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Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu held a “warm conversation” with U.S. Vice President JD Vance last night, the premier’s office announced on Tuesday.

The meeting, which focused on “regional issues,” followed Netanyahu’s “successful meeting” with President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., the Prime Minister’s Office stated.

Trump credited Netanyahu on Monday for guiding the Jewish state to victory over a “force the likes of which very few countries could have handled.”

“He’s a wartime prime minister,” Trump said of Netanyahu, responding to a question from JNS during a press conference outside Mar-a-Lago. “He’s taken Israel through a very dangerous period of drama.”

“That’s a pretty big statement, but it’s true,” the president told JNS. “If you had the wrong prime minister, Israel right now would not exist.”

Netanyahu said earlier on Monday that he held a “great meeting” with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as the national security adviser, as part of his visit to Florida.

Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesman at the U.S. State Department, stated that the two met to “discuss regional security, economic cooperation and the fight against antisemitism.”

Vance claimed in a Dec. 21 interview that concerns about antisemitism are sometimes raised as a way to avoid discussing “a real backlash to a consensus view in American foreign policy” regarding the Jewish state.

Vance condemned antisemitism in the interview with the conservative Unherd outlet, saying that “antisemitism, and all forms of ethnic hatred, have no place in the conservative movement. Whether you’re attacking somebody because they’re white or because they’re black or because they’re Jewish, I think it’s disgusting and we should call that stuff out.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

A strong majority of American Jews believe that Israel’s standing around the world has taken a serious hit over the past year, according to a new nationwide survey, even as many say their own emotional connection to Israel has deepened.

The poll, released Monday by the Jewish People Policy Institute, found that 85% of respondents felt Israel’s global image was damaged in 2025. At the same time, 49% said they now feel closer to Israel than they did at the start of the year, while 20% reported feeling more distant.

Concerns about antisemitism within the United States also featured prominently in the findings. An overwhelming 88% of those surveyed said they agree with Texas Senator Ted Cruz’s assertion that “there has been a significant rise in antisemitism on the right over the past six months.”

Cruz has previously described the recent spike as “the largest he has seen in his lifetime,” a view that drew near-universal backing across ideological lines. Only 4% of respondents said they disagreed, with liberal, moderate, and conservative Jews all expressing broad agreement with his assessment.

By contrast, nearly three-quarters of participants — 73% — rejected Vice President JD Vance’s statement that “the Republican Party is not significantly more antisemitic than it was a decade ago.”

On foreign policy, the survey highlighted growing unease over the role of Middle Eastern states in shaping global affairs. American Jews ranked Iran as the most serious danger facing Israel, with 83% describing it as an existential threat even after the 12-day war in June.

Notably, the small but wealthy Gulf state of Qatar emerged as the second-most significant perceived threat to Israel, surpassing other regional actors. Respondents were less inclined to see Turkey as a top danger, though majorities said Iran, Qatar, Yemen, and Turkey all pose risks not only to Israel but to the United States as well.

When asked to rank those dangers, participants consistently placed Iran first, followed by Qatar, then Yemen and Turkey, underscoring a shared sense that the regional landscape has become increasingly hostile.

{Matzav.com}

Spain’s Ministry of Finance announced a ban on the import of products from hundreds of Israeli locales in Judea, Samaria, eastern Yerushalayim and the Golan, becoming the first major E.U. member state economy to implement such a measure.

The ban was set to become effective today, the ministry said, adding this was the result of a September decree “adopting urgent measures against genocide in Gaza and in support of the Palestinian population.”

The decree “prohibits in its Article 3 the importation into Spain of products originating from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” according to the statement.

To be applied, the ministry is to “approve the list of localities and postal codes corresponding to the Israeli settlements,” the text reads. With the announcement, the measure “is approved” and “will take effect the day after its publication” in the Boletín Oficial del Estado (“Official State Gazette”), the text read.

Slovenia, one of the E.U.’s smallest economies with about 2 million citizens, announced a similar ban in August, becoming the first E.U. member to boycott Israeli products. Legislation to effect a ban is being worked on in Ireland’s parliament.

Enfoque Judio, a reputable Spanish-Jewish news site, confirmed the authenticity of the document published. It noted in its reporting that the inclusion of the Golan Heights in the ban lies outside of the approved September decree.

Enrique Martínez Olmos, editor-in-chief of the ESDiario news site, condemned the ban in a sharp-worded editorial, whose title describes the measure as “a measure that Hitler would endorse.” The ban “prohibits and singles out Jewish products, much like in 1930s Germany,” he wrote.

