Matzav

The latest round of U.S.–Ukraine discussions stretched across four hours in Florida, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the session as “very productive,” even as he stressed that the path to ending Russia’s assault on Ukraine still requires considerable effort.

Rubio revealed that Steve Witkoff—President Donald Trump’s envoy for the negotiations—will outline the latest developments directly to Vladimir Putin during a trip to Moscow this week. He emphasized to reporters that the talks involve complicated dynamics: “There are a lot of moving parts, and obviously there’s another party involved here that will have to be a part of the equation, and that will continue later this week, when Mr. Witkoff travels to Moscow, although we’ve also been in touch in varying degrees with the Russian side, but we have a pretty good understanding of their views as well.” Rubio then cautioned, “Much work remains.”

According to Rubio, the discussions are not only focused on achieving a cessation of hostilities but also on shaping a lasting economic recovery for Ukraine. He characterized the American outlook as firmly grounded yet hopeful, noting that peace must come with a viable long-term future. “It’s not just about the terms that ends fighting,” he added. “It’s about also the terms that set up Ukraine for long-term prosperity. I think we build on that today, but there’s more work to be done.”

Representing the United States at this delicate moment were Rubio, Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Their meeting took place as Ukraine simultaneously contends with Russian pressure on the battlefield and internal turmoil fueled by a corruption scandal. Diplomats on both sides have been targeting revisions to a draft plan developed in previous U.S.–Russia exchanges, a proposal that critics have argued leaned too far toward Moscow.

As the Sunday talks opened at the Shell Bay Club—Witkoff’s upscale development in Hallandale Beach—Rubio sought to reassure Kyiv: “The end goal is, obviously, not just the end of the war,” Rubio said. “But it’s also about securing an end to the war that leaves Ukraine sovereign and independent and with an opportunity at real prosperity.” He reminded the participants that “This is not just about peace deals.”

Ukraine’s national security chief, Rustem Umerov, responded by expressing appreciation for American support—remarks clearly intended for Trump, who has sometimes said Ukraine has not shown enough gratitude. “U.S. is hearing us,” Umerov said. “U.S. is supporting us. U.S. is working beside us.” He repeated Ukraine’s thanks in brief comments to reporters afterward, though he offered no specifics regarding what was accomplished during the meeting. “Our objective is a prosperous, strong Ukraine,” Umerov said. “We discussed all the important matters that are important for Ukraine, for Ukrainian people, and U.S. was super supportive.”

Rubio added that U.S. goals extend beyond halting the war. “We also want to help Ukraine be safe forever, so never again will they face another invasion. And equally importantly, we want them to enter an age of true prosperity,” he said, describing a future in which Ukraine is rebuilt stronger than before.

The shake-up in Kyiv’s negotiating team added another layer to the talks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the resignation of his powerful chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, whose home was searched by anti-corruption authorities investigating a sprawling kickback scheme that siphoned $100 million from the energy sector. Yermak had been Ukraine’s lead negotiator, meeting with Rubio in Geneva just a week earlier.

Ukraine’s delegation in Florida included top military commander Andrii Hnatov and presidential adviser Oleksandr Bevz, who joined Umerov in attempting to advance a reworked peace proposal. The initial framework—which Trump has more recently downplayed as merely a “concept” or “map” in need of being “fine-tuned”—had envisioned restricting Ukraine’s military, barring NATO entry, and mandating elections within 100 days. It also originally called for surrendering the Donbas region entirely to Russia, something Ukraine has rejected. Negotiators say changes have been made, but details remain scarce.

Trump said Tuesday that Witkoff—and possibly Kushner as well—would travel to Moscow in the coming days for another round of talks with Putin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Russian state TV that Putin will host Witkoff before departing for India on Thursday. Witkoff and Kushner, both seasoned dealmakers from the real estate world, previously helped craft a 20-point proposal that produced a ceasefire in Gaza.

Zelenskyy posted on X that his delegation intended to “swiftly and substantively work out the steps needed to end the war.” In his Saturday night address, he praised the American team, saying the U.S. side was “demonstrating a constructive approach.” He added: “In the coming days it is feasible to flesh out the steps to determine how to bring the war to a dignified end.”

Events on the ground underscored the urgency. Missile and drone strikes around Kyiv on Saturday killed at least three people and wounded many more, according to Ukrainian officials. Additional overnight attacks into Sunday left one dead and 19 injured—including children—after a drone slammed into a nine-story apartment building in Vyshhorod. Zelenskyy later reported on Telegram that Russia launched 122 strike drones and ballistic missiles. “Such attacks occur daily. This week alone, Russians have used nearly 1,400 strike drones, 1,100 guided aerial bombs and 66 missiles against our people. That is why we must strengthen Ukraine’s resilience every day. Missiles and air defense systems are necessary, and we must also actively work with our partners for peace,” Zelenskyy said. “We need real, reliable solutions that will help end the war,” he added.

