Matzav

A heated confrontation broke out during Monday’s United Torah Judaism (UTJ) faction meeting between MK Moshe Gafni, head of Degel HaTorah, and UTJ chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf. The clash erupted over recently circulated footage showing Goldknopf aboard a Danube River cruise, which sparked widespread backlash within the chareidi community and across social media.

According to reports, Gafni sharply rebuked Goldknopf for what he described as behavior damaging to the party’s image. “The chairman of United Torah Judaism cannot be seen enjoying himself on a boat with non-Jewish musicians,” Gafni reportedly said. “The public then assumes that it reflects on me and the rest of the members of the faction. This isn’t a private matter — it tarnishes the entire party.”

The video of Goldknopf sailing along the Danube in Hungary, accompanied by local musicians, triggered a wave of criticism. Many questioned how a representative of the chareidi public could take part in such an event, accusing him of “a lack of public sensitivity” and causing reputational harm to the movement.

During the meeting, Gafni urged his colleagues to exercise greater awareness of their public roles and the scrutiny they face as representatives of a religious constituency. “You represent a large public,” he told Goldknopf. “You can’t do things that later become a burden for all of us.”

In addition to the internal clash, the faction also addressed recent protests outside the homes of MK Yaakov Asher and MK Michael Malchieli.

In an official statement, United Torah Judaism said: “The UTJ faction strongly condemns and denounces the violent incidents of recent days against chareidi Members of Knesset who serve as emissaries of our gedolei Yisroel. These are not legitimate protests but acts of violence — something that has no place anywhere or in any form.”

The statement warned that such attacks “serve only the enemies of Torah,” giving them “more ammunition to portray Torah learners as violent.” The party concluded by reaffirming its mission: “Our representatives will continue to act with full strength on behalf of Torah learning and those who study it throughout Eretz Yisroel, in full accordance with the guidance and direction of our gedolei Yisroel.”

{Matzav.com}

The Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel convened an emergency meeting on Monday to protest what it described as unacceptable interference by Israel’s Supreme Court in halachic decisions.

The session, led by the two Chief Rabbis of Israel — Rishon LeTzion and President of the Great Rabbinical Court Rav Dovid Yosef, and Chief Rabbi and President of the Chief Rabbinate Council Rav Kalman Meir Bar — was called following the recent High Court ruling that women must be allowed to sit for rabbinical exams on equal terms with men.

During the meeting, members of the Chief Rabbinate Council voiced sharp opposition to what they termed judicial encroachment into halachic and religious matters that, according to Israeli law, fall under the exclusive authority of the Chief Rabbinate. “The participants expressed strong protest over the Supreme Court’s intervention in issues that, in the view of the Chief Rabbinate Council, are halachic in nature and fall under its jurisdiction by law,” the Council stated.

The Chief Rabbis lamented the High Court’s involvement in matters that have clear halachic implications, emphasizing that questions of halacha, ordination, and spiritual leadership for the Jewish people must remain within the purview of the Chief Rabbinate, which operates under the legal framework of the Chief Rabbinate Law.

In its declaration, the Council reaffirmed its mission “to safeguard the Jewish character of the State of Israel and to preserve the heritage and traditions practiced faithfully throughout the generations.”

Addressing the specific issue of rabbinical exams for women, the Council explained: “The examinations are intended solely to assess knowledge as part of the process of granting rabbinical ordination. However, it is clear that Torah knowledge alone does not confer eligibility for certification. Additional conditions are required, including years of study, personal interviews, and a lifestyle consistent with the responsibilities of the position.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump stunned Washington on Sunday night by urging House Republicans to vote in favor of releasing files tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case — a marked shift from his earlier opposition.

“We have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party,” Trump wrote on social media after returning to Washington from Florida.

The change in tone came as bipartisan pressure built around a bill compelling the Justice Department to make Epstein-related documents public. With momentum clearly against GOP leadership, Trump’s pivot signaled an acknowledgment that supporters of the measure had secured enough votes for passage in the House, though its prospects in the Senate remain uncertain.

For months, a coalition of Democrats and Republicans had accused party leaders of blocking transparency. “There could be 100 or more” GOP lawmakers ready to back the measure, said Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who co-sponsored the bill. “I’m hoping to get a veto-proof majority on this legislation when it comes up for a vote.”

Massie joined Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., in filing a discharge petition back in July — a rare procedural maneuver that allows lawmakers to force a floor vote despite leadership resistance. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had criticized the effort, even adjourning Congress early in August amid pressure from rank-and-file members to move forward on the Epstein issue. Democrats accused Johnson of stalling the seating of Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., to prevent her from becoming the 218th signer needed to force the vote. She added her signature immediately after being sworn in last week.

As the measure headed toward the floor, Massie predicted that party leaders — including Trump and Johnson — were about to “take a big loss this week.” “I’m not tired of winning yet, but we are winning,” he said.

Johnson, sensing the inevitable, said the chamber was ready to act. “We’ll just get this done and move it on. There’s nothing to hide,” he remarked, noting that the Oversight and Government Reform Committee had already been publishing “far more information than the discharge petition, their little gambit.”