Israel exports roughly $850 million in goods to Spain annually, according to the Israel Export Institute, roughly half the volume that Israel imports from Spain. Products from Judea, Samaria and the Golan are believed to account for a small fraction of the Israeli exports to Spain.

A spokesperson for Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not reply to JNS’s request for comment in time for publication.

Angel Mas, president of ACOM, a prominent pro-Israel group in Spain, told JNS that his organization has challenged the ban in an appeal before the Spanish Constitutional Court. ACOM considers the ban immoral, he said.

In addition to ACOM’s legal fight against it, “We intend to bring these discriminatory and openly hostile measures to the attention of the United States Department of State,” Mas said. “The current Spanish government has lost any sense of proportion or restraint and is crossing red lines that no democratic government should cross.”

In the court appeal, ACOM said the ban was illegal on several counts, including in how it “directly conflicts with E.U. law, particularly in areas where the European Union holds exclusive competence, such as trade policy and the functioning of the internal market.”

The decree’s passing was also flawed procedurally since it “must still be debated and approved by Congress, a process likely to take place in the coming months.” And still, “the Spanish government has already begun applying the measures in practice across commercial activity involving Israel,” he said.

“From the outset, the decree is built on a fundamentally flawed and discredited premise,” Mas added. “Its introductory [notes] assert, as established facts, allegations of ‘genocide’ and ’famine’ allegedly committed by Israel in Gaza, claiming that these accusations are supported by ‘all international experts.’ These claims are demonstrably false, legally unsubstantiated, and deeply contested,” Mas said.

‘Remove or block identified ads’

Separately, on Tuesday, another Spanish government ministry threatened seven real estate rental platforms with unspecified “actions” if they continue to advertise Israeli-owned properties in those areas.

The seven entities are “multinational companies,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 wrote in a statement published on Dec. 30. It did not name the platforms.

The ministry “has detected that seven platforms had published 138 advertisements for tourist accommodations located in Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory,” the statement said. “This advertising is considered illegal under Article 4 of the Royal Decree-Law adopting urgent measures against the genocide in Gaza and in support of the Palestinian population, approved in September,” it also said.

“A first formal request has been sent to the platforms, urging them to immediately remove or block the identified ads in Spain. Failure to do so could result in further action by the ministry,” it read.

Spain is one of three European Union member countries that have intervened in South Africa’s 2023 lawsuit for alleged genocide against Israel, widely understood as an endorsement of the suit. The country’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, in May called Israel a “genocidal state.”

Airbnb, one of the world’s largest short-term rental platforms, in 2019 reversed a policy it had announced the previous year, which would have banned assets like the ones that Spain wanted blocked. The reversal followed two federal lawsuits in the United States. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Federal preservation advocates are mounting a challenge to a Department of Homeland Security plan to swiftly tear down a cluster of historic structures in Washington, D.C., arguing that the agency is bypassing required safeguards in the name of security.

The dispute centers on 13 buildings at the St. Elizabeths federal campus, a site created by Congress in 1855 and once known as the “Government Hospital for the Insane.” According to reporting by The Washington Post, DHS has asked for emergency clearance to demolish the structures, sharply limiting the time preservation groups have to respond.

In an internal memo cited by the Post, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the vacant buildings as posing “a present risk to life and property,” warning that their location within the DHS West Campus could make them attractive to “individuals seeking to cause harm to personnel,” including those planning “active shooter scenarios.”

To accelerate the process, DHS filed an emergency notice with the General Services Administration, the federal body that oversees government real estate. That move compressed the review window to just three days, prompting swift objections from preservation organizations.

In a joint letter to the GSA, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the D.C. Preservation League rejected the security rationale. “If the space within these vacant buildings is accessible, [it’s the GSA and Homeland Security that have] “failed to effectively secure them,” the groups wrote, according to the Post.

The letter went on to criticize the emergency designation itself, stating: “A unilateral declaration like this is problematic because it bypasses the procedural safeguards designed to ensure stability, legitimacy and fairness. [Noem’s concerns over safety] imply a fundamental flaw in the facility’s security as a whole.”

The clash comes in the wake of other controversial changes to historic federal properties. Critics note that the push to raze buildings at St. Elizabeths follows President Donald Trump’s efforts to build a new ballroom at the White House, a project that involved demolishing the historic East Wing and drew sharp condemnation from historians and preservationists.

