Matzav

The IDF announced Sunday that a targeted operation in Beirut, directed by Israel’s Intelligence Directorate, killed Haytham Ali Tabataba’i — Hezbollah’s Chief of General Staff and one of the most influential military minds inside the terror group. Israeli officials described the strike as a major blow to Hezbollah’s upper echelon and a critical disruption to its operational rebuilding efforts.

Tabataba’i’s career stretched back to the 1980s, when he first enlisted in Hezbollah’s ranks. Over the decades, he rose steadily, eventually holding some of the group’s most sensitive positions. He previously commanded the elite Radwan Force and later oversaw Hezbollah’s entire military effort in Syria, where he was credited with embedding the organization deeply into the Syrian battlefield and expanding its capabilities.

Once the Gaza–northern front war erupted, Tabataba’i was tapped to manage Hezbollah’s operational array—responsible for synthesizing intelligence, coordinating units, and shaping the group’s force structure. During Operation Northern Arrows, after Israeli strikes eliminated much of Hezbollah’s senior field command, he became the central figure running the war effort against Israel from Lebanon.

After that operation concluded, Tabataba’i was elevated to Chief of General Staff. In that role, he undertook an aggressive campaign to reconstruct the organization’s fighting units and reinforce its readiness for a future confrontation with Israel. He wielded enormous influence inside Hezbollah, using his connections and experience to expand the Radwan Unit and strengthen the terror group’s operational infrastructure.

Following the strike, the IDF emphasized that it “will act against efforts to rebuild and rearm the Hezbollah terrorist organization and will operate to remove any threat posed to Israeli civilians,” while reiterating that the military “remains committed to the understandings reached between the State of Israel and Lebanon.”

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the Beirut operation was aimed squarely at Tabataba’i, describing him as second only to Secretary General Naim Qassem in the organization’s hierarchy. “A short while ago, in the heart of Beirut, the IDF attacked the Hezbollah Chief of Staff, who had been leading the terrorist organization’s buildup and rearmament. Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the attack upon the recommendation of the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief of Staff. Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives everywhere and at all times,” the statement read.

Israeli officials noted that in recent years Tabataba’i supervised Hezbollah’s special forces and became its highest-ranking active military commander once the rest of the senior chain of command had been eliminated. His significance was well known internationally: the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice program had placed a $5 million bounty on information leading to his capture.

Defense Minister Israel Katz praised the operation, issuing a sharp warning to Hezbollah’s leadership. “We will continue to act forcefully to prevent any threat to the residents of the north and the State of Israel. Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have his hand cut off. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are determined to continue the policy of maximum enforcement in Lebanon and anywhere else. We will not allow a return to the reality of before October 7th.”

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned the Israeli action, accusing Israel of escalating the conflict and ignoring international appeals. “The Israeli strike in Dahieh is further proof that Israel does not heed the repeated calls to halt its attacks. We once again call on the international community to assume its responsibility and intervene to stop the attacks in Lebanon and against its people. Israel refuses to implement international resolutions and rejects all efforts and initiatives proposed to end the escalation and restore stability.”

Inside the IDF’s senior command post in the Kirya, Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir oversaw the real-time strike alongside Operations Directorate head MG Itzik Cohen, Operations Division head BG Yisrael Shomer, Operations Brigade head BG Meni Liberty, and other commanders. Briefing after the hit, Zamir said, “We struck the most senior commander in the Hezbollah terrorist organization. The strike was intended to prevent the organization from further strengthening its capabilities and to deliver a precise blow to those who attempt to harm the State of Israel.” He added, “The IDF remains committed to the understandings agreed upon between the State of Israel and Lebanon, but we will not allow the Hezbollah terrorist organization to strengthen or rearm, and we will act to remove any threat to the civilians of the State of Israel.”

The Beirut attack followed a string of IDF operations against Hezbollah operatives. On Saturday, Israeli forces eliminated Kamel Reza Karnabsh, who had been rebuilding Hezbollah’s presence in the Meifadon region of southern Lebanon. In a separate 91st Division mission, another operative was killed near the village of Khoula; the IDF identified him as the group’s local representative who coordinated military and economic activities and facilitated the takeover of private property for terror purposes.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump launched a scathing rebuke at Ukraine on Sunday, accusing its leaders of showing “zero gratitude” toward the United States even as Washington pushes a controversial cease-fire framework now under fire for resembling a Russian “wishlist.” “UKRAINE ‘LEADERSHIP’ HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, venting frustration over what he sees as lopsided expectations placed on the U.S.

He went on to complain that America continues to shoulder most of the military burden for Ukraine’s defense. “THE USA CONTINUES TO SELL MASSIVE $AMOUNTS OF WEAPONS TO NATO, FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UKRAINE (CROOKED JOE GAVE EVERYTHING, FREE, FREE, FREE, INCLUDING ‘BIG’ MONEY!),” he added, contrasting his approach with that of his predecessor and warning that Washington’s support is being taken for granted.