The bill calls for the release of all Justice Department documents and communications tied to Epstein, as well as materials about the investigation into his 2019 death while in federal custody. Information about ongoing investigations or victims would be redacted to protect privacy.

The debate has intensified amid new disclosures, including a 2019 email in which Epstein told a journalist about Trump. The White House blasted Democrats for “selectively leaking” documents to smear the president. Johnson defended Trump, saying, “He has nothing to hide from this. They’re doing this to go after President Trump on this theory that he has something to do with it. He does not.”

Trump’s name appeared among those mentioned in files previously released by the Justice Department earlier this year. The president has never been accused of any wrongdoing, and officials have stressed that inclusion in those records does not imply criminal conduct.

Epstein’s social network extended across political and celebrity circles, and Trump was among many public figures acquainted with him. Epstein’s 2019 suicide in jail while awaiting trial on trafficking charges only deepened suspicions and public demand for accountability.

While Massie was bullish about GOP support, Khanna tempered expectations. “I don’t even know how involved Trump was,” he said. “There are a lot of other people involved who have to be held accountable.” He also urged Trump to meet victims of Epstein’s abuse, noting that several planned to appear at a Capitol Hill press conference on Tuesday.

Massie warned that Republican lawmakers voting against transparency might regret it later. “The record of this vote will last longer than Donald Trump’s presidency,” he said, emphasizing that opposing the bill could haunt those aligned with the president.

Among the Republicans siding with Massie were Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, and Lauren Boebert of Colorado. Trump recently cut ties with Greene, announcing he would back a challenger against her in 2026 “if the right person runs.”

Greene attributed their rift to the Epstein files controversy. “Unfortunately, it has all come down to the Epstein files,” she said, arguing that “the country deserves transparency on the issue.” Confused by Trump’s stance, she added, “I have no idea what’s in the files. I can’t even guess. But that is the question everyone is asking, is, why fight this so hard?”

Even if the measure clears the House, its fate in the upper chamber remains uncertain. Massie expressed hope that Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., “will do the right thing.” “The pressure is going to be there if we get a big vote in the House,” he said, predicting “we could have a deluge of Republicans.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli security forces launched a manhunt Monday evening after dozens of Israelis stormed the Palestinian village of Jaba in the West Bank, setting homes and vehicles ablaze, according to the IDF. The military said the attack came just hours after the evacuation and demolition of an unauthorized outpost near Efrat.

Following the violence, the IDF said, “after the evacuation of the illegal structures… IDF, Border Police, and Israel Police forces rushed to the village of Jaba following a report that dozens of Israeli civilians had set fire to and vandalized homes and vehicles in the area.” Security forces are still “searching for those involved,” the statement added, noting that “the incident is still ongoing.”

In its statement, the army stressed that it “views all violence of any kind gravely and condemns it, as it harms security in the area,” emphasizing that such “acts of violence divert the attention of commanders and soldiers from defense and counterterrorism missions.”

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz voiced strong backing for Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, head of the IDF Central Command, amid the surge of settler violence. “We will not tolerate attempts by a small, violent, criminal group of anarchistic law-breakers to take the law into their own hands and tarnish the settler public, and we will not allow them to harm IDF soldiers, undermine order, or divert forces from their missions of protecting the citizens of Israel and thwarting Palestinian terrorism,” Katz declared.

“There will be no leniency toward anyone who resorts to violence. The security forces will continue operating on the ground, and we will continue to give them full support,” Katz continued, announcing that within weeks the government will consider a proposal to empower Col. (res.) Avichai Tanami—appointed earlier this year to address extremist settlers—with “tools and a budget” for “extensive and systemic action.” “I am confident this will lead to a significant change on the ground,” he added.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu also denounced the attack, describing the settlers’ actions “with utmost severity” and pledging to deal with the situation immediately. “I view the violent riots and the attempt to take the law into one’s own hands by a small extremist group – which does not represent the settlers in Judea and Samaria — with utmost severity,” Netanyahu said in a statement from his office.

The prime minister urged law enforcement “to apply the full weight of the law to the rioters,” promising to “address this personally and convene the relevant ministers as soon as possible in order to respond to this serious phenomenon.” He concluded, “I express my support for the IDF and the security forces, who will continue to act firmly and without fear to maintain order.”

{Matzav.com}

A new survey conducted by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs shows that an overwhelming share of Israelis reject the creation of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders. The poll, released Monday just ahead of a UN Security Council vote on a U.S.-backed plan that could pave the way for recognition of such a state, highlights the deep public opposition that has intensified since October 7.

The nationwide poll, carried out November 16–17 by Dr. Menachem Lazar of the Lazar Research Institute and based on responses from 698 Jewish and Arab Israelis, found that 70% of Israelis oppose a Palestinian state along those lines—the highest level of resistance recorded since the current war began. Among Jewish respondents, that figure jumps to 79%. Just 8% support the plan outright, while another 13% say they would only back it if the state recognized Israel as the Jewish homeland and remained entirely demilitarized. Nine percent expressed no opinion.

