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The Trump administration has officially reinstated broad financial sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the controversial United Nations official overseeing Palestinian Arab territories, after a federal appeals court cleared the way for the penalties to return.

According to Agence France-Presse, the renewed sanctions came after an appellate court effectively overturned an earlier judicial ruling that had temporarily blocked enforcement against Albanese.

An updated notice posted Wednesday on the website of the United States Department of the Treasury confirmed that Albanese’s sanctions status has once again been activated.

The designation freezes any assets tied to the American financial system and effectively cuts Albanese off from major global banking networks, severely restricting her ability to conduct ordinary financial transactions or use major credit card services.

Washington first imposed sanctions on Albanese in July 2025, accusing her of spearheading efforts to push the International Criminal Court toward prosecuting American and Israeli officials, corporations, and business leaders.

Earlier this month, however, the sanctions were temporarily halted after a federal judge issued an injunction, ruling that the administration had likely violated Albanese’s free speech protections by penalizing her following her outspoken criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

The United States Department of State later emphasized that the suspension of sanctions reflected only a temporary legal development and did not represent any change in U.S. policy toward Albanese.

Albanese has long faced criticism from Israel and its allies over what opponents describe as persistent anti-Israel bias.

Most recently, several European Union foreign ministers condemned comments she delivered during an Al Jazeera conference, where Albanese stated: “The fact that instead of stopping Israel, most of the world has armed, given Israel political excuses, political sheltering, economic and financial support … We who do not control large amounts of financial capitals, algorithms and weapons, we now see that we as a humanity have a common enemy.”

Albanese later denied that she had referred to Israel itself as humanity’s enemy.

She insisted in a subsequent interview that she “never, ever, ever said ‘Israel is the common enemy of humanity,'” dismissing the accusations as “completely false accusations.”

Criticism surrounding Albanese stretches back years. In 2022, old social media posts resurfaced in which she alleged that the “Jewish lobby” controls the United States.

At the time, Albanese rejected claims that the comments were antisemitic, arguing instead that her remarks had been “mischaracterized.” Nevertheless, scrutiny over her rhetoric and conduct has continued to intensify.

Her attacks on Israel escalated sharply following the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre in Israel, which Albanese described as an event that must be viewed in “context” and as a response to alleged Israeli “aggression.”

In late March, Albanese accused Israel of receiving “a license to torture Palestinians” and claimed that “torture has effectively become state policy” in the Jewish state.

Israel’s diplomatic mission in Geneva responded forcefully to those remarks.

“Francesca Albanese is not a promoter of human rights; she is an agent of chaos… and any document she produces is nothing but a politically-charged, activist rant.”

The Israeli statement further accused Albanese of promoting extremist rhetoric designed to delegitimize Israel.

Albanese “advocates dangerous extremist narratives to undermine the very existence of the State of Israel”, the statement said.

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A disturbing antisemitic incident unfolded in the upscale French resort town of Deauville, where a young man allegedly threatened to murder Jews in front of beachgoers and families enjoying the shoreline.

According to reports, a 44-year-old Jewish father identified as Roman filed a police complaint after hearing the suspect shout violent antisemitic threats at people gathered on the beach.

Roman said he was sitting beneath a beach umbrella with his family when he suddenly heard yelling behind him. According to his complaint, the suspect walked among beachgoers attempting to identify Jews.

“The man shouted at the people around him and tried to identify Jews,” the complaint stated.

The father said he clearly heard the suspect scream phrases including “Dirty Jews,” “There are only Jews here,” and later escalate to direct threats, including “I’m going to beat them” and “In the name of Allah, I will kill them.”

The frightened father immediately approached police officers stationed at the beach and reported the incident.

In his complaint, he described the suspect as approximately 25 years old, between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-11, shirtless, wearing a backwards cap, sunglasses, and shorts. According to the report, the man was accompanied by two friends.

The complainant’s attorney, Julien Bensimhon, said the incident reflects what he described as a dangerous rise in antisemitic rhetoric across France.

“We are witnessing a complete release of antisemitic speech, where people feel comfortable publicly shouting that they are ready to kill Jews,” the attorney said.

According to Bensimhon, the complainant’s 8-year-old daughter panicked during the confrontation, hid beneath the family’s umbrella, and later suffered nightmares overnight.