The president’s outburst came as the 28-point proposal intended to wind down the war ignited political chaos in Washington and European capitals. After the document leaked last week, senators publicly claimed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had suggested the United States was not the true author of the blueprint, fueling speculation that the terms mirrored Moscow’s long-standing demands rather than a balanced diplomatic offer.

State Department officials quickly attempted to shut down that narrative, insisting the U.S. did, in fact, draft the plan. The proposal calls for dramatic changes on Ukraine’s side, including giving up the entire Donbas region—territory Russia has failed to capture outright despite years of fighting.

Other major concessions demanded of Kyiv include agreeing never to join NATO, reducing its armed forces from about 900,000 soldiers to 600,000, and granting sweeping amnesty to all participants in the conflict. That provision would ensure Russian fighters avoid prosecution for war crimes.

In contrast, the terms ask relatively little of Russia, raising alarm among Ukraine’s allies and intensifying the political storm surrounding the peace proposal.

{Matzav.com}

Years before the onslaught of October 7, Hamas was quietly assembling a broad, methodical intelligence apparatus aimed squarely at Israel’s military infrastructure. Israeli assessments now indicate that the terror group mobilized roughly 2,500 operatives to collect, refine, and analyze data in a way that would ultimately allow them to carry out one of the most devastating attacks in Israel’s history.

Military officials say the groundwork stretches back to 2018, when Hamas began monitoring Israeli soldiers on an unprecedented scale. Analysts believe the organization systematically tracked close to 100,000 servicemembers on social media, gathering digital traces and piecing together patterns of behavior, movement, and unit affiliation.

The group’s methods went far beyond scrolling through public feeds. In a report aired by military correspondent Doron Kadosh on Galai Tzahal, it was revealed that Hamas operatives deployed armies of fake “avatar” profiles—crafted through advanced social-engineering techniques—to infiltrate private accounts, conversations, and even closed WhatsApp groups used by young Israelis entering combat units.

What followed was a relentless intelligence-production cycle. Hamas assembled daily briefings on troop movements, Iron Dome placements, operational rotations, and deployments between sectors. By cross-matching thousands of snippets—everything from a parent posting pictures at a discharge ceremony to TikTok clips filmed on bases—they created an extraordinarily detailed picture of IDF installations. Their files included the placement of cameras, the angles of rear gates, the layout of barracks and armories, and the location of readiness rooms.

This mountain of intelligence was then transformed into practical training tools. Hamas constructed precise 3D models and full physical replicas of IDF posts along the Gaza border. They also obtained advanced simulation software, enabling Nukhba units to rehearse infiltration scenarios with virtual-reality headsets that mirrored the real bases down to minute details.

Israeli security officials had been aware that Hamas was experimenting with mock bases, but not of the depth or accuracy involved. One senior officer admitted, “We never imagined how accurate they were,” while an Air Force officer added, “Hamas knew the base better than I did – even though I served there for many years.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed back hard this weekend against mounting skepticism surrounding the contentious 28-point peace outline for the Ukraine War, asserting that the document originated in Washington and reflects a balance of perspectives from both Kyiv and Moscow. “The peace proposal was authored by the U.S. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations,” Rubio said. “It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine.”

The doubts that erupted after the plan surfaced last week only intensified when analysts pointed out that the text appeared to have been translated from Russian, prompting questions about who actually drafted it. That backdrop made Saturday’s developments especially jarring, as members of a bipartisan Senate delegation — including Sen. Mike Rounds — told reporters after meeting Rubio at the Halifax International Security Forum that the Secretary of State had indicated the document resembled a Russian wish list.

Those claims triggered a swift rebuttal from the State Department. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott rejected any suggestion that Moscow had produced the proposal, stressing that such allegations were “blatantly false,” though he offered no clarification for the contradictions coming from Capitol Hill.

The plan itself continues to stir unease. Under its terms, Ukraine would be required to relinquish the Donbas region entirely — territory Russia has been unable to conquer outright despite more than ten years of conflict. The framework also calls for Ukraine to commit to staying out of NATO, reduce its armed forces by roughly one-third, and grant sweeping amnesty to all wartime participants, which would effectively shield Russian personnel from war-crimes charges. Meanwhile, the proposal asks little from Moscow in return.

Reports have indicated that special envoy Steve Witkoff helped spearhead the initiative, working with both Ukrainian and Russian interlocutors. Once the details became public, major European powers quickly voiced misgivings. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that any legitimate accord must meet core principles. “Any credible and sustainable peace plan should first and foremost stop the killing and end the war, while not sowing the seeds for a future conflict,” she stated. She continued by laying out the fundamental conditions: “First, borders cannot be changed by force. Second, as a sovereign nation, there cannot be limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attack and thereby also undermining European security.” Her final point underscored Europe’s role in the region: “Third, the centrality of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected. Ukraine must have the freedom and sovereign right to choose its own destiny. They have chosen a European destiny.”

