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Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reportedly told allies that he believes Vice President JD Vance is the Republican Party’s clear frontrunner for the 2028 presidential race—and that he would stand aside to back him if Vance enters the contest, according to Politico.

“Marco has been very clear that JD is going to be the Republican nominee if he wants to be,” a source close to Rubio told the outlet. “He will do anything he can just to support the vice president in that effort.”

Rubio, who has long been seen as a potential contender himself, has publicly praised Vance in the past. In July, he declared that the Ohio vice president would be “a great nominee.”

Within the White House, Politico reported, the prevailing assumption is that the 2028 Republican ticket could feature “JD as [nominee] and Rubio as VP.”

Vance himself has leaned into that speculation with humor. During an interview last week on “Pod Force One,” he said, “I mentioned it to the secretary in jest, but it feels so premature, because we’re still so early,” referring to the possibility of running alongside Rubio. He also revealed that President Donald Trump “mentioned” the idea months ago.

Polls appear to back Rubio’s assessment. A recent Politico survey found that 35% of Trump’s 2024 voters want Vance to run for president in 2028, while only 2% named Rubio as their preferred choice.

For Rubio, the conversation marks a full-circle moment from his own presidential ambitions nearly a decade ago. The Florida senator’s 2016 campaign emphasized “a next generation of conservative leadership,” branding him as a youthful, optimistic alternative to both establishment figures like Jeb Bush and anti-establishment challengers such as Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

After launching his campaign in April 2015, Rubio gained momentum with strong debate performances and respectable early finishes — third in Iowa and second in South Carolina. But Trump’s commanding dominance in the primaries soon overshadowed his rise.

When Rubio lost his home state of Florida to Trump by almost 20 points in March 2016, he ended his campaign. Trump went on to secure the Republican nomination and ultimately defeated Hillary Clinton in the general election.

Now, nearly a decade later, Rubio appears ready to play a different role — as a loyal ally helping to shape the next phase of Trump-era Republican leadership, with JD Vance at its helm.

{Matzav.com}

As previously reported, police are investigating whether a cellphone found Friday morning off the coast of Herzliya belongs to former Military Advocate General, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, whose case has drawn national attention.

According to details released, the device was discovered powered on and half-charged in the shallow waters of Tzuk Beach. A source close to the investigation told Channel 12, “It’s definitely the former Military Advocate General’s phone.” However, police officials cautioned that “there are significant doubts,” noting the unusual condition of the device.

“The phone was turned on and partially charged despite supposedly being underwater for five days,” an officer explained. “Had it turned on at any point, we would have received a signal and located it ourselves during the search. That’s why we’re skeptical.” The phone has been transferred to the Cyber Unit for forensic analysis.

The device was found by a 50-year-old woman who was wading in the water and spotted something glinting beneath the surface. “I saw something in the shallow water, picked it up, and realized it was an iPhone,” she told Channel 12. “I turned it on, and the screen showed a picture of the former Military Advocate General. I immediately called the police.”

Police and municipal security forces arrived quickly to retrieve the phone, but not before chaos erupted on the scene. Several metal detector hobbyists who had gathered nearby clashed over who would hand the device to the authorities, leading to a brief scuffle that officers had to break up.

Meanwhile, the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court approved Tomer-Yerushalmi’s release to ten days of house arrest and barred her from contacting other individuals involved in the case for 55 days.

An investigative source told N12 that the probe continues to uncover new information: “We’re concerned about the circle of silence around her, but the evidence is aligning, and there has been significant progress.” The source added that eight officers had known about the leak for over a year but failed to report it, “likely because they feared her, as she was their commander.”

{Matzav.com}

President Trump has officially granted clemency to baseball icon Darryl Strawberry, a move that erases the federal stain from the slugger’s 1995 tax fraud conviction. Strawberry, who once dominated Major League Baseball as a star outfielder, previously served 11 months in a Florida prison for unrelated state drug charges.

“President Trump has approved a pardon for Darryl Strawberry, three-time World Series champion and eight-time MLB All-Star,” a White House official said.

The statement noted that “Mr. Strawberry served time and paid back taxes after pleading guilty to one count of tax evasion.”

Now 63, Strawberry was originally sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to repay $350,000 in back taxes as part of his plea deal nearly three decades ago.

The White House underscored that Strawberry’s life took a dramatic turn after his baseball and legal troubles. “Following his career, Mr. Strawberry found faith in Christianity and has been sober for over a decade – he has become active in ministry and started a recovery center which still operates today.”

