Matzav

A delegation of senior Bnei Brak municipal officials—led by Mayor Chanoch Zeibert and his deputy, Menachem Shapira—traveled to Miami last week, sparking sharp criticism from residents. The trip, described by critics as a “luxury vacation at the public’s expense,” was conducted in first class and carried an estimated price tag that many insisted was unacceptable for a publicly funded delegation.

While the mayor has not yet issued a response, Deputy Mayor Menachem Shapira chose to address the growing controversy in a conversation with Kikar HaShabbat, offering a detailed explanation of the trip’s purpose.

Shapira, who serves as Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Planning and Construction Committee, said, “I will be returning early this week from the United States following a professional work visit, together with a delegation headed by Mayor Chanoch Zeibert, joined by the city’s CEO, the Halachic Committee CEO, and his deputy.”

According to Shapira, the visit was not a leisure trip but rather a key stage in advancing one of the largest municipal infrastructure and recreation projects in Bnei Brak’s history: a 350-dunam municipal attractions park, carrying an estimated cost of 180 million shekels.

“This project represents a historic planning milestone,” he explained, “and will provide the residents of Bnei Brak with a modern, unique recreation space that is fully suited to the character and needs of the chareidi community.”

Shapira added that the project will include a 15,000-seat amphitheater, a state-of-the-art ropes park, a karting complex, extreme-sports installations, large-scale play areas, and more than five kilometers of uninterrupted cycling paths.

One of the central claims raised by critics was that there was no justification for such an expensive overseas trip. In his response, Shapira argued that the unusual scope of the project—and the halachic, logistical, and safety requirements unique to the city—demanded direct examination of technologies, safety systems, and operational models.

“As part of the advanced planning stages,” Shapira said, “the delegation participated in the IAAPA convention in Orlando, the world’s leading professional exhibition in the field of recreational installations.” He noted that the delegation held meetings with top international companies regarding advanced safety systems, cutting-edge equipment, and specialized solutions appropriate for the chareidi public over the long-term operation of the park.

Addressing concerns about the cost of the trip, Shapira emphasized, “I joined the professional visit after being in the United States for a private family event. This visit is another essential stage in leading one of Bnei Brak’s most significant municipal projects. It reflects a deep commitment to developing world-class infrastructure while maintaining unwavering consideration for the needs and sensitivities of our residents.”

{Matzav.com}

Following a string of vandalism and stone-throwing incidents targeting buses in Bnei Brak’s Kiryat Herzog neighborhood, the city and police have launched an expanded enforcement campaign aimed at stopping the attacks and ensuring uninterrupted public transportation for residents.

A special emergency meeting was convened in the office of Deputy Mayor and Transportation Commissioner Rabbi Michoel Kakon after repeated cases of buses being damaged in the area.

The meeting brought together key municipal and law-enforcement officials, including Rabbi Hanoch Zeidman, head of the Infrastructure Division; Elad Amoyal, commander of the municipal police unit; and senior representatives of the Dan bus company—Shai Malka, Kobi Bibla, and Itamar Cohen.

During the briefing, participants agreed to deploy a broad enforcement array, with police placing strict and explicit emphasis on stopping the attacks. In the coming days, police will station both visible patrols and undercover units at known hotspots to identify those involved and prevent further harm to drivers, passengers, and buses. Authorities stressed that anyone convicted of vandalism or violence will face severe penalties.

Officials also coordinated contingency plans to prevent disruptions to bus routes within the neighborhood. In cases such as hachnasas sefer Torah events, unusual crowding, or road blockages, buses will be rerouted through alternative streets to maintain steady service for the public.

The meeting concluded with a clear message from city officials: “We will not allow harm to public transportation or to the safety of drivers and passengers. The Bnei Brak municipality will continue to act decisively together with the police until this unacceptable phenomenon is completely eradicated.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued a series of fiery Truth Social posts on Thursday morning, denouncing a group of Democrat lawmakers who recorded a video urging members of the military and intelligence community to reject illegal commands. The lawmakers involved, all veterans or former intelligence officials, became the focus of an escalating war of words that quickly spread across Washington.

Trump reacted to their video by insisting that the conduct crossed a dangerous line. In one post, he declared, “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand — We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.” He followed with another message saying, “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???” A third post escalated the tone even further: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

Alongside his own comments, Trump amplified multiple Truth Social posts from supporters, including one message stating, “Hang them George Washington would.”

The video that sparked the explosion was posted by Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin. Speaking directly to those in uniform and to intelligence officers, the lawmakers said, “We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now. Americans trust their military but that trust is at risk.” The group included Slotkin, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Reps. Chris DeLuzio of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, and Jason Crow of Colorado. Their message continued: “This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens. Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats coming to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad but from right here at home. Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution.”

Almost immediately after Slotkin’s video went live, Trump advisor Stephen Miller attacked it as “openly calling for insurrection.” Slotkin rejected the criticism, writing, “This is the law. Passed down from our Founding Fathers, to ensure our military upholds its oath to the Constitution — not a king. Given you’re directing much of a military policy, you should buff up on the Uniformed Code of Military Justice.”