Another flashpoint emerged after Ukraine claimed responsibility for striking a major oil terminal at Novorossiysk, operated by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. Kazakhstan criticized the attack, warning Kyiv that such actions jeopardize bilateral relations. “We view what has occurred as an action harming the bilateral relations of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Ukraine, and we expect the Ukrainian side to take effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future,” Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said.

The Florida meeting ended without public disclosure of specific breakthroughs, but both sides suggested the pieces are beginning to shift—just as the U.S. envoy prepares to sit down with Putin in Moscow.

{Matzav.com}

A new NBC News survey reveals a sharp deterioration in the public’s confidence in the value of a bachelor’s degree, with a solid majority now saying the investment simply doesn’t add up. The latest findings show that more than 6 in 10 registered voters believe a four-year college education is no longer worth what students are expected to pay.

Only 33% of respondents still view a degree as a sound investment — a staggering 20-point collapse since June 2013. In that same time span, the proportion who say a college degree has lost its value has soared to 63%, a rise of 23 points over twelve years.

The downward trend spans nearly every demographic category, according to the poll, signaling a broad rethinking of the role — and price — of higher education. What was once a bipartisan belief has fractured dramatically.

Republican voters, once more favorable toward college, have seen the most dramatic reversal. Ten years ago, 55% of Republicans said a four-year degree was worthwhile, compared to 38% who said it wasn’t. Today, that sentiment has flipped entirely: only 22% see the degree as worthwhile, while 74% now say it is not.

Across the full sample, most respondents agreed with the statement that college is “not worth the cost because people often graduate without specific job skills and with a large amount of debt to pay off,” as the survey phrased it.

One of the clearest drivers of this shift is the relentless rise in tuition. When adjusted for inflation, College Board data shows that in-state tuition at public universities has doubled since 1995, and private college tuition has climbed 75% in that same period, NBC News reported.

Economist Preston Cooper of the American Enterprise Institute attributed the skepticism to outcomes that simply don’t justify the cost for many students. “Some people drop out, or sometimes people end up with a degree that is not worth a whole lot in the labor market, and sometimes people pay way too much for a degree relative to the value of what that credential is,” he told NBC News. He added, “These cases have created enough exceptions to the rule that a bachelor’s degree always pays off, so that people are now more skeptical.”

NBC News polled 1,000 registered voters between Oct. 24 and 28. The margin of error is +/– 3.1 percentage points.

{Matzav.com}

Naftali Bennett declared that he would back a pardon for Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, provided it comes as part of a deal removing Netanyahu from the political arena. His announcement appeared on X, where he cast Israel’s current climate as dangerously unstable.

Bennett argued that the country has been pushed to the edge by deep internal fractures. “In recent years, the State of Israel has been led into chaos and to the brink of a civil war that threatens the very existence of the state,” he writes on X. He framed Netanyahu stepping aside as the key to national reset, insisting that Israelis must end the ongoing legal and political battles.

He laid out his proposal plainly. “In order to rescue Israel from the chaos, I will support a binding arrangement that includes a respectful retirement from political life alongside the end of the trial,” he says. “That way, we can let it go, unite, and rebuild the state together.” Bennett portrayed such an agreement as both a practical and moral way to move the country forward.

The context behind Bennett’s stance is rooted in recent political history. He and Yair Lapid headed the short-lived coalition that removed Netanyahu from office for a year and a half beginning in 2021, only for Netanyahu to return after his bloc prevailed in the 2022 vote. Surveys since then have routinely suggested that a new slate led by Bennett could outperform Netanyahu in the next contest, which must take place by next October.

{Matzav.com}

In a wide-ranging conversation with Channel 12, attorney Micha Fettman — who once served on Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s defense team — laid out why President Isaac Herzog is legally barred from granting Netanyahu a pardon unless the prime minister does something he has repeatedly refused to do: admit guilt. As Fettman put it plainly, “A pardon is given to an offender – that’s what the law stipulates.”

Fettman pointed to the 1984 Bus 300 case as the closest historical comparison, noting that it involved one of the only pre-trial pardons in Israeli legal history. But even that exceptional episode, he stressed, required full acknowledgment of responsibility. The Shin Bet agents involved had conceded what they had done before receiving clemency from then-president Chaim Herzog.