Although the presidential pardon clears his federal record, it does not extend to his state-level convictions related to drug offenses, which were prosecuted separately in Florida courts.

The decision, celebrated by fans and faith-based supporters alike, recognizes Strawberry’s transformation from a troubled sports legend into a symbol of redemption and recovery.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of criticism on Friday following Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that she would step down at the end of her current term, accusing her of corruption and celebrating her exit from Congress.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Nancy Pelosi, the old and broken political hack who impeached me twice and lost, is finally calling it ‘quits.’ She illegally made a fortune in the Stock Market, ripped off the American Public, and was a disaster for America. I’m glad to see the stench of Nancy Pelosi go!!!”

Trump, who has long accused Pelosi of unethical financial behavior, again suggested that her investment gains were not coincidental. “Crooked Nancy Pelosi, and her very ‘interesting’ husband, beat every Hedge Fund in 2024. In other words, these two very average ‘minds’ beat ALL of the Super Geniuses on Wall Street, thousands of them,” he wrote in a post from August. “It’s all INSIDE iNFORMATION! Is anybody looking into this??? She is a disgusting degenerate, who Impeached me twice, on NO GROUNDS, and LOST! How are you feeling now, Nancy???”

The New York Post, citing Bloomberg data, previously reported that Paul Pelosi’s trading activity earned a 54% return in 2024—far outpacing the S&P 500’s 25% gain. Trump has pointed to this performance as evidence of what he calls “inside information.”

Pelosi, 85, revealed Thursday that she will not run again when her current term ends in 2026, ending more than forty years in Congress. Her departure marks the close of one of the most consequential and controversial political careers in modern history.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump didn’t hold back. “I think she’s an evil woman. I’m glad she’s retiring. I think she did the country a great service by retiring,” he said. “I think she was a tremendous liability for the country.”

Their bitter rivalry has defined years of Washington politics, from her leadership of the two impeachment efforts against him to her dramatic gesture of tearing up his 2020 State of the Union address on live television.

Pelosi’s decision comes amid growing calls within the Democratic Party for generational change. Younger figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are increasingly seen as the party’s future.

As the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, Pelosi led her caucus through two nonconsecutive tenures—from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. She was instrumental in passing President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act and became a symbol of her party’s progressive agenda, something critics like Trump blame for economic and border crises.

Trump, however, framed her retirement as a relief for the country and another personal victory. “She was rapidly losing control of her party,” he said Thursday. “I’m very honored she impeached me twice and failed miserably twice. Nancy Pelosi is a highly overrated politician.”

The U.S. Army is preparing for a historic leap in unmanned aerial power, setting its sights on acquiring at least one million drones within the next two to three years. The plan represents a dramatic expansion from its current pace—roughly 50,000 drones annually—and is aimed at ensuring American forces are never outmatched in future conflicts.

Army Secretary David Driscoll explained that the overarching goal isn’t just to stockpile drones, but to establish a self-sustaining U.S. manufacturing base capable of meeting wartime demands. “His priority is getting the United States into a position where it can produce enough drones for any future war, stimulating domestic production of everything from brushless motors and sensors to batteries and circuit boards,” officials said.

That mission faces a formidable obstacle: much of the global drone component supply chain currently runs through China. From camera sensors to critical flight-control chips, Chinese factories dominate the industry—a vulnerability the Pentagon now views as a national security risk.

The move to supercharge domestic drone production follows lessons learned from the ongoing war in Ukraine, where small, low-cost drones have proven to be devastatingly effective on the battlefield. These cheap devices, capable of reconnaissance and precision strikes, have reshaped modern warfare.

Driscoll noted that Ukraine and Russia are each producing around 4 million drones annually. “China is probably able to produce more than double that number,” he warned—underscoring the urgent need for the U.S. to close the gap before the next major conflict tests its readiness.

{Matzav.com}

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror organization announced today that it will transfer the body of an Israeli hostage to Israel later tonight.

In a brief statement released this evening, the group said it intends to hand over the remains through mediators but did not identify the hostage by name.

According to Israeli authorities, the bodies of six slain hostages are still being held in Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

A major terror plot orchestrated by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to assassinate Israel’s ambassador to Mexico, Einat Kranz Neiger, has been successfully disrupted, Israel’s Foreign Ministry revealed on Friday.