The confrontation takes place as Trump continues to face backlash over recent deployments of troops to various American cities and his directive ordering strikes on suspected drug vessels in international waters. While Democrats have consistently opposed these measures, Republicans have mostly aligned with Trump’s approach, despite moments of hesitation inside the party.

At the White House later in the day, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked whether Trump was literally calling for the execution of members of Congress. Her reply was, “no,” though she immediately shifted blame back onto the Democrats in the video. She argued that “many in this room want to talk about the president’s response, but not what brought the president to responding in this way,” adding that the lawmakers had “conspired together to orchestrate a video message to members of the United States Military… encouraging them to defy the President’s lawful orders.” She suggested that their actions “perhaps is punishable by law,” while clarifying, “I’m not a lawyer. I’ll leave that to the Department of Justice in the Department of War to decide.”

The lawmakers targeted by Trump issued a joint statement hours after his posts, asking Americans to “unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence.” They added, “What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders.”

Their message was echoed by top Democrat leadership. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other senior House Democrats released a statement characterizing Trump’s messages as “disgusting and dangerous death threats against Members of Congress.” They also confirmed they had been in contact with U.S. Capitol Police because of heightened security concerns.

On the Senate floor, Chuck Schumer warned that Trump’s rhetoric had crossed a perilous threshold. “The president of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials. This is an outright threat, and it’s deadly serious,” he said. Schumer went on to caution, “When Donald Trump uses the language of execution and treason, some of his supporters may very well listen. He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro weighed in publicly on behalf of two of his state’s congressional delegation, Houlahan and DeLuzio, saying Trump “called for violence” against them. Shapiro accused Trump of “actively encouraging political violence once again” and condemned the silence of Republican allies who decline to challenge him.

This latest firestorm comes amid a string of deeply troubling incidents: the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the killing of a Minnesota lawmaker, an arson attack at Shapiro’s residence, and two attempts on Trump’s life. Even as political rhetoric intensifies, NBC News polling shows Americans increasingly believe extreme language contributes directly to violence.

Complicating matters further, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she has been subjected to increased threats after Trump criticized her online, while several Indiana Republican lawmakers reported swatting attempts hours after Trump blasted them over their stance on redistricting.

{Matzav.com}

The legal fight surrounding the Ponovezh Yeshiva reached a new intensity today, as the attorney representing the faction aligned with Rav Shmuel Markovitz sharply attacked the latest arbitration decision and vowed to challenge it in court.

In an interview with Kan Moreshet, attorney Mordechai Beitz, who represents the faction led by Rav Markovitz, warned that the ruling issued by retired judge David Cheshin is likely to face significant delays and may ultimately be overturned.

Beitz described the decision as “catastrophic, baseless, something that could not possibly have been rendered according to din Torah, and a reflection of genuine malice.” He argued that the order to remove hundreds of bochurim, avreichim, and families from the yeshiva’s domains is unprecedented in the history of Torah institutions.

According to Beitz, Rav Markovitz “acts only according to din Torah,” and the original arbitration framework—established in 1999 at the direction of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l—cannot be undone. He stressed that the 2000 rabbinic ruling, which was later affirmed by both the district court and the Supreme Court, “determined unequivocally that Rav Markovitz is the rosh yeshiva.” A later arbitrator, he insisted, “cannot cancel an existing ruling.”

Beitz maintained that Judge Cheshin exceeded the mandate he was given by reopening matters that had already been decided. “He was supposed to continue the arbitration from the point where it had stopped, not restart everything from scratch. There is no legal authority to erase a previous arbitration decision. This is an overreach that violates public policy.”

He further argued that the new ruling relied almost entirely on claims submitted by the rival faction. “It looks as if he simply signed what they wrote. As for the violence—both sides were harmed, but they documented and we did not base our case on documentation. That is not grounds for evacuating an entire community.”

Addressing the question of property ownership, Beitz said, “A yeshiva is a spiritual entity, not a real-estate corporation. Even Avrom Kahaneman, founder of the other side, would say: forget shares—this is a yeshiva. That was the intent of the donors and the founders.”

He detailed the next steps planned by his clients: “We will submit a request to void the arbitration ruling and ask for a stay of execution. Normally it is difficult to overturn such a decision, but when an arbitrator nullifies a ruling that was already approved by the Supreme Court, the overreach is clear.”

Beitz also suggested that the opposing side appeared to have been tipped off in advance. “Even before we received the ruling, they already knew. They had speakers ready and were prepared ahead of time.”

Discussing Rav Markovitz’s personal reaction, he said, “He feels it is impossible for a ruling that defines a yeshiva as a commercial contract to stand. A rosh yeshiva teaches that without Torah there is nothing, and suddenly he is told that everything is contractual and transactional.”

Beitz concluded with a harsh assessment: “In forty years of litigation, I have never encountered such an extreme ruling. Evicting hundreds of families from the Torah world—this has never happened before.”

