Matzav

U.S. intelligence officials are sounding alarms that foreign cyber intrusions are accelerating at the same time artificial intelligence is making hacking operations faster and easier to scale.

AI firm Anthropic recently disclosed that it shut down what researchers described as a Chinese-linked operation that used an AI system to help automate and direct hacking activity. While that effort was relatively limited and targeted roughly 30 individuals, experts warned that the pace at which AI-assisted cyber capabilities are advancing is deeply concerning.

Against that backdrop, warnings are growing that Chinese intelligence has not been expelled from U.S. telecommunications infrastructure. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia said Chinese operatives remain embedded in American telecom systems as part of an operation known as “Salt Typhoon,” which he said has been underway for at least two years.

Speaking at a Defense Writers Group event, Warner said Chinese intelligence is “still inside” U.S. networks, enabling access to vast amounts of American communications. He cautioned that without encryption, hackers could effectively “pick any one of us,” tapping into unprotected phone traffic. He pointed to comments from national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who previously described the breach as notable for its “sheer scale of access,” according to the Financial Times.

Warner said a recent classified briefing only deepened his concerns. He described the session as “really frustrating,” saying it left him puzzled by sharply conflicting assessments from federal agencies. According to Warner, the FBI portrayed telecom systems as “pretty clean,” while other intelligence bodies, citing multiple internal documents, insisted the intrusions are ongoing.

Those warnings echo earlier alerts from U.S. intelligence agencies. In September, the National Security Agency cautioned that Chinese cyber operations linked to Salt Typhoon continued to penetrate virtually all internet-connected systems and devices.

Warner argued that the depth of the problem is rooted in years of regulatory complacency and aggressive cost-cutting by telecom companies. He said the result is a fragmented network built for speed and profit rather than security, leaving consumers to bear the consequences. In his view, U.S. systems are more exposed than those in Canada or Europe.

To address the risks, Warner has advocated for legislation that would require telecom providers to comply with baseline cybersecurity standards. But he acknowledged that the effort faces stiff opposition, largely because upgrading networks could cost billions of dollars, including the expense of ripping out and replacing outdated equipment.

The senator also warned that failure to act invites other adversaries to follow China’s lead. He said Russia is already probing the same weaknesses exposed by Salt Typhoon, calling it an expected move when enemies see vulnerabilities that Washington and industry have not decisively addressed.

While assigning blame across party lines for slow progress, Warner criticized what he described as a damaging shift in federal priorities. He said the FBI redirected significant manpower away from counterespionage and counterterrorism toward immigration enforcement.

Former CIA China analyst Dennis Wilder echoed those concerns, telling the Financial Times that staff reductions at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have undermined the government’s ability to respond effectively, even as threats to U.S. telecommunications continue to grow.

China has repeatedly denied that its Ministry of State Security is responsible for hacking U.S. telecom networks, according to the report.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the passing of Rav Yitzchok Dovid Gurwicz z”l. He was 90.

Rav Gurwicz was born in England and was the eldest son of Rav Aryeh Leib Gurwicz zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Bais Yosef in Gateshead, and his mother, Mrs. Chana Liba a”h, daughter of the renowned mashgiach Rav Eliyahu Lopian zt”l.

He was a brother of Hagaon Rav Avraham Gurwicz shlit”a.

His father, Rav Aryeh Leib, served as rosh yeshiva of Gateshead for more than three decades and authored the sefarim Arza D’bei Rav, Roshei She’arim, and Me’orei She’arim. Rav Gurwicz’s mother passed away in 1978 following a stroke and was buried on Har HaZeisim.

Rav Yitzchok Dovid resided in Gateshead near his brother, the current rosh yeshiva, one of the gedolei hador, Rav Avraham Gurwicz, with whom he shared a deep and enduring bond of closeness and affection throughout their lives.

Alongside his professional responsibilities, Rav Gurwicz was exceptional in his dedication to kevius ittim laTorah.

At the levayah of his wife, who passed away approximately seven years ago, Rav Avraham Gurwicz testified that “the nifteres merited to be an eishes chaver, for my brother Rav Yitzchok Dovid made Torah his occupation and it was the center of his life.”

Each year, during the European vacation period toward the end of the civil year, Rav Gurwicz traveled to participate in the Yarchei Kallah of Agudas Yisroel of Europe. He maintained a close relationship with the Ponovezh rosh yeshiva Rav Berel Povarsky.

Rav Yitzchok Dovid leaves behind a wonderful family, including sons and sons-in-law who are distinguished talmidei chachamim.

The levayah is taking place today from the main shul of the Gateshead community in England, after which the aron will be brought to Eretz Yisroel for burial.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

A public recognition ceremony was held in Yerushalayim honoring three yungeleit who were arrested, declared draft evaders, and incarcerated for extended periods in an Israeli military prison.

At the event, the three received cash grants calculated at 1,000 shekels for each day they spent in custody.

The gathering took place at the Beis Medrash Shaarei Tuvia, the bais medrash formerly led by the late Gaavad of Yerushalayim, Rav Yitzchak Tuvia Weiss.

The case dates back to Tammuz, when the three were arrested during protests in the city of Yehud against alleged desecration of graves. After their arrest by police, they were transferred to military police custody due to their failure to report to draft offices.

The three detainees were identified as Elazar Tzadok Kaufman, Aryeh Mordechai Rabinowitz, and Dovid Menachem Mintzberg. All three were incarcerated in a military prison for significant periods of time.

Associates of the detainees said that throughout their imprisonment, the three were held in complete isolation after refusing to wear military uniforms, a stance they said reflected unwavering adherence to their principles.

The last of the three, Elazar Tzadok Kaufman, was released approximately two weeks ago after spending more than 130 days in prison. Prior to his release, Aryeh Mordechai Rabinowitz was freed after more than 90 days of incarceration, while Dovid Menachem Mintzberg was released after more than 30 days in custody.