The results also indicate that normalization with Saudi Arabia would not sway most Israelis on the issue. Sixty-two percent oppose creating a Palestinian state even if it meant a peace agreement with Riyadh. Among Jewish Israelis, opposition soars to 73%, whereas a majority—56%—of Arab Israelis favor the idea, with roughly one-third supporting it unconditionally.

When respondents were asked about the possibility of Saudi Arabia obtaining F-35 fighter jets from the United States in exchange for dropping its demand for a Palestinian state, opinion was divided. Forty-three percent opposed the move, while 40% said they would support it, though most of those emphasized that American guarantees to preserve Israel’s military superiority would be a prerequisite. Only 6% said they would favor the deal without any conditions. Of those opposed, nearly one in four said they simply did not trust Saudi Arabia’s long-term intentions.

The survey further addressed attitudes toward a potential Israeli statement of future support for a Palestinian state as part of the U.S. initiative at the UN. Nearly half—49%—reject any such declaration outright, even if internal Palestinian reforms were implemented. Among Jewish Israelis, opposition rises to 57%. Twenty percent said they would only consider it if the proposed state were demilitarized and explicitly recognized Israel as the Jewish state.

On the question of post-war governance in Gaza, Israelis remain divided but cautious. Sixty-two percent favor deploying an international stabilization force, with most preferring that it be composed solely of American or Western troops. Only 10% want Turkey or Qatar involved. More than a quarter—26%—believe that Israel alone should maintain full military control of Gaza once the fighting ends.

{Matzav.com}

Texas Senator Ted Cruz appears to be setting the stage for a 2028 presidential run, carving out his lane as a traditional Republican who favors a strong U.S. role abroad—and doing so by picking a public fight with Tucker Carlson. Axios reports that Cruz’s growing feud with the populist commentator is no coincidence: it’s helping him contrast his interventionist worldview with Carlson’s isolationist bent and, in turn, drawing a sharp line between himself and Vice President J.D. Vance, a close Carlson ally and early favorite for the GOP nomination.

By directly calling out Carlson’s views, accusing him of antisemitism, and blasting his recent interviews, Cruz is aligning himself with the party’s establishment wing while staking a claim as its unapologetically pro-Israel defender. “We have a responsibility to speak out even when it’s uncomfortable,” Cruz said in a statement to Axios. “When voices in our own movement push dangerous and misguided ideas, we can’t look the other way. I won’t hesitate to call out those who peddle destructive, vile rhetoric and threaten our principles and our future. Silence in the face of recklessness is not an option.”

Carlson, for his part, brushed off Cruz’s criticism with characteristic sarcasm. In a text to Axios, he called the senator’s attacks “hilarious.” “Good luck,” Carlson said. “That’s my comment and heartfelt view.”

Cruz has spent the past several weeks doubling down on his offensive against Carlson—both on social media and from the podium at high-profile conservative gatherings. Their simmering tension burst into public view following a June appearance on Carlson’s podcast, when Cruz blasted the host for opposing Trump’s missile strike on Iran’s nuclear facility. He later took issue with Carlson’s criticism of Israel’s campaign in Gaza and of U.S. funding for Ukraine’s defense. “On foreign policy, Tucker has gone bat-crap crazy,” Cruz said afterward. “He’s gone off the rails.”

The senator’s rhetoric has only intensified since. In multiple speeches, Cruz accused Carlson of “anti-semitism” and condemned him for giving a platform to white nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. During a fiery late-October address before the Republican Jewish Coalition, Cruz labeled Carlson a “coward” and “complicit in evil.” At a later appearance before the Federalist Society in Washington, he escalated further, saying Carlson had “spread a poison that is profoundly dangerous” by featuring Fuentes, whom he described as “a little goose-stepping Nazi.”

Cruz’s broadsides have found sympathetic ears among influential conservatives. Ben Shapiro of The Daily Wire has similarly torched Carlson for the Fuentes interview, accusing him of normalizing extremist views “conservatives shouldn’t embrace.” This week, Cruz is expected to carry that message to the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly.

According to top Republicans, Cruz’s offensive is resonating with major pro-Israel donors angered by Carlson’s flirtation with Fuentes and alarmed by the GOP’s drift toward isolationism. “It’s definitely getting noticed,” said Republican Jewish Coalition CEO Matt Brooks, telling Axios that many donors see Cruz as a necessary counterweight to the party’s inward turn.

Many of those same donors previously backed Nikki Haley, the hawkish former U.N. ambassador, during her failed 2024 primary bid against Trump. Now, they’re keeping an eye on Cruz as he quietly builds the infrastructure for another presidential campaign. The senator, who finished second to Trump in 2016, has been ramping up appearances before major Republican groups—from Miami-Dade’s GOP to the Maverick PAC for young conservatives—and is planning a donor retreat for next year. His popular podcast and radio show have also become powerful tools for raising small-dollar contributions and broadening his base.

