Matzav

Ukraine reported a major escalation in its maritime campaign against Russia on Monday, announcing that it had carried out what it described as the first successful underwater drone attack against a Russian submarine.

According to Ukrainian officials, the operation targeted a Kilo-class submarine docked at the port of Novorossiysk, a key Russian naval facility in the Krasnodar region. Kyiv said the strike left the vessel critically damaged while it was stationed at the pier.

The Security Service of Ukraine said the attack was conducted using its “Sub Sea Baby” underwater drones and was jointly executed by the Ukrainian Navy and the SBU’s 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence. The submarine, officials said, was equipped with four launch tubes for Kalibr cruise missiles that Russia has repeatedly used in strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Footage released by the SBU showed multiple Russian naval vessels moored at the Novorossiysk base, followed by a powerful explosion near the docked ships.

Novorossiysk has taken on increased strategic importance for Moscow as Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Sevastopol and other ports in occupied Crimea, forcing Russia to relocate much of its Black Sea Fleet.

Ukrainian officials said the submarine had remained in Novorossiysk due to earlier Ukrainian actions, including the deployment of Sea Baby surface drones that pushed Russian naval assets out of Sevastopol Bay.

Russia rejected Ukraine’s claims. A spokesperson for the Black Sea Fleet said on Telegram that the attack caused no damage and that no submarines or crew members were harmed.

Military analysts say the strike underscores the growing role of unmanned systems in modern warfare. “[Ukraine] once again proved that minnows can swallow sharks using innovation,” drone expert Brett Velicovich told Fox News Digital. “Underwater drones are the next evolution in drone warfare.”

The reported attack comes as Russia continues to carry out large-scale drone and missile barrages against Ukraine, even as diplomatic efforts intensify to bring an end to the war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and members of his negotiating team met Sunday in Berlin with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.

Earlier in the week, Zelenskyy also held discussions with European leaders focused on shaping a broader political framework to end the conflict, ensure long-term security commitments for Ukraine, and lay the groundwork for the country’s postwar reconstruction.

{Matzav.com}

A powerful and inspiring national halachah quiz focusing on the laws of Chanukah was held this week for thousands of students from the Shuvu educational network, culminating in an impressive final event attended by leading rabbinic figures.

After several intensive weeks of studying the halachos of Chanukah in Shuvu schools across the country, approximately 800 students gathered at the Ramat Elchanan Auditorium in Bnei Brak for the final round of the nationwide competition. The event featured remarkable displays of Torah knowledge and was widely described as a sanctification of Hashem’s Name.

Each Shuvu school had previously conducted its own internal quiz to select outstanding representatives. Those students advanced to the national finals, where they competed against one another. The morning session was dedicated to students in grades 4–6, followed later in the day by the competition for grades 7–12.

The audience itself also demonstrated exceptional mastery of the material. In order to actively involve all students while their peers competed on stage, halachic questions were projected on large screens, and students responded using electronic clickers. Valuable prizes were awarded to participants who answered correctly.

Shuvu CEO Rabbi Chaim Michael Gutterman described his deep emotion at witnessing the uplifting scenes and expressed gratitude to all those who made the event possible. He singled out Deputy CEO Rabbi David Ivgi, who initiated and conceptualized the quiz; network supervisor Rabbi Aharon Elmaliach, who directed the competition; Deputy CEO for Development Rabbi Motti Buterman, who served as master of ceremonies; and Rabbi Chaim Bruner, coordinator of Shuvu’s Batei Midrash project in partnership with Knesses Yisrael. After speaking about the miracles of Chanukah, Rabbi Gutterman concluded by declaring, “Shuvu itself is a miracle.”

The Shuvu network was honored to host the renowned posek, Rav Amram Fried, along with the Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Aharon, Rav Shmuel Dovid Walkin, a member of Shuvu’s leadership. The rabbinic guests posed questions to the students, expressed profound admiration for their extraordinary knowledge, and blessed them to continue growing in yiras Shamayim, Torah, and mitzvos.

In the elementary school division, the title of Chassan HaHalachah was awarded to student Lavi Toviana of Shuvu Be’er Sheva. In the high school division, two students earned the distinction: Amir Cohen Neizov of Shuvu Rishon LeZion and Alon Yadgarov of Shuvu Petach Tikvah. The honorees received their certificates from Harav Amram Fried, Harav Shmuel Dovid Walkin, and CEO Rabbi Gutterman.

A particularly moving moment took place at the conclusion of the event, when Rav Amram Fried turned to Rabbi Gutterman and asked to receive his brocha. “You are bringing forth what is precious from what is overlooked,” the posek said emotionally. “About you it can truly be said: ‘You shall be as My mouth.’”

As one Shuvu educator summarized the spirit of the day: “It doesn’t truly matter who received the title. Every student in the Shuvu network is a winner—because all of them invested effort and learned the halachos thoroughly.”

{Matzav.com}

Australian authorities on Wednesday filed a sweeping set of criminal charges against the surviving suspect in the deadly terror attack that struck a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, as investigators continued probing possible ties between the assailants and the Islamic State terror group.

Naveed Akram, 24, was charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder, following Sunday’s mass shooting that left 15 people dead and nearly 20 others wounded. The attack, which targeted Jews gathered for a community event, has sent shockwaves through Australia and intensified national debate over antisemitism, security at Jewish institutions, and gun policy.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said Akram could face life imprisonment if convicted. She emphasized that the investigation remains active but sought to reassure the public, stating that authorities see no immediate ongoing threat. Speaking about the impact of the attack, Barrett said the grief felt across Sydney underscored the cruelty of the assault and stressed that the Jewish community should not feel alone in its mourning.

Akram was formally charged after regaining consciousness from a coma in a Sydney hospital, where he has remained since police shot him during the attack. His father and alleged accomplice, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed at the scene. According to police, the charges against the younger Akram include one murder count for each victim, a terrorism offense, dozens of counts related to attempting to kill those who survived, and an additional charge connected to placing an explosive near a building with intent to cause harm.