At the center of the ceremony, the three received what organizers described as significant financial presents, presented “as an expression of appreciation for their steadfast resolve and inner strength.” Donors from around the world contributed to the effort, pledging 1,000 shekels for each day an individual spent in military detention.

As a result, Kaufman received 130,000 shekels, Rabinowitz received 90,000 shekels, and Mintzberg received 30,000 shekels. The funds were distributed in cash, in U.S. dollar bills.

Among the rabbonim who attended and addressed the gathering were Rav Yehoshua Dovid Turtchin; the Rebbe of Mishkenos HaRo’im; Rav Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum, Av Beis Din of Satmar Yerushalayim; the Krechnif-Sigheter Rebbe; Rav Nesanel Peretz Meirzan, rosh yeshiva of Chochmas HaTorah; Rav Shlomo Zalman Weiss, rav of the Shaarei Tuvia Beis Medrash, and others.

{Matzav.com}

As he readies himself to leave City Hall, outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams is warning that the city could be headed in a troubling direction under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, telling the New York Post that residents should be deeply concerned about what may come next.

Looking back on the tight mayoral race, Adams argued that the election was far from a blowout, despite how it has been portrayed. He said he believes the outcome might have been different under other circumstances. “I think I would have won if they would have dropped out. Remember 49% of New Yorkers did not vote for Zohran – 49%. But people want to make it seem like there was some landslide. No, it was not. In fact, it was to the contrary. This was a very close race.” Adams ultimately withdrew from the contest after running as an independent and later endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Adams also pushed back strongly against claims that allegations of corruption overshadowed his administration. “I don’t think I was treated fairly. In fact, I was treated unfairly. And despite all the noise that we received and all we went through, we did not stop delivering for New Yorkers,” he said.

Turning to public safety and mental health, Adams said he fears progress made during his tenure could be undone. Asked whether he still believed difficult times lay ahead, he responded bluntly. “Yes I do,” Adams said when asked if he still believed “dark days” were ahead. “I think we should be concerned and we are seeing some early indicators. Look, a large number of people who live on our streets deal with mental health illness. We should not be allowing them to live on our streets. We want to bring on 5,000 new police officers to make sure [cop retirements] don’t hurt our law enforcement. We have figured out a successful methodology of making our cities safe. We should not tamper with that at all. Looking to disband [the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group]. That’s the same unit that [responded to a deadly mass shooting in July at NFL HQ in Manhattan].”

He expanded on those concerns by urging Mamdani to reconsider policies associated with the Democratic Socialist Party, warning they could have serious consequences for neighborhoods across the city. “I think New Yorkers need to be alarmed, and I’m hoping that when the mayor-elect becomes mayor he will rethink some of the Democratic Socialist Party’s ideas and policies and see that they’re harmful to New Yorkers. Removing 3,000 inmates from Rikers Island – that is a real issue because they’re going to go back into the communities that they exploited and they preyed on.”

Adams also weighed in on Mamdani’s ability to govern a politically divided city and stressed the importance of cooperation with President Trump following the mayor-elect’s recent visit to the White House. “Let’s be clear: almost half New Yorkers did not vote for Zohran. We’re not going to be able to function in the city if those 49% everyday walk around and say, ‘He’s not [my] mayor.’ That mindset is not helpful to the city, and that’s the same for those who didn’t vote for President Trump. You cannot have four more years of saying the president is not their president. It’s time for us to be politically mature enough and respect our democratic process. So I’m hoping they can work together. There’s some real challenges in front of us. Zohran is going to be able to use all the money in his budget and not deal with asylum seekers because President Trump secured our border, so he should be thankful for that. But I think that it is imperative for him to know that just as he wants people to respect him as a mayor, he has to respect the president as the president.”

Addressing anxiety within the Jewish community, Adams said strong and unambiguous leadership will be required from the next mayor. “There needs to be a clear denouncement of ‘globalize the intifada.’ There needs to be a clear denouncement of people standing in front of a house of worship and calling for harm to a particular group. A mayor must not only lead based on what they say, but what they do. He has to send a very clear message that antisemitism and hate of any faith will not have a place in the city.”

Reflecting on his own departure from office, Adams said he feels no nostalgia for the role, describing the job as relentless. “Actually, I’m not going to miss it (laughing). This is a hard job. I’ve been doing 12-hour days, almost seven days a week. You know, the constant critique and criticism. I would love to have finished the things we’ve done for four more years, but trust me, it’s time for me do something else with my life and use experiences that I had as a police officer, as a lawmaker, as the [borough president] in Brooklyn, and now as the mayor to go and help the city more. There’s more I want to do in the city, particularly going after some of the hate we’re seeing, but also, there are other cities across the country and the globe that I could use my expertise in. And so I don’t look in the rearview mirror. I look in the front windshield.”

Despite stepping away, Adams made clear he is not ruling out future roles in public life. “Never say never. Don’t close the door because then it’s difficult when you have to walk through it again.” Asked specifically about serving in a presidential administration, he added, “Again, you never say never. I am looking forward to all the opportunities that are in front of me.”

Finally, Adams dismissed second-guessing about bypassing the Democratic primary, saying he stands by his decision. “I have no regrets at all. I said I would sit out the Democratic primary and I would run head to head with Zohran Mamdani [as an independent]. You can’t really look back and cry over spilt milk. There’s a whole lot of milk cartons waiting for me to open.”

{Matzav.com}

Controversy is mounting at the University of Arkansas after allegations surfaced that a senior professor used official university letterhead to defend an Iranian regime figure convicted of mass executions and publicly praised Iran’s Supreme Leader while denouncing Israel, according to a report by The New York Post.

The professor, Shirin Saeidi, who until recently headed the university’s Middle East Studies program, was removed from her role as director on Friday. University officials confirmed she remains on staff as a professor while an internal review continues.

