Matzav

Tensions over Israel’s controversial draft legislation escalated violently in Yerushalayim this evening when Shas MK Yoav Ben Tzur was assaulted by extremist youths. According to witnesses, Ben Tzur’s vehicle was surrounded and attacked, with rioters smashing his car windows before police forces arrived to restore order. His office described the assault as a “lynch attempt,” while others at the scene said he “was beaten.”

In a statement, the Shas party expressed outrage at the assault, declaring that it “strongly condemns the serious attack on the vehicle of MK Yoav Ben Tzur that was carried out this evening in Yerushalayim by a small group of rioters.” The party emphasized that “acts of violence of this sort, which cause a desecration of God’s name, are not the way of the Torah and do not represent any God-fearing public.”

Political leaders from across the spectrum weighed in. Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman blamed the broader social culture surrounding military exemptions for the incident. “When you accustom a person to idleness and draft-dodging—he becomes violent when you try to take the idleness away from him,” Lieberman said. He continued, “The attack by dozens of charedim on MK Ben Tzur of Shas is yet another example of why we must bring everyone into line immediately. All citizens of the State are subject to one, single, uniform, legal system. Zero tolerance for lawbreakers—from draft-dodgers and refusers to the crime militias and protection rackets. Very soon, we will bring order here!”

MK Boaz Bismuth, who chairs the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, also denounced the assault, calling it “a severe crossing of a line and a blatant attempt to intimidate elected officials.” Bismuth urged that complex national debates like the draft law must be handled “in the appropriate place, in serious dialogue, with proper judgment and through democratic decisions. Not in the street and not under threats by extremists.”

{Matzav.com}

A letter of clarification has been issued by Dayan Rav Yisroel Marmarush, following the publication of a recent psak halacha opposing Israel’s proposed draft law. The dayan stressed that anything publicized in his name is subject entirely to the ruling and guidance of the Gedolei Yisroel.

The clarification came hours after a psak signed by several prominent poskimwas published. That psak stated that “even if, by doing so, many yeshiva students who are currently learning will be saved from being drafted, one may not push aside one soul for another.”

Signatories on the ruling included HaRav Moshe Sternbuch, HaRav Nosson Kopshitz, HaRav Yisroel Marmarush, HaRav Avrohom Pozen, and HaRav Moshe Mordechai Karp and HaRav Amram Fried.

In his clarification letter released Thursday evening, Rav Marmarush, who serves as rav of Kehillas Chaneichei HaYeshivos in Bnei Brak’s Shechunas Gimmel, wrote that it is important to state unequivocally that under the current circumstances, “the decision rests solely in the hands of the Gedolei Yisroel shlita.”

Additionally, HaRav Eliezer Cohen, confidant and gabbai of HaRav Amram Fried, also issued a statement Thursday night clarifying that Rav Fried’s signature did not appear on the version of the letter that was circulated publicly, and that the content had been taken out of context.

{Matzav.com}

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani took aim at Eric Adams on Thursday, blasting the outgoing mayor for decisions made during his final months in office. He said it was “no surprise” that Adams was using his remaining time “to cement a legacy of dysfunction and inconsistency.”

Speaking to reporters during a visit with Pre-K students at the Friends of Crown Heights Education Center in Flatbush, Mamdani voiced strong opposition to Adams’ move to designate the Elizabeth Street Garden as official city parkland. The decision effectively halts a long-debated plan to develop affordable senior housing on the site—something Mamdani said symbolized City Hall’s failure to address real needs. “What New Yorkers are looking forward to is a City Hall where they can expect taking on these crises as opposed to creating them themselves,” he remarked.

Reports have also surfaced that Adams intends to appoint several landlord-friendly members to the Rent Guidelines Board before leaving office, potentially jeopardizing Mamdani’s pledge to freeze rent for residents in rent-stabilized apartments. The move is being interpreted as a last-minute challenge to the mayor-elect’s progressive housing agenda.

Despite his sharp criticism, Mamdani acknowledged that the outgoing administration has been cooperative as the transition begins. “I will say that while I vehemently disagree with a number of the decisions that he’s taken, his administration has also been open in the transition work that we are doing,” Mamdani said. He added that he looks forward to meeting with Adams upon the mayor’s return from Israel to discuss the path forward.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to replace police officers with social workers on certain 911 calls may face serious challenges — especially since the very pilot program it’s based on has already been found deeply flawed.