The Post reported that preservation groups are urging the GSA to reject the emergency request and require DHS to follow the standard review process before any demolition proceeds.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu laid out Israel’s security priorities, regional ambitions, and diplomatic outlook following extended discussions with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

Netanyahu said Israel is watching closely as Iran works to rebuild its military capabilities, including nuclear enrichment and missile production. He warned that Tehran has not abandoned its ambitions and must be stopped from regaining them. “The President was correct when he said that Fordow was obliterated, so they’re trying other sites. They’ll try that. They also are trying to recover their ballistic missile production facility,” Netanyahu said, adding, “We set them back considerably on both areas, but, yeah, they’ll try. And I think the President was right to tell them, ‘hey, don’t, don’t’. That’s basically what his message was.”

He stressed that the core issue with Iran remains its nuclear infrastructure. “And I think with Iran, the real issue is they should accept the fact that they shouldn’t have enrichment, nuclear enrichment capability. They should take out all the material that they’ve already enriched, take it out of Iran and have inspections,” he said.

Netanyahu also disclosed that Iran recently staged military drills simulating missile strikes on Israel. “I said if you dare do that, you know, the results would be devastating. So I hope Iran doesn’t make that mistake,” he warned.

Turning to Gaza, Netanyahu argued that any progress toward stability hinges on one essential demand. “One word, disarmament,” he said, explaining that Hamas remains heavily armed, with tens of thousands of rifles and an extensive tunnel network. “You’ve got to take all these rifles, take them away from them,” he said, adding that Hamas’ refusal to disarm is the central barrier to moving forward.

Asked whether stripping Hamas of its weapons is realistic, Netanyahu said the effort deserves a chance, possibly through international involvement. “I think we have to give it a chance,” he said, noting that an international stabilization force could play a role. “If it can be done the easy way, fine.”

On Gaza’s future leadership, Netanyahu said no meaningful change can occur while Hamas remains intact. A new governing framework is possible only “if you disarm Hamas,” he said, emphasizing, “The point here is not to negotiate with Hamas… Their job is to vanish, stop, no more. And you know who wants it more than anyone else? The people of Gaza.”

Addressing criticism of Israeli military actions during the ceasefire, Netanyahu defended Israel’s responses to threats. “These terrorists try to kill us… What would you do? Well, you just did. There was this jihadist in Syria who killed two Americans. Bam. You hit them back,” he said.

On tensions in Judea and Samaria, Netanyahu rejected claims of widespread violence by Jewish residents, describing the incidents as limited and unacceptable. “It’s about 70 kids. They’re not from the West Bank… they do things like chopping the olive trees… I can’t accept that. That’s vigilantism. I’m taking that out,” he said, contrasting those acts with the scale of terror attacks against Israelis. He added, “I want peaceful coexistence between the Israelis and the Palestinians who live in Judea and Samaria, which is part of our ancestral homeland.”

Netanyahu dismissed suggestions that he needed to persuade President Trump on Israel’s approach. “We saw eye to eye. He cut right to the chase,” he said. “He said, look, skip all this press stuff… you’ve got to get Hamas to disarm.”

Looking beyond immediate conflicts, Netanyahu expressed confidence that Israel’s regional standing has improved, opening doors to new diplomatic opportunities. “I think it’s possible precisely because of the great achievements that we had fighting Iran and its axis… people are open to a peace agreement,” he said, citing Israel’s military strength and economic growth. “We’re just a high-tech juggernaut.”

On his ongoing legal case in Israel, Netanyahu reiterated that he views the charges as politically driven. “The president was right to call for a pardon,” he said. “They said that I received a bribe… favorable coverage in a third-rate Internet site. That’s the bribe.”

He described what he sees as the trivial nature of the allegations. “On the first day of my cross-examination… 29 years ago, your son received a Bugs Bunny doll. That’s what they’re cross-examining. And about cigars I received from a friend. That’s the trial. So it’s ridiculous. It’s been dissolving.And the president is right to ask for a pardon.”

Responding to accusations that he is extending the war for political reasons, Netanyahu pushed back forcefully. “This is so vicious and so false… I’ve been to war… One of my best friends died in my arms… That’s the last thing I want,” he said, adding that his goal is to convert military success into long-term stability. “What I want to do is to secure the future of Israel and to give it a future of peace, prosperity, and security.”

On the global surge in antisemitism, Netanyahu urged vigilance and resolve. “If somebody says they want to kill you… believe them, and be prepared,” he said, calling for firmer international action. “President Trump does. Many governments don’t. And they should.”

Asked about Syria’s interim leadership, Netanyahu signaled cautious openness. “We’d like to see if we can have a different relationship with them. We have talks, which we never had with the Assad regime,” he said.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the international criticism surrounding Israel’s decision to recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, defending the move during an interview with Newsmax while visiting the United States.