Investigators said the suspects’ vehicle, found at the scene, contained improvised explosive devices. Akram appeared in court via video link from his hospital bed, where his lawyer did not enter pleas or seek bail. He is being represented by Legal Aid NSW and is expected to remain under police guard until he is medically cleared to be transferred to prison.

Authorities have described the massacre as a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State ideology. While the group has been significantly weakened since losing territorial control in Iraq and Syria more than a decade ago, officials note that it continues to motivate lone-actor and small-cell attacks in Western countries.

As part of the investigation, law enforcement agencies are examining a trip the suspects took to the Philippines in November. Philippine officials confirmed that both men entered the country on November 1 and traveled to the southern region of Mindanao, an area long affected by Islamist insurgencies. However, Philippine authorities strongly rejected suggestions that the country served as a training ground for the attackers, saying there is no evidence the suspects received any form of terrorist training during their visit.

Military and security officials in the Philippines said armed Islamist groups in Mindanao have been severely weakened in recent years, particularly after the 2017 battle for Marawi, though analysts cautioned that some training camps and extremist networks may still exist in fragmented form. Philippine military officials also noted that the brief duration of the Akrams’ stay would have been insufficient for meaningful weapons or combat training.

The revelations surrounding the attack have fueled renewed scrutiny of Australia’s preparedness to confront hate-driven violence. Jewish communities in Sydney and Melbourne, home to the vast majority of Australia’s Jewish population, have reported a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents over the past year. Jewish leaders and survivors of the Bondi Beach attack have criticized authorities for failing to act decisively on earlier warnings.

In response, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to take firm action against antisemitism and announced plans to further tighten Australia’s already strict gun laws. Proposed measures include limiting firearm ownership to Australian citizens and reducing the number of weapons an individual may legally possess. The move follows reports that the older suspect had legally acquired multiple firearms.

Albanese and several state leaders said the proposed changes would mark the most significant overhaul of gun regulations since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, after which Australia enacted sweeping reforms that made mass shootings rare. The Bondi Beach attack, they said, underscores the need to reassess both security protections and legal safeguards in the face of evolving threats.

Israel has formally signed off on what officials say is the largest natural gas transaction ever concluded by the country, a deal valued at NIS 112 billion, or roughly $35 billion. The approval was announced Wednesday by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu together with Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen.

Speaking publicly after the decision, Cohen characterized the move as transformative for Israel’s economy and regional standing. “a historic moment for the State of Israel, both in the security-diplomatic sphere and the economic sphere,” he said. He noted that, “This is the largest export deal in the history of the country, totaling NIS 112 billion,” adding that “the deal establishes our status as a regional energy power and a leader that its neighbors rely upon.”

According to Cohen, the agreement was finalized only after a lengthy process that addressed both strategic and financial concerns. “The approval of the agreement comes after several months of intensive negotiations, and only after we had secured Israel’s security and economic interests,” he said. He also outlined the anticipated benefits, stating, “The state’s revenues from taxes and royalties thanks to the deal will stand at approximately NIS 58 billion, and the scope of direct infrastructure investments in the economy will exceed NIS 16 billion.” Those investments, he added, “will create jobs and strengthen the economy.”

Netanyahu, addressing the nation, underscored the magnitude of the agreement and its contribution to public finances. “Dear citizens of Israel, today I approved the largest gas deal in Israel’s history. The scope of the deal stands at NIS 112 billion. Out of this, NIS 58 billion will go to the state treasury,” he said.

The Prime Minister explained that the state’s income from the deal will increase gradually as development progresses. “Initially, in the first four years, we will receive about half a billion shekels for the state treasury,” he said, pointing out that during that time the participating companies will be making “massive” infrastructure investments, including expanding pipelines. “Afterward, it begins to rise,” Netanyahu continued, “and within a few years, it reaches NIS 6 billion every year for the state treasury. This money will strengthen education, health, infrastructure, security, and the future of coming generations.”

Netanyahu said the agreement involves Chevron alongside Israeli partners and includes gas exports to Egypt. He stressed that strategic considerations were carefully weighed before approval. “I approved the deal after ensuring our security interests and other vital interests, which I will not detail here in full,” he said.

Beyond the immediate financial impact, Netanyahu argued that the agreement enhances Israel’s broader regional role. “This deal greatly strengthens Israel’s status as a regional energy power and contributes to stability in our region,” he said, adding that it is expected to spur further exploration. “More gas will be found,” he said, emphasizing that “first and foremost, this deal obligates the companies to sell gas at a good price to you, the citizens of Israel.”

The Prime Minister also revisited earlier public debates surrounding offshore gas development. “There were those among us who fiercely opposed taking the gas out of the water,” he said. “They said we would destroy the Israeli economy.” He concluded, “Today, it is clear that extracting the gas from the depths of the sea has brought a massive blessing to the State of Israel.”

Describing the agreement as a continuation of earlier policy decisions, Netanyahu said, “The persistence of myself and then-Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, our insistence on extracting the gas, has proven itself beyond all expectations. And I promise you, it will be the same with this deal.”

Netanyahu publicly thanked Cohen for his role in the process, saying, “You persisted and fought in very tedious and firm negotiations on our behalf,” and extended his appreciation to Cohen’s staff and other officials who took part in the talks.

Cohen, for his part, highlighted provisions aimed at protecting Israeli consumers. “This is the first export approval that guarantees priority for the local market,” he said, explaining that arrangements were put in place “that will improve the price of gas for the Israeli market.”

Calling natural gas “a strategic asset for the state,” Cohen addressed Netanyahu directly. “Prime Minister, you resolutely led the Gas Framework exactly a decade ago, and today we are reaping the fruits,” he said. “We will continue to work toward bringing in additional local and international companies to invest in Israel.”