Cruz’s position as chair of the Senate Commerce Committee has further strengthened his connections with major financial figures, especially given his opposition to Trump’s tariff policies. He’s also begun endorsing key midterm candidates, potentially earning political favors that could prove valuable down the road.

Still, Cruz faces a difficult challenge. The Republican electorate has shifted sharply in recent years, trading George W. Bush–era interventionism for an “America First” approach that favors restraint abroad—a philosophy Carlson and Vance both champion. Initial polling shows Vance with a commanding early lead in a hypothetical 2028 GOP primary, and many donors remain hesitant to cross the Trump White House by backing anyone else.

Vance, however, has made clear he wants no association with Carlson’s controversial guest. Unlike Carlson, he has condemned Nick Fuentes outright, calling him a “total loser.” Fuentes, notably, has targeted Vance personally, making racist remarks about his wife, Usha, who is Indian American.

{Matzav.com}

Hamas-controlled Gaza is complaining that Israel is making them “gain weight.” After two years of war and near-famine, markets have reopened under a ceasefire — but the local terrorists and residents say that the shelves are stacked with chocolates, soda, and cigarettes instead of life-sustaining goods.

Monther al-Shrafi, a Gaza City resident, said he now sees aisles “overflowing with chocolate, soft drinks, and cigarettes, items that once felt like a ‘dream’ during the famine.” But the basics, he insisted, are nowhere to be found. “Can you imagine that there is chocolate in Gaza while there are no antibiotics? Or there are fruits but no wound dressings or sutures?” he asked Middle East Eye. “Here in Gaza, there is a shortage, or even near absence, of essential items that the human body needs, such as meat, chicken, fish, and eggs, which are basic components of a healthy diet.”

Following the ceasefire that took effect on October 10, Israel reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing for the first time since March 2, when its closure triggered a humanitarian crisis in the Strip. With limited aid and goods now trickling in, some food staples have reappeared — but others remain tightly controlled.

Trucks have brought in wheat flour, rice, pasta, semolina, potatoes, and canned vegetables. Stores are also seeing sugary imports: chocolate, jam, butter, processed cheese, and soft drinks. But animal protein remains scarce. Eggs are nonexistent, dairy products rare, and frozen meat prohibitively expensive. When available, a single kilogram of frozen chicken costs roughly 80 shekels, or about $25.

“I don’t feel any improvement in the food situation [after the ceasefire], because the items available in Gaza are unhealthy,” Shrafi said. “Canned and dried foods cannot replace basic natural foods like eggs and fresh meat. So there is no recovery from the effects of famine.”

The medical situation is even worse. Shrafi said he went “from pharmacy to pharmacy” looking for medicine but came up empty-handed. “My daughter suffered from an infection in her toe, and I could not even find painkillers to ease her suffering,” he said. “Antibiotic pills are missing, and if available, they are sold at exorbitant prices far beyond the reach of ordinary citizens, who have been crushed over two years of ongoing extermination. Pharmacies, medical supply stores, and hospital departments in Gaza are completely empty of many essential items that patients need.”

Officials from Gaza’s Hamas-run Ministry of Health accuse Israel of continuing to restrict medical shipments even after the ceasefire. “These persistent restrictions have led to shortages in drugs reaching 56 percent, while shortages in medical consumables are at 68 percent, and laboratory supplies at 67 percent,” said Zahir al-Wahidi, director of the Health Information Unit. “Orthopaedic surgeries face an 83 percent shortage, open-heart surgeries 100 percent, and kidney services and bone fixators 80 percent. The most severe gaps are in emergency services, anaesthesia, intensive care, and medications for surgical procedures.”

Gaza traders must obtain Israeli permission to import goods. Items can be blocked through outright bans or indefinitely delayed applications. Wahidi said that “what has entered over the past year is only a fraction of what is needed, six or seven small shipments that do not cover the requirements for a large number of drugs and consumables, which should cover two years of deprivation.”

In recent weeks, the influx of trucks has revived Gaza’s markets, filling streets with color and activity for the first time in months. Vendors are selling chocolates, coffee, and fruits, creating the illusion of recovery. But according to local lawyer and researcher Abdallah Sharshara, this apparent abundance hides a nutritional crisis. “Most of these goods consist of carbohydrates, sugars, and starches,” he told MEE. “These include flour and various types of cheese used in sweets and pizza, in addition to sugar and flour derivatives used in confectionery production.”

Sharshara argued that Israel is intentionally steering consumption toward unhealthy imports. “It is clear that this focus on importing such items indirectly pushes people to rely on them as their main food source, while also forcing humanitarian organisations to focus on purchasing and distributing these products, as they are the only ones available in the local market,” he said.

He also claimed Israel’s import policy aims to manipulate appearances. “There is now an abnormal increase in people’s weight. It appears that the Israeli occupation is trying to conceal the crime of starving Palestinians by creating an opposite image, one of rapid and unnatural weight gain,” Sharshara said.