Responding to questions about the backlash from European governments and Muslim-majority countries, Netanyahu framed the recognition as a values-based decision. “Why not support a democratic moderate country that wants to join the Abraham Accords? I think everybody should do that,” he said.

He described Somaliland as a stable and moderate society, emphasizing its population and political character. “Somaliland has six million citizens – moderate Muslims, they want to join the Abraham Accords, and I think that’s very good,” Netanyahu stated.

The prime minister went on to contrast Somaliland with the broader situation in Somalia. “They are democrats, they’ve had elections,” he said, adding that this stands in stark contrast to “the rest of Somalia, which is hodgepodge, has had Al-Shabaab terrorists there, never had elections for, I don’t know, for decades, has had a lot of terrorists coming there.”

Following Netanyahu’s announcement last week, Channel 12 reported that discussions about establishing ties with Somaliland intensified as Israel explored options for countries willing to accept Palestinians from Gaza during the ongoing war with Hamas.

The report also noted additional strategic considerations behind the move, including Somaliland’s geographic proximity to Yemen, which could provide Israel with improved access for surveillance and potential strikes against Iran-backed Houthi forces operating there.

{Matzav.com}

While thousands of New York City homeowners rushed to clear snow after last weekend’s storm to avoid penalties, icy walkways next to government-owned properties told a different story.

City officials issued more than 3,000 summonses to private property owners, with fines beginning at $100, under rules that require sidewalks to be shoveled within a set number of hours after snowfall ends. Those enforcement standards, however, do not apply the same way to sidewalks controlled by the city or the state.

Along Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, commuters encountered a long, slippery stretch of sidewalk bordering a Long Island Rail Road train yard that remained buried under snow and ice Monday morning. During peak travel hours, pedestrians were left navigating the hazardous conditions with care.

Comparable situations appeared elsewhere, including outside city-owned parks. Near Dean Playground in Prospect Heights, neighbors voiced concerns about safety after sidewalks remained unshoveled. Only after complaints were made did Parks Department crews arrive to clear the area.

The city acknowledges that while it strictly enforces snow-removal rules on residents and businesses, it does not issue fines to itself or to other government agencies. The Department of Sanitation says it lacks authority to penalize fellow agencies and generally responds to large sidewalk areas only after receiving complaints.

As one resident put it, “It’s funny how the rules are enforced block by block — unless the sidewalk belongs to the city.” For now, officials say the primary way to prompt action on unshoveled government sidewalks is for residents to report the issue by calling 311 or using the city’s 311 app.

{Matzav.com}

Emergency officials in rural Kentucky ordered residents to remain indoors Tuesday morning after a freight train derailment led to the release of hazardous materials along a rail line.

The incident involved a 31-car CSX train that derailed in Todd County shortly after 6 a.m. Authorities said at least one railcar was leaking molten sulfur, a substance that can cause serious burns and release toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear alerted the public to the situation in a social media post, writing, “Kentucky, there has been a train derailment in Todd County, and local emergency management has issued a shelter-in-place for the City of Trenton. Please follow local guidance and stay safe.”

Photos taken at the site showed damaged freight cars strewn across the tracks, with a white chemical substance visibly escaping from one of the cars.

Officials later said the situation was stabilized, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted at about 11 a.m. Authorities reported no injuries and said nearby homes were not damaged.

Reflecting on the severity of the incident, Todd County Executive Todd Mansfield told WZTV News, “It could have been catastrophic.”

CSX Transportation confirmed that it is reviewing what led to the derailment. Company spokesman Austin Staton said Tuesday that cleanup efforts were underway. “CSX crews remain on scene and are working as safely and as quickly as possible to clean up the impacted site,” Staton said. “We appreciate the swift response and coordination of local first responders and emergency management officials.”

CSX has previously faced criticism from environmental advocates, who have raised concerns about the risks associated with transporting hazardous materials by rail and the potential consequences of chemical spills.

{Matzav.com}

Federal authorities say they have confirmed at least $1 billion in fraudulent childcare payments in Minnesota so far, with 92 individuals already charged. According to the US Attorney’s office, 82 of those charged are Somali immigrants, and prosecutors have cautioned that the total scope of the scheme could ultimately reach $9 billion.

Against that backdrop, the Trump administration has moved to cut off all childcare-related payments to the state and is pressing for an extensive review of Minnesota’s day care system, as scrutiny intensifies around the state’s human services department.

Deputy Health and Human Services Secretary Jim O’Neill announced the decision on Tuesday, writing on X, “We have frozen all child care payments to the state of Minnesota,” just days after a widely shared investigative video focused national attention on alleged fraud involving local day care providers.