The accusations stem in part from a letter Saeidi allegedly wrote on official university stationery calling for the release of Hamid Nouri, a former Iranian official convicted by a Swedish court in 2022 for ordering the execution of thousands of political prisoners at Tehran’s Gohardasht Prison in 1988. The document was obtained by the US-based Alliance Against Islamic Regime of Iran Apologists, which shared it with The Post.

Nouri, who served as assistant deputy prosecutor at Karaj Prison near Tehran, was freed last year as part of a prisoner exchange between Iran and Sweden.

Saeidi has also drawn scrutiny for her social media activity. In posts shared on X in November, she praised Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, writing prayers for his safety and describing him as “the leader who kept Iran intact during the Israeli attack, May god protect you,” in reference to the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. She has additionally referred to Israel as a “terrorist state” and a “genocidal state” in other posts.

The controversy has prompted strong reactions from public officials and advocacy groups. On Friday, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sharply criticized Saeidi in a statement to The Post, condemning what he called her “hate-filled antisemitic venom.”

“Whether Shirin Saeidi should be fired is a decision for the administration and the UA board. But praising the Iranian leader — who calls not only for the slaughter of Jews but also calls for the destruction of America — makes me think this deranged professor would probably be better suited to being given a one-way ticket to Tehran and taking a job of teaching in their hate-infested schools,” Huckabee said.

A university spokesman told The Post that Saeidi is no longer affiliated with the Middle East Studies department and that the school is investigating her apparent use of official letterhead “in accordance with university policies.”

Pressure on the university has been building for months. Prior to her removal as director, AAIRIA activists gathered 3,782 signatures on a Change.org petition demanding disciplinary action.

“For forty-six years, Iranians have resisted this erasure of their memories, their testimonies, and their courage,” said Lawdan Bazargan, a former Iranian political prisoner and human rights activist. “That is why the regime relies on ideologues and useful idiots in Western institutions to launder its image.

“Dr. Saeidi’s work is part of that machinery, an academic façade built on falsified narratives to soften the truth about Iran’s prisons and the resistance that takes place inside them.”

Bazargan also told The Post that the FBI contacted her in May regarding the allegations, prompting her and AAIRIA to take a closer look at Saeidi’s activities.

Elected officials have also weighed in. Arkansas State Rep. Mary Bentley said she was “deeply disturbed” by the claims.

“I can assure you that my constituents do not want their tax dollars being used to support unethical and antisemitic behavior from professors at our public universities,” Bentley said.

The controversy has drawn attention beyond Arkansas. Masih Alinejad, an Iranian dissident based in Brooklyn who was targeted by the Iranian regime in 2021, urged President Trump to intervene and halt what she described as the spread of regime sympathizers in the West.

“She regularly attacks me and other human rights activists who dare to stand up to the same dictator,” Alinejad wrote on X, referring to Saeidi.

According to AAIRIA, Saeidi also endorsed two anti-Israel petitions in 2023 and 2025.

“You can’t get any more antisemitic that,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. “Only a week after the horrors on Oct 7, Saeidi chose to whitewash the terrorist crimes of Hamas.”

{Matzav.com}

The Israel Democracy Institute on Sunday published the 2025 Statistical Yearbook of Chareidi Society, marking the tenth annual edition of the comprehensive report. The yearbook was edited by Dr. Gilad Malach and Dr. Lee Cahaner, research fellows in the Institute’s Program on Chareidi Society in Israel, which operates under the Jacobs Center for a Shared Society headed by attorney Shlomit Ravitzky Tur-Paz.

The report presents an updated snapshot of chareidi society in 2025, alongside an in-depth review of trends over the past decade and, in some areas, the decade preceding it. Long-term analysis points to a widening gap between chareidi women and men: while women continue to advance in education, employment, and professional training, chareidi men have experienced near-complete stagnation in employment rates and integration into a broader range of occupations.

Demographics: A Remarkably Young Population

Israel’s chareidi population now numbers approximately 1,452,350 people, accounting for about 14.3% of the country’s population. It is among the youngest populations in the world, with 57% aged 19 or younger. While only about 4% of chareidim are over age 65, roughly 22% of Israel’s entire population under 19 is chareidi.

This age structure places sustained and growing pressure on the education system, labor market, and welfare services—pressures expected to intensify in the coming decades. Fertility rates remain exceptionally high, averaging 6.5 children per woman, with no significant change over the past decade, helping to explain the community’s rapid demographic growth.

Education System: Continued Expansion

Over the past decade, the chareidi education system has expanded at an average annual rate of 3.7%. In the 2024–2025 school year, approximately 420,000 students were enrolled, representing 21% of all students in Israel and 27% of those in the Hebrew education system. About 31% of first-grade students in Hebrew education are enrolled in chareidi schools.

A decade ago, chareidi enrollment stood at around 290,000 students, comprising 24% of Hebrew education. Today, 62.5% of chareidi students attend network schools, 8.5% are in recognized but unofficial institutions, 21% in exempt institutions, and 7.5% in state-chareidi schools.

Eligibility for matriculation certificates among chareidi students has risen from 10% a decade ago to 16% today, though this remains far below the 85% eligibility rate in state and state-religious education.

Yeshivos and Kollelim: Rapid Growth, Statistical Gaps

In 2023, the number of unmarried yeshiva students and married kollel yungeleit over age 18 stood at 169,366. This figure has nearly doubled over a decade, rising from about 92,500 in 2013, an increase of 83%, with annual growth exceeding 6%, faster than overall chareidi population growth.

In 2024, however, official figures showed a sharp decline in registered yeshiva students and kollel scholars. The report explains that roughly 70,000 yeshiva bochurim and avreichim aged 18–27 who are liable for military service are no longer state-funded and therefore do not appear in Ministry of Education records. The official 2024 figure of 109,601 students, more than half of whom are over age 31, is thus considered incomplete.

