Yeshiva World News

Four years later and we still know absolutely nothing about the January 6th Pipe Bomber

Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday is set to preside over the certification of her defeat to Donald Trump four years after he tried to stop the very process that will now return him to the White House. In a video message, Harris described her role as a “sacred obligation” to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. “As we have seen, our democracy can be fragile,” she said. “And it is up to each of us to stand up for our most cherished principles.” Harris will be joining a short list of other vice presidents to oversee the ceremonial confirmation of their election loss as part of their role of presiding over the Senate. Richard Nixon did it after losing to John F. Kennedy in 1960. Al Gore followed suit when the U.S. Supreme Court tipped the 2000 election to George W. Bush. But no other vice president has been holding the gavel when Congress certified their loss to an incoming president who refused to concede a previous defeat. In addition to spreading lies about voter fraud, Trump directed his supporters to march on the U.S. Capitol, where they violently interrupted the proceedings on Jan. 6, 2021, to formalize Joe Biden’s victory. Harris was at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington that day. A pipe bomb was discovered nearby, and she was evacuated from the building. During the campaign, she frequently invoked the Jan. 6 attack to warn voters of the danger of returning Trump to the White House. She described him as a “petty tyrant” and “wannabe dictator.” After Harris lost the election and her bid to be the country’s first female president, she promised in her concession speech to honor the will of voters. “A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results,” she said. “That principle, as much as any other, distinguishes democracy from monarchy or tyranny.” No disruptions are expected on Monday. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team and the incoming White House press secretary, said there will be “a smooth transition of power.” “When Kamala Harris certifies the election results, President Trump will deliver on his promise to serve ALL Americans and will unify the country through success,” she said in a statement. Leavitt did not respond to a question about Trump’s attempt to use the certification process to overturn his defeat four years ago. At that time, Trump encouraged his vice president, Mike Pence, to disqualify votes from battleground states based on false allegations of fraud. Pence refused. Trump’s supporters burst into the Capitol and halted the proceedings, forcing lawmakers to hide for their safety. Trump posted on social media that “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done.” Police eventually cleared the rioters from the building, and lawmakers reconvened to finish their certification. Scores of Republicans still voted to support challenges to the election result. “I had no right to overturn the election,” Pence said two years later. “And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable.” Trump faced criminal charges for trying to stay in power despite losing. However, special counsel Jack Smith dropped the federal case against him after Trump defeated […]

Rabbi Binyamin Hamra, the chief rabbi of the Syrian Jewish community in Israel, has reached out to Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, congratulating him on his victory over the Assad regime and urging the preservation of Syria’s dwindling Jewish community and its historical sites. In his letter, Hamra noted the deep roots of Syria’s Jewish population, describing it as an “integral part of the rich and diverse fabric of the Syrian people” for thousands of years. Despite being a small minority, he noted, the Jewish community contributed to the nation’s cultural tapestry. “Throughout Syria are historical sites, ancient synagogues, and tombs of great Jewish leaders, which constitute cultural and religious heritage for Jews throughout the world,” Hamra wrote. Rabbi Hamra’s plea comes as Syria emerges from over a decade of civil war, during which the country’s Jewish landmarks, including the famed Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in Damascus, suffered significant destruction. “Its destruction caused great sorrow to millions of Jews and Muslims around the world who believe that a great blessing flows from this place to all of Syria,” Hamra wrote, urging al-Sharaa to oversee its restoration. “The restoration of the cave would be an act of great kindness and symbolize the unity of the peoples and their respect for a common heritage.” Hamra called on al-Sharaa to ensure the protection of the nine Jews remaining in Syria and to prioritize the preservation of Jewish historical sites. Expressing hope for a new era of tolerance, Hamra envisioned a Syria that is “multicultural, tolerant and inclusive, where every religious group and ethnic minority can live in peace and safety.” The letter follows a meeting between a representative of al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and Bakhour Chamntoub, the leader of Syria’s small Jewish community. HTS assured Chamntoub of “peace and security” for Syria’s Jews and extended an invitation for those in exile to return. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement following media reports on Sunday that the Hamas terror group provided a list of 34 hostages to be released in a potential deal. “The list of hostages that was published in the media was not provided to Israel by Hamas but was originally transferred by Israel to the mediators in July 2024,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated. “Israel has not yet received any confirmation or comment by Hamas regarding the status of the hostages appearing on the list. Israel will continue to work unceasingly for the return of all of our hostages.” However, Kan News reported that Hamas did submit a list of hostages but did not reveal if any of them are alive. The list included the young Bibas children, Ariel and Kfir, raising hopes that they’re still alive. Hamas claimed last year that they were killed in an IDF strike. Ynet reported on Monday afternoon that a source familiar with the details of the negotiations with Hamas said that “there is no decision in Israel yet regarding the departure of Mossad chief Dedi Barnea to Doha. It is already unlikely it will be today. Further progress is needed before he leaves. We hope this will happen in the coming days.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