Sharshara said he personally lost 20 kilograms during the height of the blockade but has recently gained much of it back. “I had lost weight because of the limited and repetitive food options we were forced to eat throughout the past year,” he said. “Now, I eat the same portions, but they lead to weight gain because I am compelled to consume carbohydrates, processed cheese, and manufactured meat, that’s what’s available. They’re forcing us to gain weight systematically.”

Social media users in Gaza have echoed those claims, saying that while candy and soda are back, meat, eggs, and medical goods remain unavailable. “Israel is creating a misleading impression that the blockade on the Palestinian people has been lifted, as people are now eating a lot of pizza and sweets, giving the illusion of comfort or abundance,” Sharshara said. “Fresh meat and eggs are still banned from entering Gaza, and fishermen are only allowed to fish within a very limited maritime area. The goal of allowing goods to enter partially is to prevent anyone from claiming that Israel is blocking them completely. But in reality, when you divide these goods by the actual needs of the population, the per-person share is extremely small. That’s why we say that even if Israel allows some goods in, they do not truly reach the people.”

For Hamas and its residents, it seems that while the famine may have ended, their war against Israel still comes at a cost — one measured not in hunger, but in the hollow calories of a siege built on sugar and deprivation.

{Matzav.com}

Michelle Obama declared during a recent appearance in Brooklyn that she would not be entering the political arena, insisting that Americans still are not ready to elect a woman — or, in her words, “a Black woman like me” — as president.

Promoting her new book The Look at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Obama pointed to Kamala Harris’s 2024 defeat by Donald Trump as proof that genderism continues to shape the country’s politics. “As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” she told the audience. “That’s why I’m like, don’t even look at me about running, because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman. You are not.”

She went on to lament the cultural attitudes that she believes still stand in the way of female leadership. “You know, we’ve got a lot of growing up to do,” she said. “And there’s still, sadly, a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman, and we saw it.”

Reflecting on her years as First Lady, Obama said she faced hostility even from within her own political camp. She recalled how, during her husband’s 2008 campaign, she was unfairly portrayed by Democrats as angry and unpatriotic. “Let me be clear, these were our people who were going after me,” she told the audience. “This started when we were running against our party. The beginning of turning me into an angry shrew who diminished her husband, who didn’t love her country, who was unpatriotic…These people are lying. They’re making stuff up because they’re trying to win.”

She said that entering the White House only deepened her awareness of the challenges she faced. “So, I knew this immediately. And I knew this coming in as First Lady, that I was in charge of my story, my narrative,” Obama explained. “I had to be smarter than them. I had to outsmart everyone and that came to everything I did, including what I wore.”

Obama added that she felt isolated even within her husband’s campaign team. “I didn’t even feel I had the support of the campaign,” she said, claiming the staff “were white folks, too.”

{Matzav.com}

Mounting tensions surrounding the Chok HaGiyus have led police to increase security for two United Torah Judaism representatives, Rav Moshe Gafni and Rav Yaakov Asher, following threats and violent demonstrations by fringe extremists within the chareidi community.

According to reports on Channel 12, the two veteran lawmakers were placed under the second-highest level of security protection, which includes home surveillance and personal guards. Police officials said that both MKs had received multiple threats connected to the ongoing public debate over the government’s proposed draft bill.

On Motzoei Shabbos, protests erupted outside the home of Yaakov Asher in Bnei Brak, where a group of agitators gathered to voice their anger. The same night, another mob attacked the vehicle of Shas MK Yoav Ben-Tzur, shattering its window. The violence was swiftly and unanimously condemned across the political spectrum, with leaders from all factions decrying the actions as an assault on basic decency.

The uproar comes as the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee continues its discussions on a proposed law designed to regulate army service exemptions for bnei yeshiva. The bill seeks to codify the existing arrangement allowing full-time Torah learners to remain in the beis midrash.

{Matzav.com}

Outgoing New York Mayor Eric Adams said on Sunday during a visit to Israel that if he were a Jewish New Yorker he would be concerned about his children following this month’s election of his replacement, Zohran Mamdani.

“If I were a Jewish New Yorker I would be concerned about my children,” Adams said at a Tel Aviv event organized by the Combat Antisemitism organization. “We need to be honest about the moment and cannot sugarcoat it.”

He cautioned that it has now become “cool and hip” to be antisemitic around the globe, including in New York City—home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel—and that a whole generation has been raised on lies picked up via social media.

“You have people walking around the country with signs saying Queers for Palestine, and that is queer when the only place you can walk around in the Middle East being queer is Israel,” he said, adding, “They’ve hijacked the conversation.”

Israel lost the narrative

The outgoing mayor, who has been a stalwart supporter of Israel, noted that the human story behind the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led invasion of Israel never got across in the United States, leading Israel to lose the mainstream public.

 

“The story was never really told about Oct. 7,” he said.  “You heard about it but you never knew what really happened.”

Israel supporters failed to come up with messaging that connected with everyday people, and the story was seized by their opponents, he said.

“The Zohrans of the world shoved the images of every baby killed in Gaza… and became a symbol of what people were angry about,” he continued.