Military and National Service: Numbers Mask Reality

Over the past decade, the number of chareidim entering military or civilian service has largely stagnated. In 2024, 3,060 graduates of the chareidi education system entered service, only slightly fewer than the 3,710 recorded in 2014. Given rapid population growth, this represents a real decline of about 25%.

At the same time, 2024 saw a 51% increase in enlistment compared to the previous year, likely influenced by the war and expanded draft obligations. Of those entering service, 2,560 joined the IDF and 500 entered national civilian service.

Notably, 55% of those enlisting in the IDF were placed in general, non-chareidi frameworks, while only 45% joined chareidi-adapted tracks, suggesting that many recruits classified as chareidi are in fact formerly chareidi. Combat placement rates were 40% in general tracks compared to 30% in chareidi tracks. Most civilian service participants begin only after age 24, a pattern unchanged for a decade.

Higher Education and Professional Training

In the 2024–2025 academic year, 18,953 chareidi students were enrolled in higher education, accounting for 5.5% of all students in Israel. Growth in recent years has slowed to about 4% annually, with most increases seen in advanced degree programs.

One notable bright spot is technological vocational training through the National Institute for Technological Training (MAHAT). By 2024, 9,600 chareidim were enrolled in these programs—three times the number in 2014. Growth has accelerated to about 17% annually over the past five years, a rate unmatched in other areas of chareidi higher education.

Employment in 2025

Employment rates in 2025 stood at 53% for chareidi men and 81% for chareidi women. Chareidi men work an average of 36.5 hours per week, compared to 45 hours for non-chareidi Jewish men, while chareidi women average 32 hours, compared to 38.5 hours among non-chareidi Jewish women.

About 30% of chareidi men work in education, while only 3.5% are employed in high-tech, reflecting little change over the past decade. Among women, 42.5% work in education, similar to levels ten years ago.

Wage gaps remain stark. The average monthly salary for a chareidi man is 9,929 shekels, roughly 49% of that earned by a non-chareidi Jewish man. Chareidi women earn an average of 8,617 shekels, about 67% of their non-chareidi counterparts.

Living Standards and Poverty

About 33% of chareidi families and 45% of chareidi children live below the poverty line, compared to 14% and 13%, respectively, among non-chareidi Jewish families. Still, this marks an improvement from 2015, when 39% of chareidi families were below the poverty line.

Average monthly household income among chareidim is 14,816 shekels, compared to 24,466 shekels for non-chareidi Jewish households. The relative income gap has widened slightly over the past decade.

Despite lower incomes, 75% of chareidim own their homes, slightly higher than the 72% rate among non-chareidi Jews. However, only 50% own a car, compared to 82% of non-chareidi Jews, reflecting ongoing disparities in mobility and access to employment.

Financial Behavior and Preparedness

The report highlights significant differences in financial behavior. Chareidim are more likely to carry mortgages and loans, save less, and rely on low-yield savings vehicles. They are also less prepared for financial emergencies and retirement, with lower rates of private insurance coverage and pension planning.

Reliance on family support networks is higher, with 59% of chareidim turning to family during financial distress, compared to 37% of non-chareidi Jews. Use of interest-free community loan funds is also far more common.

Researchers’ Conclusions

Dr. Malach and Dr. Cahaner concluded that the data reflect a decade of stagnation and even regression in the integration of chareidi men, following a previous decade of progress. Employment rates, income levels, occupational diversity, and enlistment figures have all failed to advance, even as the number of yeshiva students and avreichim has grown rapidly.

By contrast, chareidi women continue to show steady integration into education and employment, though income levels remain low. The researchers point to expanding technological training, higher education, and increased internet use as potential foundations for future integration, if leveraged effectively.

{Matzav.com}

Last night’s Powerball drawing failed to produce a jackpot winner, sending the prize soaring to an estimated $1.1 billion after the $1 billion payout went unclaimed.

The numbers drawn for the massive jackpot were 1, 28, 31, 57, and 58, with the Powerball number set at 16.

While no one hit the top prize, several players still walked away with major winnings. Two ticket holders in North Carolina and Pennsylvania earned $2 million each by matching all five white balls and adding the Power Play option.

Five additional tickets sold in California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia matched the five white numbers, earning their holders $1 million apiece.

The drawing had drawn significant attention as it marked the seventh-largest jackpot in Powerball history, narrowly trailing the $1.08 billion prize claimed on July 19, 2023, in downtown Los Angeles.

The most recent jackpot winners before this drawing were players in Missouri and Texas, who split a record-setting $1.787 billion prize on Sept. 6, the second-largest lottery jackpot ever awarded.

{Matzav.com}

A social media post by conservative commentator Candace Owens has ignited widespread controversy and speculation online after resurfacing in the days following today’s deadly attack in Asutralia.

In the post, shared on X on November 27, Owens wrote that unnamed forces had been “signaling that a 9/11-style attack is coming the second week of December,” adding, “Save this tweet. It will age well.”

The post amassed hundreds of thousands of views.

Following today’s terror attack in Australia, screenshots of Owens’ message began spreading rapidly, with users questioning whether the commentator had advance knowledge of an impending act of terrorism or whether her statement was a vague prediction rooted in online speculation.

Some commentators accused Owens of irresponsibly fueling fear.

Many are demanding clarification from Owens regarding the basis for her claim. As of this writing, Owens has not provided details explaining what intelligence, indicators, or sources she was referencing, nor has she issued a retraction or apology.

{Matzav.com}

New York City mayoral-elect Zohran Mamdani issued a statement today responding to the deadly antisemitic terror attack at a Chanukah celebration in Sydney, Australia, but his wording has drawn sharp criticism for downplaying the nature of the assault.

In a post published on X, Mamdani described the attack as “a vile act of antisemitic terror” and said he was mourning those murdered and praying for their families, the Jewish community, and the Chabad movement. He cited reports indicating that at least 11 people were killed and dozens injured, including Rabbi Eli Schlangler.