The initiative, known as the Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division, or B-HEARD, has been running since 2021 in select parts of the city. But according to a May report from the city comptroller, more than 60% of the mental health-related calls reviewed were ruled “ineligible” for B-HEARD intervention.

Adding to the concerns, the audit found that 35% of calls that were considered eligible never received any response from the program, with the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health unable to explain why. The office, which oversees B-HEARD, does not currently track the reasons for these lapses.

Mamdani intends to fold B-HEARD into a much larger $1.1 billion agency he’s calling the Department of Community Safety (DCS). His campaign materials describe the new department as one that will “fill the gaps of our programs and services” and operate with the mission to “prevent violence before it happens by taking a public health approach to safety.”

But the comptroller’s detailed findings raise doubts about whether that vision can realistically succeed. “Of the 96,291 mental health calls from within the pilot areas and hours of operation between FY22-24, 59,178 calls (over 60%) were considered ‘ineligible’ for a B-HEARD response because calls were considered potentially dangerous, were ineligible because a mental health professional was already at the scene, or were unable to be triaged because FDNY EMS did not take the call or all necessary information could not be collected about the person in distress,” the report stated.

The release added, “Some calls deemed ineligible for B-HEARD might have been eligible calls.” It went on to say that “of the remaining 37,113 calls assessed as eligible for a B-HEARD response, 24,071 (65%) resulted in 911 dispatching a B-HEARD team, but over 13,000 calls did not result in a dispatched B-HEARD team.”

Currently, the B-HEARD program fields just 18 teams covering parts of the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, central Brooklyn, and northwest Queens. Experts say expanding it citywide — as Mamdani envisions — would require an enormous increase in personnel and funding.

Richard Aborn, president of the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City, told the New York Post that success will depend entirely on execution. “The devil is in the details, and here the detail is implementation,” he said. “The fact that the program is not reaching people does not tell me it’s unsuccessful; that is a matter of resources.”

Still, Aborn cautioned that the plan raises critical questions about when it’s appropriate to send social workers rather than police. “But there are fundamental questions,” he said, acknowledging that some 911 calls can quickly turn dangerous.

Political strategist Hank Sheinkopf was far more blunt. “Exactly what New York doesn’t need: another government agency with an unmanageable bureaucracy,” he told the paper. “Domestic dispute calls can get violent,” he warned. “That’s the time when you need a social worker? He must be kidding.”

{Matzav.com}

As tens of thousands of visitors prepare to spend Shabbos Parshas Chayei Sarah at the Me’aras HaMachpelah in Chevron, Israeli forces carried out a major counterterrorism operation in the city, arresting dozens of wanted men involved in terror activity and arms trafficking.

According to the IDF, troops from the Yehuda Brigade led the large-scale sweep across several areas of Chevron, part of a wider security operation to ensure safety during the annual influx of visitors to the holy site. The forces conducted extensive searches, seizing a cache of weapons including an M-16 rifle, magazines, and additional firearm components.

Elsewhere, soldiers from the Binyamin Brigade arrested five suspects in the village of Silwad for incitement to terrorism and for supporting Hamas during a march held two weeks ago.

In coordinated actions across the Shomron, Menashe, and Efraim brigades, 21 more wanted individuals were apprehended. Troops also confiscated two improvised Carlo-type submachine guns and a hunting rifle.

The Etzion Brigade reported the arrest of ten additional terrorists, among them two who had thrown stones at IDF troops and another who hurled Molotov cocktails at Israeli civilians. In a separate operation, Binyamin Brigade forces captured two more suspects involved in the manufacture and activation of explosive devices.

All of the detainees and seized weaponry were transferred to the Shin Bet and the Shai District Police for further investigation and prosecution.

The coordinated crackdown comes as security forces tighten control throughout the region in advance of the annual Shabbos Chayei Sarah pilgrimage, which draws thousands of worshipers to the city of Chevron each year.