That affair centered on two Palestinian terrorists who attempted to hijack an intercity bus carrying dozens of Israelis. After the hijacking was foiled, agents captured the terrorists alive, executed them in custody, and subsequently lied about the incident. When the truth emerged, it triggered a national scandal, senior resignations, and a criminal investigation — ultimately ending with presidential pardons before the trial even began.

Fettman underscored that even in that extraordinary situation, the High Court was emphatic that admitting guilt was a non-negotiable condition. He added that “there’s no way on earth” the attorney general or state prosecution would advise President Herzog to pardon Netanyahu without the same requirement.

He noted that on the rare occasions when presidents issued pardons contrary to the Justice Ministry’s position, it was always for severely ill private citizens — never for a sitting prime minister facing corruption charges.

His remarks surfaced just as Netanyahu submitted a massive 111-page pardon request to the president, accompanied by a personal letter arguing that clemency would enable him to focus exclusively on leading Israel “in these critical times” and “would help mend rifts between different sectors of the public.” Netanyahu did not acknowledge guilt, offer remorse, or retreat from his longstanding claim that the prosecution against him is fundamentally flawed.

Fettman, who stepped down from Netanyahu’s legal defense team five years ago, suggested that by framing the request as one made “for the good of the country,” Netanyahu may have inadvertently opened the door for Herzog to conclude that the national interest could require conditions — including the possibility of Netanyahu stepping down from public life.

Earlier this month, Netanyahu publicly reiterated that he would not consider seeking a pardon if it required admitting guilt.

Netanyahu currently faces charges across three separate cases, including one count of bribery and three counts each of fraud and breach of trust. His trial, which began in 2020, remains far from conclusion, and he continues to adamantly deny every allegation against him.

{Matzav.com}

A bruising online fight erupted on X over the past 24 hours after Elizabeth Tsurkov sharply condemned Channel 12’s description of an incident in the southern Gaza Strip. Her post triggered an immediate and fiery response from political commentator Amit Segal, setting off a back-and-forth that quickly drew widespread attention.

The televised report at the center of the blowup stated: “The Air Force this morning eliminated two suspects in the southern Gaza Strip who crossed the yellow line, conducted suspicious activities on the ground, and approached troops.” Within minutes of its broadcast, Arab outlets asserted that the individuals killed were actually children, reported to be 10 and 12 years old.

Tsurkov — who endured abduction by the Kta’ib Hezbollah terror group in Baghdad in March 2023 and was freed in September 2025 — shared an English rendering of the Channel 12 phrasing and commented: “How Israeli Ch 12 reported on the killing of 10 and 12-year-old boys in Khan Younis today. Ch 12 is the most watched channel in Israel and represents the mainstream.”

Segal blasted her critique with a biting attack that immediately escalated the dispute. He wrote: “What an extraordinary country Israel is, that it makes an effort to redeem from captivity even its greatest slanderers – captivity that has nothing to do with it and did not happen through any fault of its own. Even scum like Tsurkov don’t deserve to rot in terrorist captivity.”

Tsurkov insisted that her post was straightforward and that Segal’s outrage was misplaced. She fired back: “If you consider an English translation of a Channel 12 headline as ‘slandering’ the country, maybe it’s worth changing the coverage so it fits journalistic standards. And the State of Israel indeed worked for my release, and I thank those involved that they didn’t listen to your public calls while I was still in captivity, not to.”

Segal responded with renewed force, doubling down on his accusation that she routinely maligns the state. He declared: “You are an obsessive person, and you hate our country. Instead of sitting silently and introspecting on the high price your stupid adventures cost the country over the years, you still dare to spit into the well with a handful of English tweets.”

Tsurkov rejected the characterization and defended her right to critique government policy without being labeled an enemy of the state. She replied: “I don’t hate the country. I criticize its policies in many areas and express my appreciation for those in others. If you want to live under a rule where it’s forbidden to express criticism, move to Gaza.”

Segal then issued his final volley, accusing her of employing rhetoric that echoes hostile foreign narratives. His closing shot read: “You don’t hate the country, you’re just in a years-long ‘Tourette’s episode’ of slandering the country using the cheapest means of enemy propaganda, including the systematic belittling of October 7th, and the systematic magnification of the results of IDF activity. I will not go to Gaza because, unlike you, I do not tend to place responsibility for my actions on the state. But you are welcome to do so.”

{Matzav.com}

A planned launch of reconstruction work in Rafah has been indefinitely pushed off after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich refused to sign off on the necessary budget, according to a report from i24NEWS that quoted a security official.

