Matzav

A young chareidi man suffering from several severe medical conditions is reportedly being held in an Israeli military prison without proper medical attention, according to his family. The IDF has rejected the claims.

The man, who requires daily medication and close medical supervision due to a chronic illness, was arrested at the Tel Hashomer recruitment office after arriving to resolve his draft status in accordance with the law. He told relatives that he was handcuffed “like a criminal,” jailed without his essential medication, and that his condition deteriorated rapidly.

After receiving emergency treatment at Hillel Yaffe Hospital, the attending physician reportedly instructed that he be transferred to a Jerusalem hospital where he is regularly treated. However, the military refused the request and returned him to detention. As of late Sunday night, he remained under arrest without adequate treatment, with a significant risk of losing his eyesight, according to his family.

The Israeli organization Emes L’Yaakov warned that the case reflects a broader pattern of discrimination and rights violations against chareidi draftees. “From the numerous complaints we have received over the past year, a disturbing picture emerges of chareidi detainees being denied medical care, legal counsel, and basic human dignity—contrary to military regulations and Israel’s Basic Law on Human Dignity and Liberty,” the group said.

They added that in other sectors, the army typically releases ill draftees immediately, while chareidi individuals face “a humiliating and life-threatening ordeal.”

A document obtained by Emes L’Yaakov reportedly includes a troubling note written by a medical staff member: “Although he is chareidi, he seems to be telling the truth.” The organization described this as “clear evidence of prejudice and discriminatory treatment within parts of the military system.”

The organization demanded the man’s immediate release, a full investigation of all involved officials, and the creation of a standardized, equal procedure for handling medically unfit draftees regardless of religion or background. They warned that if no satisfactory response is provided by Tuesday at noon, they intend to file an urgent petition to Israel’s High Court of Justice demanding his release and a general injunction against imprisoning sick recruits before a full medical review.

“This conduct constitutes a blatant violation of the Basic Law on Human Dignity and Liberty and the principles of administrative justice,” Emes L’Yaakov said in a statement. “It is unacceptable for a sick young man to be imprisoned simply because he is chareidi. We will not rest until this injustice is corrected and the law is applied equally.”

In response, the IDF stated: “Every detainee admitted to a military prison undergoes a medical evaluation, and all inmates are entitled to treatment, follow-up, and medication in accordance with their condition. The claim of discriminatory treatment toward chareidi prisoners is false.”

Sources familiar with the case added that “the condition of both detainees was examined and determined to allow continued detention with appropriate medical supervision.”

{Matzav.com}

Rabbi Yisroel Friedman, editor-in-chief of the Israeli Yated Ne’eman, sought to clarify the chareidi stance amid Israel’s ongoing conflict and the intensifying debate over army conscription. In a candid interview with Makor Rishon, he made clear that his newspaper operates under direct rabbinic authority and serves a singular mission.

“Yated Ne’eman is not a newspaper, it is a mouthpiece,” Rabbi Friedman stated firmly, explaining that every forceful headline and every line printed in its pages is backed by the daas Torah of the leading gedolim. “I’m not the free press. I am the voice of the Torah sages. For people to read me, I need to be engaging, but even when I write a political headline, I pray to have a good newspaper that will be able to fulfill its role and make the Torah sages’ voices heard.”

He referenced one of the publication’s most talked-about headlines, the July 2024 banner “Declaration of War,” which appeared after Rav Dov Landau urged yeshiva students not to comply with IDF draft notices. Rabbi Friedman explained that the headline precisely reflected Rav Landau’s message. “He wanted the message to be precise: It was a declaration of war,” he said, clarifying, “The intention was that the State is the one who declared war on the chareidim.”

Turning to the contentious Draft Law, Rabbi Friedman argued that Israel’s moral imbalance extends far beyond the chareidi sector. “When it comes to preserving the Jewish people, the majority of the population in in the Land of Israel is evading the draft. There is no equality in burden-sharing. The soldiers who are fighting have taken it upon themselves to preserve the Israeli nation, to protect bodies, but they are not engaged in preserving the Jewish people.”

