Yeshiva World News

Border Czar Tom Homan: “We need more deportations. A lot more deportations.”

Trump plans to issue an executive order aimed at deporting students on visas who support Hamas, targeting those involved in pro-Hamas lawbreaking activities.

Overnight, IDF troops demolished the home of terrorist Tamer Faqha near Tulkarem. Faqha was part of a cell that killed off-duty IDF reservist Elchanan Klein HY’D near Bayt Lid on November 2, 2023. Faqha and other cell members were killed by the IDF in May.

The Australian police revealed that they intercepted a truck loaded with explosives, which was planned to attack Jewish institutions.

Al Jazeera reports that the Gaza Strip is now receiving “sufficient” aid, with at least 600 aid-laden trucks entering the area daily.

Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Israel after meetings in Saudi Arabia where he met Saudi and Palestinian officials in Riyadh to discuss Gaza’s postwar governance before flying directly to Tel Aviv on his private jet. Witkoff is set to meet Netanyahu and other Israeli officials today, per Axios.

Qatar and Turkey have agreed to offer sanctuary to Palestinian individuals convicted of murder and terrorism who were released as part of the hostage exchange agreement.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz during a visit to the Jenin camp as part of the IDF counterterrorism operation ‘Iron Wall’: “After the operation is completed, IDF troops will remain in the camp to make sure the terror does not return.”

Last night, the IDF prevented the smuggling of 13 weapons and ammunition by downing a drone at the Egyptian border. The Caracal Battalion seized the guns after the drone was shot down.

In South Sudan’s Unity State, a plane crash involving 21 passengers and crew resulted in 20 fatalities.

At least 30 people were killed and many more injured in a stampede at the world’s largest religious gathering early Wednesday, police said, as millions of pilgrims rushed to participate in the Hindu festival in northern India. Police officer Vaibhav Krishna in Prayagraj city said another 60 injured were rushed to hospitals. Authorities expected a record 100 million Hindus to engage in a religious practice at the confluence of three rivers, where the tragedy occurred.  The stampede happened when pilgrims tried to jump barricades erected for a procession, Uttar Pradesh state’s top elected official, Yogi Adityanath, said in a televised statement. Indian authorities took more than 16 hours to release casualty figures, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the loss of lives, calling the incident “extremely sad” and extending his condolences. “Suddenly there was pushing in the crowd, and we got trapped. A lot of us fell down and the crowd went uncontrolled,” the Press Trust of India news agency quoted pilgrim Sarojini as saying. “There was no chance for escape, there was pushing from all sides,” she said. Distressed families lined up outside a makeshift hospital, desperate for news of missing loved ones. Clothes, blankets and backpacks were strewn around the site of the stampede. Millions continued to throng the 4,000-hectare (15-square mile) pilgrimage site despite the stampede, even as police urged them over megaphones to avoid the confluence. “The situation is now under control, but there is a massive crowd of pilgrims,” Adityanath said, adding that 90 million to 100 million pilgrims were at the site. The Maha Kumbh festival, held every 12 years, started on Jan. 13. Authorities expect more than 400 million people to throng the pilgrimage site in total. Nearly 150 million people have already attended, including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah and celebrities. A sprawling tent city has been built on the riverbanks to accommodate the millions of visitors, with roads, electricity and water, 3,000 kitchens and 11 hospitals. About 50,000 security personnel are stationed in the city to maintain law and order and manage crowds, and more than 2,500 cameras monitor crowd movement and density so officials can try to prevent such crushes. Several opposition leaders criticized the federal and the state government, both led by Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party, and blamed the stampede on “mismanagement” and “VIP culture” — the latter referring to what they say is preferential treatment for politicians and celebrities. “The government should make better arrangements to meet the needs of common devotees,” Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi wrote on social platform X. The 45-day festival is a significant cultural event for India’s Hindus, who make up nearly 80% of the country’s more than 1.4 billion people. It’s also a prestige event for Modi, whose ruling party boasts of promoting Hindu cultural symbols. The Maha Kumbh festival has had stampedes in the past. In 2013, at least 40 pilgrims who were taking part in the festival were killed in a stampede at a train station in Prayagraj. Deadly stampedes are relatively common around Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in small areas. In July at least 116 people died, most of them women and children, when thousands at a religious gathering in northern India stampeded at a tent camp in Hathras […]