The ministry announced that the scheme was exposed and dismantled through the swift intervention of Mexican security services. “We thank the security and law enforcement services in Mexico for dismantling a terrorist infrastructure directed by Iran that sought to harm Israel’s ambassador in Mexico,” the Foreign Ministry said in its statement.

Officials noted that the attempted attack was part of a broader campaign by Iran and its proxies to target Israeli and Jewish representatives around the world. “The Israeli security and intelligence community will continue to operate tirelessly and in full cooperation with security and intelligence agencies around the world to thwart terrorist threats from Iran and its proxies against Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide,” the statement continued.

According to intelligence assessments, the cell behind the assassination plot operated out of Iran’s embassy in Venezuela, using diplomatic cover to coordinate its efforts. U.S. sources told Reuters that the attempted strike had been planned for execution in the first half of 2025.

“The plot was contained and does not pose a current threat,” a U.S. official told Reuters, describing the failed operation as part of a troubling pattern. “This is just the latest in a long history of Iran’s global lethal targeting of diplomats, journalists, dissidents, and anyone who disagrees with them, something that should deeply worry every country where there is an Iranian presence.”

The official did not disclose the specific details of how the conspiracy was thwarted but emphasized that the rapid response by international security agencies prevented what could have been a deadly act of Iranian-sponsored terror on foreign soil.

{Matzav.com}

A new survey has revealed that a large segment of Israelis are reconsidering travel to New York City following the election of Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani as mayor. Conducted by Direct Polls for i24NEWS, the poll found that 46% of Israelis said they would steer clear of the city under Mamdani’s leadership. Meanwhile, 34% said they would continue visiting as usual, while 20% were undecided about whether the election would influence their travel choices.

Jewish residents in New York are expressing unease about Mamdani’s record and positions, citing his consistent hostility toward Israel and his endorsement of movements widely regarded as antisemitic. “The city with the United States’ largest Jewish population will now be led by a man whose record and rhetoric reflect hostility toward Israel and the Jewish people,” said Betsy Berns Korn, Chair, and William C. Daroff, CEO, of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, in a statement Wednesday.

The organization described Mamdani’s election as a deeply troubling turning point. “Zohran Mamdani’s elevation to Gracie Mansion reminds us that antisemitism remains a clear and present danger, even in the places where American Jews have long felt most secure. There can be no compromise with an ideology that demonizes or ostracizes Jews and Israelis.”

They further pledged to respond to this “ominous moment” with unity and determination: “We remain unwavering in our commitment to the safety and dignity of the Jewish community. Our response to this ominous moment will be to strengthen activism, advocacy, and coordination across New York’s Jewish communities, ensuring that every institution and family feels supported and protected.”

In the same statement, the Jewish leaders vowed to demand “moral clarity and decisive action from every level of government, mobilizing Jewish leadership and civic partners to ensure that New York remains a place of safety, strength, and solidarity for our people.”

The shockwaves of Mamdani’s election were felt across the city’s institutions. Just a day after his victory, New York City Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker — who is Jewish — announced his resignation. Sources close to Tucker indicated that his decision was tied to concerns about Mamdani’s stance on Israel, with one insider noting that Tucker’s steadfast support for the Jewish state “does not align with the new mayor.”

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) announced that it is launching an extensive monitoring effort of Mamdani’s administration. The organization said it is deeply alarmed by his history of inflammatory statements and ties to groups that propagate antisemitic narratives and anti-Israel sentiment.

Mamdani has long courted controversy over his statements regarding Israel. On October 8, 2023 — one day after Hamas’s brutal massacre in southern Israel — he publicly criticized the Jewish state. He has also refused to condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada,” a phrase widely understood as an incitement to violence against Jews worldwide.

In addition, Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of committing war crimes during its war against Hamas in Gaza. He has gone so far as to declare that he would order the arrest of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu should he set foot in New York City.

{Matzav.com}

A confidential memo from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) detailing its expectations for New York City’s incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has triggered widespread outrage after surfacing online for its singular focus on anti-Israel measures.

The internal paper, originating from the DSA’s Anti-War Working Group, was inadvertently shared with Just the News reporter Jerry Dunleavy. It outlines a sweeping list of policy directives the group hopes Mamdani will implement once in office, almost all centered around punishing Israel economically and politically.

Mamdani, who secured victory in Tuesday’s election by defeating Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, is a prominent DSA member. He is also one of nine socialists currently holding elected office in New York under the organization’s banner.