{Matzav.com}

Four and a half years after the Meron disaster — the deadliest civilian tragedy in Israel’s history — Mrs. Malka Saller, widow of Reb Chaim Ozer Saller z”l, has become engaged to Reb Shlomo Dov Pshevorsky, a yungerman from the Neve Yaakov neighborhood of Yerushalayim.

The engagement took place Thursday evening.

Reb Shlomo Dov is a member of Kollel Daas Shmuel, affiliated with Levushi Oz, and is admired in his community for his diligence and refinement.

Mrs. Saller is a daughter of Rabbi Yitzchok Lupoliansky, Rosh Yeshiva of Nachalas Yair in Mitzad, and the granddaughter of Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky, chairman of Yad Sarah.

Her first husband, Rabbi Chaim Ozer Saller z”l, was just 24 years old when he tragically lost his life in the 2021 Meron tragedy. The young couple, residents of Neve Yaakov, had celebrated the birth of their only daughter just two weeks before the calamity. What was meant to be a kiddush celebration on the Shabbos following Lag BaOmer instead turned into heartbreaking mourning.

Those who knew Reb Chaim Ozer remembered him as a rare blend of deep spirituality and warmth, a young man immersed in Torah study and yiras Shamayim, yet beloved by everyone for his gentle nature and kindness.

Now, after several years of unimaginable grief and resilience, Mrs. Saller’s engagement marks a poignant new beginning, a moment of light and hope following years of sorrow.

Washington has secured the backing of Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Turkey for its proposed UN Security Council resolution to create an International Stabilization Force in Gaza — a move facing sharp resistance from Russia and China.

In a rare show of unity, the participating countries released a joint declaration endorsing the U.S.-led effort. “We are issuing this statement as the member states that gathered during [UN General Assembly] High-Level Week (in September) to begin this process, which offers a pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” the statement reads.

The document continues with an appeal for swift global cooperation. “We emphasize that this is a sincere effort, and the Plan provides a viable path towards peace and stability, not only between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but for the entire region,” the statement says. “We are looking forward to this resolution’s swift adoption.”

The initiative follows President Donald Trump’s unveiling of a detailed 20-point framework outlining steps toward rebuilding Gaza and reforming the Palestinian Authority. The plan notes that conditions “may” allow for “a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” if reconstruction and governance reforms progress as intended.

Unlike the original U.S. document, the new multinational statement goes beyond cautious diplomatic phrasing by treating Palestinian statehood as an explicit outcome rather than a theoretical possibility.

Diplomats say the White House had to make several linguistic concessions to secure such broad regional participation. Still, observers note that Washington’s agreement to language promoting Palestinian statehood marks a significant shift in tone — even if it doesn’t necessarily reflect a change in long-term U.S. policy.

Meanwhile, President Trump has recently stated that he has “not yet decided” whether to endorse a two-state solution. The Israeli government has strongly rejected the framework, signaling that the proposal will continue to stir debate on the international stage.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump is set to host a special event at the White House on Thursday, November 20, welcoming the Israeli hostages who were freed as part of last month’s Gaza ceasefire arrangement, according to a source cited by The Times of Israel.

The insider clarified that previous reports suggesting Trump was arranging a private flight for the guests were inaccurate. Instead, the former captives will be arriving in Washington aboard commercial flights funded by the Israeli government.

All twenty individuals who were released on October 13 have received invitations from the White House to attend the meeting, which will mark their first official visit to the United States since their return to freedom.

{Matzav.com}

A 52-year-old man from Tirat Carmel has been formally indicted after police accused him of breaking into a parked car in the city and stealing a pair of valuable tefillin, Arutz Sheva reports.

Authorities said the incident occurred about ten days ago, when officers received a report that a vehicle in Tirat Carmel had been broken into and that tefillin had been taken. Detectives quickly launched an investigation, employing multiple investigative techniques to trace the suspect.

As the probe advanced, evidence began to mount against the man, also a resident of Tirat Carmel, who allegedly forced his way into the vehicle and stole the sacred items. Officers eventually tracked him down, placed him under arrest, and brought him in for questioning.

During the course of the investigation, police were able to locate the missing tefillin and return them to their rightful owner. The department reported that the victim was “very excited to receive them back.”