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk added another layer of uncertainty by openly demanding clarity about authorship. “Together with the leaders of Europe, Canada and Japan, we have declared our readiness to work on the 28-point plan despite some reservations,” he wrote on X. “However, before we start our work, it would be good to know for sure who is the author of the plan and where was it created.”

The debate unfolded against the backdrop of President Trump’s recent sit-down with Volodymyr Zelensky, after which Trump suggested that ending the war along the existing battle lines could be the most realistic path forward. The White House has since defended the 28-point framework as a plausible route to cease-fire negotiations. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that stance last week. “President Trump has made it very clear since day one, and even on the campaign trail, that he wants to see this war come to an end. He has grown increasingly frustrated with both sides of this war, Russia and Ukraine alike, for their refusal to commit to a peace agreement,” she said. She added, “It’s a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine, and we believe that it should be acceptable to both sides, and we’re working very hard to get it done.”

Kyiv, however, has publicly bristled at the steep concessions demanded of Ukraine. Zelensky, speaking through a translated statement, framed the choice as existential. “We are facing one of the most dangerous periods in Ukrainian history, a choice between losing our dignity and freedom and losing US support,” he said. “We choose dignity. My answer is my oath of office. I did not betray Ukraine in Feb 2022 and we won’t betray in now.”

{Matzav.com}

In a pointed public message, Ponovezh Rosh Yeshiva Rav Berel Povarsky told media personality Yisroel Cohen that the proper response to critics of the yeshiva community is to emphasize that Torah study serves as the true protection of the Jewish nation.

The remarks came following a special gathering at the home of Rav Povarsky, which was attended by Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch. The meeting focused on safeguarding the status of yeshiva students amid the current political efforts surrounding the draft framework known as the “Bismuth outline,” which the Degel leadership agreed to allow to advance to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

After the gathering concluded, Rav Povarsky spoke privately with Yisroel Cohen and articulated the full chareidi position on the issue. He stressed the principle that Torah is the spiritual protection of the Jewish people and the foundation of the nation’s survival.

During the conversation, the Rosh Yeshiva’s aide, Rabbi Yosef Strauss, introduced Cohen and noted his role in defending Torah learners in mainstream media. Rabbi Strauss asked the Rosh Yeshiva how such ideas should be conveyed to the broader public.

Rav Povarsky responded directly: “Tell them that the boys are not going to the army, but they are going to the place where they save the entire Jewish people. And that is very important.”

He went on to explain that the Jewish people, unlike nations such as the English or French, exist only through the merit of Torah, which has protected and sustained them for thousands of years.

Rav Povarsky concluded with a clear message of faith: “Hakadosh Boruch Hu loves the Jewish people, and everything is only in the merit of learning Torah.”

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

Yerushalayim police have arrested a 14-year-old boy suspected of assaulting Knesset member Yoav Ben-Tzur and damaging his vehicle during a violent protest last week against the government’s advancing draft law.

Police said the arrest was made overnight following an operational and investigative effort by officers from the Yerushalayim District’s crime-fighting unit, led by the Lev HaBirah station. According to authorities, the teenager was apparently part of the demonstration that turned violent as activists protested the ongoing legislative process and the government’s plans for regulating the status of yeshiva students.

The suspect was taken to the Lev HaBirah police station for interrogation.

Police emphasized that the investigation is continuing, with officers working to locate additional individuals suspected of being involved in the assault. Evidence and testimonies are still being collected.

Officials condemned the incident in strong terms, stating that “this is a serious case in which criminal elements attempted to harm an elected official, and every tool available to law enforcement will be used to bring all those involved to justice.”

They added that “the Israel Police will continue to act firmly and with zero tolerance against lawbreakers and violence of any kind, including any attempt to harm public officials, disrupt public order, or endanger residents.”

{Matzav.com}

Republican New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino described President Donald Trump’s sit-down with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as nothing short of a strategic masterstroke, telling Newsmax that the encounter played out like “a well-played game of chess.”

Speaking on Newsmax’s “Finnerty” with guest host Todd Starnes, Paladino argued that Trump walked away positioned as the clear winner. In her view, Mamdani now faces a political squeeze in which he will either succeed — giving Trump indirect credit — or falter and bear the political repercussions alone.

Paladino said the tone inside the Oval Office earlier that day was a sharp departure from the blistering campaign rhetoric. Trump, she noted, “gave him every benefit of every doubt” and intentionally “set up Zohran to be that person that has to answer to his DSA [Democratic Socialists of America] base here in New York City.”

That moment, she said, now leaves the mayor-elect accountable to progressive supporters who expect him to uphold affordability promises and other campaign commitments, all while standing beside Trump in such a high-profile setting.

Although she does not think New York is on the brink of collapse, Paladino warned that the true measure of Mamdani’s leadership will come in the first few months of his administration. She summed up the dynamic bluntly: “He was like the child in the room and Trump was the president.”