A major winter blast of snow, ice, wind and plunging temperatures in the U.S. stirred dangerous travel conditions from central and southern states all the way to the East Coast early Monday, prompting schools and government offices in several states to close. Snow and ice blanketed major roads across Kansas, western Nebraska and parts of Indiana, where the state’s National Guard was activated to help stranded motorists. At least 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow was expected, along with gusting winds up to 45 mph (72 kph). The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings from Kansas and Missouri all the way to New Jersey. “For locations in this region that receive the highest snow totals, it may be the heaviest snowfall in at least a decade,” the weather service said. Gary Wright wore a parka as he and his husband chipped away at thick ice coating his SUV in a slippery apartment parking lot in Missouri. Wright said he will work remotely Monday, but wanted to scrape off his vehicle as an excuse to spend a little time in the snow. He also is seeking boots for their two older dogs that “won’t budge at all” when their paws hit the cold ground. The polar vortex of ultra-cold air usually spins around the North Pole. People in the U.S., Europe and Asia experience its intense cold when the vortex escapes and plunges southward. Studies show a fast-warming Arctic is partly to blame for the increasing frequency of the polar vortex extending its icy grip. Classes canceled School closings are expected to be widespread Monday. Districts in Indiana, Virginia and Kentucky began announcing cancellations and delays on Sunday afternoon. Kentucky’s Jefferson County Public Schools canceled classes, extracurricular activities and athletics for its nearly 100,000 students. Classes also have been cancelled in Maryland, where Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency Sunday and announced the state government would be closed Monday. “Keeping Marylanders safe is our top priority. Please stay off the roads during this storm. Prepare your home and family and charge your communications devices in case you lose power,” Moore said in a statement. Car wrecks proliferate as storm hits Over the weekend, at least 600 motorists were stranded in Missouri, authorities said. Hundreds of car accidents were reported in Virginia, Indiana, Kansas and Kentucky, where a state trooper was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after his patrol car was hit. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who declared a state emergency, said government buildings would be closed Monday. “We see far too many wrecks out there for people that do not have to be on the roads, so I want to ask: Stay inside,” Beshear said. Virginia State Police reported at least 135 crashes as the storm entered the state Sunday. In Charleston, West Virginia, where several inches (centimeters) of snow had fallen by Sunday night, authorities urged motorists to stay home. Snow and ice in the forecast In Indiana, snow fully covered portions of Interstate 64, Interstate 69 and U.S. Route 41, prompting Indiana State Police to plead with motorists to stay off the roads as plows worked to keep up. “It’s snowing so hard, the snow plows go through and then within a half hour the roadways are completely covered again,” Sgt. Todd Ringle said. Roughly 10 inches (25 centimeters) of snow […]

Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s decision to block a proposed nearly $15 billion deal for Nippon to acquire Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel.. The suit, filed Monday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, alleges that it was a political decision and violated the companies’ due process. “From the outset of the process, both Nippon Steel and U. S. Steel have engaged in good faith with all parties to underscore how the Transaction will enhance, not threaten, United States national security, including by revitalizing communities that rely on American steel, bolstering the American steel supply chain, and strengthening America’s domestic steel industry against the threat from China,” the companies said in a prepared statement Monday. “Nippon Steel is the only partner both willing and able to make the necessary investments.” Nippon Steel had promised to invest $2.7 billion in U.S. Steel’s aging blast furnace operations in Gary, Indiana, and Pennsylvania’s Mon Valley. It also vowed not to reduce production capacity in the United States over the next decade without first getting U.S. government approval. Biden on Friday decided to stop the Nippon takeover — after federal regulators deadlocked on whether to approve it — because “a strong domestically owned and operated steel industry represents an essential national security priority. … Without domestic steel production and domestic steel workers, our nation is less strong and less secure,” he said in a statement. While administration officials have said the decision was unrelated to Japan’s relationship with the U.S. — this is the first time a U.S. president has blocked a merger between a U.S. and Japanese firm. Biden departs the White House in just a few weeks. The president’s decision to block the deal comes after the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, known as CFIUS, failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of the deal last month, and sent a long-awaited report on the merger to Biden. He had 15 days to reach a final decision. In a separate lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on the same day, the companies accused steel-making rival Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. and its CEO, Lourenco Goncalves, in coordination with David McCall, the head of the U.S. Steelworkers union, of “engaging in a coordinated series of anticompetitive and racketeering activities” to block the deal. In 2023 before U.S. Steel accepted the buyout offer from Nippon, Cleveland-Cliffs offered to buy U.S. Steel for $7 billion. U.S. Steel turned down the offer and later accepted a nearly $15 billion all-cash offer from Nippon Steel, which is the deal that Biden nixed Friday. The companies allege that Goncalves, in collusion with the U.S. Steelworkers, maneuvered to prevent any party other than Cleveland-Cliffs from acquiring U.S. Steel and to damage the Pittsburgh manufacturer’s ability to compete. Neither the Steelworkers nor Ohio’s Ohio’s Cleveland-Cliffs responded immediately to requests by The Associated Press for comment. Nippon and U.S. Steel said in the lawsuit that they submitted three draft national security agreements to CFIUS in the fall to address any concerns. The companies said in their lawsuit that CFIUS was told not to offer any counterproposals or hold discussions with them. Nippon and US Steel argue that the review process was manipulated […]

Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza fired three rockets at the city of Sderot late Monday morning. One rocket hit a home in the city, slightly damaging it. B’Chasdei Hashem, no one was injured. The IDF said that another rocket was intercepted and a third hit an open area. MDA paramedics evacuated a 68-year-old woman in mild condition to Barzilai Hospital after she was injured on her way to a protected space. An IDF spokesperson stated that “following alerts that were activated between 11:11 and 11:12 in Sderot, Evim, and Nir Oz, three launches were identified crossing from the northern Gaza Strip. The Air Force intercepted one launch, one launch fell in the city of Sderot, and another fell in an open area. There are no casualties.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Three Israeli civilians were killed and six were injured in a shooting attack in the Shomron between Kedumin and Karnei Shomron on Monday morning. At least two armed terrorists opened fire on a bus full of passengers and two cars driving on Route 55, which passes through the Palestinian village of al-Funduq. Three people who were in the cars were killed and six people on the bus were injured, including the bus driver, 63, who was seriously injured. The injured passengers were lightly to moderately injured. MDA paramedics were forced to declare the deaths of two women in their 60s and a man in his 40s at the scene. The other victims were treated at the scene and evacuated to the hospital. The terrorists fled the scene. A large number of IDF forces arrived at the scene and a manhunt was launched, including setting up numerous roadblocks. IDF officials believe that the terrorists escaped to a nearby Palestinian village and troops have surrounded several villages.  (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Three Israeli civilians, including two women in their 60s and a man in his 40s, were killed in a terror attack on Route 55 near al-Funduq in the West Bank. Gunmen opened fire on a bus and two cars, injuring seven others, including the 63-year-old bus driver, who is in serious condition. The IDF has launched a manhunt for the attackers, believed to have fled to a nearby Palestinian village. In response, the IDF has imposed closures on surrounding areas to prevent further escape attempts.  

