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F-15I “Ra’am” Combat Navigator Shares First Yemen Mission — “There’s No Greater Privilege Than Davening Mincha on a Fighter Jet”
At just 26 years old, Lt. G., a graduate of a yeshiva tichonit and resident of the Gaza-envelope region, already holds one of the most sensitive and strategic positions in the IDF, serving as a combat navigator on the advanced F-15I “Ra’am.” Last night, he completed his first long-range operational flight, taking him all the way to the skies over Yemen.
In an exclusive interview with Kikar HaShabbat, he shares his journey from a yeshiva classroom to planning complex strike missions, the tense hours spent deep over enemy territory, and the unique balance between emunah and military precision inside the Israeli Air Force.
“A Navigator Doesn’t Navigate”“When people hear ‘combat navigator,’ they often picture old maps and compasses,” Lt. G. says with a smile. “But here’s the scoop people need to know — a navigator doesn’t navigate. We’ve got Waze, so to speak.”
His role, he explains, goes far beyond directions. “The simplest way to put it is that the pilot is the commander of the plane, and the navigator is the commander of the mission. The pilot focuses on flying — speed, altitude, positioning. I handle the mission: data integration, target selection, managing weapons systems, and making sure we understand every detail of how the strike will be executed — what munitions we’ll use, what threats we might face, and how we’re going to neutralize them.”
This division of responsibility, he says, explains why two crew members remain essential even in today’s most advanced jets. “The F-35 is single-seater, yes, but that’s because its missions are structured differently. On long-range, complex operations like ours — carrying heavy payloads and managing dozens of systems — the cognitive and operational load is enormous. Splitting the work between pilot and navigator isn’t just efficient — it creates perfect synergy.”
A Five-Hour Flight into Hostile SkiesSince October 7, Lt. G. and his squadron have been in near-constant activity. “For almost two years now, we’ve been in nonstop combat — missions over Lebanon, Syria, Gaza. The tempo hasn’t slowed,” he says. “But Yemen was different. It was my first long-range operational flight — an initiation into Israel’s most distant theater of conflict.”
The numbers speak for themselves: two and a half hours of flying each way — nearly five straight hours in a cramped, noisy cockpit, all above hostile territory. “And that’s before you even count the hours of briefings, rehearsals, and the long debrief afterward,” he adds.
“150 Percent Alertness — Always”So what happens during those five hours in the air? Is there time to breathe? Lt. G. shakes his head. “Your alertness is at 150 percent, all the time. In a fighter jet, nothing ever slows down. You never really ‘relax,’ and I doubt anyone ever has while sitting in one. But there are different peaks of intensity. The outbound leg — toward the target — always feels faster. Every second, you’re checking systems, arming weapons, coordinating with the formation, and preparing for the exact moment of the strike. The return trip, even though it still demands full focus, comes after the mission’s peak.”
The Most Nerve-Racking Moment: Air-to-Air RefuelingOne of the riskiest challenges on a mission like this is midair refueling. The process requires surgical precision — maneuvering a heavy fighter jet into contact with a fuel boom dangling from a massive tanker aircraft, all at high altitude and incredible speed, often above hostile zones.
“I wouldn’t call it ‘stress,’ exactly,” he explains, “but ‘intense focus’ for sure. In flight school, they define this maneuver as a ‘controlled collision.’ That’s what it is — you’re literally connecting with another aircraft, safely but physically. It demands absolute professionalism.”
The refueling process takes around 20 to 30 minutes, but it’s much more than simply plugging in. “You’ve got to get to the rendezvous point, stabilize, connect, fill up, and separate safely — all while preparing to continue the mission. You feel it physically too: the jet gets heavier with every liter of fuel, and you have to adapt instantly. It’s one of the most demanding moments of the entire flight.”
Are the Missions Always Perfect?Israelis are used to hearing about pinpoint strikes and flawless results. Is that really the case? Lt. G. answers candidly. “I think everyone understands — no person, no organization, no military in the world is perfect. We strive to execute every mission to the highest standard, but after every single sortie, we sit through detailed debriefs to analyze everything we could’ve done better. That’s how we improve.”