The backdrop to Friday’s meeting is the bitter campaign season during which Trump had denounced Mamdani as a “communist” and threatened to cut federal funding if he prevailed. Despite that history, the two men held a notably cordial exchange at the White House, discussing affordability, public safety, and other key issues.

To Paladino, the meeting demonstrated Trump’s understanding of political leverage. By extending a gesture of goodwill, she said, he effectively boxed Mamdani into a difficult position — requiring federal cooperation while staying faithful to a progressive movement that expects sweeping change. “It isn’t negotiation. This is politics,” she said.

Looking ahead, she noted that the challenges for the incoming mayor revolve around whether he adheres to his ideological convictions or bends under broader expectations from Washington and New York’s wider electorate.

With Mamdani set to take office on Jan. 1, Paladino suggested that the White House appearance may be only the opening move in a long political game. She predicted that while Mamdani might surprise some skeptics on the right, Trump’s strategy will remain untouched. “He’s going to surprise conservatives all right, because he’s going to have to fall into line, otherwise suffer the consequences,” Paladino said.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said this weekend that he is willing to dispatch National Guard units to New York City if the situation warrants it, framing the option as part of his broader readiness to use federal forces to confront the country’s growing urban crime crises.

Speaking briefly with reporters, Trump emphasized that New York remains on his list for potential deployment. “If they need it. Right now, other places need it more,” he said, noting that decisions would be made based on where the urgency is greatest.

His comments reflect the same approach that has already led him to green-light Guard deployments and federal law enforcement activity in cities such as Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Those moves align with his crime-focused platform, which prioritizes aggressive intervention in areas struggling with public disorder.

Domestic activation of the National Guard has historically been reserved for moments of major unrest or natural disaster, often triggered by a governor’s request or by local authorities unable to maintain control. In New York, however, state leaders and city lawmakers have made clear their opposition to federal intervention.

Back on Oct. 23, the New York City Council and a coalition of clergy held a press conference warning that the introduction of “military or federal teams” would “undermine public safety and the city’s economy.” Gov. Kathy Hochul has reportedly been in communication with Wall Street executives as she seeks to dissuade Washington from sending troops into the city.

The legal landscape surrounding Guard deployments differs across jurisdictions. In Washington, D.C.—which has no governor—the National Guard operates under federal command. That structure recently contributed to a court ruling deeming one such deployment “unlawful” because it exceeded the president’s statutory limits. In states like New York, by contrast, Guard control typically rests with the governor unless the units are federalized.

For that reason, any federal move to send troops into New York raises questions about state consent, the Guard’s appropriate role in policing, and the boundaries set by constitutional and statutory law. Legal scholars warn that placing Guard members into a civilian law-enforcement role without specific authorization may violate those restrictions.

From a policy perspective, Trump’s latest remarks suggest he is prepared to extend the model he used in D.C. to other large Democratic-run cities—setting the stage for another potential clash between federal and state authorities over law-and-order strategy.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump sharpened the pressure on Ukraine over the weekend, telling reporters that if Volodymyr Zelenskyy refuses the U.S.-crafted peace blueprint to halt the conflict with Russia, he is free to, as Trump put it, “continue to fight his little heart out.” His remarks landed as European allies warned that the proposal could leave Ukraine exposed down the road.

While speaking to the press as he left the White House, Trump pushed back on criticism surrounding the 28-point American plan, saying it should not be viewed as his “final offer.” His comments aired live on Newsmax as he again lamented the war’s existence. “We’d like to get the peace. It should have happened a long time ago,” he said, later adding, “The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened,” and insisting, “One way or the other, we have to get it ended. If I were President, [the war] never would have happened.”

According to officials briefed on the draft, the proposal would force Kyiv to relinquish more territory, permanently shelve any intentions of joining NATO, and accept strict limits on its military size. Trump set a Thanksgiving deadline for Zelenskyy to deliver his answer.

Kyiv announced that its representatives will soon sit down with American officials in Switzerland to hash through the details. Zelenskyy acknowledged the gravity of the choice, saying the deal makes him consider “the loss of our dignity or the risk of losing a key partner,” a line that reflects the immense political strain surrounding the decision.

Earlier in the day, nine European heads of state expressed misgivings about aspects of the U.S. plan, especially the proposed restraints on Ukraine’s armed forces. Those military caps, they argued, “would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.”

Russia, which launched what it calls its “special military operation” in February 2022, continues to assert its goals of “denazification” and demilitarization of Ukraine. Along with curbing Kyiv’s military and blocking NATO membership, Moscow is still pushing for legally protected status for the Russian language within Ukraine.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump struck a triumphant tone as he highlighted new polling that he says shows him reaching “the highest poll numbers of my political career,” crediting his standing to what he describes as major successes on the economy, global stability, border control, and crime reduction.