Netanyahu concluded his remarks by tying the announcement to the Chanukah. “This evening is the fourth night of Chanukah, and on this day, we have brought an additional jar of oil to the people of Israel,” he said. “But this time, the flame will burn not just for eight days, but for decades to come. Happy Festival of Lights, citizens of Israel.”

Cohen closed by acknowledging senior officials and partners involved in finalizing the deal, including Energy Ministry Director General Yossi Dayan, Natural Resources Administration Director Chen Bar-Yosef, Gas Authority head Moshe Garazi, and representatives from the Finance Ministry who participated in the negotiations.

{Matzav.com}

An agreement between New York’s governor and state lawmakers is expected to make medically assisted suicide legal in the state, with the measure slated to take effect next year following a delayed implementation period.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that she intends to sign legislation permitting terminally ill residents to obtain medical assistance to end their lives. The law is designed to apply only to New Yorkers diagnosed with a terminal condition and estimated to have fewer than six months to live.

Under the framework reached with legislative leaders, the bill will be formally approved when the Legislature reconvenes in January. Hochul said she will then sign it into law, with implementation scheduled for six months later to allow time for regulatory preparation.

“New York has long been a beacon of freedom, and now it is time we extend that freedom to terminally ill New Yorkers who want the right to die comfortably and on their own terms,” Hochul said.

The governor explained that her decision was influenced by personal experience, referencing her mother’s battle with ALS. “Although this was an incredibly difficult decision, I ultimately determined that with the additional guardrails agreed upon with the legislature, this bill would allow New Yorkers to suffer less, to shorten not their lives, but their deaths,” she said.

Earlier versions of the legislation already included provisions aimed at preventing abuse, such as protections against coercion and assurances that physicians and religiously affiliated medical institutions would not be compelled to participate in the process.

As part of the final agreement, further safeguards were added, including a mandatory five-day waiting period between the writing and dispensing of the prescription used for medical aid in dying.

The law also mandates a mental health evaluation, requires that a patient’s oral request be documented through audio or video recording, and bars witnesses or interpreters who stand to gain financially from the patient’s death.

Additional restrictions limit eligibility to New York residents, require an in-person evaluation by a physician, permit faith-based hospice providers to opt out, and define violations of the statute as professional misconduct.

The delayed effective date is intended to give the Department of Health time to issue detailed regulations and allow hospitals, hospices, and other health care providers to adjust their policies and procedures.

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal praised the compromise, calling it a landmark moment. “This agreement on Medical Aid in Dying is a monumental victory for every New Yorker who has wished to peacefully end their suffering from a terminal illness,” he said. He added, “This bill is not about ending life, it’s about shortening death.”

According to the advocacy group Compassion and Choices, New York would become the 13th state in the nation to legalize medically assisted suicide.

{Matzav.com}

A sweeping legal action seeking roughly one billion shekels was filed on Tuesday by CPA Effi Sandrov, the court-appointed trustee overseeing the collapse of the pension fund company Slice. The lawsuit targets members of the Goldberg family, headed by Assaf Goldberg, who previously served as the company’s chief executive.

The filing describes a systemic breakdown inside the company, alleging that internal safeguards simply did not function. The trustee points to a complete absence of effective oversight by the board, a breakdown of internal controls, serious lapses by the compliance and regulation officer, and deficient work by the external auditor. Sandrov said, “The entire system failed-from the management that operated like a ‘grocery store’ to the gatekeepers who abandoned their duties.”

According to the lawsuit, approximately 7,500 savers moved an estimated 850 million shekels into personal pension and study funds structured as IRAs. Those funds were then routed into overseas investment vehicles that were not subject to Israeli regulation, with a substantial portion of the money never making its way back to the savers.

Sandrov characterizes the case as unprecedented in scope and severity within Israel’s pension savings industry. “The Slice affair is the largest and most serious breach of trust against pensioners,” the lawsuit states.

Much of the blame, the filing asserts, rests squarely with Assaf Goldberg. The trustee alleges that Goldberg “failed in every possible way in his role,” running the company without the requisite professional background, expertise, or qualifications. The lawsuit further claims that Slice maintained “connections with dubious insurance agents, some of whom have criminal backgrounds,” and that the company repeatedly violated basic principles of proper corporate governance.

The lawsuit paints a picture of an organization operating without meaningful questions or accountability. “There was no one to ask how and why,” the lawsuit states. “If they had asked, they would have discovered that Slice was unprepared, unaware, and had no control over the members’ funds. This created a foolproof recipe for collapse-and the result: hundreds of millions of shekels disappeared, and thousands of savers-some elderly-were left with nothing.”

{Matzav.com}

In the aftermath of the deadly attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, new details have emerged about the condition and actions of Ahmed al-Ahmed, an Australian citizen of Syrian origin who intervened during the violence and was seriously wounded.

According to his attorney, Sam Issa, al-Ahmed was struck by gunfire four times while attempting to stop the attackers. Issa told Kan that his client remains hospitalized and faces a long road to recovery. “His condition is serious but stable. He is suffering from pain,” Issa said in an interview, adding, “Ahmed was shot four times in his left arm and lost sensation. He is due to undergo several operations, one of them today. Despite the pain, his spirits are good.”

Issa said that al-Ahmed has shown no regret for his actions, despite the injuries and repeated surgeries ahead. “Despite the pain and despite everything he is going through and the many surgeries he must undergo, he would do it again, because he knows he saved many lives,” Issa quoted his client as saying.

Recounting how al-Ahmed came to be at the scene, Issa explained that his client had arrived at Bondi Beach by chance. “He went to Bondi Beach to have an afternoon coffee. When he arrived he heard music and saw families enjoying themselves. He asked one of the security staff about the event and was told it was Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday. He was given permission to watch, went to buy a coffee, then he heard gunfire, and the drama began.”