O’Neill accused state officials of allowing massive abuse of public funds, saying Minnesota has “funneled millions of taxpayer dollars to fraudulent daycares across Minnesota over the past decade.” He detailed three steps the department is taking to prevent further misuse of federal money.

As part of the first measure, O’Neill said the federal government will now require “a receipt or photo evidence” before releasing any payments to states through the US Administration for Children & Families.

He also said he has “demanded” that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz carry out a “comprehensive audit” of the day care centers identified in the investigation. “This includes attendance records, licenses, complaints, investigations, and inspections,” he wrote.

O’Neill pointed specifically to a YouTube video published Friday by Nick Shirley, who visited multiple Minneapolis-area day care sites that had received millions in public funding but appeared to be shuttered or not operating.

In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services has set up a dedicated hotline and email address at childcare.gov for reporting suspected fraud. “Whether you are a parent, provider, or member of the general public, we want to hear from you,” O’Neill said.

Summing up the administration’s posture, he added, “We have turned off the money spigot and we are finding the fraud.”

{Matzav.com}

The inauguration of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor will depart sharply from past practice, with organizers planning a large public celebration rather than a ticketed ceremony at City Hall Plaza. According to the mayoral transition team, the January 1 event will feature a block party along Broadway in the Canyon of Heroes, complete with “dedicated viewing areas for tens of thousands to gather and participate in the ceremony, ensuring the day belongs to all New Yorkers.”

The transition team also announced that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York will deliver the opening remarks at the ceremony. In a statement cited by Fox News, the team said, “Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez’s presence underscores the leaders central to the movement to usher in a new era for New York City – one focused on delivering an affordability agenda and reimagining what government can do for working people.”

Ocasio-Cortez campaigned alongside Mamdani during the race. Mamdani, who is set to become the city’s first Muslim mayor, praised her role in his political rise, saying, “For the many New Yorkers who have long felt betrayed by a broken status quo, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez embodies a new kind of politics that puts working people at the heart of it.” He added, “I’ve been so proud to count her as a partner across the many stages of our people-powered movement – from the primary campaign to our Forest Hills rally in October to the very first day of the transition – and I’m honored that she’ll be a part of our historic City Hall inauguration.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, another ally who appeared with Mamdani on the campaign trail, is scheduled to administer the oath of office. Sanders said the swearing-in will take place at the Old City Hall subway station, describing the symbolism of the location. “I’m honored to swear in our Mayor-Elect at the Old City Hall subway station. His inauguration will represent the blending of our city on a subway filled with cacophony, diversity, challenge and opportunity,” Sanders said. “The subway is a lifeblood of our city, and a great equalizer for New Yorkers. All of us are treated the same on the subway; it connects and binds New Yorkers in our daily lives. For all of our strengths and weaknesses as individuals, we ride together on the train, to places far and wide.”

Sanders continued by tying that imagery to Mamdani’s message, saying, “Zohran is our next mayor because he understands how important it is that New Yorkers living side-by-side all deserve a city that we can thrive in, no matter what subway line you use.”

Mamdani’s rise has also drawn controversy. He has faced sustained criticism over his policy positions, particularly his anti-Israel stance. He has declined to disavow the phrase “globalize the intifada” and publicly criticized Israel on October 8, 2023, one day after the Hamas massacre in southern Israel.

In repeated statements, Mamdani has accused Israel of committing war crimes in its campaign against Hamas in Gaza and has said he would seek to arrest Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu if he were to visit New York City.

Ocasio-Cortez, often referred to by her initials AOC, is a member of the progressive Democratic bloc known as “The Squad” and has a long record of opposing Israeli policies. Her past actions include accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinian Arabs and calling for reductions in US military assistance to Israel until humanitarian aid flows freely into Gaza.

Sanders has likewise been outspoken in his criticism of Israel’s government. In September, he asserted that Israel is committing “genocide” in Gaza, the first time he used that term in reference to the conflict.

Those views have translated into legislative efforts. In late July, the Senate voted down a resolution introduced by Sanders that sought to block American arms transfers to Israel. The measure failed 27-70, marking his third unsuccessful attempt since late 2024 to halt US weapons deliveries to Israel.

{Matzav.com}

A pro-Iranian cyber group calling itself Handala announced that it had gained access to the personal mobile phone of Tzachi Braverman, who serves as chief of staff to Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

In statements attributed to the group, Handala said it is holding a large cache of materials taken from the device, including documents, photographs, and video files, beyond a contact list that it says has already circulated online.