How can one choose his shirt from a pile of different types of clothing and not transgress borer on Shabbos? What does one do if there is a power outage on Shabbos? Can someone put food in the oven on Shabbos? These and numerous other questions are impossible to answer unless one has a thorough knowledge of the laws of Shabbos.  Shabbos comes about once a week, so if a person is not well-versed in its intricacies, then it is inevitable that transgressions will take place.  It is wonderful to read one of the many books that give basic laws, but to really understand the halachos and know how to apply them, it is essential to learn Hilchos Shabbos with the background discussion of the Gemara and commentators.   What is the challenge we face? It takes several years for a full-time advanced Torah learner to cover the laws of Shabbos in depth, so how can a working man, or one with less advanced skills, begin this seemingly daunting task? Now there is a solution.  World famous Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav HaGaon Yitzchak Berkovits shlit’a used his vast knowledge to arrange all the Gemaras with the commentators on each area of Hilchos Shabbos and presented it in the form of source sheets that cover material from the Gemara until practical halacha.  This enables one to cover main opinions in each topic and gain a deep understanding of the halacha.   According to Rabbi Berkovits: “Learning Hilchos Shabbos from the traditional sources could be quite confusing or complicated. Studying them in a very organized way gives you the clarity, the clarity to understand them in the first place and the clarity to retain the information.” This was done for full-time Torah learners who have advanced Hebrew skills and can devote many hours each day to learn.  What about busy working Bnei Torah who have limited time to learn but want to properly master Hilchos Shabbos? Or people who are still building up their Gemara skills but want to learn the Gemara sugyas and Halacha?   Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen, a close talmid of Rav Berkovits who spent eight years as a Rosh Chaburah in Rav Berkovits’s famous Jerusalem Kollel, with the Rav’s haskama, took on the monumental task of adapting the Hebrew sheets into English. The material is written with care and with great clarity, as well as including the various opinions in the contemporary practical halacha. For the past several years, Rabbi Gefen has been teaching this material to Torah learners throughout the world, on all levels of learning, and of all ages now as the founder of KinyanHilchosShabbos.com. Participants in each online chabura receive source sheets with explanations both in Hebrew and English, participate in a weekly Zoom shiur and ask questions by phone and email. Many have also successfully gained Smicha through thoroughly learning the material. “I would love to sit in Yeshiva half a day, but I have different hours.” Says Dr. Eric Leibowitz who is a dentist in Brooklyn. “Learning Hilchos Shabbos in Rabbi Gefen’s online chabura allowed for the flexibility I needed. I’d always do Daf Yomi for many years, but always off and on. I was looking for something with some structure and with an end goal. This program enabled me to not only learn, but to retain what I learned in a structured way and the tests were very helpful. I felt like I accomplished something, I made a kinyan on something.” “Over one thousand past […]