The rebuilding effort was originally slated to get underway on Sunday, November 30. With the finance minister declining approval, however, officials have now frozen the initiative until a new decision is reached. Those familiar with Smotrich’s position confirmed the move and sharply articulated his reasoning, stating, “Israeli citizens will not pay out of pocket for the reconstruction of Gaza. There is a limit to every trick.”

While budgetary disagreement is one explanation for the holdup, another security source offered a completely different assessment. According to that official, work cannot begin because armed operatives are still hiding in Rafah, creating conditions too dangerous for crews to enter the area.

In the meantime, even the initial step of clearing out the rubble has yet to begin.

The reconstruction phase is intended to roll out only during the second stage of the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas. Yet progress toward that stage is stalled, as two deceased hostages are still being held by the terror groups in Gaza—an unresolved issue that continues to prolong the conclusion of the ceasefire’s first phase.

{Matzav.com}

A routine family outing turned extraordinary after a young gamer unexpectedly uncovered a concealed stockpile of weapons not far from the Dimona nuclear facility. The revelation has prompted a full-scale investigation by Israeli security authorities.

The discovery occurred when a teenager, absorbed in completing a mission on the Pokémon Go app, wandered up a cliffside in the Mamshit National Park area. While following the game’s prompts, the teen came across a stash that stunned both his family and, later, law enforcement.

According to i24NEWS, the cache held a troubling assortment of military-grade equipment: three M16 rifles outfitted and ready for action, along with multiple magazines for both rifles and handguns, as well as a military vest and coat. The manner in which the weapons were concealed suggested they were positioned for quick access and immediate operational deployment—despite being only a few hundred meters from one of Israel’s most sensitive sites.

Initial assessments by police point toward criminal involvement. Investigators believe the arsenal was stolen from an IDF base and was likely connected to a Bedouin crime network, though the inquiry remains ongoing.

The moment the teen realized what he had found, his family contacted security forces without delay. Responding units secured the area, collected the weapons, and began a deeper probe into who placed them there—and for what purpose.

{Matzav.com}

In a message at the conclusion of his weekly shiur, Rav Moshe Shternbuch urged the avreichim of his Teshuvos V’Hanhagos kollel to recognize the immense joy inherent in Torah learning, declaring that “every halacha deserves its own seudah.”

At the end of this week’s session, the posek marked the completion of a lengthy sugya with a small l’chaim, celebrating months of intense study undertaken by the kollel. Rav Shternbuch has been guiding his students through the sugya of mechitzos for nearly three months, delivering dozens of in-depth shiurim on the topic.

Following the final shiur , he addressed the kollel members and emphasized the true magnitude of their accomplishment. The joy of completing each segment of Torah, he said, is so profound that “it would be fitting to hold a full seudah and celebration for every single halacha on its own.”

{Matzav.com}

At a Motzoei Shabbos dinner held in Boro Park in support of Satmar institutions, the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, offered candid impressions from his recent visit to Israel and expressed deep concern over the state of many American bochurim learning there.

The Rebbe addressed what he described as a troubling spiritual decline among American boys who travel to learn in Eretz Yisroel. Rather than gaining from the experience, he warned, many are losing ground.

The Rebbe recounted what he witnessed firsthand: “When I was in Yerushalayim, I would sometimes be out at 9:00 in the morning, sometimes at 10 or 11 or even later. I saw them in Yerushalayim—with a hat, without a hat, with wet peyos—wandering here and wandering there, not knowing what to do. I saw the hefkeirus of the American bochurim who are walking around in Yerushalayim. They aren’t going up. They’re going down,” he said.

He then turned directly to parents who currently have sons learning in Israel. “I want to tell the people here who have boys in Eretz Yisroel that their children are roaming the streets of Eretz Yisroel,” he cautioned.

{Matzav.com}

Pope Leo XIV’s arrival in Beirut on Sunday set the tone for a visit the Vatican is portraying as crucial for a nation weighed down by crisis. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received him at Rafic Hariri International Airport, where crowds came out to greet the pontiff and listen for signals about how he intends to engage with the region’s most urgent challenges.

Before even touching down in Lebanon, the pope outlined his regional outlook while speaking to reporters aboard his flight from Turkey. There, he reiterated that “the only solution… must include a Palestinian state.” He acknowledged the current geopolitical reality, saying, “We all know that at this time Israel still does not accept that solution, but we see it as the only solution.” He added that the Vatican hopes to serve as a bridge, explaining, “We are also friends with Israel, and we are seeking to be a mediating voice between the two parties that might help them close in on a solution with justice for everyone.” He also noted that his discussions with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan focused heavily on conflicts roiling the region and on Ankara’s potential influence in efforts toward peace.