New York Jews must “prepare themselves”

New York Jews must not be complacent amid this burst of antisemitism that is likely to increase after Mamdani’s victory, said Adams, who added that the city is going in the wrong direction.

“The New York Jewish community must prepare themselves,” he said.  “This is a period where you need to be conscious about the level of global hostility towards the Jewish community. If you say everything is fine you are setting yourself up for failure.”

About one third of New York Jews voted for Mamdani according to exit polling, highlighting the divide between the predominantly liberal American Jewish community and Israel.

“Abnormal became normal”

According to Adams, Mamdani’s refusal to denounce the phrase “globalize the intifada” during the election campaign and the fact that he cruised to victory nonetheless was indicative of the abnormal becoming normal in New York.

“People are comfortable with being antisemitic,” he said.

“I’m not just your mayor,” he said to rousing applause. “I’m your brother.”

Mamdani is set to take office on January 1.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

President Trump revealed Sunday evening that New York City’s incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has expressed interest in visiting the nation’s capital for a face-to-face meeting. “The mayor of New York, I will say, would like to meet with us,” Trump remarked before departing his Mar-a-Lago resort for Washington. “We’ll work something out,” he added. “But he would like to come to Washington.”

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, later noted that there is currently no date on the calendar for a meeting between the president and Mamdani, who is scheduled to take office on New Year’s Day.

The announcement comes after months of sharp criticism from Trump, who has repeatedly blasted the 34-year-old mayor-elect, calling him a “communist” and warning that his policies would spell disaster for New York City. Trump, now 79, also suggested earlier this year that he might consider cutting off federal funds to the city or even seeking federal control over certain municipal functions.

In a recent conversation with NBC New York, Mamdani confirmed that outreach to the White House is planned as he prepares for his transition into office. “I will be reaching out to the White House as we prepare to actually take office,” he said, emphasizing that a productive relationship with Trump “will be critical to the success of the city.”

The mayor-elect struck a cooperative tone, signaling openness to dialogue on economic issues central to Trump’s campaign. “[If] President Trump wants to speak about lowering the cost of living or delivering cheaper groceries, like he ran on [in 2024], I’m there to have that conversation,” said Mamdani. “I’m here to work for the benefit of everyone that calls the city home, and that wherever there is a possibility for working together toward that end, I’m ready, and if [the administration’s policies] are to the expense of those New Yorkers, I will fight.”

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

It’s midnight in the holy city of Yerushalayim, and a group of exalted and illustrious mekubalim stream in, one by one, into the Beis Medrash overlooking the Makom HaMikdash—the site of our destroyed Beis HaMikdash—where they will spend the night immersed in holiness.  

Each and every one of these carefully selected Yidden has already spent years in the study of the Zohar and the writings of the Arizal and his talmidim. Their faces radiate holiness and holy purpose, and they exude humility and piety.  

They are the Avreichim of Kollel Kabbalah B’Chatzos—a project of Torah-24 which is founded and led by HaGaon Rav Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a, Pozna Rov, a confidant of gedolei Yisroel.  

The night begins at midnight, when the avreichim tearfully and mournfully recite Tikkun Chatzos, along with other tefillos, lamenting what has been lost, and storming the Heavens for its restoration.  

Following this, they will delve into the deepest secrets of the hidden Torah—until the sun comes up over Yerushalayim. For the entire night, hour after hour, they chase sleep away, and remain immersed into the Kabbalah that has been handed down to us by the most exalted tzaddikim that Klal Yisroel possessed.  

Gedolei Yisroel who have become aware of the Kollel Kabbalah B’Chatzos phenomenon have expressed awe and admiration for these illustrious men.  

Hagaon HaMekubal Rav Abish Zenwirth, who has attested that he knows these men up close, has attested that “they are humble tzaddikim who prepare themselves for their holy nights by immersing in the mikveh, and study the secrets of Torah all night amid ahavas Hashem and deep fear of Heaven.”   

In his letter of endorsement for Kollel Kabbalah B’Chatzos, Rav Zenwirth writes: “Fortunate are all those who take part in this great and holy endeavor. They will surely merit all the Heavenly blessings and illuminations. They will be pursued by goodness and kindness all their lives, and in their merit we will soon hear the great blast of the shofar of Mashiach. Amen.”  

Partner in this incredible and holy endeavor today, and be joined with these holy mekubalim of Yerushalayim who will daven for you and your family to indeed merit the many Heavenly blessings that come to those who spend their nights immersed in Torah.

In a powerful letter released overnight, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchok Yosef condemned the violent assault on MK Yoav Ben-Tzur, calling out those behind it as “rioters who cloak themselves in the guise of zealotry.”

“I was deeply shocked to hear of the violence carried out against you by those rioters who falsely cloak themselves in the guise of zealotry,” Rav Yosef wrote, expressing his dismay over the incident.

The Chief Rabbi warned that the group responsible is not merely disrupting peace but is actively attempting “to sow division among Sephardic Torah scholars,” adding that “they have escalated their actions and are now behaving violently toward public representatives.”