When questioned about those serving in Gaza, he drew a sharp distinction between national and spiritual defense. “Going to fight in Gaza is not preserving the Jewish people; it is preserving the Israeli people. When it comes to preserving the Jewish people, only we contribute.” He added pointedly, “The army says it lacks combat soldiers, and I say: we lack Torah learners! We must further increase the learning in the yeshivas.”

Rabbi Friedman also hinted at a potential political realignment within the chareidi camp, suggesting that support for Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu could no longer be taken for granted. “It’s no secret that in our political positions, we do not belong to the Right,” he noted. “The moment that joining together endangers the core of the Jewish nation’s existence, which is Torah learners, the question will return to the table of the Torah sages, and I cannot tell you what will happen. Nothing is out of the question.”

{Matzav.com}

A French appeals court in Paris has ordered the release of Nicolas Sarkozy, the former president of France, just three weeks after he began serving a prison sentence connected to illegal campaign financing from the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi. The ruling allows Sarkozy to remain free pending a final decision on his appeal.

Sarkozy, 70, served as president from 2007 to 2012. He was imprisoned on October 21 after being convicted of conspiracy and corruption linked to claims that his 2007 presidential campaign received illicit funding from Gaddafi’s government in exchange for political favors that would bolster Libya’s global standing. While no concrete proof was found that the money was actually transferred, the court determined that Sarkozy had allowed his aides to seek Libyan support, leading to his conviction.

Speaking via video link from prison during the hearing, Sarkozy forcefully denied the accusations, calling them politically motivated. “I am French, sir. I love my country, and I will fight to uncover the truth. I will obey any restriction placed on me, as I always have,” he told the court.

Reflecting on his brief imprisonment, he added, “I never imagined that at the age of seventy I would find myself in prison. It is a harsh experience imposed upon me, one that leaves a mark on any person. I admit it is very difficult.”

During his detention at La Santé Prison in Paris—one of France’s most secure facilities—Sarkozy was reportedly mocked by other inmates shouting “Welcome, Sarko!” and “Little Nicolas!” Due to his former role as interior minister and his tough stance on crime, he was given two personal bodyguards for round-the-clock protection.

Sarkozy remains the first president in French and European Union history to serve time in prison. The appeals process is expected to take several more months. Until the final ruling is issued, he will remain under court-imposed restrictions but free from incarceration.

{Matzav.com}

Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuelik Greenberg was attacked Sunday night in Bnei Brak by a group of extremists protesting the arrest of yeshiva bochurim by the military police.

Greenberg had arrived at the wedding of Elad Mayor Yehuda Botbol’s son, held at Keter HaRimon Hall, when several radicals surrounded him, shouting insults, throwing objects, and plastering stickers on his car.

Footage from the scene shows the chaotic moments as security personnel and guests tried to shield the mayor. After several tense minutes, Greenberg managed to extricate himself from the area unharmed.

In a statement issued shortly after the incident, members of the Degel HaTorah faction in Beit Shemesh expressed outrage and condemned the attack “in the strongest terms.”

“We express deep shock and strongly denounce the assault on the mayor that took place in Bnei Brak,” the statement read. “Violence of any kind, especially against public servants, is a red line that cannot be crossed in silence. There must be zero tolerance for such behavior, and full support must be given to those who serve the public with dedication.”

The faction added, “We stand firmly behind Mayor Greenberg and trust that law enforcement authorities will act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Photos released after the incident show Greenberg’s car covered in stickers and debris, symbolizing the intensity of the confrontation that briefly disrupted an otherwise joyous occasion.

{Matzav.com}

Air travel across the United States plunged into disarray Monday as airlines scrapped more than 1,500 flights and delayed hundreds more, stranding passengers and snarling schedules nationwide on the 41st day of the record-breaking government shutdown.

By early morning, the ripple effects were already felt coast to coast. At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — the busiest in the country — 11% of incoming flights and 5% of outgoing ones were canceled, totaling over 200 flights, according to FlightAware.

Chicago wasn’t spared either. Data showed that over 300 flights were grounded at O’Hare International Airport, while more than 100 were canceled at Chicago Midway, creating gridlock for travelers trying to move through the Midwest hub.

The chaos extended to New York City’s trio of airports, which all faced heavy disruptions. LaGuardia saw 61 departures and 58 arrivals — each accounting for about 10% — wiped from the schedule. Newark Liberty lost 47 outgoing and 39 incoming flights, while JFK International canceled 30 departures and 49 arrivals.