The leaked list calls on Mamdani to “divest City pension funds from Israeli bonds and securities,” “withdraw City funds from banks that lend money to Israel or do business in Israel,” and “end City contracts with companies that do business with Israel.” The document further demands the city “operate City-run grocery stores free from Israeli products,” “evict weapons manufacturers and transporters from the NYC Metro Area,” and “remove non-profit status from charities that raise funds for IDF [Israel Defense Forces].”

Among its more extreme points, the DSA urges the city to “arrest [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and active IDF soldiers for war crimes,” “dismantle Eric Adams’ NYC-Israel economic council,” “end NYPD training with IOF,” and “investigate real estate agents hosting illegal sales of stolen lands in the West Bank.” The term “IOF,” used throughout the document, is a derogatory term referring to the Israeli Defense Forces as the “Israeli Occupation Forces.”

The online reaction to the revelations was swift and blistering. “The DSA finally has a sympathetic mayor in NYC, and almost every single one of their policy demands is tied explicitly to Israel,” wrote Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle News, on X. “This is weird, scary, and insanely stupid stuff.”

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who chairs the Middle East and North Africa subcommittee in Congress, blasted the platform as “complete and utter insanity.” He warned that he “will be watching closely and will conduct hearings if @ZohranKMamdani and New York City engage in policy detrimental to US Foreign Policy.”

Joel Petlin, superintendent of the Kiryas Joel school district and a columnist, suggested that the “DSA anti-Israel to-do-list will likely be implemented by Mayor Mamdani.” He added pointedly, “To be clear, singling out only one country in the entire world for economic ruin, and that country is inhabited by a majority of Jews, is the textbook definition of Antisemitism.”

An X user known as Insurrection Barbie cautioned that the DSA’s ambitions extend far beyond New York City. “As someone who spends a lot of time, researching the DSA… they have big plans for this country and they have the money to implement them,” she said. “Anybody who ignores the rise of this sub sect of the Democratic Party does so at their own peril.”

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Elise Stefanik kicked off her 2026 bid for New York governor on Friday with a fiery promise to “clean up Kathy Hochul’s catastrophe” and restore safety and affordability to the Empire State.

“Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America,” Stefanik declared in a post on X. “Under her failed leadership, New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation with the highest taxes, highest energy, utilities, rent, and grocery bills. When New Yorkers were looking for leadership from our governor, she bent the knee to the raging defund the police, tax hiking communist causing catastrophe for New York families.”

Stefanik’s campaign launch video, titled “From the Ashes” and first obtained by The Post, opened with grim images of New York under Hochul’s watch—skyrocketing costs, rampant crime, and an exodus of middle-class residents. “Kathy Hochul’s failed policies are to blame,” the narrator says, adding that the governor’s agenda has made New York “the most unaffordable state in the nation, crushing families with sky-high taxes, unaffordable rent, soaring energy costs and record-high grocery bills.”

In the two-and-a-half-minute video, Stefanik accuses Hochul of aligning herself with far-left figures like New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, calling him a “defund-the-police, tax-hiking, antisemitic Communist.” The narrator vows that “New York will rise, like we always do,” with Stefanik leading the way.

“The spirit of the Empire State cannot be broken. All we need is a courageous leader ready for the fight,” the ad proclaims. “Elise Stefanik will make New York affordable and safe.”

The video portrays Stefanik as a “working mom, congresswoman and fighter,” describing her as someone who “knows families need more help.” It highlights her record of supporting law enforcement, battling “woke insanity in our schools,” advocating for small businesses, and fighting antisemitism on college campuses. “She fought woke insanity in our schools, stood proudly with law enforcement, championed small businesses and will never back down from fighting for New York families,” the narrator says.

Among her legislative achievements, the ad points to her role in raising the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap to $40,000 and her high-profile grilling of university presidents on Capitol Hill over antisemitic incidents. “She’ll make New York affordable,” the narrator promises. “Elise will reduce your energy utility and grocery bills.”

“We have crisscrossed the state. The overwhelming outpouring of support from Republicans, independents and Democrats is that we need a new governor to save our state,” Stefanik told The Post on Thursday.

In her statement announcing the run, she added, “I am running for Governor to make New York affordable and safe for all.”

The campaign video closes with a rallying message: “With everything on the line, we need someone who will deliver results and make New York affordable and safe for families and small businesses, to not just survive, but thrive.” It concludes with the slogan, “Elise Stefanik for governor. It’s time to save New York.”