However, critics quickly seized on Mamdani’s later characterization of the attackers. Rather than referring to them as terrorists, Mamdani wrote that “men with long guns targeted innocents” on Bondi Beach, language that many say minimizes the ideological nature of the attack and echoes phrasing commonly used to avoid labeling antisemitic violence as terrorism.

Mamdani’s statement went on to draw parallels between the Sydney attack and fears held by Jewish communities worldwide, writing that many Jews no longer feel safe worshiping publicly or entering synagogues without armed security. He added that what happened in Bondi is what many Jewish communities fear could happen in their own neighborhoods.

In the final portion of his post, Mamdani referenced a bystander who reportedly ran toward the gunfire and disarmed one of the attackers, urging New Yorkers to confront hatred with urgency and action. He pledged that, once in office, he would work daily to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe “on our streets, our subways, at shul, in every moment of every day.”

Despite those assurances, Mamdani’s response was met with skepticism from Jewish activists and communal figures, many of whom pointed to his longstanding record of hostility toward Israel and repeated refusal to clearly condemn antisemitic actors when they align with causes he supports. Several critics argued that his choice of words — particularly the decision to describe the attackers as “men with long guns” — reflects a broader pattern of rhetorical sanitization when Jewish victims are targeted.

During the New York City mayoral campaign, Mamdani was repeatedly asked about the slogan “Globalize the Intifada.” When asked on a podcast in June whether he would condemn it, he declined to do so and instead described it as language that “means very different things to different people,” and emphasized that the mayor shouldn’t “police language.”

“This was not a random act of violence or generic gun crime,” one Jewish community leader said. “It was terrorism, carried out against Jews celebrating Chanukah. Language matters, especially from someone about to become mayor of the largest Jewish city in the world.”

{Matzav.com}

A survivor of the deadly terror attack at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration in Sydney said police officers on the scene failed to act for an extended period as gunmen carried out a prolonged shooting spree that left 11 people dead.

Shmulik Scuri, who was attending the family-friendly event with his relatives, said the attack began when two suspects opened fire from a bridge overlooking the crowd of Jewish worshippers gathered at Bondi Beach.

“For 20 minutes. They shoot, shoot. Change magazines. And just shoot,” Scuri told reporters, describing the relentless nature of the gunfire.

According to Scuri, several police officers were present but appeared immobilized as the shooting continued. “Twenty minutes, there was four policemen there. Nobody give fire back. Nothing. Like they froze,” he said of the response. “I don’t understand why.”.”

Asked who the attackers appeared to be targeting, Scuri said there was no distinction. “Everyone. Jews. Men, old, kids, everyone! It doesn’t matter.”

Scuri added that one of the gunmen, positioned on the bridge, was able to reload both a rifle and a handgun repeatedly while continuing to fire at the crowd without interruption.

Video footage from the scene shows two terrorists, at least one armed with a shotgun, discharging weapon after weapon from above, raining bullets onto the 2025 Chanukah by the Sea gathering below.

It was only after a local fruit vendor rushed in and managed to disarm one of the attackers that police appeared to respond with gunfire, ultimately killing one of the shooters, according to video evidence from the scene.

Authorities said one of the suspected attackers was killed at the scene, while the second was apprehended in critical condition.

Australian media later identified one of the suspects as Naveed Akram, with police subsequently raiding his residence following the attack.

Law enforcement officials also reported that improvised explosive devices were found inside the vehicle belonging to the deceased gunman at Bondi Beach.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns condemned the massacre as a targeted act of terror against the Jewish community during the holiday. “This cowardly act of terrified violence is shocking and painful to see and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney,” Minns said.

“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Chanukah,” he added. “What should’ve been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack.”

Police acknowledged that one of the attackers had previously appeared on the Australian Security Intelligence Organization watchlist, though he was not classified as “an immediate threat.”

The Bondi Beach massacre is being described as the deadliest shooting in Australia since April 1996, when a gunman killed 35 people and wounded 23 others in Port Arthur, Tasmania.

{Matzav.com}

After four days of intensive searches, the body of a teenage boy from Bnei Brak was recovered from the Yarkon River on Sunday afternoon.

The search was launched after 19-year-old Eliyahu Abba Shaul, who had been missing since Wednesday, failed to return home. Police said that ZAKA volunteers located his body a short time ago as part of the ongoing efforts to find the missing youth.

Search operations had continued around the clock over the past several days, focusing on the Yarkon River area after the teenager’s bicycle and personal belongings were discovered nearby. That finding led police and rescue forces to concentrate their efforts along the riverbank and surrounding parkland.

Since then, large numbers of police officers, special units, and volunteer rescue organizations have been deployed to the scene. The operation included ground searches, water-based searches, and the use of specialized technological equipment.

Despite difficult conditions, search teams continued their efforts at night as well, assisted by advanced equipment and ZAKA’s diving unit, which operated along the river’s course and adjacent areas in an attempt to locate any clue that could shed light on the circumstances of the disappearance.

ZAKA officials said that after four consecutive days of intensive activity, the body of the missing teenager was found in Yarkon Park by volunteers from the organization’s special units.

The multi-day operation was carried out in full cooperation with Israel Police and the Fire and Rescue Service’s Lahava Unit. It included land searches, aerial scans using ZAKA’s drone unit, underwater searches along the riverbed, and the use of advanced sonar systems. The entire effort was coordinated from a dedicated command post established at the site.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Sunday that one Israeli was killed and another Israeli was wounded in the deadly shooting attack at a Chanukah celebration in Sydney, Australia. Israel’s embassy in Australia and the Foreign Ministry’s department for Israelis in distress are accompanying the wounded man’s family, as he remains hospitalized at a local medical center.

An Israeli consul is expected to arrive at the hospital to assist the injured Israeli and provide support to his relatives.

The wounded man, Arsen Ostrovsky, an international human rights lawyer who recently relocated from Israel to Sydney to work with the local Jewish community, described scenes of terror and chaos as gunfire erupted around him and his family. Ostrovsky was photographed at the scene with his head bandaged and his face covered in blood.

