Yeshiva World News

New anti-Hamas protests broke out in the Gaza Strip today. “The world must know, the people of Gaza are not Hamas,” demonstrators chanted.

In a rare and serious incident, an IDF soldier from the Nahal Brigade’s 931st Battalion was seriously injured during a fight with another soldier in a compound in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, on Motzei Shabbos, when he was struck with a weapon and beaten with a hot water kettle, requiring immediate evacuation by helicopter to a hospital.

The Trump administration last week asked Israel to postpone the full-scale ground operation in Gaza in order to exhaust negotiations for a hostage deal. According to the report, the request was twofold: to postpone the full operation in the Strip and to allow the continuation of negotiations that began in Qatar in parallel with the operation currently underway.

A firestorm of criticism has erupted over the 2025 Harvard Yearbook’s depiction of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, which it described simply as “War Breaks Out in Gaza.” The entry, part of a timeline for the 2023-2024 academic year, has been condemned by Harvard Chabad and alumnus Shabbos Kestenbaum as a gross misrepresentation of the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. The yearbook page, appearing under the “Special Events” section on page 38, features a photo of a campus statue surrounded by anti-Israel protest paraphernalia alongside the caption: “October 2023: War Breaks Out in Gaza.” The description omits any mention of the Hamas-led assault that killed 1,200 Israeli civilians and soldiers and saw over 250 people, including 12 Americans, taken hostage. The attack has been widely recognized as the largest terror attack in Israel’s history and the deadliest attack targeting Jews since the Holocaust. Harvard Chabad slammed the yearbook’s phrasing as “Holocaust-like denial” and “fake history,” comparing it to describing the September 11, 2001, attacks as “War breaks out in Afghanistan.” “It must be fake history that the genocidal attack on the Jewish people took place, leading to the greatest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust,” Chabad said. Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Harvard alumnus and vocal advocate against antisemitism on campus, went further, urging employers to probe Harvard graduates from the classes of 2024 to 2028 before hiring them. “Please ask them what they were doing on campus the last two years,” he advised. “Go through their social media. If they celebrated the abduction of 12 American citizens and the murder of more than 45, perhaps look elsewhere for employees.” He warned that if these graduates represent America’s future leaders, “no wonder America has such a dearth of leadership.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Over the past weekend, Jerusalem District Police officers carried out an operation to locate illegal infiltrators throughout the city of Jerusalem, including prosecuting those who assist them – drivers, employers, and hosts. In one instance, patrol officers in Beit Hakerem noticed a “Chareidi” man who aroused their suspicion as he walked through the neighborhood. When the officers called out to him, the suspect began to flee, and the officers chased after him until he was apprehended. A search of his belongings revealed a flashlight, a veil, a ‘kosher’ phone, and tear gas. A more in-depth examination revealed that he was a resident of the Palestinian town of Hizma in his 20s and was in Israel illegally. The police also discovered burglary tools the suspect had hidden along his escape route. The suspect was transferred to the Moriah station for questioning, and his arrest was later extended by the court. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

The Trump administration last week asked Israel to postpone the full-scale ground operation in Gaza in order to exhaust negotiations for a hostage deal, two sources familiar with the details told i24NEWS [Hebrew] on Sunday. According to the report, the request was twofold: to postpone the full operation in the Strip and to allow the continuation of negotiations that began in Qatar in parallel with the operation currently underway. Israel has made it clear that the IDF will not withdraw from areas in Gaza it has conquered – even as part of a deal. In addition, the question of a pause within the framework of negotiations will also be more complicated. “From the moment the operation begins, we will operate with great force and will not stop until all goals are achieved – including a voluntary emigration plan for the residents of Gaza,” Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stated last week. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said last Wednesday that Israel is prepared for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages. However, Hamas has continued to insist on US guarantees for the end of the war, spurring Netanyahu to order the return of the Israeli delegation from Qatar on Thursday. Israel insists that the Witkoff outline, which includes the release of 10 hostages and a 60-day ceasefire, is the only option on the table. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Democrats chairman Yair Golan on Motzei Shabbos tried to backtrack on the outrageous statements he made last week about IDF soldiers “killing babies as a hobby.” Speaking in an interview with Channel 12, Golan said: “Of course, Israel doesn’t kill babies as a hobby. Israel has not committed war crimes in Gaza.” He excused himself by saying that his statements were directed at the government, claiming that the goal of the war in Gaza is “political.” He then claimed that there is no purpose of the war in Gaza, falsely stating that Hamas has already been “militarily defeated.” The interviewer asked Golan about the harsh statements he himself made following the October 7 assault, when he advocated for starving the residents of Gaza. Golan claimed that those statements are no longer relevant. “What was right then is not right today,” he claimed. “At the beginning of the war, I believed it was necessary to apply far more massive pressure on Hamas.” He did not explain why these steps are no longer necessary or relevant. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced on Friday that due to Golan’s blood libel against Israel, he ordered the IDF to bar him from wearing the IDF uniform and entering military bases. Katz added that he will support the advancement of legislation in the Knesset that will authorize the revocation of military ranks from reserve officers for libelous statements against the IDF. In the interview, Golan expressed defiance to Katz’s order, claiming that “the defense minister lacks the authority to deny me access to IDF bases.” “When I need to enter bases, I’ll present my qualifications as a general and I assume they’ll me in,” he said. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