Rav Yosef urged the public to take a firm stance against such behavior. “It is the duty of every individual to condemn these rioters and act in every possible way to ensure they are held fully accountable, so that they cease their harmful conduct,” he stated.

He did not hold back criticism of those who have long fomented discord within the olam haTorah, saying the recent violence is the natural outgrowth of years of incitement. “Those who initiate incitement by spreading lies and falsehoods are the same people who have been dividing the chareidi public for decades, and who persecuted my late father, of blessed memory, during his lifetime,” he wrote. “It is clear that their intentions are not for the sake of Heaven, and one must distance oneself from them and from their harmful ways.”

Turning to the ongoing debate over the Draft Law, Rav Yosef reaffirmed that all decisions on the matter are under the exclusive authority of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah. “Everything is entrusted to the special committee appointed by the Council of Torah Sages, which is carrying out its work faithfully and overseeing all that requires supervision for the safeguarding of the Torah world,” he emphasized.

The letter concluded with a heartfelt brocha to the embattled MK. “May you merit to enjoy much satisfaction from all your descendants, and succeed in all your endeavors, to magnify and glorify Torah and to increase honor of Heaven.”

The incident that prompted the Chief Rabbi’s letter took place outside the Yazdim Shul, following his weekly shiur. As MK Ben-Tzur exited, demonstrators protesting the proposed Draft Law confronted and physically assaulted him. The attack was met with sweeping condemnation from across the political spectrum, including strong denunciations by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and opposition leaders alike.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump downplayed the uproar surrounding conservative commentator Tucker Carlson’s recent sit-down with Nick Fuentes, a far-right activist notorious for his antisemitic statements and Holocaust denial. The interview sparked sharp division within the Republican Party, but Trump chose to back Carlson rather than criticize him.

Speaking to reporters before flying back to Washington after a weekend in Florida, Trump dismissed the controversy. “You can’t tell him who to interview,” he said, referring to Carlson. “If he wants to interview Nick Fuentes, I don’t know much about him, but if he wants to do it, get the word out. People have to decide.”

Trump also noted that Carlson had long been friendly toward him. He pointed out that the commentator “has said good things about me over the years,” making clear that he harbored no criticism toward either Carlson or Fuentes.

A few minutes later, Trump added, “Meeting people, talking to people for somebody like Tucker — that’s what they do. You know, people are controversial.”

Fuentes appeared pleased with Trump’s remarks, quickly posting online, “Thank you Mr. President!” along with a clip of Trump’s exchange with the press.

The connection between Trump and Fuentes had already drawn scrutiny years earlier, when Fuentes attended a dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate alongside rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, after Ye’s series of antisemitic rants. At the time, Trump said he had been unaware of who Fuentes was, stating that he “knew nothing about” him before the dinner.

The 2022 Mar-a-Lago meeting provoked widespread condemnation from Republican figures. Former Vice President Mike Pence called it wrong for Trump “to give a white nationalist, an antisemite and Holocaust denier, a seat at the table.” David Friedman, Trump’s former ambassador to Israel, likewise denounced the meeting.

Carlson himself has long been known for courting controversy on his platforms. He has hosted Holocaust revisionists in the past and has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel. His recent cordial conversation with Fuentes on his podcast reignited fierce debate among conservatives, leaving many in the party divided over how far free speech should extend within their ranks.

{Matzav.com}

Faces at the Kinus Banquet: Round 2

November 16, 2025 – 25 Heshvan 5786

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The Gala Banquet of the International Kinus Hashluchim in New Jersey gathered Chabad Rabbis and Jewish leaders. COLlive photographer Shalom Ross is photographing them.

Browse more Jewish videos like this on Chabad.org/Video. Never Miss a Headline!

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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar declared on Sunday that there is no chance Israel will ever accept the creation of a Palestinian state, warning that such an entity would immediately fall under the control of Hamas. “A Palestinian state would be a Hamas terror state,” he said emphatically.

Speaking before a visiting delegation of 160 German public figures and influencers, Sa’ar criticized the growing international campaign calling for Palestinian statehood. “There is a new obsession in the world, and mainly in Europe, that lacks any geopolitical logic,” he remarked. “We are facing three terror states, a unique phenomenon in the Middle East.”

Sa’ar explained that the danger of recognizing or legitimizing terrorist groups lies in their ability to evolve into full-fledged regimes. “I want you to understand, these are not simply terror organizations. Terror organizations that control land and populations become terror states, and it’s like comparing between neo-Nazis that exist in the world today, and the Nazi regime, who controlled a territory and people,” he said.

He went on to emphasize that allowing another such entity to emerge would pose a direct threat to Israel’s existence. “The terror states in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen have not yet been dismantled, but some people are quick to suggest that we will establish a Palestinian terror state in the heart of our tiny homeland, meaning two kilometers from the place we are sitting right now,” he noted. “It would control the topography over all our population centers. And this is what they suggested after October 7th, even though it’s clear that such an experiment would only lead to another terror state.”