{Matzav.com}

Seventeen survivors of captivity, all rescued about a month ago, are scheduled to spend the day at the White House, where they will meet President Donald Trump as part of an ongoing effort to keep the plight of the hostages at the forefront of international attention. Among the group are Gali and Ziv Berman, the twin brothers from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, who will be stepping into the Oval Office for the very first time.

In a powerful and deeply symbolic gesture, the Berman twins will hand President Trump the original mezuzah that once hung on the doorpost of their home in the Young Generation neighborhood of Kfar Aza—the very place from which they were abducted on October 7th. Although their home was reduced to ruins during the horrific attack, and nearly every house in their neighborhood was destroyed, the mezuzah was discovered intact when the brothers were finally able to return last week. The small parchment, untouched by the fire that consumed everything around it, has become a moving reminder of survival, protection, and hashgacha.

The brothers expressed their purpose for the visit with clear emotion, saying: “We came to thank the President of the United States for the many actions he took toward our release. At the same time, it’s important to remember that the mission is not yet complete. There are three deceased hostages still being held in Gaza. Until everyone returns, we cannot begin our rehabilitation as a society and as a nation.”

Along with the mezuzah, President Trump will receive a heartfelt letter from the Berman family bearing the inscription: “A Gift from Kfar Aza – In Honor of the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.”

The letter continues, describing the sacred item’s significance, the horror endured by the community on October 7th, and the gratitude the family feels toward the President for his involvement in bringing their sons home. It concludes with the prayerful hope that this mezuzah will stand as a lasting symbol of “courage, of faith, and of the eternal friendship between our peoples.”

{Matzav.com}

Rep. Al Green of Texas is once again moving forward with an impeachment effort against President Donald Trump, declaring that he intends to bring the matter to the House floor this week and framing the move as a defining measure of where his party stands.

Green issued a firm promise about the timing of his plan, saying, “There will be articles of impeachment filed before the Dec. 25th break. This, I pledge. We have to participate. This is a participatory democracy. The impeachment requires the hands and the guidance of all of us.” His comments underscored his insistence that Democrats must take concrete action rather than rely on rhetoric alone.

By submitting the resolution as a privileged motion, Green is forcing the chamber to address the matter within two legislative days. Lawmakers may choose to table the effort before it reaches an actual impeachment vote, but they will not be able to ignore it. Green also announced that he and other activists would be taking their message public with a peaceful gathering at the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday.

This marks Green’s fifth attempt to introduce articles of impeachment, a campaign that comes amid deep frustration from portions of the Democrat base about how to confront Trump. Progressive activists have frequently criticized their own party’s leadership, especially in the wake of the 43-day government shutdown that ended without significant concessions from Republicans. Even prior to the shutdown, figures such as Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner urged the party to replace its congressional leadership to present stronger opposition.

At Thursday’s press conference, Dave Mytych of FLARE — For Liberation and Resistance Everywhere — openly rebuked top Democrats, pressing them to show backbone. “This is what the American people want. They want fighters that hold the line. Democrats, are you listening? Leader Schumer, are you listening? Leader Jeffries, are you listening?” he said while standing beside Green.

The House has already impeached Trump twice — once in 2019 and again in 2021. In both instances, the Senate declined to convict. With that history in mind, Green was asked whether another failed impeachment attempt could reflect poorly on leaders like Jeffries and Schumer if they decline to support it. He avoided addressing their political standing directly, noting instead that as many as 80 lawmakers have backed his efforts in the past.

Green maintained that his motivation is rooted in constitutional duty, stating, “Here’s my perspective. I believe in the Constitution. People who vote to table the articles are voting against impeachment.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s leadership is sounding an alarm over the country’s deepening environmental crisis, with President Masoud Pezeshkian declaring that the capital can no longer remain in Tehran. His remarks, delivered during a visit to Qazvin, reflected an unusually blunt assessment of the danger facing the nation.

Pezeshkian explained that the idea of relocating the capital has been discussed before, but the state lacked the funds to pursue it. “When we said we must move the capital, we did not even have enough budget. If we had, maybe it would have been done. The reality is that we no longer have a choice; it is an obligation,” he said, underscoring how urgent the situation has become.

The president pointed to severe land subsidence in parts of Tehran—up to 30 centimeters each year—as well as rapidly declining access to water. He described the condition bluntly, warning, “This means disaster.” According to him, years of mismanagement, unchecked development, and significant reductions in water flow have pushed the region toward potentially irreversible harm.

He cautioned that without immediate intervention, Iran faces something far worse than an inconvenience. “Protecting the environment is not a joke. Ignoring it means signing our own destruction,” Pezeshkian emphasized, painting a bleak picture of what lies ahead if the government remains idle.