Speaking to Australian television, Ostrovsky, who serves as chairman of the Australia–Israel and Jewish Affairs Council in Sydney, recounted the moments of the attack: “I was here with my family. It was a Hanukkah celebration. There were hundreds of people. There were children, there were elderly people. Families enjoying themselves. Kids at a festival, playing. And then suddenly, absolute chaos. There are guns, fire everywhere, people running. It was absolute chaos. We didn’t know what was happening, where the shots were coming from.”

“I saw blood flowing in front of me,” he continued. “I saw people being hit, I saw people falling to the ground. My only concern was, where are my kids? Where are my kids? Where is my wife? Where is my family?”

Ostrovsky noted that he had lived in Israel for the past 13 years and had arrived in Australia just two weeks ago. “I lived in Israel for the past 13 years,” he said. “We came here just two weeks ago to work with the Jewish community to fight antisemitism, to fight this bloodthirsty, raging hatred.”

Referring to the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023, Ostrovsky added: “We’ve experienced worse things. We’ll get through this, and we’ll catch those who did this.”

When asked whether he saw the gunmen, Ostrovsky replied: “I did. I saw at least one gunman shooting, with what looked like a shotgun, firing randomly in all directions. I saw children falling to the floor, elderly people.”

“I never thought I would see something like this in Australia. Not in my lifetime. Especially not at Bondi Beach, especially not at this iconic place,” he said.

Speaking about his family, Ostrovsky added: “My children, my wife are safe, thank God. They’re okay. They managed to escape. But I didn’t know where they were. There is no greater fear, no greater terror, than not knowing where your family is. They’re okay. I’ll be okay.”

Bahraini peace activist Loay Alsharif also responded to the attack, referring to his wounded friend Ostrovsky. “Please pray for my brother Arsen Ostrovsky, who was injured in the terror attack in Australia. I’ve known Arsen for years, and I pray to God to grant him the same strength He granted Judah and the Maccabees against their enemies. To the terrorists behind this evil act: you will fail, just as Antiochus failed.”

Alsharif added: “I pray for my Jewish brothers in Australia who were at a horrific shooting carried out by terrorists on Chanukah. We will continue to speak out against terror and antisemitism. And we will always stand united against the forces of darkness that harm innocent lives.”

{Matzav.com}

In the wake of the deadly assault on a Jewish Chanukah gathering in Sydney, Israeli officials convened urgent security and strategic consultations to assess responsibility for the attack and determine who orchestrated the violence against the local Jewish community.

Israeli intelligence assessments have increasingly centered on Iran as the primary suspect. As more time passed following the massacre, officials said Israel’s evaluation grew firmer that Tehran played a direct role in the deadly incident.

At the same time, investigators are examining whether additional terrorist groups linked to or influenced by Iran may have been involved. These include Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba organization, which has ties to Al-Qaeda.

According to intelligence material shared with senior political figures, Iran has recently intensified efforts to smuggle weapons, construct terror networks, and establish online “incitement cells” via social media platforms, with the stated goal of striking Jewish targets around the world.

Israeli warnings about such threats were issued months ago, after assessments indicated that Iran was laying the groundwork for attacks on Jewish communities and institutions in Australia.

Background events in Australia have also informed Israel’s suspicions. In August, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese publicly accused Iran of being behind two antisemitic attacks in the country and announced that diplomatic relations with Tehran would be severed in response.

At that time, Albanese stated that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation had concluded that the Iranian government ordered arson attacks on Lewis Continental Kitchen, a kosher food business in Sydney, in October 2024, and on the Adas Yisrael shul in Melbourne two months later.

Australian intelligence officials assessed that those attacks occurred amid a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents in Sydney and Melbourne following the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, and that Iran sought to conceal its direct involvement in the operations.

{Matzav.com}

The aftermath of the deadly attack at Bondi Beach has sparked sharp diplomatic criticism, with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee publicly rebuking Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over what he views as an inadequate response to the violence that claimed at least 12 lives during a Hanukkah celebration on the beachfront.

Huckabee reacted forcefully on social media after reviewing the prime minister’s remarks, describing the statement as “disgraceful” for what he said was a failure to clearly acknowledge the ideological and religious nature of the assault. He accused Albanese of engaging in a “politically correct omission,” arguing that sidestepping the antisemitic motive behind the attack weakens public understanding of the threat and minimizes the gravity of the crime.

In his official response, Prime Minister Albanese denounced the shooting as an “act of evil” and emphasized that his government remains committed to safeguarding all Australians, with particular attention to the Jewish community in the wake of the tragedy.

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] A dramatic act of bravery unfolded during the deadly Chanukah by the Sea attack in Sydney on Sunday, when a local shopkeeper intervened and stopped one of the terrorists who had opened fire on the crowd at Bondi Beach.

Footage from the scene shows the rescuer, dressed in a white shirt, quietly approaching the armed assailant from behind as the terrorist held a shotgun. Seizing a moment of opportunity, he lunged forward and grappled with the gunman, forcing the weapon out of his hands.

The recording captures the attacker collapsing to the ground before scrambling away from the area as chaos continued around him.

Authorities later confirmed that the assault left at least 12 people dead, including children, and injured 29 others, after two terrorists opened fire at the popular beachfront Hanukkah celebration.

Police said one of the attackers was killed, while the second suspect was arrested and taken into custody.

Officials indicated that the violent rampage continued for roughly 10 minutes before security forces and bystanders were able to neutralize the attackers.

Relatives identified the man who disarmed the terrorist as Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Sydney resident, father of two, and owner of a fruit stand, according to news.com.au.

A cousin told 7News that Ahmed was shot twice during the confrontation and was rushed into surgery as a result of his injuries.

“We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero 100 percent,” the relative said.