In a highly relevant Q&A session, Rav Aharon Lopiansky shlit”a delivered a pertinent message on the role of Daas Torah in medical decision-making. The discussion, moderated by Rabbi Sruly Fried of Chai Lifeline, centered around a question posed: Does Daas Torah have a place in medical advice and referrals, and if so, what is its role? Rav Lopiansky’s response was clear and unequivocal: One must differentiate between moral dilemmas and technical expertise. “If someone is building a structure and is unsure if the supports are strong enough, would anyone even have a hava amina to ask Daas Torah? Of course not. You ask an engineer,” he explained. The same applies to vaccines—why should a Rav be expected to be a medical expert? Daas Torah, Rav Lopiansky elaborated, comes into play when a situation involves a moral conundrum, not a factual determination. If a child needs extensive medical care but tending to them would result in neglecting other children—is one mechuyav to prioritize one over the other? That is a moral question. If a critically ill patient has the option of undergoing a painful surgery with an uncertain outcome—should he be forced to go through with it? That is a moral dilemma for Daas Torah. Likewise, he noted, the same applies to matters of shalom bayis or tzedaka allocation—areas where Torah values guide the decision-making process. But vaccines? “Why should a Rav know about vaccines? It’s a technical issue,” he said. To illustrate the importance of distinguishing between ikkar and tafel, Rav Lopiansky recounted a telling story from Rav Chaim Mendel Brotsky shlit”a. A cheder in Yerushalayim proudly advertised that it consulted the Steipler Gaon zt”l on every single decision. Rav Brotsky rejected this approach outright. If they were asking Daas Torah about every mundane detail, from what kind of milk to buy to minor administrative matters, then they lacked basic seichel. This misplaced reliance on Rabbanim for matters beyond their expertise extends to medical matters as well. “If you walk into a bais medrash that looks like it will collapse, and the gabbai tells you not to worry because the Rebbe said it will stand until Moshiach comes, you’d laugh at him,” Rav Lopiansky remarked. “Of course, you ask an engineer.” The sha’alah for Daas Torah only arises if the engineer identifies a slight crack with a minuscule risk—then you ask a Rav if there’s a chiyuv to repair it. Rabbi Fried pressed further: What about a case where a spouse refuses to vaccinate because they were raised in an anti-vaxx household? Would this be a Daas Torah issue? Again, Rav Lopiansky emphasized the need to distinguish between medical and moral concerns. “If the question is about vaccines, ask a medical expert. If it’s a shalom bayis question, ask a Rav.” He likened it to shechita—a Rav proficient in halacha may still not be a mumcheh in sirchos (lung adhesions). “I don’t think anyone ever went to Rav Shach zt”l to ask about a sircha on a lung,” he noted. “The facts have to come from someone who knows the facts,” Rav Lopiansky concluded. When there is a moral question—one that requires a Torah’dike perspective—then Daas Torah has its place. “But a Rav who doesn’t even go online, doesn’t read medical journals—how would he know about vaccines?” (YWN World Headquarters […]

The IDF spokesperson stated on Wednesday that troops thwarted an overnight attempt to smuggle weapons from Egypt into Israel. IDF troops stationed at the border who spotted the drone crossing over the border shot it down. Upon examining it, they found 13 assault rifles along with ammunition. IDF troops stationed near the Egyptian border have thwarted multiple attempts to smuggle weapons from Egypt into Israel in recent months. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday sent an official invitation to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for a meeting at the White House next week. The letter stated: “I look forward to discussing how we can bring peace to Israel and its neighbors, and efforts to counter our shared adversaries.” “It will be my honor to host you as my first foreign leader during my second term.” The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump on Tuesday, February 4. Trump’s invitation to Netanyahu immediately after entering office stands in sharp contrast to the behavior of ex-President Joe Biden, who failed to invite Netanyahu, the leader of one of the US’s closest allies until  July 2023, over six months after Netanyahu was re-elected in November 2022 election, in one of a series of anti-Israel and pro-terror actions [such as restoring funding to the PA and UNWRA and removing sanctions on Iran] that played a part in motivating Hamas to carry out its assault several months later. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)        

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected a facility that produces nuclear material and called for bolstering the country’s nuclear capability, state media reported Wednesday, as the North looks to increase pressure on the United States following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Kim’s visit suggests a continued emphasis on an expansion of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, though Trump has said he’s willing to talk to Kim again to revive diplomacy. Many analysts view North Korean weapons moves as part of a strategy to win diplomatic talks with Washington that could result in aid and political concessions. The official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim visited the nuclear-material production base and the Nuclear Weapons Institute. It didn’t say where those facilities are located, but North Korean photos of Kim’s visit indicated that he likely visited a uranium-enrichment facility that he went to last September. That visit was North Korea’s first disclosure of a uranium-enrichment facility since it showed one to visiting American scholars in 2010. During the latest visit, Kim praised scientists and others for “producing weapons-grade nuclear materials and in strengthening the nuclear shield of the country.” On Sunday, North Korea said it tested a cruise missile system, its third known weapons display this year, and vowed “the toughest” response to what it called the escalation of U.S.-South Korean military drills. North Korea views U.S. military training with South Korea as invasion rehearsals, though Washington and Seoul have repeatedly said their drills are defensive in nature. In recent years, the United States and South Korea have expanded their military exercises in response to North Korea’s advancing nuclear program. The start of Trump’s second term raises prospects for the revival of diplomacy between the United States and North Korea, as Trump met Kim three times during his first term. The Trump-Kim diplomacy in 2018-19 fell apart due to wrangling over U.S.-led economic sanctions on North Korea. During a Fox News interview broadcast Thursday, Trump called Kim “a smart guy” and “not a religious zealot.” Asked whether he will reach out to Kim again, Trump replied, “I will, yeah.” Many experts say Kim likely thinks he has greater bargaining power than in his earlier round of diplomacy with Trump because of his country’s enlarged nuclear arsenal and deepening military ties with Russia. (AP)