In total, more than 1,300 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. were delayed by early Monday, adding another layer of frustration for passengers still reeling from the weekend’s upheaval.

Sunday had already marked the most disastrous day for air travel since the shutdown began, with nearly 3,000 flights canceled and more than 10,800 delayed. “Almost 3,000 flights were canceled by US airlines Sunday and more than 10,800 were delayed,” one industry report confirmed, underscoring the mounting pressure on the nation’s aviation system.

Compounding the crisis, the Federal Aviation Administration entered its fourth day of reduced staffing levels. The agency has been forced to cut about 10% of its workforce at 40 of the country’s busiest airports, further crippling operations. “Monday marks the fourth day of the FAA’s air traffic staffing reductions, where the agency has been forced to shed 10% of its workers across 40 high-volume airports,” officials said, warning of continued turmoil ahead.

With no end in sight to the shutdown, America’s skies have become a vivid symbol of gridlock — both political and literal.

{Matzav.com}

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President Donald Trump has granted a wide-ranging pardon to dozens of individuals linked to efforts to dispute the outcome of the 2020 election, according to U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin.

The sweeping clemency includes well-known allies such as Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Boris Epshteyn, John Eastman, and Mark Meadows, along with 72 others accused of working to challenge the election’s results.

Trump reportedly signed the pardon on Friday, extending protection to all of his co-defendants in the Georgia prosecution that alleged a coordinated scheme to overturn the state’s vote tally.

Four individuals who accepted plea deals in the Georgia case were among those covered by the new measure.

“This proclamation ends a grave national injustice perpetrated upon the American people following the 2020 Presidential Election and continues the process of national reconciliation,” the pardon reads.

However, the document is clear about one limitation. “This pardon does not apply to the president of the United States,” it states, leaving Trump himself outside the scope of the clemency order.

{Matzav.com}

Bnei Brak was filled with music, dancing, and celebration as a magnificent wedding brought together two distinguished chasidic dynasties — Lelov and Sanz — in a simcha that lasted an astounding twelve hours, continuing until the mitzvah tantz.

The chasunah celebrated the marriage of the grandson of Rav Ephraim Fishel Motzen, Gaavad of Kiryas HaBaal Shem and son-in-law of the Shefa Chaim of Sanz, Rav Shalom Oberlander’s son, with the granddaughter of the Lelover Rebbe of the United States, daughter of his eldest son, Rav Aharon Biderman.

From the emotional chuppah through the spirited mitzvah tantz, the night was filled with simcha, niggunim, and heartfelt dancing that united chasidim and admirers from both courts. Leading rabbonim and dayanim attended to share in the joy and to honor the illustrious families.

The unforgettable moments — from the chuppah to the concluding mitzvah tantz — were beautifully captured by photographer Moshe Goldstein.

{Matzav.com}

When Dinner Done first hit the shelves, it became more than a cookbook — it was a lifesaver for busy home cooks. With over 100,000 copies sold, it transformed dinnertime in kosher homes everywhere. Now, the Between Carpools team — the women who understand real life in the kitchen — are back with Dinner Done 2, the sequel fans have been waiting for. The beauty of Dinner Done 2 lies in its simplicity. Every recipe uses ingredients you already have, such as chicken cutlets, pasta, vegetables, pantry staples, and turns them into dinners your family will actually love. No complicated steps. No specialty shopping. Just smart, practical recipes that work every single time. These are dishes that come together easily, taste incredible, and look beautiful because great food doesn’t have to be hard. The first Dinner Done made 9×13-pan dinners a staple in kosher kitchens. Dinner Done 2 takes it even further, with more one-pan wonders that save time and cleanup while delivering big flavor. With over 140 new recipes, Dinner Done 2 is packed with fresh, family-friendly ideas for every taste — even the picky ones. Each recipe is tested and reliable, bringing confidence back to your kitchen and smiles to your table. In their heartfelt introduction, the Between Carpools team shares that Dinner Done 2 is their way of saying thank you to the thousands of cooks who embraced the first book. “We wanted to make dinner easier,” they write, “but we realized it became much more — it gave people joy and connection.” And that’s what Dinner Done 2 delivers again — practical, delicious recipes that make cooking feel achievable and meaningful, every single night. Dinner Done 2 — Easy prep. No stress. Dinner Done. Available now at ArtScroll.com and wherever ArtScroll books are sold. {Matzav.com}

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After eleven long years, the mystery surrounding the whereabouts of fallen IDF officer Hadar Goldin, Hy”d, has finally come to an end — thanks to what security sources are calling “the golden piece of intelligence” that shattered Hamas’s resistance and forced the terror organization to return his remains to Israel.

