitting on the necks of those who are learning — they are the ones persecuting the Torah world.”

Despite his sweeping criticism of Shas and its handling of the draft controversy, Margi stopped short of calling for a change in the party’s leadership.

On the contrary, he insisted that Aryeh Deri remains indispensable to Shas and that calls for his resignation following the election results would be disastrous for the movement.

“To tell Deri to resign today is to shut down the party,” Margi said.

He also expressed the view that Shas could potentially participate in a governing coalition alongside Avigdor Lieberman, despite the longstanding hostility between Lieberman and the chareidi parties over military service, religion-and-state issues, and the role of the chareidi community in Israeli society.

That position represents another departure from the approach traditionally taken by Shas, which has frequently treated Lieberman as a political adversary because of his outspoken positions on chareidi military enlistment.

{Matzav.com}

A moving encounter took place in Yerushalayim during a family bris attended by Hagaon Harav Moshe Sternbuch, when the senior posek warmly embraced a yeshiva bochur who had recently served ten days in an Israeli military prison over the draft controversy, showering him with extraordinary words of encouragement and declaring that his dedication to Torah learning had earned him a special place in the eyes of the Ribbono Shel Olam.

The encounter occurred during the bris of a great-grandson of Rav Sternbuch, a son born to his grandson and close confidant, Harav Avrohom Yeshayahu Sternbuch. Rav Sternbuch served as sandek at the bris, which became an occasion for heartfelt tefillos over the continuing efforts to draft yeshiva students into the Israeli military.

During the simcha, Rav Sternbuch instructed those present to recite the Yud-Gimmel Middos HaRachamim, the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, and to sound the shofar in response to what he described as the difficult situation confronting the Torah community in Eretz Yisroel.

The unusual instructions reflected the gravity with which Rav Sternbuch views the ongoing draft controversy, which has resulted in the arrests and imprisonment of yeshiva students who have refused to comply with military enlistment requirements.

Following the bris, Rav Sternbuch presided over a mesibas lechaim, during which a young yeshiva student who had recently been released from military detention approached him to receive a bracha.

The bochur had spent ten days in Prison 10, an Israeli military detention facility, after refusing to compromise his position regarding military service.

Upon learning of the young man’s experience, Rav Sternbuch became visibly emotional and offered words of chizuk that left a profound impression on those present.

“You are the happiest person in the world,” Rav Sternbuch told the young man.

“Baruch Hashem, you have merited to sit and learn Torah with mesirus nefesh. Even the malachim ask HaKadosh Baruch Hu to allow them to learn with mesirus nefesh as you do, but HaKadosh Baruch Hu tells them, ‘This bochur I love,’ because he sacrifices himself to learn Torah and to continue learning.”

Rav Sternbuch then offered a heartfelt bracha for the young man’s future.

“Fortunate are his father and mother, fortunate is his entire family who brought him into the world,” he said. “May Hashem have mercy, and may he become a great talmid chacham.”

In a separate development earlier this week, on Sunday, Rav Sternbuch delivered additional words of encouragement to the family of a newly married chassan who had been arrested during his sheva brachos celebrations.

The arrest, which occurred during what should have been one of the happiest periods of the young man’s life, generated considerable distress among his family and members of the Torah community.

Before the chassan was released, Rav Sternbuch sought to strengthen the spirits of his family, describing the young man’s ordeal as an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate unwavering commitment to Torah.

“Many people are jealous of you,” Rav Sternbuch said. “You have merited such a mitzvah. Do not be afraid!”

He continued with a message of determination in the face of the difficulties confronting yeshiva students.

“Whatever evil they can do will be repaid to them twofold, and we are faithful to Hashem and will remain faithful to Him, and there is no life except through Torah. Bracha and hatzlacha. Fortunate are you, fortunate is your portion. Who is like you?”

{Matzav.com}

For the first time in New York State history, the halls of the State Capitol in Albany will be home to a full minyan of Orthodox Jewish legislators, following Tuesday’s elections, which brought the number of frum lawmakers serving in the State Senate and Assembly to an unprecedented ten.

The remarkable milestone means that eight members of the State Assembly and two members of the State Senate will represent districts stretching from Brooklyn and Queens to Rockland and Nassau counties.

The historic achievement follows several significant election victories, including those of newly elected State Senator Sam Sutton of Brooklyn, Assemblyman-elect Joey Cohen-Saban of Brooklyn, and Assemblyman-elect Pesach Osina of Queens, who will join an established group of frum elected officials in Albany.

Former New York City Councilman David G. Greenfield, a longtime communal leader and executive director of Met Council, highlighted the extraordinary development in a social media post following the election.