The Iranian news outlet Tasnim reported that the hackers claim the data includes sensitive paperwork tied to emergency orders and directives. According to the group, some of those documents bear signatures from Justice Minister Yariv Levin, former Supreme Court President Asher Grunis, and Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs.

Handala further asserted that it obtained private correspondence between Braverman and several government ministers as well as members of the Knesset, portions of which it has already released.

The group also said the files taken from the phone contain images of Braverman at meetings with US Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, along with personal videos recorded at events in London and at other private gatherings.

In its declaration, Handala claimed it holds “thousands of secret documents about corruption in Israel, which will reveal the truth hidden behind the scenes.”

A federal court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to restart the transfer of certain Medicaid data to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement beginning Jan. 6, though the authorization is sharply limited in scope.

U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria of the Northern District of California ruled that federal agencies may legally share narrow categories of Medicaid information with immigration authorities, including basic biographical details, contact information, and location data. USA Today first reported on the decision.

At the same time, Chhabria made clear that the ruling does not open the door to unrestricted access to Medicaid records. He stressed that an existing injunction remains in force and continues to prohibit the disclosure of other types of information, including data related to immigrants who are legally present in the United States.

“Beyond the basic information discussed above, the policies are totally unclear and do not appear to be the product of a coherent decision making process,” Chhabria wrote in his opinion.

The case stems from a lawsuit filed in July by 20 states, led by California, seeking to prevent the Department of Health and Human Services from sharing Medicaid-related information with immigration enforcement agencies. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose office participated in the legal challenge, said the states were disappointed by the ruling that permits limited data sharing to go forward.

Federal officials supporting the policy welcomed the court’s decision. Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the ruling represents a win for the rule of law and for taxpayers.

The decision is being viewed as a partial victory for the administration’s broader push to expand coordination and information sharing among federal agencies involved in immigration enforcement.

Under federal law, illegal aliens are generally ineligible for full Medicaid benefits, though some may receive Emergency Medicaid coverage for life-saving treatment. Separately, a number of states, including California, provide state-funded health benefits to residents regardless of immigration status.

The Medicaid dispute is one of several recent legal battles over federal data sharing tied to immigration enforcement. In September, a federal judge in California temporarily blocked the Department of Agriculture from collecting information on recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Two months later, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., prohibited the Internal Revenue Service from providing tax return data to ICE.

Chhabria has not yet issued a final ruling in the Medicaid case. A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 2 to address unresolved questions surrounding the administration’s data-sharing policies.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump publicly warned this week that Hamas faces dire consequences if it fails to lay down its arms, declaring, “If they don’t disarm, it will be horrible for them — really, really bad.” He framed the demand as part of a wider regional strategy aimed at restoring stability in the Middle East, pointing to prior American actions against Iran and terror groups as steps building momentum toward peace.

Behind the scenes, Israeli and American officials have reportedly agreed on a far more specific timetable. According to a report published today by Yisroel Hayom, Israel and Washington have settled on a two-month deadline for Hamas to completely disarm.

Trump had earlier addressed the issue alongside Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on Monday, telling reporters that Hamas would be given only “a very short period of time to disarm,” though he did not specify an exact timeframe at the time.

The reported understanding was reached later that night during a meeting between Netanyahu and Trump at the president’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, according to the newspaper.

As part of the framework, US and Israeli officials are said to be working jointly to define precise criteria that would constitute full and verifiable disarmament by Hamas. The concern, according to the report, is that the terror group could attempt to turn over a limited cache of weapons while secretly preserving most of its military strength.

Both governments have reportedly agreed that such a scenario would be unacceptable. The plan demands the total dismantling of Hamas’ weapons reserves and military infrastructure, rather than any partial or symbolic compliance.

The proposed arrangement also calls for the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, including the destruction of Hamas’ vast underground tunnel system, which Israel says has been used to carry out attacks, transport arms, and provide protection for terrorists.

Israeli officials reportedly believe Hamas is unlikely to accept the ultimatum. If the group refuses to disarm within the two-month window, the report states that control over the next steps would revert to Israel and the Israel Defense Forces.

{Matzav.com}

During their talks in Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu delivered an updated security briefing to President Donald Trump, warning against any scenario that would permit Turkey to gain a foothold inside the Gaza Strip. According to a source familiar with the discussion, Netanyahu stressed to the president that Israel “will not be able to stand a Turkish presence on the ground in Gaza.”

Those concerns were sharpened by unease in Israel that the American president might be open to Ankara expanding its role in Gaza, particularly in light of Trump’s public comments indicating he has not ruled out approving the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.

At the heart of Netanyahu’s presentation was a detailed intelligence assessment indicating that Hamas remains heavily armed. The prime minister cited findings showing that the terror group is still holding roughly 60,000 Kalashnikov rifles inside Gaza.