According to a report that aired overnight on Channel 12 News, Israeli intelligence services succeeded in reaching an individual who knew the precise location of Goldin’s burial site in Rafah. This breakthrough, achieved after a lengthy and complex intelligence-gathering operation combined with on-the-ground efforts by IDF combat units, left Hamas with no room to maneuver. Realizing that Israel had pinpointed the site, Hamas understood it could no longer conceal the truth or delay his return.

Hadar Goldin had been held deep within a network of tunnels in Rafah, known to the IDF as the “White Sparrow” system. For months, Division 162, under the command of Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, fought intense battles in the area. Soldiers operated just a few dozen meters from the spot where Goldin was hidden, drilling and digging through tunnels filled with armed terrorists. Despite their relentless efforts, they were unable to find him at the time. Brig. Gen. Cohen, who had once personally commanded Hadar, finally saw the mission come full circle with the discovery and repatriation of his soldier’s remains.

Channel 12 further reported that the final stages of the recovery were marked by intense diplomatic pressure. Turkish officials had urged Hamas not to yield to Israeli demands and to refuse the transfer until the safe evacuation of Hamas operatives trapped in Rafah’s tunnels could be guaranteed. However, the United States exerted counterpressure on Hamas, insisting on the return of the fallen Israeli officer. Ultimately, American influence prevailed, and under the weight of both diplomatic and military circumstances, Hamas relented.

Yesterday, Hadar Goldin’s comrades stood solemnly as his remains crossed back into Israeli territory, bringing closure to a national saga that had spanned more than a decade. What began as a tragedy in the tunnels of Rafah has now concluded with his long-awaited return to a Jewish burial — a moment of bittersweet vindication for his family, comrades, and an entire nation that never stopped searching.

{Matzav.com}

During an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation Sunday, New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill accused the Republican Party of serving the interests of only one person—President Donald Trump—saying that all of their current actions center on him rather than the American public.

“When you have the Republicans that have the presidency, they have the majority in the Senate, they have the majority in the House. They’ve even, many would say— including myself, taken over the court system. Then they have a responsibility to open up this government,” Sherrill said.

She argued that the Republican-led government continues to harm ordinary Americans through a series of misguided policies. “We see again and again these Republican attacks on everything from health care. Look, if if they don’t fund the Affordable Care Act, costs are going to go up by 175% for people here in New Jersey, at already high levels. That is going to kick so many people off health care that’s on top of the huge Medicare cuts that we’re seeing in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ on top of the tariff cuts that are raising grocery prices everywhere, on top of the fight he’s in now, which is raising gas prices. So again and again, we’re seeing the Trump administration punishing people, and these Republicans have got to come to the table, and they’ve got to start really working for the American people.”

Sherrill said that during her campaign, she heard frustration from voters who are desperate for relief from rising costs and political gridlock. “As I was talking to people across the state, thousands of people, they wanted to see an agenda to get their costs down, and something that was going to take place quickly.”

She also pointed to specific infrastructure and health initiatives as examples of how GOP policies have hurt her state. “They know that the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ is going to take away their health care. They know that attacks on the Gateway Tunnel Project are going to raise costs here and really cut into job opportunities. So they want to know that whoever is governing is going to be focused on governing for them, not a party of one like Donald Trump.”

{Matzav.com}

In a dramatic diplomatic turnaround, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday — just days after Washington officially struck his name from its terrorism blacklist. The meeting marks a watershed moment, as Sharaa becomes the first Syrian head of state to visit the White House since the nation gained independence in 1946.