Issa described the moment that prompted al-Ahmed to act. “He saw one of the attackers, the father, walking with a gun toward a group of Jews and trying to get as close as possible to kill as many as he could. That is the moment Ahmed decided he had to save those people, and he did it, thank God,” he said.

The lawyer stressed that al-Ahmed’s decision was driven by basic humanity, not ideology. “He knew they were Jews. He is simply a human being. He does not care about their religion or nationality. He only wanted to save lives,” Issa said.

Since the attack, Issa noted, al-Ahmed has received an outpouring of support from across Australia’s communities. “A representative of the Jewish community in Australia came to the hospital and thanked him. The Muslim community in Australia is also proud of his bravery – we all want to live in a place without violence,” he said.

Issa also shared background about al-Ahmed’s journey to Australia, explaining that he fled conflict in Syria. “He came to Australia to live in a country that loves peace. Unfortunately, we have seen violence and hatred, and it is shocking. But Ahmed gives a glimmer of hope, an example that it is possible to live together. We hope Ahmed’s actions will advance coexistence, love, and tolerance. He sends his love, his wishes for recovery to the wounded, and his condolences to the families of the murdered. He has only love for the Jewish community in Australia and elsewhere, and he hopes for peace.”

{Matzav.com}

A new investigative film produced jointly by The Washington Post and PBS Frontline examines Israel’s June military offensive against Iran, concluding that the operation delayed Tehran’s nuclear ambitions by several years but did not erase them entirely. Israeli, American, and International Atomic Energy Agency officials interviewed for the documentary said Iran still retains nuclear expertise and some enriched material, even after the strikes.

Drawing on interviews with current and former officials from Israel, Iran, the United States, and several Arab countries — many of whom spoke anonymously — the filmmakers report that assessments across governments largely agree the damage to Iran’s nuclear program was substantial but incomplete. This view contrasts with claims by President Donald Trump that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been completely destroyed.

The documentary describes extensive intelligence groundwork leading up to the campaign, including years of surveillance, the cultivation of operatives inside Iran, and close coordination between Israel and the US. It also explores diplomatic maneuvering and disinformation efforts that took place before the first strikes, alongside conflicting intelligence evaluations about how close Iran was to nuclear weapons capability.

According to the report, Israel carried out a wide-ranging assault targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile systems, and air defenses. Israeli officials portrayed the operation as a synchronized effort combining air power, intelligence assets, and covert actions, with a particular focus on dismantling the leadership of Iran’s nuclear research apparatus.

During the opening phase of the conflict, Israeli strikes killed several senior Iranian nuclear scientists, the documentary says, including Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and former atomic energy chief Fereydoun Abbasi. Israel stated that a total of 11 leading scientists were eliminated over the course of the operation.

The investigation also addresses the human toll of the campaign. Citing independent verification by The Washington Post and outside researchers, the documentary reports civilian casualties from some of the strikes. Israeli officials told the filmmakers that significant precautions were taken to limit harm to civilians, while Iranian authorities claimed that hundreds of civilians were killed during the fighting.

Together, the findings present a detailed account of how the operation was planned and executed, highlighting both the military and intelligence dimensions of the campaign and the ongoing debate over its long-term impact on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

As the investigation into the deadly shooting involving a Brown University gunman continues, Providence police say they are now attempting to identify an additional individual seen near the suspect shortly before the attack that left two students dead and seven others wounded.

Authorities released new surveillance images showing a person wearing a blue jacket with a green hood, dark-colored pants, and what appears to be a light-colored satchel worn over the right shoulder. The images are described as grainy but are believed to show someone who was close to the suspected shooter prior to the violence.

“Investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying and speaking to the individual shown in these photos who was in proximity of the person of interest,” the Providence Police Department wrote on X while sharing the photographs.

Police believe the same individual appears in surveillance footage previously made public by FBI Boston. That video shows the suspected shooter walking along a residential street in Providence less than two hours before the shooting occurred.

According to investigators, the footage shows the gunman glancing to his right and noticing the backpack-carrying individual before suddenly running down a side street at approximately 2:16 p.m. on December 13.

Moments later, the person with the backpack follows, turning onto the same street and beginning to run after walking for roughly 15 to 20 feet.

“Anyone with information is urged to contact the tip line at 401-272-3121.”

Providence police emphasized that the case remains active and that multiple agencies are involved in the investigation. The department said it is coordinating closely with the Rhode Island State Police, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, the FBI, ATF, IRS, DEA, US Secret Service, US Department of Homeland Security, and the US Marshals Service as efforts continue to track down those connected to the incident.

{Matzav.com}

At the White House’s Chanukah celebration on Tuesday, President Donald Trump spoke about the recent hostage developments involving Gaza, praising what he described as their return. In his remarks, however, the President inaccurately suggested that the process was fully complete, stating, “We got back all of the hostages, and all of the dead young people that were dead.”

That assertion overlooked one critical case. The remains of Ran Gvili have not been returned and are still being held by Hamas, an omission that carries significance as negotiations over the next phase of Trump’s peace plan remain stalled in part because of the terrorist group’s failure to release the final hostage.

Moments later in the program, Trump invited Orna and Ronen Neutra to join him. The couple are the parents of Captain Omer Neutra, an American-Israeli soldier whose body was recently recovered from captivity in Gaza.

Speaking from the stage, Ronen Neutra expressed gratitude to the President for his efforts on behalf of their family, the Jewish people, and Israel, but he also addressed the inaccuracy directly. “Your amazing leadership brought us to the point where we got our kid back, but there is still one left: Ran Gvili. He’s still there.”

Ronen concluded with confidence in the President’s resolve, adding, “we know you’re going to bring him back.”

The audience responded with sustained applause as Trump acknowledged the correction with a nod, bringing the exchange to a close.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] President Donald Trump used remarks at the White House Chanukah reception on Tuesday to touch on domestic politics, foreign policy, and his long-standing ties with major political donors, drawing attention for comments that mixed humor, fundraising, and speculation.