Israeli media reported that the intelligence estimate was compiled ahead of the trip by the IDF’s intelligence branch together with the Shin Bet. The data, Netanyahu made clear, was meant to underscore Israel’s position that any future plans hinge on removing those weapons. “Without collecting these weapons, it is impossible to move on to the next stages,” was the central message conveyed to the Americans.

Channel 13 correspondent Moriah Asraf reported that Netanyahu framed the issue in unequivocal terms for the US administration, insisting that without a comprehensive effort to gather and dismantle Hamas’ arms stockpiles, there can be no discussion of civilian reconstruction or rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip.

{Matzav.com}

Federal and state investigators have renewed scrutiny of Minnesota’s child care system after previously unseen surveillance videos resurfaced, depicting conduct that authorities say illustrates how fraudulent day care operations allegedly exploited public funds.

The footage, recorded in 2015 but not made public until 2018, was obtained by Fox 9 and shows parents briefly bringing children into day care facilities, signing them in, and then leaving with the children almost immediately. Investigators said the sign-ins were used so providers could bill the state for full days of care that were never actually provided.

In some instances, the report said, no families appeared at all on certain days, yet the centers still submitted claims to the government for reimbursement.

Additional video obtained by Fox 9 appeared to show kickbacks tied to the alleged scheme. One clip shows a man handing an envelope to a parent, which investigators said was payment for participating in the fraudulent arrangement.

The videos resurfaced following public backlash over a viral exposé by independent journalist Nick Shirley, who documented multiple Minnesota child care centers that had received millions of dollars in state funding despite appearing inactive.

US Education Secretary Linda McMahon reacted sharply to the allegations, calling the situation a “breathtaking failure.”

Minnesota officials began addressing suspected child care fraud as early as 2014. By 2018, authorities were investigating dozens of businesses believed to have improperly collected millions of dollars in public money for services that were never delivered.

The controversy has also placed Gov. Tim Walz under criticism over other alleged abuses involving Medicaid-funded programs, including housing initiatives intended to help seniors and people with disabilities relocate into appropriate housing.

Law enforcement officials have said many of the alleged schemes are connected to Minnesota’s migrant Somali community, a characterization that has fueled both political and community tensions.

At the federal level, FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau has sent investigators and resources to Minnesota as part of a broader effort to combat fraud targeting government assistance programs. He said the child care cases were “just the tip of a very large iceberg” and warned that Somali individuals convicted of fraud could face deportation.

{Matzav.com}

A Minneapolis day care known as the Quality “Learing” Center drew sudden attention Monday when children were seen entering and leaving the building, a scene neighbors say they rarely, if ever, witness. The activity followed the release of a viral video that questioned whether the facility was operating at all and suggested it might be tied to broader fraud involving state-funded programs.

One nearby resident told The NY Post that the presence of children earlier in the week stood out sharply from what they usually observe at the site. The neighbor described the bustle as “highly unusual.”

“We’ve never seen kids go in there until today. That parking lot is empty all the time, and I was under the impression that place is permanently closed,” the resident said.

When reporters monitored the location Monday, they observed a busy parking lot and roughly 20 children moving in and out of the building. That activity contrasted with footage posted online by YouTuber Nick Shirley, which depicted what appeared to be an unused facility with no children present.

In his video, Shirley questioned the lack of activity during his visit. “You do realize there’s supposed to be 99 children here in this building, and there’s no one here?” he asked a person who answered the door. At the time the video was recorded, no children could be seen inside. The center lists its operating hours as Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Ibrahim Ali, who identified himself as the manager and said he is the owner’s son, told The Post that Shirley arrived before the center opened for the day.

“Do you go to a coffee shop at 11 p.m. and say, ‘Hey, they’re not working’?” Ali said.

Ali also addressed the widely mocked misspelling on the center’s exterior sign, placing blame on a graphic designer. “What I understand is [the owners] dealt with a graphic designer. He did it incorrectly. I guess they didn’t think it was a big issue,” said Ali, 26, who said he assists with homework and paperwork at the facility.

“That’s gonna be fixed,” he added.

It was not immediately known how long the misspelled sign has been displayed. Ali said there were about 16 children inside the center Monday afternoon.

Shirley’s video surfaced amid a sweeping scandal involving Minnesota’s taxpayer-funded social services system, including child care programs. Authorities are probing what has been described as an alleged scheme that could total up to $9 billion, with accusations that some businesses falsely claimed to provide services in order to collect government funds.