“We may have MINYAN of state legislators who are Orthodox in New York!” Greenfield wrote, accompanying his message with a list of the ten lawmakers.

The milestone is especially significant considering that, for decades, Orthodox Jewish communities throughout New York relied primarily on relationships with elected officials from outside the community to advance their interests in state government.

Now, with ten frum lawmakers serving simultaneously, the community will have an unprecedented number of legislators who are personally familiar with the needs of yeshivos, families, shuls, mosdos, and communal organizations.

The eight Assembly members are Simcha Eichenstein, Kalman Yeger, Joey Cohen-Saban, Sam Berger, David Weprin, Pesach Osina, Aron Wieder, and Ari Brown.

In the State Senate, Sam Sutton of Brooklyn and Lisa Vider of Nassau County complete the ten-member group.

The lawmakers represent a geographically diverse collection of communities, reflecting the expanding political participation and influence of Orthodox Jewish voters across New York.

Brooklyn, home to some of the nation’s largest frum communities, accounts for three Assembly members and one senator.

Queens will be represented by three Orthodox Assembly members, while Rockland County will have one Assembly member. Nassau County will have one Assembly member and one senator.

Among the most closely watched victories was that of Joey Cohen-Saban, who defeated Republican incumbent Michael Novakhov in Brooklyn’s 45th Assembly District.

Cohen-Saban’s victory represented a significant reversal from 2024, when he narrowly lost to Novakhov. This time, the Democratic challenger won decisively, securing approximately 60 percent of the vote according to election-night returns.

The district encompasses portions of Midwood, Gravesend, Sheepshead Bay, and surrounding neighborhoods, including areas with substantial Orthodox Jewish populations.

Celebrating his victory Tuesday night at a kosher restaurant in Midwood, Cohen-Saban emphasized that he intended to represent all residents of the district, regardless of how they voted.

“To everyone who voted for me tonight, thank you,” Cohen-Saban told supporters. “And to those who didn’t, I want them to hear this clearly: I did not win a seat for half of this district. I won a seat for all of it, and my door to all those folks is open starting tomorrow morning.”

His election adds another frum voice to the Assembly and further expands the community’s representation in southern Brooklyn.

Another important victory came in Queens, where longtime community activist Pesach Osina defeated Republican Thomas Sullivan in the 23rd Assembly District.

Osina, a familiar figure in Far Rockaway communal affairs, will succeed retiring Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, who represented the district for approximately a decade.

The race was closely contested, with Osina receiving strong support from Orthodox Jewish voters in Far Rockaway as well as other communities throughout the district.

Early election-night returns showed Osina leading with approximately 52 percent of the vote, and Sullivan subsequently conceded.

Osina’s victory was particularly meaningful to the Far Rockaway community, which will now have a frum representative in the State Assembly.

The newly elected assemblyman has longstanding relationships with local mosdos, community leaders, and organizations serving residents throughout the Rockaway peninsula.

His election brings an additional Orthodox Jewish perspective to legislative discussions involving education, public safety, transportation, and government assistance for community institutions.

Sam Sutton’s election to the State Senate is another major development for Brooklyn’s frum community.

Sutton won the 22nd Senate District, defeating Nachman Caller and securing a seat in the Legislature’s upper chamber. His victory was celebrated by the Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition, which also welcomed Cohen-Saban’s Assembly victory as an important achievement for the community.

Together, the two election results will give Brooklyn additional representation in Albany on matters affecting Orthodox Jewish residents, including public safety, education, and the needs of religious institutions.

In Nassau County, Lisa Vider’s candidacy represents another important development. Vider, a health care executive who challenged Republican Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick in the 9th Senate District, would become New York’s first Orthodox Jewish woman to serve in the State Senate if her apparent election-night success is confirmed.

Her inclusion in the ten-member group is particularly noteworthy because the Orthodox Jewish community’s representation in Albany has historically been concentrated in the Assembly rather than the Senate.

The new lawmakers will join several established Orthodox Jewish legislators who have already developed significant experience in state government.

Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein, who represents portions of Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, has been a prominent advocate for yeshiva education, religious freedom, and the concerns of frum families.

Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, a former New York City Council member, has similarly been closely involved in issues affecting Borough Park, Flatbush, and surrounding communities.

In Queens, Assemblyman Sam Berger represents neighborhoods including Kew Gardens Hills, College Point, and Whitestone. Berger, who entered the Assembly in 2023, has emphasized the importance of constituent services and ensuring that the concerns of local families receive attention in Albany.

Assemblyman David Weprin, another longtime Queens legislator, brings years of experience in state government and has maintained close ties with the Orthodox Jewish community.