Upon landing in Beirut, the pope immediately turned to the Lebanese public with a message meant to uplift a society worn down by economic strain and uncertainty. He urged them to remain “peacemakers,” and praised Lebanon as a place still capable of renewal and coexistence. His sentiments aligned with the Vatican’s longstanding belief that Lebanon stands as a unique crossroads of civilizations and faiths.

Later in the day, the pope spoke before Lebanon’s political and religious leadership, offering an extended meditation on the meaning of peace in a fractured environment. He referred to the Lebanese people as those who “do not give up,” and called on officials to elevate peace above every competing priority. Their history of resilience, he said, must continue to define them as they navigate a path forward.

Emphasizing that recovery requires a spirit of optimism, the pope encouraged the country’s leaders to speak “the language of hope,” reminding them that Lebanon’s strength has always rested on bonds of perseverance, mutual affection, and the willingness to rebuild. He warned that no society can move toward real harmony without honest efforts at reconciliation, stressing that healing—whether personal or national—depends on confronting one’s past with sincerity. Peace, he said, means “knowing how to live together, in communion,” and requires institutions committed to the common good rather than narrow interests.

The pope also highlighted the pressing need to stem the outflow of Lebanon’s youth, urging steps to ensure that those who wish to remain in their homeland can do so securely and with dignity. He noted that women, in particular, serve as pivotal builders of peace, reinforcing the social fabric and guiding communities toward renewal.

Drawing from Lebanon’s rich cultural tradition, he concluded with a poetic reflection on the country’s deep connection to music, describing peace as a harmony shaped by divine love. He expressed hope that this spiritual melody would continue to define how the Lebanese live together in a land “that God deeply loves and continues to bless.”

{Matzav.com}

In a wide-ranging interview, MK Yair Golan, who leads the Democrats party, unleashed fierce criticism at the chareidi factions, arguing that their political flexibility comes at the expense of the country’s wellbeing. Although he insisted, “as long as they get their pound of flesh, they’re willing to sit in any government,” Golan simultaneously claimed he might align with those same parties if a future political reality forced such cooperation.

Golan described what he views as the ideal governing structure, maintaining that, “What’s good for Israel is a coalition ranging from [Naftali] Bennett to Mansour Abbas of Ra’am… led from within by the liberal-democratic camp — not the Right.” According to him, meaningful leadership must move away from narrow ideological blocs and toward what he calls a broad, values-based alignment.

He dismissed the traditional left-center-right political map, arguing instead that the true divide in Israel rests between two clashing worldviews. “Clinging to the outdated left-right-center paradigm is wrong and locks us into obsolete frameworks. The real story in Israel today is the corrupt and authoritarian camp versus the liberal-democratic camp,” he asserted.

While he categorically rejected entering any coalition that includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Itamar Ben Gvir, or Bezalel Smotrich, he noted that he would not automatically rule out working with chareidi parties if the numbers demanded it. In his words, “We all understand that we need each other. We don’t want any of the current coalition parties. They are destructive: a corrupt Likud, the extreme nationalists Ben Gvir and Smotrich, and the charedim who are destroying the country.”

Golan also turned his attention to centrist figures — Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz, and Gadi Eisenkot — urging them to rally behind what he calls a unified ideological alternative. He appealed to them to help form “a strong, large liberal-democratic camp that will provide a real governing alternative.”

When discussing Naftali Bennett’s record, Golan issued one of his harshest attacks. He expressed disbelief that anyone would treat Bennett as a partner after his role in shifting national direction. “Bennett brought the Kohelet Forum into our lives, attacked the Supreme Court, and introduced religious content into education. What are we talking about? Have you lost your minds?”

{Matzav.com}

At a Motzoei Shabbos gathering marking the completion of Seder Moed by the Oraysa learning program, Rav Yitzchak Yosef delivered an emotional and forceful address about the draft crisis and the recent arrests of yeshiva students by military police. Speaking with visible pain, he declared that “almost all” of those being detained are Sephardi bochurim and urged the community to strengthen Torah study as a means to overturn the harsh decrees.

Opening his remarks, Rav Yosef asked, “The detainees? Almost all of them are Sephardim, unfortunately. We need many merits so that Hashem will cancel all these decrees upon us — the legal advisers, the judges… may He nullify their counsel and disrupt their plans.”

Rav Yosef stressed that the most powerful response to the crisis is an increase in Torah learning. “These merits must come through Torah study,” he said. “When a person learns Torah, Hashem will help ensure that all of these decrees will be canceled as if they never existed.”

He concluded with a brocha that the yeshiva world continue to grow despite the pressure and upheaval. “May we all merit to expand our borders with more students, and may all the rabbanim and roshei yeshiva see true nachas from their talmidim, who are like their own children,” Rav Yosef said.