Sa’ar’s comments came on the eve of a key United Nations Security Council vote scheduled for Monday, in which members will consider a U.S.-drafted resolution connected to President Donald Trump’s broader plan for peace and stability in Gaza.

The proposal has drawn sharp criticism within Israel, as it includes provisions seen as paving the way for a Palestinian state. Over the weekend, Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich publicly urged Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to oppose the resolution outright.

Netanyahu addressed the matter directly on Sunday, reiterating his long-held position rejecting Palestinian sovereignty west of the Jordan River. “Our opposition to a Palestinian state on any part of this territory has not changed in the slightest,” he affirmed.

{Matzav.com}

In a deeply emotional post shared Sunday night, released hostage Rom Braslavski revealed the overwhelming struggles he faced since returning home, describing how he had been left without meaningful government support and continues to suffer daily panic attacks.

“I am truly suffering, maybe it isn’t visible to the naked eye, but I am suffering indescribable pain, far beyond post-trauma,” he wrote. “I have around 10 panic attacks per day. Panic attacks that include pounding heartbeats, sweating, stuttering, tremors and even screams and violence.”

Braslavski was freed on October 13 after enduring over two years in Hamas captivity. His release came alongside 19 other surviving hostages. Earlier footage that emerged from Gaza had already shown him in extremely poor condition, a reflection of the ordeal he endured.

Since his return to Israel, he said, he had tried to allow himself to “fall apart” and process the trauma, but instead of receiving care and guidance, he felt entirely neglected by the government. “All of the government bodies are totally abandoning me, screening me, and telling me the hour is late,” he wrote. “I am abandoned perhaps in every possible aspect, every possible official, from the moment I’ve returned I’ve received nothing but derision from the state.”

Braslavski detailed that the financial assistance he received from government institutions totaled only NIS 60,000 (about $18,600) after two years in captivity — a sum he described as “simply an embarrassment.” “The state isn’t giving enough, the Defense Ministry and state are laughing in our faces,” he added, crediting private fundraising efforts for sustaining him and others. “It’s just because of you — millions have already been fundraised for all of the hostages.”

He pointed out that despite his ongoing suffering, neither Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu nor National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had reached out to him personally.

In his closing words, Braslavski expressed profound appreciation to the many ordinary Israelis who have reached out and shown support, calling them his source of hope. “You are my strength, you are what gives me energy and fuel to continue the journey back to life,” he wrote. “I promise I won’t let anything break me. I love you, people of Israel.”

{Matzav.com}

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem lashed out Sunday at the U.S.-backed resolution set to go before the United Nations Security Council, claiming that it undermines Palestinian autonomy while serving the interests of outside powers. The measure, tied to President Donald Trump’s broader peace initiative for Gaza, is scheduled for a vote this week.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, cited by Israel’s Channel 12 News, Qassem said, “The amendments, additions, and clauses included in this resolution do not serve the goal of continuity and stability in the Gaza Strip, because they grant guardianship to non-Palestinian entities over the Palestinian reality – whether at the level of governance, security, or through interference in internal Palestinian affairs without waiting for any internal Palestinian arrangement.”

He argued that the proposal fails to protect basic Palestinian rights. “We want a Security Council resolution that protects our people’s right to self-determination, that defends their right to establish a state, and that prevents war in Gaza and the continued Israeli aggression against our people – in the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem. There should have been a clear formulation stating that the role of the international force in Gaza is to act as a buffer between the occupation and the besieged civilians,” Qassem stated.

When pressed on the fact that the resolution had garnered significant Arab and Islamic backing, Qassem dismissed that support as irrelevant to Palestinian interests. “Arab agreement does not indicate Palestinian consent to many details of this resolution. When the American president met with Arab leaders in New York before presenting the peace plan, he later presented a version different from what had been agreed upon with them. Even if the resolution is approved and there is agreement on a certain wording – the real obstacles will arise during implementation on the ground. The US is acting to appease several parties through general, non-binding language,” he explained.

Asked about what Hamas would support instead, Qassem proposed a markedly different approach. “There should be a resolution that mandates a ceasefire and establishes an international peacekeeping force to stand between the civilians and the occupation and to maintain the ceasefire. We agreed to the formation of a community aid committee – an Egyptian concept – to manage the Gaza Strip. We also agreed to the possibility of international-Arab oversight of weapons. There are many issues that could be framed positively, unlike the current resolution’s details,” he said.

The U.S. proposal has also drawn backlash inside Israel, where it is viewed as a step toward Palestinian statehood. Late Saturday night, Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich publicly urged Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to reject the resolution outright.

On Sunday, Netanyahu made his stance crystal clear, reiterating Israel’s firm opposition to Palestinian sovereignty west of the Jordan River. “Our opposition to a Palestinian state on any part of this territory has not changed in the slightest,” he declared.

He noted that his position on the matter has remained steadfast throughout years of domestic and international pressure. “I do not need affirmations, tweets, or lectures from anyone,” Netanyahu added.

{Matzav.com}

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