On Truth Social, Trump enthusiastically declared, “I HAVE JUST GOTTEN THE HIGHEST POLL NUMBERS OF MY ‘POLITICAL CAREER.’ While my great work on the Economy has not yet been fully appreciated, it will be! Things are really Rockin.’ Stopping WARS and Foreign Relations seems to be a strong suit.” His message underscored his belief that voters are beginning to fully recognize the impact of his policies.

Fresh data from the Rasmussen Reports Daily Presidential Tracking Poll placed Trump at 47% approval among likely voters. For context, Joe Biden held a 42% average approval rating around the same point in November 2021, marking a clear contrast that Trump’s team has eagerly emphasized.

Trump also spotlighted what he considers key pillars of his administration’s record. He again praised his immigration strategy, pointing to his efforts to choke off illegal crossings at the southern border, while also applauding initiatives aimed at reducing crime in urban centers.

His message closed with another burst of confidence: “Also great, The Border and Stopping Crime. I predict that the Economy, with the already HIGHEST STOCK MARKET, EVER, and prices coming sharply down from the Biden disaster, will soon be at the top of the list. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Trump’s upbeat pitch suggests he sees the improving numbers as validation of his agenda — and a sign that his political momentum continues to build.

{Matzav.com}

Tucker Carlson released a new interview with 24-year-old Nalin Haley, reigniting controversy just weeks after his episode with extremist Nick Fuentes. The two spent much of their discussion attacking dual citizenship, railing against legal immigration, and accusing Israel of swaying American policymaking.

Their conversation quickly pivoted to Israel, with Carlson and Haley ridiculing what they described as an American political “obsession” with the Jewish state. They labeled that focus “weird” and “unhealthy,” echoing claims Carlson has made repeatedly in recent months. Haley’s appearance followed the highly publicized GOP primary challenge his mother, Nikki Haley, mounted against US President Donald Trump in 2024.

Carlson has faced mounting backlash over his increasingly conspiratorial commentary about Israel. He has floated baseless suggestions about hidden Israeli links to the 9/11 attacks and Jeffrey Epstein, claimed Israel prosecutes war in Gaza over notions of “blood-guilt,” and accused Jerusalem of mistreating Christians amid its battles with the Palestinians.

In that same vein, he has repeatedly portrayed Ben Shapiro — an Orthodox Jewish commentator and outspoken defender of Israel — as someone whose loyalty belongs to Israel rather than the United States, even asserting Shapiro has failed to oppose “usury.” Critics have identified these claims as textbook antisemitic rhetoric.

The segment with Haley veered into these themes after a broader foreign-policy exchange. Carlson pressed him on what he described as the persistent push for “another regime change war, in whatever country,” a remark widely interpreted as an Iran reference. Trump had openly supported Israel’s aggressive stance toward Tehran’s nuclear program, a position Carlson has derided, prompting Trump to label him “kooky.”

Haley responded, “I don’t think they’re advocating for it just because they’re advocating for it, I think there’s interest groups that are pushing them to advocate for it.” Carlson immediately agreed: “Clearly there are, we’ve learned a lot about that recently.”

Carlson then introduced what he termed “the Israel question,” and Haley described it as “the question no one wants to ask.” Carlson added, “I never felt it was as central as it turned out to be.”

That led to a reference to Nick Fuentes. Carlson noted that the far-right figure “is famous for saying naughty things, but also saying a pretty straightforward critique of the control that Israel has over the United States. Is that view widely shared, do you think?” Fuentes, whom Carlson interviewed earlier in the month, is openly agnostic on whether the Holocaust happened, calling it a pillar of Jewish identity and tying Jewishness to anti-white animus. Carlson introduced that interview by claiming Fuentes’s popularity stems from racism against white Americans.

Haley avoided addressing Fuentes’s ideology directly, but agreed with Carlson’s description of younger Americans as “increasingly skeptical, if not hostile,” toward Israel. He argued, “I don’t think it’s anything we’ve done. I think it’s all reliant on Israel. That’s on them, actually not us.”

He added that “the reality is, they’re just another country,” insisting he did not consider Israel “evil,” but maintaining that “if they want a better relationship with the United States, they need to stop interfering in our politics.”

Haley emphasized that his criticisms extended to all foreign governments, not only Israel. He argued that all foreign aid and all foreign lobbying should be eliminated, saying, “It is a lot of other countries that do that. And it’s just as much a problem.”

The United States has long had strong pro-Israel advocacy networks, but many other states invest far more heavily in Washington influence campaigns. Among them is Qatar — a patron of Hamas — whose lobbyists maintain ties across partisan lines. According to filings with the US Justice Department, a Qatar-connected firm even facilitated Carlson’s interview earlier this year with the Qatari prime minister.

From there, the discussion shifted to immigration, where Haley insisted that dual citizenship should be outlawed, that Americans should not serve in foreign militaries, and that naturalized citizens should be barred from public office. Carlson said he hosted Haley as part of a broader effort to understand why so many young men are gravitating toward Fuentes’s movement.