During the event, Trump reflected on conversations involving Israeli-American philanthropist Miriam Adelson, who was standing beside him as he addressed the crowd. At one point, chants of “four more years” could be heard in the background, though the response was muted.

Adelson, speaking publicly at the reception, told Trump about a recent discussion she had with constitutional lawyer Alan Dershowitz, noting that he spoke “about four more years.” She encouraged the president to consider the idea, saying, “I said, ‘Alan, I agree with you.’ So, we can do it! Think about it!” As she spoke, the audience briefly echoed the chant, “Four more years!”

Moments later, Adelson leaned in and quietly said something to Trump. The president then shared the exchange aloud, telling attendees, “She said, ‘Think about it, I’ll give you another $250 million.’” Adelson immediately responded, “I will give.”

Trump went on to reminisce about Adelson’s late husband, Sheldon Adelson, describing him as a formidable presence. “But her husband Sheldon was an amazing guy, and he’d come up to the office, and there was nobody more aggressive than Sheldon,” Trump said. He recalled Sheldon Adelson’s persistence, adding, “He’d call and say, ‘Can I come over please?’ I’d say, ‘Sheldon, I’m president of the United States, it doesn’t work that way anymore.’”

Sheldon Adelson and Miriam Adelson were among the most prominent Republican megadonors over recent election cycles. Sheldon Adelson played a major role in financing Trump’s early presidential campaigns, and following his death, Miriam Adelson continued to be heavily involved in political giving.

In 2024, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Adelson’s political priorities, writing, “Adelson, a resident of Herzliya and a megadonor for settlement development in the West Bank, did not wish to hear Trump yearning for peace,” and adding that what Adelson “really wants from Trump’s second term is an Israeli annexation of the West Bank and a US recognition of Israeli sovereignty in all the regions of the land.”

Beyond donor-related remarks, Trump also used the Chanukah reception to comment on the political climate in Washington, including tensions in Congress and what he described as a growing problem of antisemitism among certain lawmakers.

He further reflected on the influence of pro-Israel advocacy in U.S. politics, suggesting it has diminished over time while reiterating his own support for Israel. “My father would tell me, the most powerful lobby that there is in this country is the Jewish Lobby. It’s the Israeli lobby. It’s not that way anymore,” Trump said.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

The roshei yeshiva of Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood have issued a formal letter prohibiting a concert that had been scheduled to take place in Jackson, New Jersey.

In the letter, the roshei yeshiva state that they were informed of plans to hold a concert event in Jackson and felt compelled to express their firm opposition.

The concert they refer to is a performance by the Miami Boys Choir.

The letter emphasizes concerns about the spiritual and communal implications of such an event, noting that similar gatherings have, in the past, led to outcomes that were not in keeping with the standards and values of the Torah community. The roshei yeshiva stress that the decision was made after careful consideration and with a sense of responsibility for the broader ציבור, particularly given the proximity of the event to large concentrations of bnei Torah.

The letter bans the concert even if there’s only separate seating.

The letter is signed by Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Yisroel Neuman, Rav Dovid Schustal and Rav Yeruchem Olshin.

The concert has since been cancelled.

{Matzav.com}

Newly released internal communications have renewed scrutiny of the FBI’s 2022 search of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, with senior officials and lawmakers pointing to evidence that agents questioned whether the legal threshold for the raid had been met.

FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the issue Tuesday, confirming that the operation proceeded despite internal reservations. “It’s true – we just turned over documents to Capitol Hill to be made public showing the FBI told DOJ they did not have probable cause for raiding President Trump’s home in Mar-a-Lago but DOJ ‘didn’t give a …..’ and did it anyway,” Patel wrote on X.

Earlier in the day, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa released newly declassified emails and memoranda detailing exchanges between the FBI and the Justice Department in the weeks leading up to the August 8, 2022 search. According to the records, FBI officials repeatedly questioned whether they had sufficient grounds to seek a warrant.

In one document, the FBI’s Washington Field Office stated that it “does not believe” that “we have established probable cause for the search warrant for classified records” at Mar-a-Lago. Another passage noted, “DOJ has opined that they do have probable cause, requesting a wide scope including residence, office, storage space.”

The internal correspondence also reflected frustration within the bureau over the direction of the investigation. “The 6 weeks spent fixated on probable cause for a search warrant have been counterproductive,” the document quotes the FBI as saying. It further added, “Continued investigation and additional interviews have not found any witness who has reported seeing classified records at Mar-a-Lago since the return of records via compliance on June 3, 2022,” and suggested that “WFO suggests alternative, less intrusive and likelier quick options for resolution.”

Grassley summarized his reaction to the disclosures in a post on X, writing, “Received shocking new docs today from DOJ & FBI showing FBI DID NOT BELIEVE IT HAD PROBABLE CAUSE to raid Pres Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home but Biden DOJ pushed for it anyway.” He added, “Based on the records Mar-a-Lago raid was a miscarriage of justice.”

Late Tuesday night, President Trump weighed in forcefully on the revelations, denouncing the search in a Truth Social post. “Unreasonable Search and Seizure!!! That was the FBI’s CRIMINAL RAID on Mar-a-Lago. This can never be allowed to happen again!!!,” he wrote.

Trump also responded to a supporter calling for accountability over the raid. After a user posted that “Someone should be arrested. Wray & Garland,” Trump replied, “and many others!!!”

{Matzav.com}

A group of Iranian hackers is claiming responsibility for a cyber intrusion targeting the cellphone of Naftali Bennett, according to reports in Hebrew-language media.

The allegation surfaced after the hackers, identifying themselves as “Handala,” announced what they described as a successful breach of Bennett’s device, an operation they named “Operation Octopus,” Ynet reported.

In a statement cited by Ynet, the group mocked Bennett’s professional background in the cyber field. “You once prided yourself on being a leading light of cybersecurity, and displayed your expertise to the world,” the hackers said, referring to Bennett’s role as a co-founder of a cybersecurity company.