A coalition of blatant Jew haters plans to stage a rally outside NYU Tisch Hospital on Monday under the banner of “Resist for Palestine.” The protest, cynically urging participants to “call out sick,” raises serious questions about both its location and its intent. NYU Tisch Hospital, a premier healthcare institution, stands to serve all New Yorkers, regardless of background. Why, then, should healthcare workers abandon their duties – potentially putting patients at risk – to gather outside this specific facility? The optics of such a protest targeting a hospital named after a Jewish benefactor is hard to miss. How exactly does disrupting healthcare services in New York City alleviate suffering in Gaza? Will standing outside a hospital chanting slogans bring aid to civilians or promote dialogue for peace? Of course not. One of the more absurd elements of this campaign is the call for workers to “call out sick.” First, a basic reality check – if you don’t have a job, you don’t need to call out sick, and most attendees at these protests are unemployed losers. For those in critical fields like healthcare, participating in such an event is more than irresponsible – it is dangerous. Patients rely on medical staff to show up, not skip shifts to stand in rallies that do nothing to resolve conflict abroad. Any healthcare worker who neglects their duty to attend this rally should face immediate termination. Hospitals operate on trust, professionalism, and the unwavering dedication of their staff. Willfully abandoning that duty under the guise of activism betrays the core mission of healthcare. Lives are at stake, and there should be zero tolerance for those who compromise patient care for political posturing. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri traveled to Bnei Brak on Thursday afternoon to be menachem avel the Rosh Yeshivah, HaGaon HaRav Meir Tzvi Bergman, on the loss of his wife, HaTzadeikis Rebbetzin Devorah Bergman, a’h. The Rosh Yeshivah and Deri spoke for over a half hour, including discussing memories from the days of HaGaon HaRav Shach, zt’l. During the conversation, the Rosh Yeshivah brought up the topic that leaves him no rest even as he mourns his wife –  the threat of IDF recruitment hanging over the heads of Bnei Torah. “I want to speak about something regarding the IDF,” the Rosh Yeshivah said in a pained voice. “We need to see to the salvation of Bnei Torah. What do they – it’s only rishus! Where will they put the yeshivah bochurim? Where? What?” In response, Deri threw up his hands and quoted the passuk: “בשעה שאתה רואה אומות מתגרות אחת בשניה תצפה למשיח.” “We see this now,” Deri continued. “That’s all it is. It’s Moshiach. We now need to focus on Moshiach – that’s all. There’s no other solution.” Deri then to tried to reassure the Rosh Yeshivah: “B’ezras Hashem, they won’t touch them [bnei yeshivos]. לא תשכח מפי זרעו. No one will be able to touch the lomdei Torah, b’ezrat Hashem.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

In anticipation of the Lag B’Omer event in Meron in several months, the largest transportation event in Israel, the Director General of the Transportation Ministry, Moshe Ben-Zaken, held an inaugural meeting on Sunday with the senior professional staff at the ministry, attended by Deputy Transporation Minister Uri Maklev, the Director General of the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, and representatives of the Israel Police and Home Front Command. The transportation operation for the Meron event on Lag B’Omer is the most significant transportation event in the State of Israel, concentrated over 40 hours across two days of the celebration. Lag BaOmer falls out this year on Thursday night and Friday, which requires more complex preparations due to the reduced hours of the celebration. Expanded public transportation activities will begin several days before the event and continue for several days afterward. It is important to note that the preparations for Lag B’Omer this year are taking place amid heightened security tensions and the fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah in the north, and following a year that the event did not take place year due to Hezbollah’s constant rocket attacks. Ben-Zaken said during the meeting that under the direction of Transportation Minister Miri Regev, a pilot program will be tested this year involving the use of Israel Railways throughout the celebration, which will include special feeder lines, along with connection options to destinations that have not previously received service to Meron, alongside an assessment currently underway for utilizing the upgraded airport in Haifa for transporting Meron visitors by air, combined with trains and shuttles from Haifa to Meron. Two weeks ago, Israel’s newest airline, Air Haifa,  the first commercial airline to be based in Haifa, began its operations from Haifa International Airport after infrastructure work at the site was completed The airline initially began operations at the end of September but operated out of Ben Gurion Airport due to the war. Maklev stated: “There is no doubt that this year more people will come to Meron. We already saw this on ‘Zos Chanukah’ [when many people came to Meron to daven]. We need to prepare accordingly, especially because in recent years there have been difficulties in reaching Meron. This year, everyone will be able to come, B’ezrat Hashem. The challenge is that this year Lag BaOmer falls out on a Friday. We will place great emphasis on a massive boost to Israel Railways. We have already seen in recent years that this works in alleviating the pressure on public transportation.” Ben-Zaken said: “The Transporation Ministry is responsible for the entire transportation framework of the Rashbi celebration. The professional levels in the ministry work day and night to ensure the event is successful. The team here is already living Lag BaOmer. Transportation Minister Regev sees the success of the celebration as a personal mission and has instructed us to prepare for all scenarios in light of this year’s challenges, due to the reduced hours of the celebration, alongside a special emphasis on using Israel Railways, which will lead to reduced congestion and faster, more efficient, and safe travel.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