Sharaa’s rise to power followed the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad late last year by rebel factions. His movement, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), had been linked to Al-Qaeda and was only delisted by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization in July. The group’s rapid political rehabilitation has stunned analysts who only recently viewed it as one of the region’s most radical militant forces.

Since assuming office, Sharaa has embarked on an aggressive campaign to recast Syria’s global image, striving to distance his government from its insurgent past and to present a message of moderation and reconstruction. “These actions are being taken in recognition of the progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership after the departure of Bashar al-Assad and more than 50 years of repression under the Assad regime,” said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.

Michael Hanna, U.S. program director at the International Crisis Group, called the visit “a hugely symbolic moment for the country’s new leader, who thus marks another step in his astonishing transformation from militant leader to global statesman.” The White House meeting, Hanna said, signals a fundamental shift in Washington’s engagement with Syria after more than a decade of war and international isolation.

The State Department’s decision to remove Sharaa from the terrorism list was expected, coming after months of cooperation between Damascus and Washington. U.S. officials cited Syria’s efforts to locate missing Americans and dismantle chemical weapons stockpiles as key factors. “These actions,” Pigott emphasized, “are being taken in recognition of the progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership.”

Ahead of his White House visit, Sharaa spent the weekend in meetings with key financial and diplomatic figures, including IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, to discuss reconstruction aid for Syria’s devastated economy. He also convened with Syrian-American organizations and advocacy groups in Washington, signaling his interest in building a new partnership with the Syrian diaspora.

A U.S. diplomatic source told AFP that the administration is preparing to open a joint military coordination base near Damascus “to coordinate humanitarian aid and observe developments between Syria and Israel.” The move would represent a major milestone in the normalization of U.S.-Syrian ties and an unprecedented security collaboration between the two nations.

Tom Barrack, Washington’s envoy to Syria, revealed earlier this month that Sharaa could sign an agreement to join the U.S.-led international coalition against the Islamic State. That alliance, which Trump has continued to strengthen, has been key in dismantling IS’s remaining networks across the Middle East.

Inside Syria, the new government has been eager to demonstrate its commitment to eradicating extremism. On Saturday, the Syrian interior ministry announced that it had conducted 61 operations, resulting in 71 arrests, in what it called a “proactive campaign to neutralize the threat” of IS sleeper cells. According to the official SANA news agency, the raids spanned Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Damascus.

Sharaa’s visit to Washington follows his historic appearance before the United Nations General Assembly in September — the first time in decades a Syrian leader has addressed the forum. His speech was met with cautious optimism among Western diplomats, many of whom noted his rhetoric of reconciliation and reform.

Just last week, the United States spearheaded a successful vote at the UN Security Council to lift remaining sanctions against Sharaa, paving the way for international financial institutions to re-engage with Damascus. The move was seen as part of a broader U.S. strategy to stabilize post-war Syria and limit Iran’s regional influence.

Rebuilding the nation, however, will be an immense task. Syria faces colossal economic and infrastructural damage after 13 years of civil war. The World Bank, in an October assessment, placed the “conservative best estimate” of reconstruction costs at $216 billion — a figure that underscores the staggering scale of the recovery ahead.

For Sharaa, who met Trump once before during the president’s regional tour in Saudi Arabia in May, the upcoming White House visit is a defining test of his legitimacy. It will determine whether the world now sees him as a credible reformer — or merely a militant-turned-politician navigating a fragile new era for Syria.

{Matzav.com}

The Iranian-backed Houthi militia has warned that it will relaunch drone and missile assaults on Israel should the fragile ceasefire in Gaza fall apart, according to a report from the Xinhua news agency. The warning was delivered through a letter addressed to Hamas and broadcast on the Houthi-controlled al-Masirah TV network.

In the message, written by the Houthis’ newly appointed chief of staff, Yousif al-Madani, the group reiterated its loyalty to Hamas, declaring, “We remain steadfast in our pledge and promise to stand with you, no matter the sacrifices.” The communication underscored the Houthis’ continuing alliance with the Gaza-based terrorist organization.

Al-Madani’s appointment followed the death of his predecessor, Mohammed Abdulkarim Al-Ghamari, who was killed in Israeli airstrikes on a building in Sanaa in August, alongside several top-ranking Houthi officials. Al-Ghamari had initially survived the strike but later died from his injuries, prompting a reshuffle within the group’s military leadership.