And when it comes to mistakes, he doesn’t hesitate to acknowledge them. “If we’re talking about October 7, there’s nothing more to add. Human beings make mistakes — it’s part of our nature. The real wisdom is admitting where you went wrong, understanding why, and making sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Endurance, Pressure, and MotivationNearly two years of unrelenting conflict have taken their toll, but Lt. G. says there’s no room for burnout. “We don’t have the privilege of feeling fatigued. We’ve learned that lesson the hard way. We have to be ready — whether the mission surprises us or we’ve prepared for it for weeks. On this Yemen strike, we had reservists alongside us, both in the air and on the ground. Everyone knows how critical this moment is. When we’re called — we show up.”
A Message to the Young ChareidiThe Air Force, often seen as an isolated, “secular” bubble, is not as detached as many think. “From my experience, I’ve never once felt alienation from anyone in the system,” he stresses. “What we all care about most is supporting the guys on the ground — our brothers, friends, and sometimes literally our neighbors sitting in tanks and APCs. That’s our biggest motivation.”
As a graduate of a yeshiva tichonit, Lt. G. represents a growing number of religious soldiers filling key Air Force roles. He knows many young bochurim want to serve meaningfully but worry about spiritual challenges. His message to them is clear:
“I never dreamed of being a pilot,” he admits. “I enlisted with one mindset — to defend my people and my country. That value, I think, is already deep inside every young bochur. It doesn’t conflict with Torah learning or living a life of emunah. For me, this is a tremendous shlichus — dealing with pikuach nefesh on a daily basis.”
He also reassures them about fears of a purely secular environment. “From my personal experience, this is a place of respect and inclusivity. Of course there are challenges, but they refine you — that’s part of what it means to live as a believing Jew in the modern world. The Air Force today values faith and spirituality. People like us are no longer on the margins — we’re at the center, in key positions. There’s nothing to fear.”
“Davening Mincha at 30,000 Feet”Finally, Lt. G. shares a thought that captures the heart of his journey. “I haven’t yet flown straight through the entire Mincha window, but when that moment comes, I believe there’s no greater privilege than davening Mincha in a fighter jet, performing a mission for Am Yisroel and Eretz Yisroel.”
When the engines power down and his boots touch the ground, Lt. G. returns to being a 26-year-old young man of faith, rooted deeply in the Negev soil. But up there — above the clouds, on the edge of darkness and light — he is something more: a mission commander, a protector, and living proof that courage, emunah, and dedication can merge into one powerful force, as seamless and formidable as the F-15I “Ra’am” he flies.
{Matzav.com Israel}
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Ponovezh Yeshiva Prepares for Elul Zeman with Major Upgrades, New Dormitories, and Expanded Galleries
As Elul zeman begins, excitement is running high at Ponovezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, where thousands of talmidim are preparing to begin the new zeman, including hundreds of incoming bochurim from Shiur Alef.
Following the yeshiva’s long-standing tradition, the new Shiur Alef students began the Elul zeman ahead of everyone else. On Sunday night, immediately after Maariv, the yeshiva’s nasi, Rav Eliezer Kahaneman, delivered the official pesicha for the incoming talmidim in the main bais medrash.
This zeman, the yeshiva will be learning Perek Tamid Nishchat in Maseches Pesachim, a perek that includes foundational sugyos in Seder Kodshim.
In the weeks leading up to the zeman, the yeshiva’s administration carried out extensive renovations and upgrades throughout the entire campus. The road running between the main Beis Medrash and the Ohel Kedoshim building was completely resurfaced, and significant funds were invested in new beds, benches, and hundreds of brand-new shtenders to enhance the comfort and learning environment for the talmidim.
Additionally, the yeshiva has prepared a new dormitory building above the Vizhnitzer Beis Medrash on Rechov Maharshal. A specially constructed bridge now connects the new dorm directly to the Ponovezh campus, enabling bochurim to walk straight from the dormitory into the Beis Medrash with ease.
Given the tremendous growth of the yeshiva — which now boasts more than 2,200 talmidim — the administration has also expanded the galleries inside the Ohel Kedoshim building to their maximum capacity. The new galleries now extend all the way to the edge of the Aron Kodesh, allowing for the addition of hundreds of extra seats to accommodate the growing student body.
There has also been increasing talk within the yeshiva regarding the possible appointment of additional ramim. Last summer, Rav Refoel Shmuelevitz was appointed as a ram and has quickly gained widespread admiration for his daily shiur to Shiur Beis talmidim, as well as for his renowned chaburos delivered to the kibbutz bochurim. Rav Refoel is known for his unique approach, as he sits in the main Beis Medrash during first seder, giving talmidim direct access to him to discuss their learning and clarify sugyos during the seder itself.