Upon completing their investigation, officers compiled sufficient evidence to charge the suspect. The prosecution has since filed an indictment and petitioned the court to keep the man in custody until the legal proceedings are concluded.

{Matzav.com}

A battle-hardened IDF reservist who has spent more than 400 days in active combat zones across Gaza and Lebanon has written a searing letter to his battalion commander, condemning the army’s decision to have soldiers protect humanitarian aid trucks bound for Gaza, Arutz Sheva reports.

In his emotional message, the soldier described the assignment as one of his most demoralizing experiences since the war began. “After around 400 days of reserve duty, fighting in Gaza, in Lebanon, in the cold and the heat, with heavy loads and little sleep, today I went through one of the most difficult days of the war,” he wrote.

He expressed outrage that men who have risked everything in battle were now ordered to defend supplies being sent to those who continue to attack them. “Unfortunately, we were given the difficult and immoral task of securing the entry of food and aid to the enemy who is fighting us… Despite many hours having passed, I still can’t calm down from the difficult feelings I experienced that day,” he continued.

The reservist confessed that the mission left him in inner conflict, struggling to reconcile his duties as a soldier with what he viewed as a betrayal of purpose. “We didn’t leave behind our wives, children, jobs, and entire lives just to deliver aid to the enemy,” he said, calling for a serious re-evaluation of such directives.

He urged the army’s leadership to rethink policies that place Israeli soldiers in harm’s way for what he termed a morally indefensible goal. “We need to lay things on the table: The immoral decision to risk our lives in order to bring food that fuels Hamas must change,” he declared.

Closing his letter, the reservist described the anguish of witnessing the situation firsthand. “As a civilian, you hear about ‘humanitarian aid’ and understand how bad it is, but when you see it with your own eyes, you can’t keep turning a blind eye to it,” he concluded.

{Matzav.com}

An unexpected political rendezvous took place Wednesday when New York’s incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, hosted Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Lina Khan—his transition co-chair and noted Big Tech critic—for a discreet meeting that didn’t stay secret for long.

The trio’s gathering came to light thanks to a sharp-eyed New Yorker working in an office across from Mamdani’s headquarters, who spotted them deep in conversation. “In deep debate,” the observer posted on X, along with a photo taken through the window. The next morning, he followed up with a dry update: “Update: the blinds are all closed this morning.”

While details of what was discussed remain a mystery, Warren wasted no time publicizing the meeting herself. Sharing a smiling photo of the three on Instagram, she wrote, “Tax the rich. Billionaire tears not pictured.”

The Post reached out to both Mamdani and Warren for clarification, but neither camp offered any insight into the purpose of the meeting.

Warren, known for her animosity toward Wall Street and her populist economic crusades, has been an outspoken admirer of Mamdani’s left-wing agenda. Over the summer, she lauded his “steely” commitment to affordability and praised his sweeping plans for free child care, transit, and rent freezes, calling them the true “Democratic message.”

Not everyone shared her enthusiasm. Maria Danzilo, a former New York state Senate candidate, expressed outrage online at what she viewed as Warren’s meddling in city politics. “This woman will not rest until she brings down America, starting with NYC. It’s bad enough we have [AOC] here,” Danzilo fumed on X.

“NYC is bleeding jobs and it’s headed for anti-growth and a death spiral thanks to years of De Blasio, no course correction with Adams, and now four years of [t]his! She should go back to Massachusetts and leave NYC the heck alone.”

Her frustration resonated with many New Yorkers growing uneasy about the far-left figures orbiting Mamdani’s administration. “Welp Bernie said it. He wants to bring Mamdani politics all across the country,” one user remarked, referencing Sen. Bernie Sanders, who had campaigned alongside Mamdani days before the election.

Others questioned why Warren was even getting involved in city affairs at all. “I don’t think her policies work for nyc,” one commenter wrote. Another bluntly asked, “She is a MA senator…why is she even there?”

Whatever was said behind those now-closed blinds, one thing is clear: Warren’s embrace of Mamdani has only deepened suspicions that New York City’s next chapter could look a lot like her vision of progressive America.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that it has been closely tracking a Russian intelligence vessel operating unusually close to American waters near Hawaii. The ship, identified as the Kareliya, was detected on October 29 just 15 nautical miles south of Oahu, prompting a swift response by Coast Guard aircraft and ships.