When Pesach comes around, many of us are very machmir – meticulously checking for every crumb of chametz and insisting on hand-made chabura matzah with all the chumros. But when it comes to the rest of the year, do we apply the same rigorous standards to what goes into our bodies? Or do we turn a blind eye when it’s inconvenient? Here’s a hard truth – if you’re vaping without doing your homework, you might be inhaling treif. Let me exain. E-cigarettes and vapes contain four base ingredients: 1. Propylene Glycol – Derived from propane, it’s safe, kosher, no issues here. 2. Nicotine – Not a kashrus concern. 3. Flavoring – Natural and artificial, case-by-case basis. 4. Glycerin – Here’s the kicker. Glycerin can be kosher. But it can also be made by spinning animal fat until it separates – the exact same process used for extracting blood. The top layer is fat, and the bottom layer is glycerin. And yes, that glycerin, straight from the animal fat, is in your vape. “But it’s vegetable glycerin,” you say. Maybe. Maybe not. There’s no way to test the source of glycerin once it’s in the product. Look it up. Research it. You’ll find that the machinery used to produce animal-based glycerin is often the same as for vegetable glycerin. That alone should make you pause. Let’s talk about the so-called heterim. “It’s batul b’shishim.” Wrong. When up to 70% of the liquid in your vape is glycerin, it’s not batul. In fact, glycerin might be the majority ingredient. Batul b’shishim? Not even close. “It burns off like a cigarette.” Wrong again. Vapes don’t burn. They evaporate – hence the name. If the liquid actually touched fire, your vape would explode. Baruch Hashem, that doesn’t happen. “It’s not eating.” Think again. Ask yourself – is drinking treif mutar? Is sucking on treif candy mutar? Vaping is no different. But don’t take my word for it. Rav Yochanan Wosner, Skver Av Beis Din and one of the world’s leading poskim, has pasekend that a vape needs a hechsher. Don’t like Skver? Ask a litvishe posek. Ask the posek you trust. But ask. Both the Eida Chareidis and the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc) have also addressed the necessity of kosher certification for vape liquids: Eida Chareidis: Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, a leading authority within the Eida Chareidis, has ruled that e-cigarettes require a hechsher (kosher certification). He reasons that since the vapor contains flavorings that are tasted during inhalation, it is akin to consumption, thereby necessitating kosher supervision. Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc): The cRc has issued guidelines stating that electronic cigarette liquids, which typically include kosher-sensitive ingredients such as glycerin and flavors, must have kosher certification. They note that even if manufacturers claim to use only kosher raw materials, without independent certification, these products cannot be recommended. Here’s the bottom line – kosher vaping options exist. Plenty of companies produce vapes with proper hechsherim. Off the top of my head: Vape X, Vapisto, 10X, and לילקע. This isn’t about pushing a brand or making anyone feel guilty. It’s about being honest with ourselves and living by the standards we want to uphold. If we’re serious about halacha, we can’t ignore the inconvenient truths. May our commitment to keeping kashrus in every aspect of our lives […]