Elul zeman at Ponovezh is also marked by an intensified focus on mussar learning as the Yemei HaRachamim VeHaSlichos approach. Each week, two shmuessen are delivered by the yeshiva’s mashgichim, Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Kellerman and Rav Ezra Rothschild. While during the rest of the year the shmuessen rotate between the mashgichim on Tuesdays, during Elul an additional shmuess is delivered every Thursday. Furthermore, a special daily seder mussar takes place at 1:15 p.m. before Mincha, in addition to the regular seder mussar held half an hour before Maariv.
Many bochurim in Ponovezh continue to follow the directive of the late rosh yeshiva, Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l, remaining in the yeshiva throughout the entirety of Elul zeman and not returning home until after Yom Kippur. For these talmidim, the weeks of Elul represent one uninterrupted period of spiritual elevation and immersion in Torah on the Ponovezh campus, without any break or distraction.
{Matzav.com Israel}
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Report: Netanyahu Has No Plans To Dismantle Right-Wing Bloc For Gantz, PM’s Office Tells Partners
Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s Office (PMO) informed coalition partners over the past day that Netanyahu has no intention of “dismantling the bloc for [Benny] Gantz,” according to a report by Israeli public broadcaster KAN on Sunday.
The report noted that some coalition members are worried that bringing Gantz into the government could pave the way for Netanyahu to push forward with a hostage deal and bring an end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip. Such a move, they fear, could lead hard-line members of the coalition — National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich — to withdraw from the bloc entirely.
Over the weekend, Gantz publicly called on Netanyahu, Opposition Leader MK Yair Lapid, and Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman to come together and establish a temporary “government of redemption for the hostages” that would serve for a period of six months.
Gantz explained that this proposed interim government should prioritize two main objectives: negotiating the release of hostages currently held by Hamas and passing the long-debated chareidi draft law.
He also stated that once these goals are achieved, new elections should be scheduled to determine the country’s leadership moving forward.
{Matzav.com}
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HATE DOWN UNDER: Tens of Thousands March In Australia, Demand End To Gaza War, Sanctions On Israel
Tens of thousands of people across Australia took part in large-scale pro-Palestinian demonstrations on Sunday, protesting against Israel and urging the government to impose sanctions while demanding an immediate halt to the fighting in Gaza. The rallies come as tensions between Canberra and Yerushalayim continue to escalate.
Relations between Israel and Australia have grown increasingly strained in recent weeks after the center-left Albanese government moved to formally recognize a Palestinian state and revoked an entry visa previously granted to Israeli far-right MK Simcha Rothman.
According to the Palestine Action Group, over 40 separate rallies were held nationwide, with significant gatherings in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The organization claimed that approximately 350,000 people participated across the country, including an estimated 50,000 in Brisbane. However, police placed Brisbane’s turnout closer to 10,000 and did not release crowd size estimates for the Sydney and Melbourne protests.
In Sydney, protest organizer Josh Lees said demonstrators had come together to “demand an end to this genocide in Gaza and to demand that our government sanction Israel,” as many waved Palestinian flags and chanted “Free, free Palestine.”
Queensland senator Larissa Waters addressed protesters in Brisbane, declaring there were “so many people here calling for peace, calling for sanctions on Israel just like we have on Russia, and calling for an end to the two-way arms trade,” according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
“I think after the Sydney march just a couple of weeks ago, which saw the government change position, I’m really hopeful that with the amazing turnout today across the country, the government will feel the pressure,” Waters added.
Meanwhile, in Canberra, senator David Pocock told attendees that Australia needed to do far more, ABC reported. “People care. People care deeply, and they want a government that’s actually going to listen and then act,” he said.
Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, condemned the rallies, telling Sky News that the demonstrations created “an unsafe environment and shouldn’t be happening.”
The wave of protests comes on the heels of an intensifying diplomatic clash, as Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu sharply criticized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over his government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state.
Australia’s announcement to conditionally recognize Palestinian statehood, made on August 11, followed similar moves by France, Britain, and Canada, and marked a turning point in relations. The decision came only days after tens of thousands marched across Sydney’s Harbour Bridge demanding peace and increased humanitarian aid for Gaza, where Israel’s military campaign began nearly two years ago in response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, cross-border attack that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 others kidnapped.