Reports indicate that Iran’s long-term plan involves transferring the capital to Makran, located on the southern coast near the Gulf of Oman. The area’s access to the Indian Ocean offers possibilities for new economic and infrastructure development, including maritime projects. However, experts argue that the region is far from prepared to absorb the full weight of a national capital. Its underdeveloped state, lack of major services, and the immense cost of such a move have stalled the plan for years.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump was reportedly left off the list of those invited to Dick Cheney’s funeral in Washington, DC, a detail first highlighted by Axios. CNN also cited a source saying that Vice President JD Vance did not receive an invitation either.

Cheney’s family announced earlier this month that the longtime vice president passed away at 84, succumbing to complications from pneumonia along with cardiac and vascular disease, as reported by Breitbart News.

Axios explained that “Sitting presidents typically attend the funerals of former presidents and vice presidents, but the George W. Bush administration VP’s previous support for Trump soured after the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, and he publicly criticized the GOP leader in a 2022 campaign ad for his daughter, then-Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY).” Cheney’s turn against Trump, the outlet noted, has lingered in the political atmosphere ever since.

CNN added that its source confirmed Vance’s exclusion from the invitation-only ceremony. Approximately 1,000 attendees were expected to fill Washington’s National Cathedral for the memorial.

Coverage of the preparations noted that former presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden planned to attend. Former vice presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle were also listed among those scheduled to appear, alongside Supreme Court justices such as Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan. Cabinet officials from multiple administrations and congressional leaders from both parties were likewise set to be present.

Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi was anticipated to be in attendance, as were Senate Majority Leader John Thune and former Senate leader Mitch McConnell.

When paying tribute to his longtime partner in office, Bush described Cheney as a “calm and steady presence” and “among the finest public servants of his generation,” according to a November 4 Breitbart News report.

Breitbart further recalled that the defining chapter of Cheney’s public life came during the post-9/11 era under the Bush administration. The War on Terror shaped both his legacy and the fierce criticism he drew from the Left, which viewed him as the architect of endless conflict. Over time, Republican voters increasingly grew skeptical of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as well, dimming Cheney’s standing within the party. The tension between Cheney loyalists and the ascendant Trump-aligned wing of the GOP became unmistakable.

The family’s choice to exclude the current Republican president and vice president served as another illustration of the widening gulf between the old establishment and the current MAGA-driven movement.

Following his 2024 reelection, Trump blasted Democrats for courting the Cheney family. Breitbart News noted his reaction, including a Truth Social post in which Trump wrote, “The Democrats made a BIG mistake in getting Crazy Liz Chaney, and her father, Dick, involved in their campaign for President. It made the Republicans angry, and the Democrats just plain scratching their heads in amazement. It is always a bad idea to bring ‘losers’into [sic] a political campaign!”

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rabbanit Lela Sarah Turgeman a”h at the age of 98. Her levayah will take place tonight in Yerushalayim.

Rebbetzin Turgeman passed away peacefully at Hadassah Har HaTzofim Hospital, closing a chapter of nearly a century marked by holiness, kindness, and quiet strength.

She was born in Morocco to her illustrious parents, the famed mekubal and spiritual giant Rav Yisrael Abuchatzeira, the Baba Sali, and her mother, Rabbanit Percha a”h of the Amsallem family.

In her youth, she married her husband, Rav Yaakov Turgeman zt”l, who predeceased her more than forty years ago.

Rebbetzin Turgeman was remembered as an exceptional woman of noble character, whose long life reflected the purity and steadfastness of the women of the Abuchatzeira dynasty across generations. After the passing of her sister-in-law, the wife of her brother Baba Meir zt”l, she lovingly raised and tended to the children of Baba Meir, nurturing the next generation of the Abuchatzeira lineage.

She merited to raise a distinguished family. Her sons include Rav Yechiel Yosef Turgeman, Rosh Yeshivas Ner Yisrael in Elad, and Rav Moshe Turgeman, head of the Zarcha HaShemesh L’Yaakov mosdos in Netanya. Her daughters married into the Hasson and Biton families. She was also connected through marriage with the Abuchatzeira family, including the late Rav Elazar Abuchatzeira of Be’er Sheva.

Her surviving siblings include her brother, Rav Baruch Abuchatzeira of Netivot, and her sisters, Rebbetzin Avigail Busu and Rebbetzin Penina Yehudioff.

The levayah will take place tonight at 11 p.m. in Yerushalayim.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com}

it is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the passing of Rav Yaakov Zvi (Jay) ben Rav Yosef Yechezkel Marcus zt”l, founder and Nasi of Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim and Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Staten Island.

Rav Jay, as he was affectionately known, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of leadership, warmth, and devotion that transformed the lives of thousands across the globe.

In 1982, together with Rav Ahron Silver and Rav Dovid Gottlieb, Rav Jay founded Reishit Yerushalayim in Beit Shemesh, one of the earliest English-speaking yeshivos in the hesder style. What began as a bold vision soon became a landmark institution that reshaped the landscape of Torah education for young men from North America and beyond. His ability to connect, inspire, and uplift made Reishit a home for serious learning, personal growth, chessed, and unwavering commitment to Eretz Yisroel and Klal Yisroel.