According to officials, a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Barbers Point and the Cutter William Hart were deployed to monitor the Russian vessel, which is classified as a Vishnya-class signals intelligence ship. The Coast Guard said it conducted “a safe and professional overflight and transiting near the vessel,” ensuring U.S. maritime security remained intact.

“The U.S. Coast Guard routinely monitors maritime activity around the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the Pacific to ensure the safety and security of U.S. waters,” wrote Capt. Matthew Chong, chief of response for the Coast Guard Oceania District.

In its statement, the Coast Guard emphasized that all actions taken were in full accordance with international law. U.S. personnel, the statement noted, are “monitoring the vessel’s activities near U.S. territorial waters to provide maritime security for U.S. vessels operating in the area.”

“Working in concert with partners and allies, our crews monitor and respond to foreign military vessel activity near our territorial waters to protect our maritime borders and defend our sovereign interests,” Capt. Chong added.

The Kareliya belongs to the Vishnya-class, a fleet of large Soviet-designed intelligence-gathering ships built in the 1980s. According to the U.S. Army, seven of these vessels remain active within the Russian Navy. Each ship is equipped with advanced sensors designed to intercept and transmit signals intelligence through satellite communication systems.

Despite being built primarily for surveillance, the ships are not unarmed. The U.S. Army notes that they carry two AK-630 close-in weapon systems and SA-N-8 surface-to-air missile launchers intended for last-resort self-defense.

The Coast Guard’s Oceania District continues to coordinate with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and other federal partners to monitor all foreign military activity near American maritime borders. Under international law, foreign naval vessels may legally operate in international waters beyond 12 nautical miles from a nation’s coastline — a limit the Kareliya stayed just outside of, though close enough to draw attention from U.S. forces.

{Matzav.com}

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Transportation Security Administration employees who kept the nation’s airports running during the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown were recognized in dramatic fashion on Thursday, as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem personally handed out $10,000 bonus checks to select agents.

The presentation took place at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where Noem paused a press briefing to turn toward about a dozen TSA officers gathered behind her. Cameras captured her shaking each recipient’s hand before presenting them with envelopes containing their bonuses. “Exemplary service,” she said, describing the dedication of agents who continued working without pay.

According to an administration official cited by MSNBC, the bonuses weren’t limited to the Houston group. “Several thousand” TSA employees who received top performance ratings from their supervisors would also be rewarded with the same $10,000 check.

The bonuses came as federal workers were finally getting paid again after more than six weeks without paychecks. The move was intended both to acknowledge their loyalty and to boost morale following the historic shutdown that strained airport operations nationwide.

President Donald Trump reportedly pushed for similar recognition for air traffic controllers. As Breitbart News noted, he recommended a $10,000 payment for those who worked through the shutdown’s duration.

When Fox News host Laura Ingraham asked Trump how he planned to fund the gesture, he replied candidly, “I don’t know. I’ll get it from some place.” He then added, “I always get the money from some place, regardless. It doesn’t matter. We did a lot of — I do a lot of bonuses for people, because it’s really something that, it’s like the American way, when you think about it.”

An internal Department of Homeland Security memo later confirmed that the TSA bonuses distributed Thursday came from leftover funds from fiscal year 2025, allowing the department to honor the president’s directive without additional appropriations.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli security forces have arrested four residents of the Beit Safafa neighborhood in Yerushalayim who are accused of supporting the Islamic State terror organization (ISIS) and stockpiling weapons in preparation for what they called “the great war at the end of days” against Jews.

The Shin Bet security agency, working with the Yerushalayim District Police’s central investigative unit, launched a joint investigation in recent weeks following suspicions that the four men, all in their twenties, were affiliated with ISIS. Acting on intelligence from the Shin Bet, Jerusalem police detectives and Border Police officers arrested the suspects, who have been held for questioning with their detention repeatedly extended by court order.

According to findings from the investigation, the four suspects actively consumed large quantities of ISIS propaganda online, including gruesome videos and execution footage from the group’s battle zones abroad. Inspired by the material, they began planning to acquire military gear and weapons to prepare for what they described as “the great war at the end of days” targeting Jews.