{Matzav.com}

Israel is bracing for a political showdown over the new draft law, as Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has instructed the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee—led by MK Boaz Bismuth—to begin a marathon of deliberations this week on the proposal that would formally define the status of yeshiva students and shape the future of military conscription.

The coalition’s goal is ambitious: to pass the bill through its second and third readings in the Knesset plenum within just six weeks. To reach that target, the coming days will feature three separate committee sessions aimed at finalizing the legislation.

But even within the coalition, cracks are emerging. Senior coalition members—including Yuli Edelstein and Sharren Haskel—have already begun quietly rallying internal opposition that could block the bill from securing a majority when it reaches the floor.

In response, senior figures in the charedi parties have turned to an unusual strategy: engaging in discreet conversations with Arab party leaders, hoping they will simply skip the vote and effectively lower the threshold for the law’s passage. Thus far, however, Arab factions have rejected the idea, making clear that their top priority is bringing down the Netanyahu government rather than helping it pass critical legislation.

MK Boaz Bismuth announced last night that the committee has already made substantial revisions to the legislation. “I worked over the past weeks on the draft of the enlistment law in full cooperation with the legal advisers of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee under my leadership. I made several changes in order to fully meet legal requirements and prevent any future legal risk,” he said.

He defended the bill as balanced and pragmatic. “This is a responsible law that creates equilibrium between the needs of the IDF and the preservation of the Torah world, and restores stability to the State of Israel.” Bismuth added confidently, “The train has already left the station, and it will not stop until the law is approved in the Knesset plenum!”

The controversy has also triggered objections from unexpected quarters. Tzachi Hanegbi, the former National Security Council chief who was recently dismissed, sharply condemned the current version of the bill. “The burden still falls on the shoulders of relatively few. The IDF needs thousands more combat soldiers, certainly in light of the most recent war and its consequences. The proposed law, as published, does not advance this goal, it legitimizes draft-dodging and endangers the state’s future,” he said.

Hanegbi emphasized that supporting Torah study does not contradict national defense. “The Torah has preserved Israel throughout the generations, and Torah learning is precious to the Jewish people. It must be combined with the value of defending the state and its citizens,” he said.

He concluded by warning that the government cannot afford to delay. “Many years in the Cabinet, in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and in the National Security Council taught me that the IDF knows how to integrate these two values successfully. Now the government and the Knesset must ensure this without any further postponements.”

{Matzav.com}

A deeply emotional scene unfolded last week in Beitar Illit during the wedding of a granddaughter of the Rebbe of Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok. The event took an unexpected and stirring turn when the Rebbe addressed the crowd and spoke candidly about his declining health.

The kallah is a daughter of Rav Yisroel Kahn, rov of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok kehillah in Boro Park, and a granddaughter of Rav Dovid Schwimmer, a senior dayan in the Vizhnitzer kehillah of Beit Shemesh.

The chosson is a son of Rav Naftali Stein and a grandson of Rav Dovid Shlomo Stein, dayan of the Faltishaner kehillah in Williamsburg. He is also a grandson-in-law of the Karlsburger Rebbe of Williamsburg.

In the midst of the celebration, the atmosphere shifted when the Rebbe rose to speak. His voice was weak but full of emotion as he reflected on his health challenges and shared a message that deeply touched the crowd. “We must make use of the time we are still here together in this world. I am very weak now because of the illness in my legs and I have no strength. I ask the public to thank Hashem on my behalf,” the Rebbe said.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek issued a sharp warning to federal immigration officers, declaring that the state is prepared to investigate and prosecute any federal agent who violates Oregon law while enforcing immigration policy within its borders. Her remarks came in a video posted to Instagram, where she sharply criticized the Department of Homeland Security for what she described as abusive tactics.

In the video, Kotek accused DHS personnel of engaging in “violent actions” and “stoking fear in the name of immigration enforcement,” saying Oregon would not look the other way if federal officers overstepped legal boundaries. She emphasized that Oregon intends to “investigate misconduct” and hold violators accountable.

“I believe as you do, in the rule of law and keeping our community safe,” Kotek said, framing her position as consistent with public safety. “We also believe in being a welcoming place, where our immigrant and refugee community help our state thrive. The ongoing violent actions of the federal Department of Homeland Security are unacceptable — going after Oregonians, and stoking fear in the name of ‘immigration enforcement.’”

The governor argued that DHS’s tactics have endangered both civilians and local law enforcement. She described the conduct of federal agents as involving “excessive force, reckless tactics,” which she said is “not how public safety works.”