In a likely attempt to counter the report that dozens of Lebanese Army officials leaked sensitive information about IDF movements to Hezbollah during the so-called ceasefire, a Lebanese media outlet reported on Wednesday that the Lebanese army “took control” of a massive underground Hezbollah complex in southern Lebanon over a week ago. According to reports, the video is of the “Imad 4” facility, which Hezbollah used for launching missiles at Israel and was exposed by the terror organization last August as part of its psychological warfare campaign, shortly before Israel activated the “exploding pagers” attack. In footage published on Lebanese networks [likely intended for Western and Israeli eyes], Lebanese army soldiers are seen moving within the underground complex located in the Tyre region. The AlHadath outlet reported that the area was cleared of “heavy equipment” before the Lebanese Army entered the complex. The Lebanese army and Hezbollah did not comment on the reports and it’s unclear whether the  Lebanese Army actually took control of the compound in an effort to enforce the ceasefire, or if it was part of a collaboration between the Lebanese Army and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, “innocent” Lebanese civilians continue to carry out provocations, including open support of Hezbollah, as Lebanese Army and UNIFIL forces stand by and watch. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

“That Is Terrorism” announced a headline in The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday reporting that a trailer loaded with enough explosives to cause a 40-meter blast wave was found in New South Wales, north of Sydney. The trailer was marked with an antisemitic offensive epithet and with several addresses of targets, including a Sydney shul. The trailer was found 10 days ago and was only revealed after an investigation into the potential “mass casualty event” was leaked to the media. According to the report, New South Wales (NSW) police were called by a local resident on January 19 after he discovered the trailer. The police who arrived at the site found Powergel explosives, which are believed to have been stolen from a mine site, along with a note listing the address of a shul. “There’s only one way of calling it out and that is terrorism,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said. “This would strike terror into the community, particularly the Jewish community, and it must be met with the full resources of the government. And I want to assure the people of NSW that’s exactly what’s happening.” The caravan had been parked on the roadside in a hazardous position between December 7 and January 19, the report said. The police transferred the investigation to the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, which combines state and Commonwealth agencies, including the Australian Federal Police and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Although over 100 officers have been tasked with finding the perpetrators, they have not yet been found. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson confirmed that no arrests have been made. “I can indicate we have no information that there are further explosives in our community in relation to conducting antisemitic attacks anywhere,” Hudson said. “We believe that we have contained, appropriately, this current threat.” Other Australian media reports said that reports that investigators are also looking into the possibility that the trailer marked with the anti-Jewish message was left there to increase tensions in Australia and fuel the wave of antisemitism there. An Australian source told the Daily Telegraph that “something is not right” in the case. Australia in general and Sydney in particular has suffered a wave of antisemitic attacks in recent weeks and months. Last week, a daycare near a Jewish school and a shul was set on fire in the middle of the night. The day after the attack, Australian federal police launched an investigation regarding suspicions that the recent antisemitic attacks in the country are funded by “overseas actors.” Later that day, the police arrested a suspect involved in the attempted arson attack of a Sydney shul earlier this month. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it would begin subjecting all federal employees to “enhanced standards of suitability and conduct” and warned of future downsizing, while offering buyouts to those who opt to leave their jobs by next week — an unprecedented move to dramatically shrink the U.S. government at breakneck speed. A memo from the Office of Personnel Management, the government’s human resources agency, was emailed to employees and says that those who leave their posts voluntarily will receive about seven months of salary. But they have to chose to do so by Feb 6. President Donald Trump has built a political career around promising to disrupt Washington, and promised that his second administration would go far further in shaking up traditional political norms than his first term in office did. Still, the repercussions of so many government workers being invited to leave their jobs were difficult to calculate. The federal government employs more than 3 million people, which makes it roughly the 15th largest workforce in the nation. The average tenure for a federal employee is 11.8 years, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center of data from OPM. Even a fraction of the workforce accepting buyouts and leaving could send shockwaves through the economy and trigger widespread disruptions throughout society as a whole, triggering wide-ranging — and as yet unknowable — implications for the delivery, timeliness and effectiveness of federal services across the nation. Untold numbers of front-line health workers in the Veterans Affairs Department, officials who process loans for new homes or small businesses, and contractors who help procure the next generation of military weaponry could all head for the exits at once. The move could also mean losing experienced food inspectors and scientists who test the water supply while disrupting air travel and product liability protections. In response to the buyout offer, American Federation of Government Employees union President Everett Kelley said it should not be viewed as voluntary but as a way to pressure workers not considered loyal to the new administration to vacate their jobs. “Purging the federal government of dedicated career federal employees will have vast, unintended consequences that will cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government,” Kelley said. He further warned that the Trump administration actions will “cause chaos” for Americans who depend on the federal government and trigger “vast, unintended consequences.” In its emailed memo detailing its plan, OPM lists four directives that it says Trump is mandating for the federal workforce going forward — including that most workers return to their offices full-time. “The substantial majority of federal employees who have been working remotely since Covid will be required to return to their physical offices five days a week,” it reads. That echoes Trump, who said of federal employees over the weekend: “You have to go to your office and work. Otherwise you’re not going to have a job.” It also says Trump “will insist on excellence at every level,” and that while some parts of the government’s workforce may increase under his administration, “The majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized.” Finally, the ”federal workforce should be comprised of employees who are reliable, loyal, trustworthy, and who strive for excellence in their daily work.” “Employees will be subject to […]