Before their arrest, the suspects had already begun gathering supplies and had purchased a handgun. During interrogation, one of them reportedly admitted, “This is for the great war. I will use the gun against Jews or anyone who is not Muslim.”

During a search of one suspect’s property, investigators found a pistol hidden inside a chicken coop along with additional military equipment. The seized items were taken for forensic examination.

Upon completion of the investigation, prosecutors determined that there was sufficient evidence to charge two of the suspects. A prosecutor’s declaration has been filed against them, and indictments are expected soon. The other two remain in custody as the investigation continues.

In a joint statement, the Shin Bet and Israel Police reaffirmed their commitment to “continue acting with all security forces to thwart terrorism and protect the citizens of Israel.”

Israeli officials have reportedly approached senior members of the Trump administration, asking Washington to reassess the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey — a move reflecting growing Israeli concern over Ankara’s accelerating military buildup.

According to a report by i24 News, the Israeli representatives urged their American counterparts to review, and potentially revoke, the agreement enabling Turkey to acquire the U.S.-made stealth aircraft. The appeal comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Turkey, whose regional ambitions have expanded sharply in recent years.

Israel, which has long sought to maintain its qualitative military edge in the Middle East, views the F-35 as a cornerstone of its air superiority. Turkish acquisition of the same platform is seen in Jerusalem as a potential threat to that strategic advantage.

Thus far, Washington has not issued a definitive response to Israel’s request. However, based on the administration’s recent defense dealings, observers believe it is unlikely that the Trump White House will cancel the transaction.

For Israel, the issue underscores a broader concern: balancing its regional deterrence with the shifting alliances and rearmament efforts of neighboring powers — particularly a resurgent Turkey.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu took sharp aim at French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, condemning his praise of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas during their recent meeting in Paris. Macron had referred to Abbas as a “prince of peace,” a label Netanyahu said could not be further from the truth.

“To bring in such a person, embrace him and say you’re the prince of peace is the opposite of reality – it’s false,” Netanyahu told Australian journalist Erin Molan on her podcast. “You cannot build peace on falsehoods. Sooner or later, these falsehoods crash on the rocks of Middle East reality.”

Netanyahu went on to outline what he described as the grim facts behind Abbas’s leadership, pointing to the Palestinian Authority’s continued policy of compensating terrorists and their families. “The reality is that the Palestinian leader Abbas, who was feted right now in Paris, pays terrorists to kill Jews. The more Jews they kill, the more they get paid. They take care of their families,” said Netanyahu.

Though the Palestinian Authority later rebranded the payments as “welfare support” and transferred them to an “independent” foundation, Abbas himself has repeatedly pledged to continue the program, stating he would not reduce it by “a single penny.”

The Israeli leader also highlighted Abbas’s decades-long rule—now stretching 21 years into what was originally a four-year term—and the ongoing glorification of terrorism in Palestinian media and education. “My advice to Macron is: learn the facts, stick to the facts, stick to realities and don’t try to escape it,” Netanyahu said. “When you look at the facts, the force for peace, the force for stability, the force for progress, is not the Palestinian Authority, but Israel.”

During his meeting with Abbas earlier in the week, Macron announced that France would help the Palestinian Authority draft a constitution for a future state. He explained that a joint committee would address “all legal aspects: constitutional, institutional and organisational.”

“It will contribute to the work of developing a new constitution, a draft of which President Abbas has presented to me, and will aim to finalise all the conditions for such a State of Palestine,” Macron declared.

Macron also lauded Abbas as a “partner for peace,” asserting that he has “consistently” condemned terrorism, including the Hamas atrocities of October 7. However, Abbas has yet to publicly denounce the massacre in Arabic.

Just weeks earlier, France spearheaded an initiative alongside Britain, Canada, and Australia to formally recognize a Palestinian state—drawing sharp criticism from both Israel and the United States. Washington and Jerusalem warned that such unilateral recognition amounts to rewarding Hamas rather than promoting genuine peace.