Before establishing Reishit, Rav Jay served as the beloved Rav of the Young Israel of Staten Island for more than 30 years. There, too, he was a force of leadership and compassion, guiding a community with clarity, humility, and heart. Upon making aliyah, he poured his energy into building Reishit into a powerhouse of Torah, producing generations of rabbis, educators, and community leaders who continue to carry his teachings into communities around the world. Each year, Reishit attracted large groups of students drawn by Rav Jay’s warmth, vision, and authenticity.

Rav Marcus was a man of rare determination, combining deep love for his talmidim with the courage to build something entirely new. His relentless dedication turned a small, uncertain yeshiva into a thriving center of Torah and idealism.

Rav Jay is survived by his wife, Rebbetzin Barbara; his sister, Michal; his children, Rav Ari and Mindy, Rav Elie and Dvora, Rav Doni and Deedee, Rav Chaim and Leah, and Rav Judah and Ora Mischel; and grandchildren.

The levaya is scheduled for tomorrow at the Eretz HaChaim cemetery, with shiva to be held at Yeshivat Reishit at 21 Rashi Street in Beit Shemesh.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Israel made clear that it anticipated no change to its ability to secure top-tier American weaponry, even as Washington moved ahead with plans to provide F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

Officials in Jerusalem emphasized that Israel remained the sole nation in the region flying the F-35, a status backed by longstanding US commitments ensuring what Washington terms a “qualitative military edge” for Israel.

Addressing reporters, Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian underscored the durability of that principle. “The United States and Israel have a long-standing understanding, which is that Israel maintains the qualitative edge when it comes to its defense,” she said.

She added that this understanding was fully expected to endure across time: “That has been true yesterday, that has been true today, and the prime minister believes that will be true tomorrow and in the future.”

Her comments marked Israel’s first formal response to news that President Donald Trump had approved the proposed Saudi acquisition earlier in the week.

{Matzav.com}

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By Rabbi Zvi Gluck

When I saw that a group of respected rabbonim had sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul asking for clemency for a convicted child abuser who has never shown one ounce of remorse, something inside me broke. It was not only disappointment or frustration. It was heartbreak, anger, disbelief, and a deep sadness that words barely touch.

For years, survivors have fought simply to be heard. Families have carried wounds that do not fade. I have sat with children who grew into adults still trembling as they describe what was done to them. So reading a letter filled with compassion for the man who caused such devastation, and absolutely none for the girl he abused, felt like a betrayal of every survivor who has ever found the courage to come forward.

Not one mention of her pain. Not one word about her suffering. Yet there is a plea for mercy for the man who stole her childhood.

The truth is simple. He rejected plea deals. He chose to go to trial. And in New York State, especially in cases involving minors, that choice forces a child to relive trauma in public for days. When a defendant rejects reasonable pleas and is convicted, the maximum sentence is not surprising. It is the consequence of choosing pride over accountability.

But the letter does not speak of her dignity. It speaks only of his. His age, his health, his comfort. What about her life? What about her future?

The irony is painful. Many who signed this letter come from communities torn apart by infighting for years. Yet for this, for a convicted abuser with no remorse, they unite fully. If only they showed this unity when it came to protecting children.

For eleven years, I have watched survivors walk into our office terrified, unsure if anyone will believe them. I have seen parents trying to hold their shattered families together. I have seen bravery that humbles me every day. And I have dedicated my life to making sure no one faces that darkness alone.

This letter does the opposite of healing. It tells victims that their pain matters less than the position of the person who hurt them. It is almost unbearable.

I realize that by speaking out, Amudim may lose donors, sponsors, and supporters. But I did not get into this work to stay quiet in moments like this. I did not build Amudim to protect the institution at the expense of truth. And I will never choose comfort, money, or convenience over the dignity of survivors.

Silence is not neutral. Silence is harmful. Silence tells survivors that their suffering is inconvenient and their voices unwelcome. I refuse to be silent.

And now I want to speak to the bystanders. The average person who reads these stories and shakes their head and then moves on. Your voice matters. Your choices matter. Every parent, every neighbor, every friend, every member of Klal Yisroel decides whether to believe victims or protect abusers. You do not need a title to do the right thing. You need courage, you need compassion, and you need to remember that one word of support can save a life, and one moment of silence can destroy one. Choose the victim. Stand with the vulnerable.

To every survivor watching this. You are not forgotten. You are not invisible. You are not alone. This moment hurts, but it does not erase the progress we have made, and it does not stop the movement that grows stronger every day.

With help from above, we will continue to stand with you. We will continue to build safer communities. We will continue to challenge systems that protect abusers. And we will keep fighting until no child ever has to fear being silenced again.

We will not stop. We will not turn away. And we will never abandon those who have already suffered far too much.

{Matzav.com}

United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yitzchak Goldknopf broke a long public silence on Wednesday night in an interview with Yankele Friedman on Kol Chai, warning that without a draft law passed before the next elections, no chareidi-backed coalition will be formed.

Goldknopf said the failure to pass the draft law before the government was established created the current crisis. “If we do not succeed in passing a draft law before the elections – no government will be formed with chareidi support until such a law passes. In the meantime – we will not give the government any backing, including on the state budget, if the law doesn’t pass.”