In Rockland County, Assemblyman Aron Wieder represents an area that includes a substantial and growing frum population. His background in local government and his longstanding involvement in communal affairs have made him a familiar figure in the region.

Assemblyman Ari Brown, representing Nassau County, adds another voice from Long Island’s Orthodox Jewish communities.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Central Elections Committee announced Wednesday that it has completed an extensive review of the October 27 elections for the 26th Knesset, examining results from 9,069 polling stations and finding no evidence of election fraud or irregularities that would compromise the integrity of the vote or alter the election outcome.

The announcement comes as Israel prepares to formally certify the results of the closely watched election and begin the process of forming a new government, with President Isaac Herzog scheduled to receive the official results Wednesday.

According to the committee, the comprehensive review covered approximately 75 percent of the country’s 12,018 regular polling stations, representing an unprecedented level of scrutiny of election results.

The 9,069 polling stations examined marked a 78 percent increase over the previous Knesset election, when election officials reviewed approximately 5,100 polling stations.

The committee said the expanded review was intended to ensure that every legitimate concern raised by political parties, candidates, or members of the public received appropriate attention and that the final results accurately reflected the decisions of Israeli voters.

Approximately 250 attorneys employed in the public sector participated in the operation alongside Central Elections Committee personnel.

The review lasted six working days, beginning October 28 and concluding Tuesday, November 3. Seven examination rooms operated throughout the process, supported by a central command center, with personnel working morning and evening shifts.

Election officials examined polling station protocols and other official documentation, conducting more extensive inspections whenever the circumstances warranted additional scrutiny.

In 350 polling stations, investigators carried out detailed examinations of voting materials, including ballots, voter registration records, and accompanying election documentation.

The committee reported receiving 2,452 inquiries from political parties and candidate lists concerning results or procedures at 1,350 polling stations.

Every submission was reviewed, and corrections were made wherever the examination established that adjustments were necessary.

An additional 1,239 complaints and inquiries were submitted by members of the public on Election Day and afterward, involving alleged election integrity concerns at approximately 750 polling stations.

Those complaints were also examined in full, according to the committee.

Officials emphasized that the review did not uncover any findings indicating a compromise of election integrity or any irregularity requiring a change to the overall election results.

Polling stations were selected for review using several criteria, including complaints from political parties and voters, reports submitted during Election Day, and findings from election integrity inspectors stationed at regular polling locations.

The committee also employed statistical analysis to identify potentially unusual voting patterns, random sampling, and additional screening procedures designed to detect discrepancies.

Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg praised the scope of the operation and the personnel responsible for completing it.

“As part of the election integrity operation, an unprecedented number of polling stations were thoroughly examined,” Sohlberg said. “The scope and quality of the operation demonstrate the Central Elections Committee’s strong commitment to reflecting the will of the voters as accurately as possible.”

He also expressed appreciation to the election officials and legal professionals who conducted the review, thanking them for their intensive, professional, and dedicated work.

Attorney Dean Livne, the committee’s acting director-general, stressed that no complaint was dismissed without examination.

“Every inquiry received from the political parties, candidate lists, and the public was examined individually,” Livne said.

“Where corrections were required, they were made based on the official records and voting materials. This is our responsibility to the voters and to the lists that competed in the election: to thoroughly examine every allegation, make corrections when necessary, and publish the findings transparently.”

Livne added that the extensive review was made possible by the dedication of election committee employees and the attorneys assigned to the operation.

“Thanks to their dedication, we are completing the review and presenting the public with results that have been carefully examined and reflect the decision made at the ballot box,” he said.

The announcement marks an important milestone following an election in which the balance of power between Israel’s political blocs, the performance of the chareidi parties, and the prospects for forming a governing coalition have been subjects of intense public attention.

With the review completed, the Central Elections Committee is expected to submit the official results to President Herzog on Wednesday, after which they will be published in accordance with Israeli law.

The next stage of the political process is scheduled to begin Thursday, when Herzog will open consultations with representatives of the political parties elected to the new Knesset.

During those consultations, party delegations will recommend which Knesset member should be tasked with forming the next government.

Under Israel’s Basic Law: The Government, the president must assign the task of forming a government within seven days of the publication of the official election results.

The president is not required to select the leader of the largest party. Rather, he must determine which Knesset member has the strongest prospects of assembling a coalition capable of securing the support of a parliamentary majority.

The consultations are therefore expected to provide an important indication of the emerging political alliances and the likelihood that a stable government can be established.

Wednesday’s announcement by the Central Elections Committee effectively concludes the formal examination of voting procedures and complaints, clearing the way for the next stage of Israel’s political process.

{Matzav.com}