The message continued with further derision. “And even so, how ironic that your iPhone 13 fell so easily into the hands of Handala,” the statement said. “Despite all of your pride and boasting, your digital fortress is nothing more than a paper wall waiting to be broken.”

Bennett has previously used the phrase “the head of the octopus” when describing Iran’s role in orchestrating threats against Israel throughout the region.

The incident comes as Bennett, who previously served as Israel’s prime minister, is widely viewed as the most serious political rival to Prime Minister Bibi Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of elections expected next year.

Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons has flatly denied allegations circulating online that ICE officers stopped Rep. Ilhan Omar’s son after a routine shopping trip, saying the agency has no record of such an encounter.

According to Lyons, ICE databases show no instance in which officers or agents detained or questioned the Minnesota congresswoman’s son. “ICE has absolutely zero record of its officers or agents pulling over Congresswoman Omar’s son,” Lyons told Fox News Digital. He added that the accusation was made without any substantiating evidence. “It speaks volumes that Congresswoman Omar is leveling this accusation with absolutely zero proof,” Lyons said, arguing that the claim fits a broader effort to portray ICE negatively.

The controversy began after Omar described the alleged incident during a media interview, asserting that her son was stopped by ICE agents and released only after producing identification. “He did get pulled over by ICE agents and once he was able to produce his passport ID they did let him go,” she said.

During the exchange, the interviewer sought clarification about the unusual circumstance. “So your son went to Target last night with his passport,” the WCCO interviewer asked. Omar responded, “He always carries it with him.” The interviewer pressed further, saying, “In case he gets pulled over,” and added, “which he did by ICE.” Omar replied, “Yes.”

Despite ICE’s denial, Omar’s office has stood by her account. Spokesperson Jacklyn Rogers said the congresswoman maintains that the stop took place and characterized it as discriminatory. Rogers said in part, “The congresswoman’s son and others were pulled over by ICE, racially profiled, and forced to prove their citizenship with a passport.”

Rogers went on to sharply criticize the agency, accusing it of misconduct and poor recordkeeping. “ICE has long operated as a rogue agency beyond reform. It’s no surprise that an agency known for disappearing people also can’t keep its records straight. ICE now claims it has records of all the stops, and our office would welcome the opportunity to review them,” she added.

The dispute comes amid ongoing criticism of Omar over her views on immigration enforcement and her defense of Somali migrants in Minnesota who have been implicated in large-scale fraud cases, as previously reported by Breitbart News. One of the most prominent cases involved “Feeding Our Future,” an organization run by Minneapolis-area Somali migrants that prosecutors say fraudulently obtained $250 million in state child nutrition funds.

Additional cases cited by prosecutors include tens of millions of dollars allegedly stolen from Minnesota’s autism treatment program, as well as more than $550 million taken from pandemic-era coronavirus relief funds, with Somali migrants again at the center of the investigations.

Omar has dismissed scrutiny of these cases as politically motivated. She has described such criticism as nothing more than “hate and fearmongering.”

Republican lawmakers, however, have continued to publicly challenge Omar over both her rhetoric and her record. Speaking on Breitbart News Daily, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer accused her of fostering hostility on campus. “Oh, this gal is an anti-Semite. She’s hateful. She’s a racist. She goes to the University of Minnesota campus and essentially encourages violence against Jewish students,” Emmer said.

Emmer also tied Omar to the Feeding Our Future scandal, disputing her distance from the matter. “Ilhan Omar, she is not — she doesn’t have clean hands on this at all,” he said, asserting that she was responsible for creating the program, which he described as “the largest Somali fraud case in a pandemic case in the country.”

He continued by highlighting the scope of the indictments. “Ninety percent of the people — there’s over 80 people, were indicted in that $250 million fraud scheme — 90 percent of those indicted were from her Somali community,” Emmer said.

Emmer concluded with a blistering assessment of the congresswoman and the media’s treatment of her. “So she’s she’s as dirty as they come, and she is a con artist. But the national news media will not hold that gal accountable for anything. Who knows why? But the American public are smarter than that, and they agree with Donald Trump,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

An unusual security failure was revealed at Ben Gurion Airport after an 18-year-old passenger managed to board an international flight without a boarding pass and flew to Vienna, where authorities only discovered the problem upon his arrival. The young man was subsequently returned to Israel.

According to the report, the passenger succeeded in boarding the aircraft despite not having a valid boarding pass. Austrian officials uncovered the irregularity only after the plane landed in Vienna, when it became clear that he was not listed as a ticketed passenger.

The incident comes just two months after another serious breach at Ben Gurion Airport, in which a 13-year-old boy managed to board an El Al flight to the United States without a ticket or passport. In that case, the cabin crew identified the boy moments before takeoff, preventing what officials later described as a potentially dangerous situation.

In light of the recent series of incidents, Transportation Minister Miri Regev instructed the director general of the Ministry of Transportation to convene an urgent discussion with all relevant authorities, including the head of the Population and Immigration Authority and other aviation and security officials.

The Israel Airports Authority said in a statement that after receiving information from the airline about the exceptional incident involving an Israeli passenger who boarded a flight without a boarding pass, an internal review was conducted. The authority confirmed that the passenger underwent security screening but did not complete the border control process. An immediate examination was carried out with the responsible bodies, including the Population and Immigration Authority and the airline. The Airports Authority added that the airline and the Population Authority will conduct a full investigation and debrief in order to strengthen oversight and control mechanisms throughout the process.

Austrian Airlines said in Vienna that an internal investigation into the incident is underway and that, at this stage, no further details can be provided. The airline also noted that the aircraft underwent a comprehensive safety inspection after the flight.