Goldknopf also pushed back on reports that UTJ had already received a draft proposal for the new law. “We didn’t receive any draft. Should I go search online for what others published? That is not the way and that is not the city. There isn’t a day that I or my chief of staff, Bechik, don’t ask the coalition chairman, who is a loyal man, if he already has a draft of the law, and he still doesn’t.”

When asked about Religious Zionism’s objections to the law, he dismissed them sharply. “You mean the party that doesn’t pass the electoral threshold in the polls? Come on. Otzma Yehudit, which does support the law, passes easily and big.”

Reflecting on his short tenure as housing minister, Goldknopf defended his achievements. He said that during his time in office, he advanced two hundred thousand new apartments, including 80,000 designated for the chareidi community. He noted that a roof agreement recently signed in Lod was the product of repeated work visits during his term and said that if UTJ reenters the government, the party expects to return to the Housing Ministry. In the next government, he said, UTJ will only take a position that serves as a key to advancing the draft law.

Goldknopf also confirmed reports that he has not spoken with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an extended period. “I haven’t spoken with him for a long time, there is no conflict, but I am waiting for the moment he calls me to the party leaders’ meeting. We used to discuss things there, and suddenly everything stopped. Is he with us? That depends on him, how much he wants it.”

Addressing the new practice of docking ministers who arrive late to cabinet meetings, he noted, “In the past, we were many ministers and it wasn’t noticeable if someone was late. Today we’ve left the government and there aren’t many ministers anymore, so every delay stands out.”

{Matzav.com}

More than a month has passed since Bill and Hillary Clinton were supposed to sit for depositions before the House Oversight Committee, yet no new date has been set. Both were initially scheduled for October—Hillary on the 9th and Bill on the 14th—after Committee Chair Rep. James Comer announced a series of subpoenas in August connected to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Although the Committee indicated it was working around the Clintons’ calendars, the process has stalled with no updated timetable.

Comer is now publicly addressing the delay, and his latest comments suggest that patience is wearing thin. Speaking on the “Just The News, No Noise” television program, he emphasized that the two high-profile figures should not expect to avoid scrutiny. “We expect to hear from Bill and Hillary Clinton,” he said, noting that “Donald Trump answered questions for years about Jeffrey Epstein. Every day he gets asked questions about Epstein, and he answers them in front of the American people.” Comer added that lawmakers have issued subpoenas “to Republicans and Democrats,” asserting that the Clintons remain “the one group in this investigation that’s never had to answer questions in front of a credible reporter, and they’ve never certainly answered questions from attorneys or members of Congress.”

Comer ended with a pointed warning: “So we expect the Clintons to come in, or I expect the Clintons to be met with the same fate that Bannon and [Peter] Navarro were met with when the Democrats were in control.” Both Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro were criminally charged after failing to comply with congressional subpoenas—an outcome Comer now appears to be holding up as a possible precedent.

The substance awaiting the Clintons is extensive. Lawmakers have been seeking answers about Bill Clinton’s past connections to Epstein, including his flights on Epstein’s plane, allegations regarding visits to Epstein’s island, and Epstein’s multiple White House entries—17 in all.

Beyond the Clintons themselves, Comer has expanded the investigative net. He announced that J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank will be subpoenaed for Epstein-related financial records, and that U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Gordon Rhea will be asked to hand over any relevant documents. The financial data, in particular, could shed light on networks and transactions that have remained out of public view. Additionally, Epstein’s dealings in the Virgin Islands have long drawn scrutiny, raising questions about how local authorities interacted with him and why his operations continued with so little interference.

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Jonathan Pollard has confirmed to The New York Times that he held a private meeting in July with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, an encounter that immediately set off waves of surprise across the American national-security establishment.

Pollard characterized the interaction as “a friendly meeting,” explaining that he expressed appreciation to Huckabee for advocating his release many years ago. He added that the two discussed “a lot of things,” though he declined to provide any specifics beyond that.

According to American officials quoted in the report, news of the meeting blindsided many within the US government. Even the CIA’s station chief in Israel was reportedly unaware of it beforehand, prompting concern among intelligence personnel who described the encounter as highly unusual.

The CIA refused to offer any comment regarding the meeting, and White House officials told the outlet that they had not been informed in advance. Senior figures in Washington were described as alarmed when they learned that the sit-down had already taken place.

The US embassy in Israel did not issue an immediate response to queries about the report and has not publicly addressed the matter.

Pollard, now 70, made his home in Israel in 2020 after the end of his parole, marking his first return since being arrested 35 years earlier for passing classified American information to israel during the Cold War. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, closing a long and painful chapter that had cast a shadow over ties between Washington and Israel for decades.

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Shas has now been instructed by its Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah to move the Draft Law ahead in the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, marking a significant step after weeks of intensive deliberations among the gedolei Yisroel.