Despite the heightened scrutiny, Quality Learning has not been publicly identified by federal authorities as one of the businesses suspected in the ongoing investigation.

At 2 p.m. Monday, a woman who opened the center disputed Shirley’s claims and rejected accusations of wrongdoing. “We don’t have fraud. That’s a lie,” she said, before adding, “I don’t want to talk to you. I want to talk to my lawyer.”

Outside the building, another employee began recording a Post reporter on his phone while objecting to the questions being asked. “Don’t … come to this area. Get the …. out of here,” he said angrily.

Elsewhere in Minneapolis, ICE agents visited ABC Learning Center on Monday morning, part of the broader inquiry into the alleged misuse of public funds. The investigation has been reported to focus largely on members of the state’s Somali immigrant community.

“They wanted two months of attendance [records], we gave them two months of attendance,” said Ahmed Hasan, director of ABC Learning Center. He said agents told him they intended to verify whether everything was in order.

Hasan said Shirley’s visit to his facility was also unsettling. “That time ICE was coming for the Somali community. We were scared to open the door,” he said.

“They come with eight people. Five of them had masks. We thought they were ICE.”

Hasan criticized what he described as an unfair focus on Somali-owned day cares, calling it “a targeted situation,” and said the allegations facing his center and others in Minneapolis amounted to “a political game.”

{Matzav.com}

A revised medical framework for defining obesity could dramatically expand the number of American adults considered obese, according to new research that looks beyond body mass index alone and incorporates additional physical measurements and health indicators.

Using national health data collected between 2017 and 2023, researchers analyzed information from more than 14,000 people, representing roughly 237.7 million U.S. adults. When the broader criteria were applied, an estimated 75.2% of adults met the threshold for obesity. Under the traditional BMI-only approach, that figure stood at about 40%.

The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, was conducted by investigators affiliated with Harvard University, Yale New Haven Health, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and was reported by ABC News.

The work was prompted by recommendations from the The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission, a collaboration between the medical journal and King’s Health Partners Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity. That commission proposed redefining obesity to include measurements such as waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio, in addition to BMI.

Although the updated definition has been endorsed by more than 70 medical organizations worldwide, the study’s authors noted that its real-world impact had not previously been assessed.

“BMI is the standard measure for determining criteria for obesity. It’s the most widely known metric,” said Dr. Erica Spatz, a cardiologist at Yale School of Medicine and a co-author of the study.

Spatz explained that BMI on its own fails to capture the role of adipose tissue. While this type of tissue is less visible, it plays a central role in insulating organs, storing energy, and producing hormones that regulate appetite, and “is more associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.”

To reach their conclusions, the researchers relied on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationwide program run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that tracks the health of both children and adults across the country.

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, said the findings underscore the scale of the problem, even though she was not involved in the research.

“We do have a major problem,” Stanford said. “Obesity is by far the most significant chronic disease in human history … we need to be doing a better job of treating it, make sure that we have the clinicians that are trained to identify not only obesity itself, but the over 230 chronic diseases associated with it, and making sure that we have a healthier society.”

{Matzav.com}

Hashkafa in the Workplace will be hosting a special Legal Holiday Vaad on Thursday, January 1, bringing together prominent rabbonim to address pressing hashkafic and practical issues facing frum professionals in today’s workplace.

The event will take place at Beru, located at 2373 U.S.-9 in Toms River, New Jersey, beginning at 9:45 a.m. Coffee, refreshments, and lunch will be served.

The Vaad will feature divrei chizuk and guidance from a distinguished panel of rabbonim, including Rav Dov Kahan, Rov of Bais Medrash of Arlington; Rav Doniel Osher Kleinman, Rov of Khal Nachlas Dovid; and Rav Joey Haber.

A chinuch panel will feature Rabbi Binyomin Basch, Menahel of Yeshiva Shagas Aryeh, and Rabbi Moshe Wilhelm, Menahel of Yeshiva Nesivos Hatorah

Opening remarks will be delivered by Reb Itche Rosenbaum, with the program moderated by MC Reb Bentzi Shechter.

The morning schedule will include individual presentations followed by a Chinuch panel discussion, providing participants with practical tools and Torah-based perspective on navigating workplace challenges, legal holidays, and professional environments while remaining firmly rooted in Torah values.

Hashkafa in the Workplace continues to develop programming aimed at strengthening frum professionals by addressing real-world issues through the lens of Torah and daas Torah. This Legal Holiday Vaad is designed to maximize participation by taking advantage of the day off, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in meaningful learning and discussion.

Additional information about the program is available at hashkafaintheworkplace.com.

{Matzav.com}