According to the video, Ahmed waited until the gunman briefly stopped firing before rushing in, wrapping the attacker in a bear hug. After a short struggle, he emerged holding the weapon himself and turned it toward the terrorist, effectively ending the immediate threat.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

The Jewish community in Sydney is mourning the killing of Rabbi Eli Schlanger Hy”d, a Chabad shliach in Bondi, Asutralia who was murdered in the terror attack tonight, the first night of Chanukah. He was 40 years old.

Rabbi Schlanger was shot while attending the annual Chanukah by the Sea gathering in Bondi Beach Park, an event he helped organize each year. The program includes the lighting of a large menorah followed by a community celebration. Rabbi Schlanger regularly served as the event’s emcee and was targeted when terrorists opened fire on participants at the Jewish celebration.

A devoted shliach, Rabbi Schlanger was widely admired for his warmth, energy, and deep commitment to the community. He was especially proud of his work with Sydney’s Russian-speaking Jewish population, numbering approximately 5,000 individuals, many of whom had fled the former Soviet Union and found renewed Jewish life through his efforts.

Born in England, Rabbi Schlanger pursued his Torah education in Europe and the United States. He studied at Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in Brunoy, France, and later received semicha at the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch in Crown Heights.

Following his marriage to Chayale Ulman, the daughter of Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, senior dayan of the Sydney Beth Din and director of Chabad of Bondi F.R.E.E., Rabbi Schlanger joined his father-in-law in rabbinic leadership. He served as an assistant rabbi and worked closely with him on a range of communal initiatives.

Among his many projects, Rabbi Schlanger partnered with his father-in-law to create and launch a website designed to assist shluchim and individuals worldwide in obtaining certification of Jewish status. The platform was used for matters such as aliya to Israel, band mitzvahs, shul membership, marriage, and other communal needs.

Rabbi Schlanger also served in several chaplaincy roles, including as a chaplain to New South Wales Corrective Services, chaplain to New South Wales Prisoners of War, and chaplain at St. Vincent’s Hospital. In addition, he headed Project Noah, an educational initiative that presents the timeless values of the Seven Noachide Laws to youth through engaging and interactive programming.

Rabbi Schlanger is survived by his wife, Chayale, and their children, including a two-month-old baby. He is also survived by his parents, Rabbi Binyomin and Dobra Schlanger of Israel, and his siblings: Baruch Schlanger of Toronto; Chanie Drizin of Crown Heights; Dena Gansburg of London; Tzippy Kastel of Sydney; Shmuli Schlanger of Bakersfield, California; Perela Goldhirsch of Melbourne; Sorala Hayes of Miami, Florida; and Shaina Joseph of Sydney.

Hashem yikom damo. Umacha Hashem dimah me’al kol ponim.

{Matzav.com}

A media channel identified with Hamas’s military wing issued a warning overnight urging the terror group’s operatives to exercise heightened caution, following reports that Ra’ad Sa’ad, described as the organization’s No. 2 figure, was targeted in an Israeli strike.

In a statement circulated by the channel, activists were told that “the coming hours may include escalation on the part of Israel,” and were instructed to maintain “maximum alertness and caution—particularly regarding movement, communications, and nighttime activity.”

According to a report on Mako, Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, claiming that an attack on a civilian vehicle in western Gaza City constituted a continuation of breaches of the truce reached under what it described as the Trump framework. Hamas said the incident “once again underscores Israel’s intention to deliberately undermine and sabotage the ceasefire agreement through escalating and ongoing violations.”

The terror group further asserted that the Israeli government bears “full responsibility for the consequences of its crimes against the Palestinian people and for violations of the ceasefire agreement, including harm to civilians, operatives, and leaders.” Hamas called on the mediators and guarantor states of the agreement to take responsibility for what it termed “blatant violations” and to act urgently to “restrain the Israeli government that seeks to undermine the agreement.”

Despite the sharp rhetoric, Hamas has so far refrained from directly addressing the fate of Ra’ad Sa’ad, maintaining a degree of ambiguity similar to its response in previous assassination attempts.

The Mako report also cited Ibrahim al-Madhoun, a commentator close to Hamas, who claimed that the attempted killing carries significant political implications beyond a routine security incident. “In my assessment, this comes in the context of Israel’s attempts to derail the agreement and prevent a transition to its second phase, or to impose new and dangerous rules of engagement that place everyone before extremely difficult choices,” he said.

While Israeli officials have reportedly stated that the assassination was successful, al-Madhoun cautioned against drawing conclusions at this stage. “It is still too early to speak about the success of the attempt,” he said, adding that the very attempt itself represents “a very dangerous development.”

He warned that if such actions go unanswered, they could open the door to a broad and systematic policy of targeted killings. According to al-Madhoun, this trajectory threatens the already fragile stability in the region and risks pushing the situation toward an escalation that could spiral out of control, claiming that “Israel appears to be deliberately heading in that direction.”

{Matzav.com}

A deadly attack shattered a public Chanukah gathering in Sydney, Australia, leaving a devastating toll of dead and wounded. Authorities later confirmed that 12 people were killed, after initial reports placed the number lower, and dozens more were injured.

The shooting erupted at Bondi Beach, where an estimated 2,000 people had assembled for a community celebration. According to eyewitness accounts cited by the Daily Mail, two individuals dressed in black were seen opening fire near the beachfront area.

New South Wales Police acknowledged what they described as a “developing incident,” urging residents and visitors to stay away from the scene and seek shelter as emergency responders rushed in.

Those present described scenes of chaos and horror. One witness told the Sydney Morning Herald, “I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere.” Another person, speaking to 9 News, said the injured were being “carried out on surfboards because there weren’t enough stretchers.”

Footage circulating on social media showed numerous victims lying motionless on the sand, many covered in blood, as bystanders and first responders attempted lifesaving measures, including CPR, on the wounded.

Police later announced that two individuals were taken into custody in connection with the attack, while some reports indicated that one of the assailants was killed.