This direction followed on the heels of the announcement from Degel HaTorah’s leadership, who publicly affirmed their support for the legislation just a day earlier.

Nearly two weeks ago, the Committee of Roshei Yeshivos gathered under the leadership of Rav Shmuel Betzalel, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah and rosh yeshiva of Porat Yosef, to review the details of the proposed bill.

As reported Thursday morning in Shas’ Haderech newspaper, the rabbanim on the committee were presented with an in-depth explanation of the various clauses by Ariel Atias and MK Yinon Azoulay. After receiving the briefing, the roshei yeshivos spent many hours analyzing the nuances of the law.

Once the discussions concluded, Shas representatives were instructed to proceed with the legislative process in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. At the same time, they were told that every stage of the law’s advancement in the Knesset must be accompanied by ongoing consultation with the Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah and the Committee of Roshei Yeshivos, with representatives acting strictly in accordance with daas Torah until the final wording is settled.

The Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah also issued a firm response to claims that Shas MKs were operating independently of rabbinic authority. The Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah stressed that the representatives are “100% subordinate” to the directives of the Torah leadership and sharply denounced the recent disturbances outside MKs’ homes.

“We cannot remain silent when disreputable individuals acting with lies and deceit to sow division among the Torah community, and open their mouths to mislead the public, as if there were a rift among the Torah leaders. Let the mouths of liars be silenced,” the letter declared.

The Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah continued, “And there are those who persecute the emissaries of the rabbis, who faithfully carry out this sacred task in full obedience to Torah leadership and our guidance. We hereby strengthen the hands of our devoted representatives, led by our dear friend and man of many actions, who heads this holy movement, Rabbi Aryeh Deri, so that he may continue standing firm in defense of the Torah world.”

In recent days, heated and increasingly aggressive demonstrations have taken place outside the homes of chareidi MKs, including an assault on Shas MK Yoav Ben Tzur and protests targeting the residences of UTJ MK Yakov Asher and Shas MK Yinon Azoulay.

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In an extensive Hebrew interview with Yishai Cohen of Kikar HaShabbat, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot addressed the ongoing political firestorm surrounding the draft law, the model he wants to promote, and how many yeshiva students he believes should receive an exemption. He also discussed his opposition to proposals to deny voting rights to those who do not serve, the U.S.–Saudi F-35 deal, the commission of inquiry he says must be formed, his public separation from Benny Gantz, the government he hopes to build after the elections, and whether he would run alongside Naftali Bennett or Yair Lapid.

Eisenkot recently resigned from the Knesset, parted ways with his close political partner Benny Gantz, and founded a new party, Yashar, with which he intends to compete in the upcoming elections.

In the wide-ranging interview, Eisenkot spoke about the U.S.–Saudi aircraft deal, Israel’s control of the Gaza Strip, the government’s proposed inquiry committee and his refusal to cooperate with it, the appointment of David Zini as head of the Shin Bet, the draft-law controversy and the future status of yeshiva students, his political plans, whether he would sit with Benjamin Netanyahu in the same coalition, and the uproar over the potential closure of Army Radio.

Eisenkot first addressed the reports of an American plan to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

“This is a very serious development,” he said. “For years, we demanded that Israel’s qualitative military edge be preserved. Bringing F-35s into additional Middle Eastern countries is a blow to the Air Force’s superiority. It’s a very bad development.”

The commission of inquiry Israel needs

When asked what kind of investigative commission should be formed to examine the failures that led to the October 7 disaster, Eisenkot responded: “A state commission of inquiry according to law, in which the government sets the mandate and the president of the Supreme Court determines the composition. With wise and serious dialogue between the justice minister, the prime minister, and the president, it would have been possible to establish a commission headed by Justice Noam Sohlberg, or together with President Amit.”

He sharply criticized the committee the government is seeking to form: “In contrast to the committee the government established, which is a joke. The prime minister cannot appoint a committee headed by Levin, Smotrich, Ben Gvir, and Dichter. All of them were in the country’s top command center on the morning of the disaster. It’s a joke.”

Eisenkot made clear he will not appear before such a body: “Hundreds of thousands will take to the streets and will not allow a whitewashing committee. We will not allow a bluff committee to pass. I will not cooperate with a committee that is a bluff. I will cooperate with any serious committee.”

His draft-law model: exemptions for about 3% of each year’s cohort

On the contentious issue of the draft law and the status of yeshiva students, Eisenkot explained the model he wants to advance:

“Return responsibility to the State. Instead of a chareidi arriving at the induction center and receiving a one-year deferment and the rabbi giving a permanent exemption, a national authority should be created that is acceptable to all sides—and that authority would issue the exemption.”

He said the guiding principle must be that every citizen serves—military or civilian national service—including chareidim and Arabs. “The target I accept is that 3% of the annual recruitment cohort—out of 150,000 individuals—gives roughly the current number of yeshiva students. Even before the establishment of the state, 400 ‘outstanding scholars’ were approved. I’m not opposed; it’s important. Three percent would be approved as outstanding scholars. That’s between 4,300 and 4,700 who would continue learning Torah.”