For years, the Palestinian Authority has pushed for countries to recognize “Palestine” in order to sidestep direct negotiations with Israel. While several nations have followed suit, these gestures remain largely symbolic, carrying little tangible diplomatic consequence.

{Matzav.com}

Russia has introduced its own draft resolution on Gaza to the United Nations Security Council, setting up a direct confrontation with the United States over how to shape the postwar future of the territory. The American-backed plan, which supports President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace framework, calls for a two-year transitional governing body and an international stabilization force to oversee recovery and security efforts.

Washington’s proposal, formally distributed last week to the 15-member Council, has already received backing from several key regional players. But Moscow quickly moved to challenge it, presenting an alternative version it described as being “inspired by the US draft” while offering what it claims is a more “balanced, acceptable, and unified approach toward achieving a sustainable cessation of hostilities,” according to a note circulated by Russia’s UN delegation.

The Russian document, reviewed by Reuters, mirrors parts of the American initiative but deliberately leaves out mention of the “Board of Peace,” the transitional administrative council envisioned by the United States. Instead, it asks the UN Secretary-General to explore possible options for a multinational stabilization force to operate in Gaza — a move seen by diplomats as Moscow’s attempt to reposition itself as a mediator in the conflict’s aftermath.

The United States, however, urged Council members to stay the course and adopt its resolution without delay, warning that further divisions could undermine the tenuous calm on the ground. “Attempts to sow discord now – when agreement on this resolution is under active negotiation – has grave, tangible, and entirely avoidable consequences for Palestinians in Gaza,” a US mission spokesperson said. “The ceasefire is fragile and we urge the Council to unite and move forward to secure the peace that is desperately needed.”

President Donald Trump has personally urged Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to take decisive steps toward normalizing relations with Israel, according to a report published Thursday by Axios. The conversation, which took place last month but had not been publicly disclosed, followed the Gaza peace summit in Egypt and marked one of the most direct appeals yet from the White House to the Saudi leader.

A senior U.S. official familiar with the call told Axios that Trump informed MBS he had successfully brought the Gaza war to an end and now expected Riyadh to advance toward formal relations with Jerusalem. In response, MBS reportedly expressed readiness to engage with the Trump administration on the issue. The Saudi embassy in Washington declined to comment on the report.

The White House views the upcoming Trump-MBS meeting as an opportunity to move closer to a normalization deal, though officials admit the two sides remain divided on several key points. U.S. diplomats hope the visit will generate enough goodwill to restart the process, which has been stalled since the Gaza war erupted.

For years, Saudi officials have maintained that recognition of Israel would depend on progress toward a Palestinian state. “We did all the things you asked for. Now, there are things President Trump wants, like normalization with Israel. So how are you guys going to move now in this direction?” a senior U.S. official summarized Washington’s stance.

Before Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel, normalization between Jerusalem and Riyadh seemed within reach. But after the attack and subsequent war in Gaza, the Saudis froze discussions, arguing that conditions were no longer suitable for rapprochement.

Trump, however, remains optimistic. In an interview last month, he reiterated his confidence that the Abraham Accords would soon expand to include additional Arab nations. “I hope to see Saudi Arabia go in, and I hope to see others go in. I think when Saudi Arabia goes in, everybody goes in,” the President said.

Sources told Axios that some of Saudi Arabia’s earlier demands have now been addressed and that Trump intends to present MBS with a U.S. security pledge during his Washington visit. While short of a formal defense treaty, the commitment could serve as a stepping stone toward one.

Trump administration officials also highlight that the final provisions of their Gaza peace framework include language suggesting a route to eventual Palestinian statehood. The plan notes that if the Palestinian Authority “faithfully” carries out reforms during Gaza’s rebuilding, there may arise “a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” along with a U.S.-led initiative to create “a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.”

A former U.S. official with close ties to the Saudi leadership told Axios that MBS is likely to demand firm, visible commitments from Israel to justify any deal to his domestic audience, where public anger over the Gaza conflict remains high.

Despite active negotiations, U.S. officials caution that it is too early to know whether MBS’ upcoming White House visit will produce a breakthrough. For now, Washington’s message is clear: the administration has met many Saudi conditions — and it is looking for Riyadh to take the next step.

{Matzav.com}

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