Florida state Sen. Randy Fine, a self-described “conservative firebrand,” won the Republican primary in the special election to replace former Rep. Mike Waltz in Florida’s 6th Congressional District. Fine, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, fought off challenges from two other Republicans in the race for the seat that includes Daytona Beach and communities south of Jacksonville. Fine is known for his support of Israel and his efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights. He had been a key ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis before breaking with him over Fine’s accusations the governor wasn’t doing enough to combat antisemitism. Fine will advance to the April 1 general election to face Democrat Josh Weil, a public school teacher from Orlando. “This victory isn’t mine. It is Donald Trump’s,” Fine said Tuesday night from a special session on immigration in Tallahassee “It is first electoral win since Nov. 5. And Republicans overwhelmingly showed they remain committed to his agenda. And I can promise him — and every voter — no one will be more committed to his success than me. I’m ready to go.” Weil beat businessman Ges Selmont in his uphill fight to flip Waltz’s old district, which includes Daytona Beach and communities south of Jacksonville. Weil has campaigned on a pledge to block Trump’s conservative agenda at a time when Republicans’ majority in the House is so slim, Speaker Mike Johnson has said “every single vote will count.” The 6th District seat opened up after Trump tapped Waltz to be his national security adviser. In the 1st Congressional District, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is seeking to win the Republican primary in the special election to replace former Rep. Matt Gaetz. Polls close in that race at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time. Patronis was also endorsed by Trump. (AP)

CNN’s Bakari Sellers unleashed a blistering attack on Democratic leadership Tuesday, slamming them for what he called a feeble and delayed response to President Donald Trump’s latest power moves in his second term. Arguing that government systems are crumbling and legal norms are under siege, Sellers warned that Democrats were failing to rise to the moment—allowing Trump and his allies to reshape the country unchecked. As of Tuesday afternoon, Medicaid reimbursement portals were down nationwide, leaving healthcare providers and vulnerable patients in limbo after the Trump administration issued guidance ahead of a sweeping and constitutionally dubious spending freeze. Trump also fired 17 inspectors general from key federal agencies—without the required 30 days’ notice to Congress, a move Democrats say is outright illegal. The Democratic response? Weak, disorganized, and far too slow, Sellers argued on The Lead with Jake Tapper. “Democrats have been caught flat-footed, Jake. And that’s the most disappointing thing,” Sellers fumed. “The House Democrats have a meeting tomorrow over something that’s urgent today. And then we rolled out Chuck Schumer?” His frustration was palpable. While Trump acted with ruthless efficiency, Democrats, he argued, were floundering—holding meetings instead of mounting an aggressive counteroffensive. “We need to go to our constituents quickly. Those voices need to be up—15, 30-second ads talking about how this affects them,” Sellers urged. “My daughter actually receives federal grant money to go to Howard University. Benedict College, right down the street, 95% of their $65 million budget is from federal grants and aid money. The uncertainty—old folks who can’t get Meals on Wheels.” The stakes, he said, could not be higher. Yet, instead of mobilizing, Democrats were letting Trump and his top adviser, Stephen Miller, seize control of the narrative. “It’s just malpractice that Democrats suck at this so bad,” Sellers said bluntly. “We’re allowing Donald Trump and Stephen Miller to run roughshod over what our government looks like. And people are learning the wrong lessons from what happened on November 5th.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)