Behind the scenes, Stefanik has been quietly assembling what insiders call an “all-star” team of New York political strategists as polls show her running neck and neck with Hochul in early matchups. The upstate congresswoman, a close ally of President Trump, hopes to become the first Republican to lead New York in two decades.

New York GOP Chair Ed Cox hailed her entrance into the race, describing Stefanik as “a unifier and party builder with the brains, the guts and the resources to win.” He praised her as “the warrior we need to lead the fight against Democrats’ corrupt Albany machine,” adding, “She has fought for our principles every day of her career and never backs down.”

“Thanks to Kathy Hochul and Democrats, New York leads the nation in outmigration as the most taxed, least free, least affordable state in America,” Cox said. “There will not be a Republican primary and a year from now, Elise will lead our team to victory over Kathy Hochul, end one-party Democrat rule, and make New York affordable again.”

Police investigators are still working to determine whether the cellphone discovered early Friday on Hatzuk Beach actually belongs to ex-Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who was released to house arrest.

Although a senior police source initially claimed that “all signs indicate” the device is hers, doubts have since emerged as investigators weigh several inconsistencies. One puzzling issue is how the phone’s battery, found in airplane mode, managed to remain charged for nearly a week. Another mystery is how the device stayed intact after being submerged in the salty waters of the Mediterranean.

Complicating matters further, older photos of Tomer-Yerushalmi show her holding a phone that appears to be of a different make and model than the one recovered from the beach.

Tomer-Yerushalmi, who has admitted to leaking the Sde Teiman video to the press, is facing serious accusations including fraud, breach of trust, obstruction of justice, and misuse of her public office.

Earlier Friday, she posted a financial bond of 20,000 shekels as part of her release conditions. Notably, the police did not request that her passport be confiscated, nor did they impose any travel restrictions.

In what insiders describe as one of the stormiest weeks the Degel HaTorah party has seen in years, deep tensions have erupted following the decisive ruling of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshivas Slabodka, on the contentious draft law.

According to sources, Rav Hirsch informed the party’s Knesset members that it was permissible to move forward with the legislation — a ruling that did not sit well with certain figures who sought to undermine his authority.

Instead of welcoming the clarity his decision provided, these individuals reportedly summoned Degel HaTorah MKs for what was described as a “reprimand meeting,” insisting that they also visit Rav Dov Landau. Their alleged motivation: “to ensure that tomorrow Yated Ne’eman can publish a picture and set its own narrative.”

Rav Hirsch’s Careful Deliberation

Since the passing of Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l, who had long guided the chareidi approach to the draft issue, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch has been the leading authority on the matter. Known for his deep understanding of the legal and political complexities surrounding the law, he has been entrusted by the senior Torah leadership to decide how the Litvishe world should proceed.

On Tuesday night, the Degel HaTorah MKs — Moshe Gafni, Uri Maklev, and Yaakov Asher — met with Rav Hirsch to review the latest draft of the law. The meeting lasted nearly two hours, during which the Rosh Yeshiva examined each clause, consulting with legal experts and policy advisers by phone to ensure a full understanding of the implications.

Rav Hirsch did not issue an immediate ruling. He deliberated throughout the night and morning before notifying the MKs on Wednesday afternoon that, in his view, they could proceed with advancing the legislation.

Internal Power Struggles and Media Manipulation

However, the announcement triggered an internal uproar. According to multiple sources, a small group within the Litvishe establishment — connected to the Israeli Yated Ne’eman newspaper — was displeased that Rav Hirsch had been portrayed as the final arbiter.

“The person behind the backlash,” a senior insider said, “is apparently a grandson of one of the late Torah leaders who wields influence over Yated Ne’eman. He decided that only he would determine who the ‘gadol’ is. Because the public statement after the meeting mentioned Rav Dov Landau together with other members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah — rather than portraying him as the sole authority — he took revenge by ordering the Yated to completely ignore the meeting.”

The same source added that this individual later “summoned the three MKs to a rebuke session in an apartment in Bnei Brak and demanded they go to Rav Dov Landau that evening — all so he could have a photo for Yated Ne’eman the next morning, creating the false impression that Rav Landau was the one who issued the ruling.”