He added: “Of course, the arrangement that Ben Gurion instituted in 1948, before the founding of the state, is something principled and correct to preserve with great respect for Torah learners—but it must be regulated.”

“A basic democratic right—untouchable”

Eisenkot rejected the proposal advanced by Avigdor Liberman with the backing of Yair Lapid to revoke voting rights from citizens who do not serve. “I opposed it immediately when they announced it. It is a basic right in a democracy; it must not be touched. It is not in the basket of sanctions that a democratic state can use against its citizens.”

The new party, future alliances, and Netanyahu

After separating politically from Benny Gantz, Eisenkot is now preparing to run with the new Yashar party, hoping to form a broader bloc. “My mistake when joining the National Unity party was coming in as ‘Gadi’s group.’ That’s why we need a party. I established a party to offer something new. I’m running within my own party.”

“My goal is to be the largest party, together with the understanding that in Israel’s political system, blocs ultimately win. I will push for a situation in which, before the elections, there will be no more than four parties—so we are most effective, do not waste votes, and can form the next government.”

When asked whether he would sit with Netanyahu if the election results end in a tie between blocs, Eisenkot replied: “Netanyahu was prime minister on October 7. He says he was the supreme commander. It cannot be that everyone else takes responsibility and he does not—he must resign. I am certain we will defeat him.”

He added: “I want to see you ask him, even once, whether he would sit under Bennett or under Eisenkot. He refused to call Bennett ‘prime minister.’ These questions only get directed at one side.”

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President Trump erupted on Truth Social early Thursday after Jimmy Kimmel used his late-night platform to suggest that the president was anxiously awaiting the fallout from unreleased Jeffrey Epstein documents. Trump blasted both Kimmel and ABC, posting, “Why does ABC Fake News keep Jimmy Kimmel, a man with NO TALENT and VERY POOR TELEVISION RATINGS, on the air?” He followed it with, “Why do the TV Syndicates put up with it? Also, totally biased coverage. Get the bum off the air!!!”

Kimmel’s monologue the night before set off the clash. As part of his opening routine, the comedian framed the potential release of Epstein-related files as a looming political storm for Trump, declaring, “We are carefully following the path of Hurricane Epstein right now. It is a Category 5, it’s expected to make landfall sometime very soon.” The program later uploaded the bit to YouTube under the video title, “Trump Braces for Hurricane Epstein, Spews Nonsense & Elon Joins for Dinner with Saudi Crown Prince.”

Elsewhere in the monologue, he joked about the congressional vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, saying, “It was such a landslide, Trump might actually be able to rebury the Epstein files under it.”

The comedian had suggested there was merely a “12 percent chance” Trump would actually sign the bill demanding the release of federal Epstein-related documents. But Trump announced he had signed it Wednesday night — several hours before Kimmel’s show aired its pre-taped episode at 11:35 p.m.

The renewed tensions come just months after ABC took action against Kimmel. In September, the network “indefinitely” suspended his show following his explosive comments involving Charlie Kirk’s assassination. On air at the time, Kimmel said, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

Utah authorities have charged Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder and related offenses connected to the Sept. 10 shooting of the Turning Point USA founder at Utah Valley University. After a week off the air, Kimmel returned on Sept. 23, avoiding a direct apology and instead taking more swipes at Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr over his suspension.

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A dramatic medical incident unfolded week at Sheba Medical Center, where a one-year-and-three-month-old girl was brought to the emergency room in the middle of the night after her parents feared she had swallowed a sewing needle.

An urgent X-ray quickly confirmed the danger: a sharp metal needle had traveled deep into the base of her right lung, requiring immediate, complex intervention.

The child’s mother, a professional seamstress, had been gathering scattered needles at home when she suddenly noticed that her crawling toddler had grabbed one and put it in her mouth. Within moments, the needle disappeared, prompting the panicked parents to rush to the ER.

Upon arrival, imaging revealed the full extent of the threat. According to Dr. Shai-Yitzchak Duvdevani, an ENT specialist at Sheba who was urgently called in, the X-ray showed the needle resting at the base of the right lung—“an especially deep and challenging area in a child this age,” he explained.

Although the extraction itself lasted only about 20 minutes, the preparation was lengthy and delicate. The surgical team had to carefully balance the child’s ventilation during the procedure—providing oxygen while ensuring the lung did not overinflate, which could cause tearing or allow air to escape into the chest cavity near the heart.

During the operation, a miniature camera was inserted into the child’s airway, allowing surgeons to navigate to the foreign object. With remarkable precision, the team succeeded in removing the needle safely. By the following day, the toddler was already eating and drinking normally.

Sheba Medical Center emphasized once again the importance of keeping all small objects—such as needles, magnets, beads, and tiny toy parts—far out of reach of infants and toddlers. “Crawling babies discover an entire world of ‘treasures’ on the floor,” the hospital noted, urging parents to ensure a clean environment and proper supervision. Any signs of persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, or unusual breathing patterns should prompt immediate medical evaluation.

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