Tensions escalated further last week when Australia revoked Rothman’s entry visa just before he was scheduled to leave Israel to address Jewish community events in the country.
In retaliation, Israel revoked visas for Australian diplomatic officials assigned to the Palestinian Authority — a move that drew sharp criticism from Canberra.
Following these developments, Netanyahu issued a pointed rebuke against Albanese on his official X account, calling him a “weak politician who betrayed Israel” and claiming he had “abandoned” Australian Jewry.
{Matzav.com}
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VP Vance: Trump Wants Me Focused On Governing, Not 2028
Vice President JD Vance emphasized over the weekend that President Donald Trump wants him focused on advancing the administration’s current agenda rather than engaging in speculation about the 2028 presidential race.
During an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Vance played down the growing conversation surrounding Trump’s eventual successor, even after the president recently suggested that the vice president is the “most likely” person to carry on his political movement.
“If it’s in the news, the President and I have certainly discussed it. But I think the President is just focused on doing a good job for the American people. He wants me to be focused on doing a good job for the American people,” Vance explained.
When asked directly whether he views himself as the natural heir to the MAGA movement, Vance responded, “No. I see myself as a Vice President who’s trying to do a good job for the American people.”
Trump, in recent remarks, acknowledged that while it is too soon to officially name a successor for 2028, Vance currently stands as the leading figure to continue the Republican vision.
“I think most likely, in all fairness,” Trump said when asked if he would consider endorsing Vance to solidify his position and potentially clear the GOP field.
“So it’s too early to talk about it, but certainly he’s doing a great job, and he would be probably favored at this point,” the president added.
Trump also brought up Secretary of State Marco Rubio — who ran against him in the 2016 Republican primary before exiting the race after weak showings — as a possible strong contender to serve as Vance’s running mate should the vice president lead the 2028 ticket.
These comments came as Trump addressed ongoing chatter about a possible third term, saying he would “probably not” pursue it, noting that the Constitution prohibits a president from serving more than two terms.
Although some observers have treated Trump’s remarks on the topic as tongue-in-cheek, at times his statements have carried a more serious tone, prompting continued debate among political analysts and strategists.
Back in March, Trump made one of his clearest comments yet on the matter, saying, “I’m not joking” about the possibility of seeking a third term.
“There are methods which you could do it,” Trump said in a phone interview with NBC News, though he tempered expectations by clarifying, “It is far too early to think about it.”
{Matzav.com}
Surprise From Damascus: Al-Sharaa Confirms Talks With Israel
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced on Sunday night that “advanced talks” are currently taking place between Damascus and Yerushalayim to work toward a potential security arrangement. He made this statement during a meeting with representatives of various Arab media outlets.
According to Nadim Koteich, director of Sky News Arabia, al-Sharaa revealed that the framework for the proposed agreement would be tied to the 1974 disengagement line that has defined boundaries between the two nations for decades.
Al-Sharaa explained that his immediate goal is to restore the ceasefire with Israel and establish “security arrangements” designed to safeguard Syria’s sovereignty. He added that these measures could serve as a foundation for possible future agreements between the two sides.
At the same time, the Syrian leader clarified that a comprehensive peace treaty with Israel is not something he sees happening right now.
“If a peace agreement serves the interests of Syria and the Syrian people, I will not hesitate to choose that option,” he stated.
His comments come in the wake of a report published last week by the Saudi-owned newspaper Independent Arabia, which claimed that Israel and Syria are expected to sign a security agreement on September 25 under the sponsorship of the United States.
The report said the deal would primarily focus on reducing tensions between Damascus and Jerusalem through coordinated security arrangements. However, it stressed that a full peace accord between the two nations is not anticipated “in the near future.”
Just days before al-Sharaa’s remarks, Syria’s state-run news agency reported that Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with an Israeli delegation in Paris, which was reportedly headed by Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.
According to the report, the Paris discussions were facilitated by U.S. mediation and were largely centered on ensuring greater stability in southern Syria and the surrounding region.
Sources familiar with the negotiations said the agenda included several critical points: reducing tensions along the border, maintaining a policy of non-interference in Syria’s internal matters, promoting regional stability, monitoring the ceasefire in the Druze Mountain area, and revisiting the 1974 disengagement agreement.
{Matzav.com Israel}
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