The Coming Court of Public Opinion

Despite what was described as “shameful political maneuvering,” the MKs agreed to visit Rav Landau, and may later also meet Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, the senior member of the Moetzes. “The MKs now understand better than ever that they cannot let a handful of power brokers dictate the narrative,” said one source, adding that the lawmakers intend to consult both rabbonim directly rather than through intermediaries.

Anger Among Rav Hirsch’s Followers

The decision by the Israeli Yated Ne’eman to censor mention of the pivotal meeting with Rav Hirsch sparked outrage among his thousands of talmidim and supporters. In a sharply worded protest letter circulated in yeshiva circles, they condemned the “blatant erasure” of the Rosh Yeshiva’s role at a time when Klal Yisroel faces a fateful moment for the future of Torah learning.

“The entire Torah world was speaking about the consultation between Degel HaTorah’s MKs and our master, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlit”a, to receive his direction alongside his close friend Rav Dov Landau shlit”a and the members of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah,” the letter stated. “For Yated Ne’eman to intentionally censor this historic consultation is not only a breach of public trust but a grievous affront to the honor of Torah leadership at a time that calls for unity.”

What Comes Next

Since Rav Gershon Edelstein’s passing, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel HaTorah has not convened. Rav Hirsch reportedly intends to call a formal session soon so that the Torah leadership can issue a joint position on the draft law.

Meanwhile, insiders say this episode has exposed long-simmering tensions between certain parties.

May shalom prevail.

{Matzav.com}

Congressman Buddy Carter of Georgia is preparing to unveil new legislation aimed at choking off federal funding to New York City during the tenure of incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist. The measure, dubbed the “MAMDANI Act,” short for the “Moving American Money Distant from Anti-National Interests Act,” is set to be introduced on Friday, according to Breitbart.

The brief two-page bill bluntly declares that all federal funds for New York City “are hereby rescinded,” and further mandates that “no federal funds may be obligated or expended for any purpose to New York, New York,” the report said.

“If New Yorkers want communism, we should let them have their wish and not artificially prop them up with our successful capitalist system,” Rep. Carter stated. “Any New Yorker with common sense is welcome to move to the great, FREE state of Georgia.”

Though symbolic, the bill underscores growing outrage among conservatives toward Mamdani’s far-left platform, which includes strict rent control policies, using private vacant property to house the homeless, and heavy redistribution of wealth. The proposal is not expected to clear the House.

Mamdani, who has said, “I have many critiques of capitalism” and “I don’t think we should have billionaires,” easily defeated Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday’s mayoral race, securing a sweeping victory in one of the nation’s most progressive cities.

President Donald Trump, who spent decades living and working in New York, blasted the city’s political direction following Mamdani’s win. “It is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home, because of the fact that, as a Communist, this once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival! It can only get worse with a Communist at the helm, and I don’t want to send, as President, good money after bad,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

{Matzav.com}

Four Israelis who endured months—and even years—of Hamas captivity are uniting their voices in a moving message to Jews everywhere: keep this Shabbos together.

Ohad Ben Ami, Raz Ben Ami, Almog Meir Jan, and Elkana Bohbot shared their emotional plea ahead of this weekend’s global Shabbos Project, an international effort encouraging Jews to observe one full Shabbos as a show of unity and faith.

Each of them described how, even in the depths of Gaza captivity, Shabbos became their lifeline. Ohad Ben Ami, who was imprisoned for 491 days, told how the hostages clung to the holiness of the day—singing zemiros, making Kiddush over water, and using pita instead of challah to mark the seudah.

His wife, Raz Ben Ami—who was also taken captive for 54 days—spoke with urgency and love, calling on Jews everywhere to “turn off their screens this Shabbos and embrace the sanctity of the day.”

Almog Meir Jan, who was held for 246 days, and Elkana Bohbot, freed only weeks ago after an agonizing 738 days, recalled that even under the most brutal conditions, they prayed, sang, and ended Shabbos with Havdalah by the light of a flashlight.

The Shabbos Project—founded to bring Jews together in shared observance—has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, inviting participants to unplug, disconnect from technology, and reconnect with their families, communities, and faith.

This year’s theme, “One Shabbat, One People,” carries special weight after a year of national heartbreak and endurance. Organizers expect more than one million Jews across the globe to take part, united by the strength that once sustained those who celebrated Shabbos even in captivity.

{Matzav.com}

The popular Motzoei Shabbos Navi Shiur with Rabbi Doniel Neustadt, mara d’asra of Pine River Village Shul, is back by popular demand, launching this Motzoei Shabbos Parshas Vayeira, November 8.