Kotek stressed that the state is actively keeping track of federal immigration operations. “Oregon is monitoring all ICE actions closely,” she said. “We will investigate misconduct, and if a federal officer breaks Oregon law, they will be held accountable — just like anyone else. I will not tolerate reckless, or unconstitutional behavior in our state.”

Her criticism of federal immigration authorities is not new. In an interview with CBS News in October, Kotek accused federal agents of heightening tensions during confrontations with protesters in Portland and urged them to pull back. She said they needed to “stand back and focus on de-escalating” rather than intensifying volatile situations.

“[T]his set of demonstrations that are happening are managed by local law enforcement, as they should be,” she said at the time. “People have the right to lawfully protest, but if they cross the line, they are being held accountable. If criminal activity occurs, they are being held accountable. This is what free speech looks like, and I believe the federal government can continue to do the work right here.”

{Matzav.com}

An Afghan man brought into the United States through President Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome initiative has been taken into custody after federal officials said he posted a TikTok video showing what appeared to be the construction of an explosive device while mentioning Fort Worth as a possible target. The Department of Homeland Security disclosed the arrest earlier this week.

Tricia McLauglin, an assistant secretary at DHS, announced that authorities detained Mohammad Dawood Alokozay after he allegedly uploaded a video threatening to blow up a Fort Worth–area building with a bomb. The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Texas Department of Public Safety jointly moved in to arrest him on charges tied to making terroristic threats.

Officials noted that Alokozay had entered the United States under a special Biden administration resettlement effort for Afghan nationals. His arrest came just one day before another Afghan national launched a deadly assault on two West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C.

Local media outlet WFAA ABC6 in Dallas reported that Alokozay was booked into the Tarrant County Jail on November 25.

The news broke as President Donald Trump announced a sweeping immigration agenda that would shut off entry from what he called “Third World countries.” As reported by Breitbart Texas, Trump issued the declaration on November 28 in direct response to the killing of West Virginia National Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom and the severe wounding of Guardsman Andrew Wolfe.

“This heinous assault was an act of evil, and an act of hatred, and an act of terror,” Trump said in a Thanksgiving video statement. “It was an act against our entire nation; it was a crime against humanity.”

He went on to argue that the attack demonstrated the scale of the threat the U.S. now faces. “This attack underscores the single-greatest national security threat facing our nation,” Trump continued. “We must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden, and we must take all necessary action to remove any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country.”

Trump added that those responsible for undermining public safety must be removed. “We’re not going to put up with these kinds of assaults on law and order by people who shouldn’t even be in our country,” he said.

In a Thanksgiving Day post on Truth Social, Trump laid out even more detailed plans for an aggressive immigration crackdown. He wrote that his administration will “remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country, end all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens of our Country, denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.”

He concluded the message by stressing that the goal is a dramatic reversal of current immigration patterns. “These goals will be pursued with the aim of achieving a major reduction in illegal and disruptive populations, including those admitted through an unauthorized and illegal Autopen approval process. Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation,” Trump wrote.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Dr. Abba Spero z”l, a kind, generous, and devoted person whose warmth and dedication touched so many.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Sara Spero; his brother, Rabbi Ephraim Spero; and his children, Mr. Chaim and Rebecca Spero, Rabbi Yechiel and Chumi Spero, Mr. Moshe and Gila Spero, Mrs. Chavi and Reb Chezky Schneider, and Mr. Yehuda and Tova Spero; and his grandchildren.

The levayah will take place today at 1:30 p.m. at Sol Levinson, located at 8900 Reisterstown Road in Pikesville, MD. Kevurah will follow at the Aguda Cemetery in Rosedale.

Shivah will be observed through Friday afternoon at 5901 Key Avenue in Baltimore, MD. Shacharis will be held Monday–Friday at 8:00 a.m., and Mincha/Maariv Sunday–Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu submitted a formal request for a pardon to President Isaac Herzog, the head of state said Sunday.

“The Office of the President is aware that this is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications,” Herzog’s office stated.

“After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request,” it added.

In the request submitted through his attorney, Netanyahu explained to Herzog that a pardon would “enable the prime minister to devote all of his time, abilities and energies to advancing the State of Israel in these critical times, and to address the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Halting the legal process will also allow for “mending the rifts between different parts of the nation and open the door to lowering the flames, all for the purpose of strengthening the national resilience,” he wrote.

Israel’s longest-sitting prime minister faces corruption charges in three separate cases—Cases 1000 and 2000 (the charge is “breach of trust” in both instances), and Case 4000 (bribery, fraud and breach of trust).