Carlson’s earlier Fuentes interview triggered an uproar inside the Heritage Foundation, where a wave of resignations followed the organization’s leader declining to condemn the appearance. The fallout has highlighted a growing divide on the American right over Israel, antisemitism, and the ideologies that Carlson is increasingly platforming.

{Matzav.com}

A violent eruption in downtown Chicago Friday night — where a protest spiraled into a full-scale riot — had President Donald Trump sharply condemning the city’s Democratic leadership yesterday. His criticism came less than 24 hours after his unexpectedly warm Oval Office meeting with democratic socialist New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

Trump took to Truth Social as reports of shootings and injured officers poured in. “Massive crime and rioting in the Chicago Loop area,” he wrote. He added grim details: “Multiple Police Officers attacked and badly injured. 300 people rioting, 6 victims shot, one critical and one DEAD.”

According to ABC7, gunfire erupted in two different parts of the Loop, prompting crowds of visitors to flee. One teenager was fatally struck after being hit by at least one bullet. The scenes of confusion and panic quickly reignited debate over Chicago’s approach to public safety.

Trump seized on the unfolding violence to accuse Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson of allowing disorder to spiral by rejecting federal support. “In the meantime, Governor Pritzker and the Low IQ Mayor of Chicago are refusing Federal Government help for a situation that could be quickly remedied,” Trump wrote, finishing with a jab at local leadership: “The people are chanting, BRING IN TRUMP!!!”

Early reports described up to 300 teenagers flooding the Loop, instigating confrontations that escalated into attacks on police. Alderman Brian Hopkins, who was on the ground, shared what he saw: “300 juveniles rioting in the Loop now, at least 5 victims shot, one critical with life threatening gunshot wound to torso.” He then added, “Multiple police officers attacked and injured with mace and stun guns, at least one PO hospitalized.”

ABC7 noted that investigators believed two separate shooting incidents unfolded in the area. The Loop — Chicago’s central business district named for the elevated trains encircling it — saw ambulances racing to tend to a range of injuries. Fox 32 reported victims included a 13-year-old girl, shot in the leg and listed in fair condition, and a 17-year-old boy also treated for a leg wound.

Authorities had not released details about the teen who died, and by yesterday afternoon, Chicago police had not confirmed whether the two shootings were linked. No arrests or suspect descriptions had been announced as detectives worked to piece together the night’s eruption of violence.

{Matzav.com}

In this episode, Rabbi Reinman relates the story of the translation of the Torah into Greek, and he explains why the Sages considered that event a day of darkness.

WATCH:

Read full chapter and earlier chapters at www.rabbireinman.com.

Chapter Thirty-nine: Dark Days in Alexandria

For two decades after his death, Alexander’s generals fought each other for control of Alexander’s vast empire in a series of four wars, known as the Wars of the Successors. In 302 b.c.e., the final division of the Alexandrine Empire emerged.

Lysimachus became king of the lands in Europe and Asia Minor. Seleucus became the king of the Near East and Mesopotamia. Ptolemy became king of Egypt. These states were politically independent and militarily aggressive. Each of them was driven by the ambition to become dominant over the others and reconstitute Alexander’s world empire under their leadership. And so, they fought each other endlessly with none of them ever emerging fully victorious.

Judea sat at the crossroads of the Greek world. After the division of the empire, Judea came under the control of the Egyptian Greeks. But the Syrians Greeks also coveted this small but important prize. The two kingdoms would fight over Judea for over a hundred years …

Ptolemy I Soter was the first Greek king of Egypt. For its entire centuries-long existence centuries, the kings of this dynasty would almost always be called Ptolemy but with an added epithet. The capital city of his kingdom was the cosmopolitan port of Alexandria, which was founded by Alexander. The city had become populous even during Alexander’s lifetime as people poured in from all parts of the empire, including many thousands of Jewish immigrants. In the decades after his death, it became a great commercial and industrial center. The Gemara relates that craftsmen in Alexandria were commissioned to manufacture the ornate doors of the Heichal and that Alexandrian expert bakers and perfumers were consulted in the Beis Hamikdash.

Ptolemy Soter aspired to make Alexandria the cultural and intellectual center of the Hellenistic world. One of his ideas was to build a library that would be a repository of all the knowledge of the civilized world. It was an enormously ambitious plan. Ptolemy Soter did not live long enough to execute it, but Ptolemy II Philadelphus, his son and successor, made the dream come true.

The library of Alexandria was a stunning achievement. At that time, books came in the form of handwritten papyrus scrolls, with some spanning several scrolls. All scrolls were copied by professional scribes.  Agents of the library scoured the world for books worthy of a place in the library. They also boarded all ships docking at the port of Alexandria and took possession of any books they found. Their scribes would copy the books, keep the originals and return the copies to the owners. In this way, the library amassed hundreds of thousands of different books, a phenomenon unheard of in the ancient world …

In the year 250 b.c.e. or thereabouts, Ptolemy II Philadelphus ordered a copy of the Torah in the Greek language for his magnificent library. The story behind this command is told by Josephus, a Jewish historian who lived three hundred years later. The works of Josephus are among the richest sources for the history of the ancient Western world. He will be discussed at length in the chapters on the first century of the common era when he lived and wrote.