In an unusual and serious incident, an IDF soldier was seriously injured on Motzei Shabbos in a fight with another soldier in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldier was evacuated from Gaza by helicopter to the hospital. A preliminary investigation of the incident revealed that it occurred as soldiers from the Nahal Brigade’s 931st Battalion were resting in their compound in the Beit Lahiya area. A fight developed between two soldiers, and one soldier hit the other with a weapon and then beat him with a hot water kettle. The brigade commander interrogated the soldier and suspended him from combat service. A military investigation was launched into the serious incident. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Terrorists from a Hamas terror cell who fired last week at IDF soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip, seriously injuring a tank commander, were eliminated within minutes by the 401st Brigade combat team, the IDF spokesperson said on Sunday. “The forces of the 401st Brigade combat team, under the command of the 162nd Division, are operating in the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” the IDF spokesperson said. “Last week, a tank commander from Battalion 52 was seriously injured during a clash with Hamas terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldiers returned fire and eliminated several terrorists from the squad in just four minutes.” “Shortly afterward, an Air Force aircraft, in cooperation with the 401st Brigade’s firepower, carried out an airstrike and eliminated the remaining members of the cell.”  (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

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The suspect in Wednesday night’s fatal shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., allegedly authored a manifesto calling for violent attacks against individuals and institutions connected to Israel, declaring nonviolent protest “insufficient” and urging supporters to “escalate for Gaza.” Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, is accused of killing two Israeli embassy staff members as they exited an American Jewish Committee (AJC) Young Diplomats event around 9:00 p.m. Rodriguez shouted “Free, free Palestine” as he was arrested. Authorities have not yet officially confirmed a motive, but a manifesto shared online under Rodriguez’s name appears to outline a premeditated justification for violence. The document, titled “Escalate For Gaza, Bring The War Home,” was posted to a now-suspended account on X, and has been linked to Rodriguez by the ADL Center on Extremism with what it calls a “high degree of certainty.” The manifesto urges supporters to abandon what it terms ineffective forms of protest in favor of armed action, calling Israel’s military operations “genocide” and declaring that its “abettors” have “forfeited their humanity.” “The action would have been morally justified taken 11 years ago during Protective Edge,” the manifesto states, referring to Israel’s 2014 military campaign in Gaza. “But now, in 2025, it feels like the only sane thing to do.” The text concludes with the signature, “Free Palestine, Elias Rodriguez.” The post also praises Aaron Bushnell, a U.S. Airman who died in 2024 after self-immolating outside the Israeli embassy in protest of U.S. support for Israel, and calls such acts “moral” demonstrations of resistance. Rodriguez’s alleged social media activity, archived before the account was suspended, included multiple statements celebrating anti-Israel violence and sharing posts praising Hezbollah and Hamas. One post read, “Don’t blame me, I voted for Hamas,” while another declared “Death to Israel.” Law enforcement officials are investigating the manifesto as part of a broader probe into Rodriguez’s motivations and potential affiliations. Though Rodriguez has not been formally linked to any terror organization, his online presence indicates ties to extreme anti-Zionist rhetoric and groups with histories of militant protest. According to the ADL, Rodriguez had previous associations with the ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), participating in multiple protests from 2017 to 2018 in Chicago. Both groups have sought to distance themselves from the attack. In a statement, PSL wrote: “We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the DC shooting…We have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it.” Nevertheless, radical groups online have openly praised the attack. Masar Badil, a transnational anti-Israel organization, called the shooting a “natural consequence” of Israeli policy in Gaza. Others, including the Bronx Anti-War Coalition, described the act as the “highest expression of anti-Zionism,” and posted, “We need more Elias Rodriguez in the world.” Meanwhile, white supremacist and far-right forums also reacted with grotesque approval, with some praising the attack as “enemies killing each other,” and others using the suspect’s identity to spread anti-immigrant hate — despite no evidence Rodriguez is an immigrant. The attack comes amid a steep rise in antisemitic violence and threats in the United States. According to the ADL, 1,702 antisemitic incidents have already been recorded in 2024, including more than 600 related to anti-Israel demonstrations. This marks the eighth violent plot or attack targeting Jews or pro-Israel figures […]