“She was afraid that people wanted to kill her and her family simply because they are Jews,” he said.

As of now, prosecutors in the nearby city of Lisieux, which oversees the region, have not issued an official public statement regarding the incident. However, video circulated online appears to show the suspect being detained by police and removed from the beach.

{Matzav.com}

Knesset member Tali Gottlieb launched a sharp attack Wednesday against the arrest of chareidim connected to Israel’s military draft dispute, accusing authorities of discriminatory enforcement and offering chareidi draft candidates a legal strategy she claims could help them avoid future arrests.

In a strongly worded public statement, Gottlieb criticized what she described as unequal treatment between chareidi draft resisters and other Israelis who avoid military service for ideological reasons.

“I am horrified by the arrest of chareidim while there are zero arrests of pacifist draft dodgers from Tel Aviv and similar places,” Gottlieb wrote.

She continued, “The hatred toward chareidim and turning them into a societal disease disgusts me.”

Gottlieb also mocked what she said is the double standard applied to different forms of refusal to serve in the military.

“Well, apparently ideological draft evasion is wonderful, but avoiding the draft because of Torah study? That’s unacceptable. (And yes, I’m being sarcastic of course).”

The lawmaker called for an immediate halt to the arrests and compared the current atmosphere to dark periods in history.

“Enough!! Stop immediately the persecution of chareidim. It reminds me of very dark and frightening times.”

Alongside her criticism, Gottlieb also proposed what she described as a practical legal step for chareidi draft candidates seeking to avoid detention.

“And to the chareidim I suggest that every draft candidate immediately submit a personal request for a deferment of service. Filing the request itself will prevent arrest.”

According to Gottlieb, the move is intended to shift the battle into the legal arena rather than allowing authorities to carry out arrests.

“Defeat Miara’s persecution of you on her own playing field.”

{Matzav.com}

Knesset member Merav Michaeli has called on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to immediately freeze a major food voucher initiative backed by the Shas party, arguing that the program amounts to politically motivated election influence disguised as welfare assistance.

The urgent appeal follows reports by journalist Ari Kalman that Shas chairman Aryeh Deri recently received preliminary approval from the Budget Commissioner of Israel’s Finance Ministry to revive the half-billion-shekel project, with the vouchers expected to be distributed shortly before national elections.

In her letter, Michaeli warned that the timing of the initiative represents a serious threat to the integrity of the election process.

“If the plan moves forward, the vouchers will be handed out to citizens in the days leading up to the elections,” Michaeli wrote.

She further argued that “the distribution of direct financial benefits, politically identified and branded as the ‘flagship project’ of a specific party immediately before voters head to the polls, raises substantial suspicion that the program is being tailored to the chareidi sector, which serves as Shas’s electoral base, while discriminating against needy populations outside that community.”

Michaeli said immediate legal intervention is necessary and outlined three specific demands in her appeal to the attorney general.

First, she called for an immediate suspension of both the budget allocation and the voucher distribution until after the election season concludes.

Second, she demanded that any food assistance program be administered exclusively through the professional channels of Israel’s Welfare Ministry, without political branding and at a time that would not influence voters.

Her third request focused on the Finance Ministry’s apparent reversal on the issue. Michaeli called for a formal investigation into the circumstances behind the ministry’s change of position after officials reportedly blocked the initiative last year.

At the same time, Knesset member Merav Cohen joined the criticism, posting a sharp jab on X.

“Hey Siri, define election bribery.”

{Matzav.com}

An atmosphere of tension and anxiety has spread throughout the yeshiva world ahead of the first Shabbos following Shavuos, traditionally an “Off Shabbos,” when yeshiva bochurim return home after remaining in yeshiva continuously throughout the zeman.

Roshei yeshiva and rabbonim are expressing deep concern following reports that Israeli police have intensified efforts in recent days against yeshiva bochurim, allegedly using various tactics — including undercover officers dressed in civilian clothing — to carry out arrests.

An unusual and urgent recorded message from the mashgiach of Yeshivas Birkas Efraim, Rav Betzalel Heineman, was released Thursday evening on the yeshiva’s information hotline, warning talmidim to exercise extreme caution while traveling home for Shabbos.

“Hello to the dear בני הישיבה. We have a somewhat urgent message. We have heard reports that there are police officers attempting in various ways, including while dressed in civilian clothing, to arrest yeshiva bochurim.”