The event, known as ‘Chanukah by the Sea,’ was organized by Chabad of Bondi and took place near a playground, offering activities intended for participants of all ages. In a statement following the tragedy, the Chabad movement confirmed that one of its emissaries was among those killed.

In the aftermath, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar spoke with David Ossip, President of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies. During the conversation, Minister Sa’ar expressed shock over the deadly shooting and conveyed solidarity with the local Jewish community, while Ossip shared preliminary information about the severity of the incident.

Reacting to the attack, World Zionist Organization chairman Yaakov Hagoel warned of a broader pattern of hatred, saying, “The series of antisemitic attacks around the world is shocking and reminds us all of dark periods in history. Since October 7, a war has broken out not only against the State of Israel but against every Jew around the world, who have become the eighth front in this war.”

Hagoel added that global Jewish institutions would stand with those affected, stating, “The World Zionist Organization will continue to stand by the Jewish community in Sydney and other Jewish communities around the world, supporting them in every way. We call on the Australian government to take a firm stance against any manifestation of antisemitism and are confident that it will do so. The Hanukkah holiday we celebrate this evening reminds us that the light of the Jewish people will ultimately triumph over the darkness.”

Despite mounting diplomatic hurdles, the Trump administration is moving ahead with an ambitious proposal to deploy an international stabilization force in postwar Gaza, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Saturday. The concept envisions roughly 10,000 troops operating under the command of a US general, though officials concede the timeline for assembling such a contingent could stretch well into next year.

Senior US officials underscore that President Donald Trump’s broader peace initiative only received approval from the UN Security Council about a month ago, framing the current outreach as an early but intensive phase of implementation. “The Trump administration has made tremendous progress in record time in implementing President Trump’s 20-point peace plan and we have seen unbelievable interest from countries across the world to be a part of this historic effort to deliver a lasting peace in the Middle East,” White House spokesman Dylan Johnson said.

Behind the scenes, progress has been uneven. While Washington has formally approached more than 70 countries to seek either troops or financial backing, not a single nation has yet committed soldiers to the mission, the WSJ reported. The State Department’s outreach includes close allies such as Italy and France, alongside smaller states like Malta and El Salvador. In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are already engaged in discussions about funding, though US officials say those talks “will require consistent engagement for specific asks.”

Some American officials are cautiously optimistic that initial pledges—perhaps totaling 5,000 troops—could be secured early next year, with hopes of eventually reaching the 10,000 mark by the end of 2026. Others are more skeptical, warning the force could stall at closer to 8,000 personnel. Even countries viewed as likely participants, including Azerbaijan and Indonesia, are pressing for a limited mandate that steers clear of direct combat or efforts to disarm Hamas operatives still active in parts of Gaza. Their embassies in Washington declined to comment.

According to a US official, 19 countries have indicated some level of interest, whether by contributing troops or offering support such as equipment, transportation, or logistics. Momentum may build next week, when representatives from more than 25 nations are expected to gather in Qatar for a US-led meeting to hash out the proposed force’s structure and operational boundaries.

The administration plans for Trump to name the US general who would lead the mission early next year. Officials emphasize that American troops will not be deployed inside Gaza itself, although some US personnel are already assigned to a coordination hub in Kiryat Gat, Israel.

Diplomatic negotiations remain stuck on fundamental issues, including Hamas’s refusal to disarm and unresolved questions about who will govern Gaza once hostilities subside. Against that backdrop, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is slated to meet with Trump in Miami in late December, where both leaders are expected to weigh options for moving the plan forward.

{Matzav.com}

Over 200 people directly affected by the October 7, 2023, Hamas onslaught have issued a forceful appeal to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, urging him to approve the creation of an official state commission of inquiry to investigate the catastrophic failures surrounding the attack. The signatories include former captives, relatives of those who were held hostage, and families of hostages who were killed.

The appeal was released publicly by the October Council, a group formed by bereaved families pressing for a formal state investigation. The publication of the letter coincides with the 800th day since the Hamas-led invasion and massacre that devastated southern Israel.

“We call on the Israeli government to stop evading, stop postponing, stop whitewashing, and establish a state commission of inquiry immediately,” the letter declares.

The message goes on to warn the country’s leadership in stark terms: “We demand truth, justice, and accountability.” It adds, “If you have no intention of taking responsibility and establishing such a commission, as demanded by the majority of the nation, vacate your seats and let the nation decide.”

According to the signatories, any inquiry must be fully open and comprehensive, addressing every aspect of October 7. They insist it scrutinize “the collapse of the defense and intelligence systems, the unanswered calls for help, the hours-long abandonment of the Gaza border communities, and the abandonment of the civilians and soldiers to the inferno.”

The families also stress that the investigation cannot stop at the day of the attack itself. They argue that it must delve into developments afterward as well, including “what has happened since October 7: The manner in which decisions were made during negotiations for the return of the hostages, the reasons for repeated delays, the coordination between the political and military echelons, and the statements and actions of all public officials and their impact on the lives of the hostages, on their mental and physical health, the fate of those who were taken alive and were murdered in captivity, and the long wait for the return of the deceased hostages to their families.”

The letter emphasizes that the proposed body must be independent and free of conflicts of interest. “A commission of inquiry is not a political tool. It cannot be composed of those who are the subjects of the investigation,” the authors write. They further insist that such a panel “must be transparent, professional, and have full authority to order investigations, question witnesses, examine documents, and reach clear conclusions, including the mandate to implement them.”

The authors underscore why they see no alternative to such a framework, stating: “Only such a body will be able to reach the full truth, not just that which is convenient to reveal.”

Among those who signed the letter are former hostage Yarden Bibas, whose wife Shiri and young sons Ariel and Kfir were murdered while held captive; Herut Nimrodi, the mother of slain hostage Tamir Nimrodi; and Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin was killed after being taken hostage.

{Matzav.com}