A newly released poll conducted by co/efficient shows Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik in a near tie with Democratic incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul in a hypothetical race for New York governor in 2026. The survey of likely voters indicates Hochul leading Stefanik 43% to 42%, with 15% of voters undecided. The same poll highlights President Donald Trump’s favorability in New York, where he holds a 44% favorability rating, surpassing Hochul’s net approval rating of -17%. Only 23% of respondents believe Hochul deserves re-election, while nearly two-thirds prefer a new governor, underscoring her vulnerability. Stefanik, a staunch Trump ally representing New York’s 21st Congressional District, has not officially declared her candidacy but has expressed strong interest. “Unlike Kathy Hochul, who was defeated after one term in Congress, we have a record of winning — not just Republicans but winning independents and a fair percentage of Democrats,” Stefanik told the New York Post. Her favorability stands at 34%, with 32% unfavorable and 34% unsure or unaware of her, according to the poll. A separate Siena College poll conducted last month reinforces Stefanik’s strength among Republican voters, showing her with 35% support in a potential GOP primary, compared to 22% for Rep. Mike Lawler and 11% for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. No Republicans have formally entered the gubernatorial race, but Stefanik’s senior adviser, Alex DeGrasse, told Breitbart News that she is a “shoe-in” for the nomination if she runs, citing her popularity among New York Republicans. Hochul’s campaign dismissed Stefanik’s potential candidacy, labeling her an “extremist” and “staunch Trump loyalist.” Spokesperson Jen Goodman said, “We welcome the opportunity to contrast Gov. Hochul’s record of putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, supporting our kids, and keeping communities safe with Stefanik’s out-of-touch, divisive and dangerous record.” The poll also reflects broader dissatisfaction with Hochul’s leadership. A Siena College survey from April reported Hochul’s favorability at 44%, with 48% of voters preferring another candidate in 2026. Her approval rating remains slightly positive, but her re-election prospects face challenges, particularly as New York has seen a shift toward Republican candidates in recent elections. Stefanik’s potential run follows her withdrawal as Trump’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in March 2025, a decision made to maintain the GOP’s slim House majority. She has since been named chairwoman of House Republican Leadership. Her campaign has been bolstered by endorsements from major donors and encouragement from Trump, who posted on Truth Social, “Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is GREAT!!!” New York has not elected a Republican governor since George Pataki’s tenure ended in 2007. The 2022 gubernatorial race, where Hochul defeated Republican Lee Zeldin by 6 points, was the state’s closest in decades. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

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A London man was arrested for chanting “Am Yisrael Chai” at a pro-terrorist protest.

Secretary Kristi Noem releases statement on Harvard losing their Student and Exchange Visitor Program Certification.

Just three days after a pro-Palestinian from Chicago carried out a brutal terrorist attack in Washington, D.C., pro-Palestinians are now marching through the streets of Chicago chanting, “Resistance is justified.”

Former Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Larijani threatened that if the U.S. strikes Iran, Tehran will retaliate by targeting Washington along with American bases and interests throughout the region.

The Lakewood community is once again plunged into mourning with the heartbreaking news that Refoel Faham z”l, one of the survivors of Friday morning’s horrific car crash, has tragically succumbed to his injuries. BARUCH DAYAN HA’EMES: Refoel Faham Z”l, Third Bochur In Horrific Jackson Crash, Niftar Shortly Before Shabbos

At a Miami Beach Air Show today, video captured a historic US Air Force tri-bomber formation, including the B2A Spirit Stealth Bomber, B1B Lancer Heavy Bomber, and B52H Strategic Bomber, escorted by F22 Raptors, F15E Strike Eagles, A10 Warthogs, and F16 Fighting Falcons.