Rav Heineman urged students not to take chances and warned them to think carefully before entering areas where police may be present.

“Now there is an Off Shabbos, and there are those traveling home. We ask everyone to be careful and not take risks. A person should think about the anguish he could suffer if, instead of arriving home for Off Shabbos, he ends up sitting for ten days, half a month, or a month, depending on what they decide. It is a terrible and unpleasant feeling.”

The mashgiach strongly advised talmidim to avoid any place where police activity is visible, even if it means missing a bus or delaying their trip home.

“Be wise and do not enter any place where you see police. It is better to miss a bus than to walk into a place that appears to be a police ambush. Be careful.”

Rav Heineman said the entire yeshiva leadership is deeply worried about the situation and emphasized the potentially devastating physical and spiritual consequences of imprisonment.

“We in the yeshiva — the rabbonim, the talmidim, everyone — are worried. We ask you to be careful and protect yourselves. The damage that can result, both physically and spiritually, from sitting in prison — the anguish is beyond measure and beyond description. Guard yourselves.”

He concluded with a bracha that all the bochurim return safely and in good spirits following Shabbos.

“With the blessing of ‘וקווי ה’ יחליפו כוח,’ may we merit to see everyone healthy, happy, and whole with us next week. Much success to everyone, and Shabbos שלום.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani drew attention Wednesday after appearing at an Eid al-Adha celebration wearing a striking Arsenal FC-themed kurta that quickly became a talking point online.

The city’s anti-Israel, Muslim mayor, who is known to be an avid supporter of the English soccer club, wore a long tunic-style garment fashioned from Arsenal colors — blue and black with red striping on the sleeves — along with the sponsor slogan “Emirates Fly Better” displayed prominently across the front.

Mamdani attended the Bronx Eid gathering alongside fellow Democratic socialist and political ally Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

During the event, the mayor connected the themes of Eid al-Adha — sacrifice and generosity — to his broader political message centered on economic equality and social solidarity.

“Today as we honor Prophet Ibrahim, Eid al-Adha reminds us that sacrifice is not a burden,” he posted on X. “It is an opportunity to see ourselves as part of something larger. To extend a hand to those who need it most.

“I am honored to be New York City’s first Muslim Mayor and I am determined to lead through solidarity. Together, we are working to ensure every New Yorker can afford the groceries, housing, and child care they need.”

“Our solidarity is our strength,” he concluded.

The appearance came just days after Arsenal F.C. captured the English Premier League title.

According to online observers, the garment Mamdani wore appeared to be a modified version of last season’s Arsenal away jersey redesigned into a traditional kurta-style robe.

More than two and a half years after a retired Israeli police commander accused former police commissioner Kobi Shabtai of stabbing him during an internal meeting, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has decided to officially close the case.

The report was published Wednesday night by journalist Moshe Steinmetz on i24NEWS.

The complaint was submitted to Israel’s Police Internal Investigations Department after retired commander Amnon Alkallai alleged that Shabtai stabbed him in the leg during a June 20, 2023 meeting held at the national police academy.

Shabtai denied intentionally injuring Alkallai and claimed the incident was accidental. According to his account, he had taken out a knife in order to cut fruit when it slipped from his hand and struck Alkallai, who was seated nearby. Alkallai, however, insisted the stabbing was intentional.

Alkallai was later taken to Hadassah Hospital for treatment.

According to the report, Alkallai initially chose not to file a complaint because he felt embarrassed by the incident and did not want to harm the reputation of the police force. He later decided to move forward with the complaint because of what he described as Shabtai’s “reckless behavior” during that time period.

The Police Internal Investigations Department reportedly completed its investigation within just ten days and recommended that the case be closed. However, the attorney general’s office did not issue its final decision until more than two years later.

At the same time, Israel’s commissioner for complaints against public officials in the courts sharply criticized the attorney general’s office for the lengthy delay in resolving the matter.

“A case with significant public sensitivity was handled over a period of time that is unacceptable and lacked sufficient justification. It was possible and appropriate to significantly shorten the handling time of the case by the attorney general and her office, thereby preventing a criminal file from remaining open for such an extraordinarily long period against a sitting police commissioner.”

{Matzav.com}