Early Sunday morning, Chaverim of Rockland’s highly trained Search & Rescue teams sprang into action after receiving an urgent call about an injured hiker at Harriman State Park. The hiker had slipped on icy terrain, fracturing an ankle and enduring significant pain while stranded on a sheet of ice for an extended period. NYS Forest Rangers and NYS Park Police were promptly notified and joined the operation. Upon arrival, the Chaverim teams demonstrated their expertise, quickly stabilizing the hiker’s injury and providing necessary warmth to counter the freezing conditions. Using a specialized hiking stretcher, they carefully secured the hiker for transport out of the rugged terrain. Rockland Hatzoloh arrived on the scene shortly thereafter, providing further care and transporting the injured individual to Good Samaritan Hospital for advanced treatment. The collaborative efforts of all teams involved ensured a swift and safe rescue, highlighting the importance of preparedness and coordination in emergency situations. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Biden administration is reportedly crafting a “January surprise” that could severely undermine Israel at the United Nations, echoing the actions of the Obama administration in 2016. According to Michael Doran, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a former senior director in the U.S. National Security Council, Biden’s team is preparing a move modeled directly on U.N. Resolution 2334, which labeled Israeli settlements beyond the 1967 Green Line as illegal. Speaking on his podcast on Dec. 31, Doran detailed how the administration is poised to declare Israel in violation of U.S. law by allegedly blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. This finding, rooted in Section 620(i) of the Foreign Assistance Act, could lead to U.N. action against Israel, even if Biden personally waives immediate penalties. The resulting diplomatic fallout, Doran warned, would deliver a severe blow to Israel’s international standing, with the administration effectively signaling its disapproval while publicly maintaining plausible deniability. “Obama delivered a parting kick to Netanyahu in 2016 by allowing U.N. Resolution 2334 to pass without a veto,” Doran said. “It painted large swathes of Israel, including the Western Wall, as occupied territory. Biden’s team is preparing to do the same.” According to Doran, the Biden administration’s approach mirrors Obama’s tactic of letting other nations spearhead the resolution, while the U.S. abstains, enabling hostile international actors to take the lead. Algeria or Slovenia are expected to introduce a new resolution condemning Israel, which the Biden administration may either quietly support or abstain from vetoing at the Security Council. “The administration wants to have it both ways,” Doran explained. “They will find Israel guilty of obstructing aid to Gaza but will waive the consequences, signaling to the U.N. and other international bodies that the U.S. stands aside as Israel faces censure.” The fallout, Doran warned, could cascade into the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and the European Union, all of which could leverage the U.S. finding to justify further action against Israel. Key figures in the administration, including USAID chief Samantha Power, deputy secretary Kurt Campbell, and U.N. envoy deputy Ned Price, are reportedly driving the effort. Others, such as National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are described as undecided, while a minority within the administration, including Middle East advisers Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein, are pushing back. “There are two camps fighting over this inside the administration,” Doran said. “The question is whether Biden and Blinken will sign off on it.” Doran further noted that the incoming Republican-controlled Congress and Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House could disrupt or reverse the administration’s plans. Trump previously stood by Israel against U.N. resolutions and brokered several historic peace agreements in the region. The reported scheme underscores deepening divisions within the Biden administration over Middle East policy, with some officials pushing for harsher measures against Israel while others urge caution. Critics argue that such a move risks alienating Israel, one of America’s closest allies, while emboldening hostile actors in the region. “This isn’t just about Israel,” Doran cautioned. “It’s about projecting weakness to Iran, Hezbollah, and others who see U.S. equivocation as a green light.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Channel 12 journalist Yoav Limor spoke on his program last week about Welfare Minister Yaakov Margi, praising him highly at a panel summarizing two years of the current government. He said: “Minister Margi is one of the ministers who works most for the benefit of the public in his role. He makes a point of going out ‘on the ground’ to meet with council heads and evacuees to hear about their difficulties, meets with the families of hostages, and participates in the levayos of murder victims and fallen IDF soldiers. He ensured the transfer of half a billion shekels for war needs and added 500 positions for social workers, promoted a treatment program and support groups for grandparents who lost their grandchildren [in the October 7 massacre], formulated a treatment basket for Nova survivors, and established an inter-ministerial team to formulate a plan for integrating people with disabilities into the community.” Lotan Pinyan, a member of Kibbutz Be’eri, praised all the Shas ministers, including Margi, Health Minister Uriel Busso, Labor Minister Yoav Ben-Tzur, and Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, saying: “The ministers of Shas, who hold the social ministries, have truly been working since October 7, utilizing their positions in the ministries. Minister Margi has really been working on the ground since October 7. He arrived at the evacuees’ hotels and spoke with the people on the ground. Margi, Kol HaKavod!” Yechiav Tsuri, an evacuee from Kiryat Shmona, said: “Minister Margi is one of the most active ministers we have in the government.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

“HE’S DONE!” Crazed leftist refuses to believe Trump will be inaugurated “He cannot be sworn in.”

Biden asked someone to come on stage and sing Happy Birthday to him, but he made a total fool out of himself as he had no idea how to pronounce the persons name. This nightmare is almost over folks.