The earlier incident involving the 13-year-old boy raised significant concern among authorities. Initial questioning at the time indicated that the boy entered the airport’s secured area by accompanying another passenger, bypassing security screening, passport control, and boarding supervision. He was immediately transferred for further questioning by security forces and police, while El Al and the Israel Airports Authority launched an urgent investigation into the circumstances of the breach.

{Matzav.com}

UTJ chairman MK Yitzchak Goldknopf issued some of his sharpest criticism yet of proposed draft legislation in Israel, warning in a radio interview that the bill would severely damage the Torah world and place tens of thousands of yeshiva students at immediate risk.

Speaking Tuesday evening with Avi Mimran on Kol Chai’s flagship program, Goldknopf broke a lengthy public silence and framed the debate in the context of Chanukah. He said that current efforts in Israel to undermine Torah learning were having repercussions far beyond the country’s borders. “Today they are trying to ‘make us forget Your Torah’ in Eretz Yisroel, and this affects the entire world and causes harm to Jews. We need unity,” he said, adding that former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak himself had recently stated that those for whom Torah learning is their profession must be allowed to continue without limitation.

Goldknopf made clear that he would not support the draft bill being advanced by MK Boaz Bismuth, arguing that it fundamentally redefines the status of Torah learners. “The proposal that Bismuth is bringing to the table harms existing Torah learners. Someone who says he wants to learn Torah is harmed in at least eight areas — no travel abroad, no eligibility for housing programs, no daycare subsidies. He becomes a third-class citizen, worse than terrorists,” he said.

Addressing enforcement concerns, Goldknopf warned of a dramatic escalation if the law is passed. “If the law passes, the situation will be much worse than it is today. How many arrests are there now? Thirty? Here we are talking about tens of thousands of Torah learners who will be harmed severely and immediately,” he said.

Goldknopf continued his criticism without restraint, calling on the entire chareidi public to stand united against the legislation. “We must insist that Torah learners cannot be harmed — the entire chareidi community with one voice. The current law is a disaster. A rav is supposed to be placed in the mizrach, and here they are harming Torah learners in the most severe way,” he said.

Toward the end of the interview, Goldknopf also addressed other issues he has been involved with in recent years. He praised Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu for intervening to prevent road construction on Shabbos, saying the prime minister deserved recognition for that step. At the same time, he said attention was now turning to air travel. “Many people from abroad want to come to Israel on flights that do not desecrate Shabbos, and therefore we want to summon the CEOs of Arkia and Israir for clarification. We are not talking about a boycott, only about clarification,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

In remarks following Sunday’s deadly attack on a Jewish Hanukkah gathering at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Vice President-elect JD Vance addressed the broader debate over antisemitism, particularly among younger generations and within American politics.

Vance has rejected claims that antisemitism is surging within Republican circles, saying he has not witnessed such attitudes in his own interactions. Speaking last week to NBC News, he stated: “Judging anybody based on their skin color or immutable characteristics, I think, is fundamentally anti-American and anti-Christian.”

He said he does not hesitate to confront bigotry when it appears, but stressed that his experience tells a different story. “I do think it’s important to call this stuff out when I see it,” Vance said, adding that in his conversations with young conservatives, “I don’t see some simmering antisemitism that’s exploding.”

The vice president-elect also weighed in online late Monday, responding to excerpts from an Atlantic article that examined what it described as rising antisemitism among younger demographics. Vance dismissed the framing of the piece, arguing that it missed critical context.

“Mainstream journalism is just profoundly uninteresting and lame, consumed by its own pieties,” he wrote, criticizing what he described as shallow analysis.

He took particular issue with how generational trends were discussed, saying: “To write an article about the ‘generational divide’ in anti-semitism without discussing the demographics of the various generations is mind boggling.”

Vance went on to argue that public policy plays a central role in addressing ethnic hatred more broadly. “The most significant single thing you could do to eliminate anti-semitism and any other kind of ethnic hatred is to support our efforts to lower immigration and promote assimilation,” he said. “But these guys won’t do that, because they all lack curiosity and introspection.”

As part of his argument, Vance shared an analysis cited by Manhattan Institute fellow Charles Fain Lehman, which concluded that “foreign-origin is a much better predictor of antisemitism than ideology or age.”

At the core of Vance’s comments was a distinction he said is often ignored in public discourse — the difference between criticism of Israeli government actions and animus toward Jews. “I would say there’s a difference between not liking Israel (or disagreeing with a given Israeli policy) and anti-semitism,” Vance said in a reply to his post on the US social media company X.

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration has denied a request by former President Joe Biden to invoke executive privilege in connection with ongoing congressional investigations into his administration’s use of the autopen, Fox News Digital reports.

White House Counsel David Warrington formally rejected the request in a letter sent to the National Archives and Records Administration, arguing that Congress has a compelling need to review the records at issue and that executive privilege should not be used to block scrutiny of serious allegations surrounding Biden’s presidency.

“As President Trump has stated, the abuse of the autopen that took place during the Biden Presidency, and the extraordinary efforts to shield President Biden’s diminished faculties from the public, must be subject to a full accounting to ensure nothing similar ever happens again,” Warrington wrote.

He added that other actions by the Biden administration also warrant full examination. “Similarly, President Biden’s repeated abuses of the rights of American citizens during the pandemic and his politically motivated efforts to investigate Members of Congress must also be subject to a full accounting to ensure nothing similar ever happens again. Congress has a compelling need in service of its legislative functions to understand the circumstances that led to all these horrific events,” the letter continued.

Warrington further pointed to concerns about the authenticity of Biden’s signature on the privilege request itself, noting discrepancies when compared with signatures used on other documents. “Remarkably, that letter demonstrates the importance of these congressional investigations. President Biden’s signature does not match the one he used to pardon his family or his son,” Warrington wrote, attaching images showing three different signatures.