The Houthis have been one of the most active Iran-aligned factions involved in the broader regional escalation since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023. They have fired hundreds of missiles and drones toward Israel, nearly all of which were intercepted, while also attacking Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea — successfully sinking four.

In recent days, the group has intensified its military preparations. It declared a general mobilization, enlisting hundreds of tribal fighters, increasing internal checkpoints, and arresting more United Nations employees on allegations of espionage for Israel. Additional Houthi reinforcements were reportedly dispatched to frontlines near Marib, a vital oil-producing region contested by Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi announced last week that his movement is anticipating another round of hostilities. Speaking during “Shaheed Day,” he proclaimed that his forces are strengthening their arsenal and readiness “in order to be ready for the next round of confrontation with the enemy and those connected to it.”

He added that renewed military action against Israel was “certain,” signaling that the group is preparing for escalation if the current truce in Gaza disintegrates.

{Matzav.com}

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After more than a month of paralysis, the Senate finally cleared the main procedural obstacle that had kept the federal government shuttered for 40 days, voting late Sunday night to advance a bipartisan compromise to restore operations.

By a 60-40 margin, lawmakers agreed to break the filibuster and move forward on a temporary spending measure funding the government through January 30, 2026, along with a “minibus” package that reinstates full food stamp benefits. Eight Democrats and one Independent who caucuses with them joined Republicans to push it past the procedural hurdle.

Those Democrats were Dick Durbin of Illinois, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Independent Angus King of Maine. On the GOP side, every senator supported the measure except Rand Paul of Kentucky, who voted no.

While the procedural victory was hailed as a turning point, the end of the nation’s longest-ever shutdown isn’t immediate. Lawmakers still must navigate several potential stumbling blocks before the final vote, and the House of Representatives will have to sign off on the same legislation before federal agencies can reopen.

Paul’s objection centers on the bill’s ban on hemp sales, while some Democrats angered by the compromise have signaled they may slow things down with additional procedural motions. Still, few expect those hurdles to stop the bill altogether.

Progressives erupted in frustration over the weekend, blasting the agreement for failing to secure concrete promises on their health care priorities. “It now appears that Senate Republicans will send the House of Representatives a spending bill that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), condemning the plan while carefully avoiding direct criticism of the Senate Democrats who crossed the aisle.

“We will fight the GOP bill in the House of Representatives, where Mike Johnson will be compelled to end the seven-week Republican taxpayer-funded vacation,” he added.

Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) was even more direct, declaring, “If this is the so-called ‘deal,’ then I will be a no. That’s not a deal. It’s an unconditional surrender that abandons the 24 million Americans whose health care premiums are about to double.”

Other Democrats were equally incensed. Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta warned, “Any ‘deal’ that ends with Dems just getting a pinky promise in return is a mistake.” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) added, “It would be a policy and political disaster for Democrats to cave!”

The months-long deadlock began in September, when Senate Democrats blocked a House-passed stopgap measure, demanding that any new funding bill include extensions of the enhanced Obamacare subsidies and a rollback of Republican-backed Medicaid reforms. Neither of those items made it into the new package advanced Sunday.

Instead, Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota offered Democrats a symbolic concession: a vote next month on extending the enhanced Obamacare tax credits. Thune had originally floated that idea more than three weeks earlier. He made clear, however, that he was not guaranteeing the measure’s passage, and House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has not pledged to consider it in the House.

As part of the deal, Republicans also agreed to reinstate all federal employees who lost their jobs during the shutdown and provide them with full back pay — a provision meant to calm labor tensions after weeks of furloughs.

The bipartisan package consists of two major pieces: a short-term funding bill to keep the government open until the end of January 2026, and a minibus that finances programs for the military, veterans, and the Department of Agriculture.

The Agriculture funding section is especially significant, as it replenishes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves 42 million Americans and had exhausted its funds on November 1. The Trump administration had been using a contingency fund to sustain SNAP temporarily until Congress acted.

Each year, Congress is required to pass 12 separate appropriations bills to finance federal agencies, beginning October 1. When lawmakers fail to agree on time, they rely on temporary measures — known as continuing resolutions — to keep operations running while they negotiate.