According to Josephus, one of Ptolemy’s ministers urged him to acquire for his library a copy of the Jewish Bible. The absence of this important book was a glaring omission. Although the book is written in a different language and different writing, it would be worthwhile to have it translated into Greek so that it would be available to the rest of the world. In order to ensure that the translation was accurate, Ptolemy brought seventy elders from Judea and installed them in separate rooms on the island of Pharos, each to make his own translation. In the end, all the translations were essentially identical, and the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Torah, was born.

The Greek translation was welcomed with rejoicing in the great Jewish community of Alexandria … The Sages, however, had a different reaction to the translation. The day of the completion of the translation is remembered as one of three days of darkness in the month of Teves. On 8 Teves, the Torah was translated to Greek. On 9 Teves, Ezra died, and prophecy came to an end. On 10 Teves, the Babylonians breached the walls of Yerushalayim.

We can easily understand why 9 Teves and 10 Teves are considered days of darkness, but what was so monumentally tragic about the translation of the Torah into Greek? …

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A major initiative proposed by the IDF together with the Finance and Defense Ministries—intended to cancel extended emergency call-ups (known as “Tzav 8”) and cap annual reserve service at approximately 70 days—is now at risk of collapse. The plan has been halted by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Meara, who insists that no change to the reserve system can move forward unless it is directly tied to a new draft law that requires equal military service for chareidim.

According to officials involved in the discussions, the attorney general warned that pushing through a quick amendment to the Reserve Duty Law as part of the government’s economic legislation would violate constitutional principles of equality set by Israel’s High Court.

Legal Dead End: Reserve Duty Law Linked to Draft Law

In meetings between government ministries and the Attorney General’s Office, legal advisers said that there is a severe legal obstacle to modifying the reserve system without addressing the long-standing exemption for chareidi men.

The attorney general’s position is firm: allowing reservists to be called for up to 70 days a year—far longer than the norm in most Western armies—cannot be justified while one segment of the population remains fully exempt from service. In her view, increasing the burden on those who currently serve while maintaining a sweeping exemption for chareidim is unconstitutional.

Budget Battle: 60,000 Reservists and a Massive Cost Dispute

This legal confrontation is unfolding alongside a fierce budget fight between the Defense and Finance Ministries over the needs of the 2026 fiscal year.

The IDF is asking for funding for 60,000 reservists, estimating the cost at 37 billion shekels. The Finance Ministry argues the number is inflated, noting that only 50,000 were planned for 2025, and claims the real cost should be between 10 and 15 billion shekels.

The National Security Council is now reviewing the numbers. Whatever number they settle on will determine how many days each reservist will need to serve—bringing the question of unequal burden back to the center of the debate.

Smotrich Attacks: “A Political Decision With No Authority”

In response to the attorney general’s refusal, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich launched a blistering attack, accusing her of overstepping her authority and harming national interests.

He stated that “in a political decision she is harming the army, harming reservists, and harming the state budget and the country’s economy, without having any authority.”

Smotrich added that “there is not a single serious legal expert who believes the Knesset lacks the authority to legislate limits on reserve duty.” He claimed the attorney general’s position would force Israel to continue unlimited emergency mobilizations, asking, “How does she dare take responsibility for the economy and security when she has no authority?”

He vowed to bring the law to the cabinet and the Knesset despite her objections, arguing she has “gone beyond her authority.”

Headed Toward a Supreme Court Showdown

With the attorney general blocking the reform, the changes to reserve duty will likely be removed from the government’s economic legislation package. That will force the Finance Ministry to find another immediate path to move the plan forward.

The disagreement now seems poised to end up before the Supreme Court, which may need to untangle an unprecedented clash involving military needs, economic pressures, and the long-running issue of chareidi enlistment.

{Matzav.com}

A growing number of yeshivos across the tri-state area in particular are reshaping their academic calendars this year, choosing to end the spring/summer period earlier and begin the next school year in mid-August, weeks ahead of the traditional start.

The shift, which is beginning to emerge in yeshivos both large and small, appears to be driven by a mix of logistical concerns, curriculum planning needs, and feedback from administrators and parents alike. While each institution has its own reasoning, the pattern points to a noticeable change in how mosdos are structuring their yearly cycle.

One example comes from Yeshiva Orchos Chaim, which informed parents this week of a significant adjustment to the yeshiva’s summer timeline. The announcement stated that, after much deliberation, the yeshiva decided to modify its summer calendar, officially ending the school year on Thursday, July 9th (כ”ד תמוז). The notice further explained that the new school year would begin on Wednesday, August 19th (י’ אלול), markedly earlier than in previous years. Families were urged to jot down this change on your long-term calendar and plan your summer accordingly.