Biden’s request for executive privilege was made in a letter dated Oct. 1, 2025, addressed to the Archival Operations Division of NARA. In that letter, Biden argued that releasing the records would undermine the presidency as an institution. “I am concerned that disclosure of these materials would damage important institutional interests of the Presidency, including by impairing the ability of future Presidents to receive robust, candid advice from their close advisers. For these reasons, I hereby assert executive privilege over the documents listed,” Biden wrote.

He also claimed cooperation with prior congressional requests, while drawing a line at the current demand. “I have raised no objections to multiple requests for Presidential records from my Administration, and hundreds of documents have already been provided to Congress pursuant to those requests, but the records now proposed for release include documents reflecting presidential decisionmaking and deliberations and other materials that are protected by executive privilege,” Biden wrote.

An autopen is a mechanical device designed to replicate a person’s signature and has been used by U.S. presidents for decades. However, the practice became a focal point of controversy after Biden left 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as lawmakers launched investigations into whether the machine was used to sign official documents without his direct approval.

Biden has denied those allegations, dismissing them outright. “Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations,” Biden said in a statement issued in June. “Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.”

The controversy gained momentum earlier in 2025, when the Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project reported that the same signature appeared on numerous executive orders and official documents, while Biden’s signature on the document announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race appeared noticeably different. Those findings fueled speculation that aides, rather than Biden himself, may have approved sweeping executive actions and pardons.

President Trump repeatedly cited the findings, warning publicly that “whoever controlled the autopen controlled the presidency,” and later declaring, “I think it’s the biggest scandal maybe of the last 100 years in this country.”

In December, Trump announced that he would invalidate documents allegedly signed by the autopen. “The Autopen is not allowed to be used if approval is not specifically given by the President of the United States,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, asserting that roughly 92% of Biden-era documents bore the machine-generated signature. “The Radical Left Lunatics circling Biden around the beautiful Resolute Desk in the Oval Office took the Presidency away from him.”

Congressional scrutiny has unfolded on parallel tracks in both chambers. In the House, Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., spearheaded an investigation, while the Senate Judiciary Committee held a June hearing titled “Unfit to Serve: How the Biden Cover-Up Endangered America and Undermined the Constitution.”

In October, Comer released a report summarizing the House investigation and urged the Department of Justice to review all executive actions signed during Biden’s presidency. The probe focused on whether aides concealed signs of mental decline and whether the autopen was used to authorize actions without Biden’s knowledge.

Investigators interviewed several figures from Biden’s inner circle, including former White House physician Kevin O’Connor, former White House staff secretary Neera Tanden, former White House chief of staff Ron Klain, and others.

The committee’s report concluded: “Faced with the cognitive decline of President Joe Biden, White House aides — at the direction of the inner circle — hid the truth about the former president’s condition and fitness for office.”

Comer expanded on those findings in an October statement. “The Biden Autopen Presidency will go down as one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history. As Americans saw President Biden’s decline with their own eyes, Biden’s inner circle sought to deceive the public, cover-up his decline, and took unauthorized executive actions with the autopen that are now invalid,” he said.

House Democrats issued a rebuttal, rejecting the conclusions and saying the investigation uncovered no misconduct. “Following more than a year of inquiry, extensive witness interviews, and significant time and effort expended by both Republican and Democratic staff, the Oversight Majority has failed to produce any evidence to support their allegations against President Biden,” Democrats said in their response.

Warrington countered that argument in his letter, writing that “the available evidence to date establishes a sufficient factual predicate for Congress’ investigations.” He also criticized the media, stating, “Any American, save for those paid to cover the President as ‘reporters’, could see that President Biden struggled to perform his duties.”

He concluded that the situation warrants extraordinary transparency. “These are unique and extraordinary circumstances. Congress is examining an assault on the President’s constitutional duties, the civil liberties the Constitution provides all Americans, and the democratic institution of Congress itself. The constitutional protections of executive privilege should not be used to shield, from Congress or the public, information that reflects a clear and apparent effort to subvert the Constitution itself,” Warrington wrote.

Concerns about Biden’s mental acuity had circulated for years among conservatives, intensifying dramatically after his poor debate performance against Trump in June 2024. Pressure from within the Democratic Party mounted soon afterward, culminating in Biden’s decision to exit the race.

Biden formally ended his 2024 campaign in a Sunday afternoon post in July, endorsing then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris went on to lose the general election to Trump after a campaign lasting just over 100 days.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump opened his remarks at the White House Chanukah celebration by addressing the deadly terror attack against Jews at a Chanukah gathering in Australia earlier in the week.

“All nations must stand together against the evil forces of radical Islamic terrorism, and we’re doing that,” Trump said.

As he continued, the president turned his attention to what he described as a troubling shift on Capitol Hill, telling guests that Congress “is becoming antisemitic” and arguing that Jewish political influence in Washington has diminished. While he initially spoke broadly, Trump then focused his criticism on progressive Democrats known as the Squad, even as the White House has sought to minimize growing skepticism toward Israel among some Republicans.

“My father would tell me, the most powerful lobby that there is in this country is the Jewish Lobby. It’s the Israeli lobby. It’s not that way anymore,” Trump reflected, reprising a theme he has raised in past comments.

Trump assured attendees of his continued support for the Jewish community, drawing applause from a crowd that was noticeably smaller than in previous years due to ongoing construction in the White House East Room.

“I will always be a friend and a champion to the Jewish people,” Trump said.

During the evening, Trump invited several guests to take part in the program, offering shoutouts to supporters and calling some to the podium. Conservative radio host Mark Levin introduced himself by praising Trump as “the first Jewish president.”

Trump also invited Republican megadonor Miriam Adelson to speak, joking about the scale of her political contributions.

“$250 million doesn’t buy what it used to,” he quipped.

Adelson told the audience that she had recently spoken with attorney Alan Dershowitz, who, she said, told her it would be legal for Trump to seek a third term.

Later in his remarks, Trump highlighted what he described as his record of support for Israel while in office, including recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

“I sold the rights to the Golan Heights to Israel… It could be worth trillions of dollars,” he said.