The weekly shiur, which delves deeply into Sefer Shmuel, will take place at the Pine River Village Shul, located at 38 Goldcrest Drive, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Open to the entire Lakewood community, participants are invited to join for one hour anytime after Maariv until 11:45 p.m.

This shiur is a project of the Seder Shalom Rav Adult Learning Program, established l’illui nishmas Rav Shalom ben Rav Shlomo Hillel Yisrael and Rav Yosef Galdsteyn ben Rav Shlomo Binyamin Goldsteyn.

Those unable to attend in person can view the shiur live on TorahAnytime or at www.sedershalomrav.com.

In addition to the powerful Torah learning experience, attendees will receive a raffle ticket each week for a chance to win a trip for two to Eretz Yisroel.

This exciting return marks another milestone in Pine River Village’s growing Torah programming and offers a meaningful way for community members to elevate their Motzoei Shabbos through inspiring limud haTorah.

{Matzav.com}

The political earthquake in New York City is sparking a surge of migration southward, with Miami’s luxury housing market flooded by buyers from the Big Apple who say they’ve had enough. “We’ve closed more than $100 million in signed contracts from New York buyers in just the past few months – about twice last year’s volume,” said Isaac Toledano, CEO of BH Group in Miami. He told Fox Business that politics is playing a major role in the stampede.

“I think the election accelerated how people make decisions. I think people are nervous [for] what’s coming, how it’s going to affect their lifestyle, the quality of life, taxes, potential of crime [or] no crime,” Toledano explained. The uncertainty surrounding the city’s future, he added, is prompting residents to make quick moves to protect their assets and quality of life.

“This unknown in what’s coming, and the fact that Mamdani said loud and clear what he’s going to do and what he believes is the right thing for New York, make[s] a lot of people very nervous,” Toledano said, describing the flood of buyers his firm has seen as “higher than expected.” He noted that many of these clients are “becoming very aggressive” about relocating to South Florida.

The wave of departures follows the election of Democrat Socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s new mayor, who defeated both Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa on Tuesday. During his campaign, Mamdani opposed NYPD cooperation with federal immigration enforcement outside of narrow legal limits, vowed to defend sanctuary city policies, and promised to resist Trump administration conditions tied to federal funding. He also pushed for city-run grocery stores and argued that mental health professionals — not police — should respond to certain crises.

Mamdani, who was relatively unknown just months ago, ended up drawing support from over a million New Yorkers, according to Breitbart News. His progressive platform and outspoken criticism of capitalism have left many business leaders and homeowners on edge about the city’s economic future.

Speaking in Miami on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said the election results show the country is at a defining moment. “Between communism and common sense,” he said, warning that Mamdani’s leadership could accelerate a broader national divide.

Toledano’s comments come as the broader migration trend continues. Breitbart News previously reported that large numbers of NYPD officers relocated to Florida in 2021, and U.S. Census Bureau data later confirmed that Americans were leaving blue states for red ones in growing numbers.

“The sales surge his real estate firm has seen is not surprising, but the figure is ‘higher than expected,’” Fox Business reported, underscoring how New York’s shifting politics — and fears of what’s next — are driving one of the biggest real estate booms South Florida has ever seen.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the multinational force intended to stabilize Gaza will arrive “very soon,” signaling that preparations for its deployment are nearly complete. “Very soon. It’s going to be very soon. Gaza is working out very well,” Trump said when asked about the timeline.

He emphasized that multiple nations have already committed to join the operation. “We’ve had countries that have volunteered. If there’s a problem with Hamas, as an example, or a problem with anything, they volunteer to, on a single basis, go in and take care of it,” he explained.

Calling the initiative a historic step toward regional calm, Trump declared, “This is a very strong peace. This is peace in the Middle East.” But he also warned Hamas that any defiance of the ceasefire terms would bring dire consequences. “Hamas is a very small part of it. And if they don’t do as they said, if they don’t behave, then they’ve got themselves a big problem, a really big problem like they’ve never had,” he cautioned.

The president’s remarks come as Washington advances a United Nations resolution to formalize the new peacekeeping framework. The U.S. distributed a draft proposal earlier this week to key members of the UN Security Council, seeking approval for an international force to remain in Gaza for at least two years.

According to an Axios report, the draft envisions the coalition managing Gaza’s governance and maintaining order through late 2027, with options for renewal depending on conditions on the ground.

{Matzav.com}

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