Sources in several communities say these changes are not isolated. Administrators from multiple yeshivos indicate that starting the new year earlier allows for a more consistent and uninterrupted Elul zman, giving talmidim additional time to settle in before the Yamim Noraim. Others noted that the unusually early Rosh Hashanah on the calendar this year left limited space for a meaningful zman unless adjustments were made.

Parents have expressed mixed reactions. Some appreciate the more structured summer and the smoother transition into Elul, while others are scrambling to adjust travel plans and camp schedules that were arranged months in advance.

Yeshiva leaders say the decision to bump up the calendar was not taken lightly. Several roshei yeshiva and principals describe long internal discussions about balancing academic goals with family needs. Nevertheless, more institutions are concluding that the benefits outweigh the complications.

{Matzav.com}

A group of senators pushed back hard today against claims that President Donald Trump is behind a leaked 28-point proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, insisting the document came straight from Moscow and not from the administration.

According to PBS NewsHour’s Nick Schifrin, Sen. Mike Rounds said Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally reached out to several lawmakers, stressing that what they received was simply a transmission of someone else’s ideas. As Rounds put it, Rubio wanted it “very clear to us that we are the recipients of a proposal that was delivered to one of our representatives. It is not our recommendation, it is not our peace plan.”

Rounds emphasized that the document wasn’t crafted or released by U.S. officials, describing it as something that arrived through diplomatic channels and was passed along only because Ukraine deserved to see it. “It is a proposal that was received. And as an intermediary, we have made arrangements to share it. And we did not release it. It was leaked. It was not released by our members or our representatives… This is an opportunity to receive it and that it has been utilized and delivered to the Ukrainians, and that they will have an opportunity to respond. And in doing so, you now have one side being presented and the opportunity for the other side to respond.”

Independent Sen. Angus King echoed that point, saying — according to Schifrin — that the document does not reflect the White House’s stance at all, describing it instead as “essentially the wish list of the Russians.”

The senators made these remarks on the sidelines of the Halifax International Security Forum, where the leaked plan dominated much of the conversation. Secretary Rubio has so far remained silent publicly, offering no clarification on X or in other statements.

Their remarks arrived in the wake of an Axios report from November 18 claiming the administration “has been secretly working in consultation with Russia to draft a new plan to end the war in Ukraine,” a report that cited both American and Russian officials. A Washington Post story published Friday added fuel to the controversy, saying the proposal called for Ukraine to give up large portions of territory — including areas of Donetsk — and to significantly shrink its military. President Zelensky hinted in his Friday national address that he is far from enthusiastic about the terms.

Speaking to reporters this morning, President Trump did not deny that he has encouraged Ukraine to consider the deal in the near term. He remarked that if Zelensky refuses the terms, he can “fight his little heart out.” And when asked whether this proposal represented his “final offer,” the president responded, “No, we’d like to get to peace.”

{Matzav.com}

Candace Owens has ignited a political firestorm by unveiling an explosive allegation aimed directly at French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, escalating an already tense legal battle over her commentary regarding Brigitte Macron’s gender identity.

Owens said she decided to go public after receiving what she described as a startling message from a senior figure inside the French government. According to her, the individual approached her privately, and after confirming “this person’s position and proximity to the French couple,” she believed their warning was too grave to ignore. “In short, this person claims that the Macrons have executed upon and paid for my assassination,” she wrote, insisting that the threat was real and imminent.

The commentator claimed the source told her that a covert unit within the National Gendarmerie had allegedly been given approval to carry out the operation, and that foreign personnel were involved. “More specifically, that the green light was given to a small team in National Gendamarie Intervention Group. I am told there is one Israeli that is on this assassination squad and the plans were formalized.”

Owens said the whistleblower also offered “concrete proof” of their role within the government, giving her confidence to continue publicizing the claims. She went further, asserting the threat extended beyond her. “Again, this person provided concrete proof that they are well placed within the French government apparatus. Further to this point, this person claims that Charlie Kirk’s assassin trained with the French legion 13th brigade with multi-state involvement.”

She added that another target was at risk as well: “Journalist Xavier Poussard’s life is also at risk. This is deadly serious. The head of state of France apparently wants us both dead and has authorized professional units to carry this out.”

In her appeal, Owens urged the public to ensure the information spreads widely, expressing distrust in U.S. officials who she says have been informed. “I ask that every person RETWEET and share this. I do not know who in the American government can be trusted, since this source claims our leaders are aware. But I have more specific information which is definitively verifiable, should they care to reach out to me.”

She ended her message by addressing the insider she claims risked everything to expose the alleged plot: “To the brave official in France who did this because they were so moved by the evil of Charlie’s public execution to risk their own life— May God bless you. Truly. Let all be revealed.”

{Matzav.com}