Sunday’s deal includes three of those 12 appropriations bills. The temporary extension through January 30 is intended to buy Congress time to complete the rest, ending the historic shutdown — at least for now.

{Matzav.com}

Iran and Israel appear to be heading toward another confrontation, with Middle East intelligence sources telling The New York Times that the brief but intense 12-day war earlier this year failed to eliminate the Islamic Republic’s nuclear capabilities. Instead, they say Tehran has been rapidly rebuilding its military strength and is preparing for a much larger conflict.

“Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, enough to make 11 nuclear weapons, is either buried under rubble, as Iran claims, or has been spirited away to a safe place, as Israeli officials believe,” the report said.

Officials cited by the Times warned that both nations are actively planning for renewed hostilities, despite the heavy losses suffered in June. American and Israeli intelligence now suspect the bombing campaign may have caused far less harm to Iran’s underground facilities than initially believed.

Another flashpoint comes from the diplomatic deadlock between Washington and Tehran. Multiple attempts to revive dialogue collapsed earlier this year, and the expiration of the 2015 nuclear deal has now reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran. Combined with Tehran’s refusal to allow inspectors into its latest uranium enrichment site, many in the region fear that another Israeli strike is “almost inevitable,” according to the report.

Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, said Tehran is racing to expand its military capacity. “Fire 2,000 at once to overwhelm Israeli defenses, not 500 over 12 days,” he told the Times, describing Iran’s plan to dramatically increase its missile launch capability.

“Israel feels the job is unfinished and sees no reason not to resume the conflict, so Iran is doubling down preparedness for the next round,” Vaez added, while noting that no immediate action appears to be planned.

Efforts to rekindle nuclear talks have made little headway, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently dismissed any prospect of meaningful cooperation with Washington. “The Americans sometimes say they would like to cooperate with Iran. Cooperation with Iran is not possible as long as the US continues to support the accursed Zionist regime, maintains military bases, and interferes in the region,” Khamenei said, according to Iranian state media.

“The arrogant nature of the United States accepts nothing other than submission.”

Vaez noted that Iran’s leadership remains deeply split on how to move forward. Some senior figures still favor pursuing a new nuclear deal to ease the country’s crushing economic hardships and widespread water shortages. But others argue that diplomacy is pointless after Trump withdrew from the 2015 agreement during his first term.

Despite these internal disagreements, Vaez told the Times that there is one consensus among Tehran’s decision-makers: another confrontation with Israel is unavoidable.

Israel, for its part, insists that its June offensive targeting Iranian nuclear scientists, missile engineers, and senior military figures was a necessary preemptive strike to stop what it calls Tehran’s ongoing drive toward nuclear weaponization.

While Iran continues to deny that it seeks nuclear arms, its enrichment levels, obstruction of international oversight, and acceleration of ballistic missile programs have only fueled suspicions. Israeli intelligence officials say those steps left them with no choice but to act — and warn that the next phase of the conflict may only be a matter of time.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz lashed out at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday after Ankara announced arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials, accusing them of genocide tied to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

The sweeping warrants reportedly name Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, Katz himself, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and Navy Commander David Saar Salama among those wanted.

In a fiery response, Katz posted an AI-generated image on X depicting Erdogan peering through binoculars toward Gaza — the lenses reflecting an Israeli flag. “Erdogan, take your ridiculous arrest warrants and get out of here. They’re more fitting for the massacre you carried out against the Kurds. Israel is strong and unafraid,” Katz declared, adding, “You’ll only see Gaza through binoculars.” The message appeared in both Hebrew and Turkish.

The announcement from Turkey marks a sharp escalation in already frayed relations. Erdogan’s rhetoric toward Israel has grown increasingly belligerent since the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault that ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Before the war, Israel and Turkey had been on a path toward repairing long-damaged diplomatic ties, with ambassadorial exchanges and trade cooperation signaling cautious normalization. That trajectory quickly collapsed after Hamas’s brutal attack and Israel’s subsequent counteroffensive.

In March, Erdogan denounced Israel as a “terror state” after airstrikes targeted Hamas positions. Three months later, in June, he claimed that Netanyahu’s government posed “the most significant threat to Middle East security.”

{Matzav.com}