In a video statement released shortly after Herzog’s announcement, Netanyahu said that his “personal interest has been, and remains, to continue the process until the end, until full acquittal on all charges.

“However, the security and diplomatic reality, the national interest, demand otherwise,” the premier continued. “The State of Israel faces enormous challenges, and alongside them, tremendous opportunities.

“To repel the threats and to seize those opportunities, national unity is required,” Netanyahu stated. He added, “The continuation of the trial tears us apart from within, fuels this division and deepens the rifts.”

According to the prime minister, putting an immediate end to the thrice-weekly court sessions “will greatly help lower the flames and advance the broad reconciliation our country so desperately needs.

“I expect that all those who place the good of the country above all will support this step,” the two-and-a-half-minute statement concluded.

Defense Minister Israel Katz called on the president to “support a decision that will allow the State of Israel to move forward united.

“Israel is facing a security reality more complex than ever: Old enemies are trying to rebuild their strength, while new forces in the region are emerging with the aim of threatening the security of Israel’s citizens,” said Katz. “At this time, we need united leadership focused on the strategic threat before us.”

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid Party) in response called on Herzog not to grant the pardon unless Netanyahu admits guilt, expresses remorse and immediately retires from political life.

Netanyahu told Australian journalist Erin Molan of “The Erin Molan Show” podcast on Nov. 13 that he was “thinking about” requesting a pardon, but said he would not admit guilt as part of the procedure.

“Nobody suggests that that’s what I’ll do, and I certainly won’t do that. That’s not going to happen,” he said, responding to Lapid’s assertion that Israeli law requires an admission of guilt and expression of remorse to receive a pardon.

On Nov. 12, Herzog announced he had received a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump requesting a full pardon for Netanyahu.

Trump said that, while he respects the independence and requirements of the Israeli judicial system, he believes the case against Netanyahu is a “political, unjustified prosecution.” He added that “it is time to let Bibi unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending lawfare once and for all.”

Herzog responded to the missive, stressing to his American counterpart that “anyone seeking a presidential pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with the established procedures.” JNS

{Matzav.com}

The Food and Drug Administration is preparing to overhaul how it evaluates vaccines, signaling a far stricter approach after senior officials publicly questioned the safety of COVID immunizations for children. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary laid out the agency’s new posture during a Fox News appearance, declaring that the FDA would no longer “rubber-stamp new products that don’t work,” adding that doing so made a “mockery of science.”

His remarks followed the leak of an internal message from Dr. Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s top vaccine regulator, who told his staff the agency would tighten its annual influenza vaccine system, revise product labels to be “honest,” and impose tougher standards across multiple vaccine categories. The email, reviewed by NPR and initially reported by PBS News Hour, outlined substantial changes to the agency’s internal framework.

In that message, Prasad informed regulators that authorization for vaccines marketed to pregnant women would now require additional layers of evidence. He also said that companies producing pneumococcal vaccines would have to demonstrate actual reductions in illness rather than rely on antibody data. He raised concerns as well about the long-standing practice of administering several vaccines simultaneously.

Such revisions could greatly extend the time, cost, and difficulty of bringing vaccines to market, potentially shrinking the pool of available products. Public health leaders have long argued that the existing FDA model—requiring extensive pre-approval testing and continuous safety monitoring through mechanisms like the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System—has proven that vaccines overwhelmingly protect far more than they harm.

On Fox News, Makary asserted that 10 children died from the COVID vaccine during the Biden administration, though he did not provide evidence supporting how that determination was reached. The vast majority of U.S. children have received the COVID shot without any confirmed fatal complications. Federal health agencies did not immediately comment on Makary’s claim or on the email laying out the FDA’s prospective changes.

According to Prasad’s email, FDA analysts reviewed 96 deaths reported between 2021 and 2024 and concluded that 10 children died “after and because of” the COVID vaccine—a number Prasad wrote was likely an undercount. The message did not include the underlying data or methodology.

The lack of documentation drew sharp criticism from experts. Dr. Paul Offit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia said via text that Prasad has not supplied the evidence behind the alleged 10 vaccine-linked deaths. “Because he doesn’t provide any evidence, he is asking us to trust him on an important issue,” Offit said. “All this will do is scare people unnecessarily. At the very least, he should provide all the evidence he has so that experts in the field can review it and decide whether he has enough data to prove his point.”

Dr. Jesse Goodman of Georgetown University, who previously led the FDA’s vaccine office, also pushed back on Prasad’s assertions. He emphasized that the FDA’s biologics division has long been seen as a worldwide regulatory benchmark and defended the use of “immunologic endpoints like antibody levels” to expedite approvals for pneumonia and flu vaccines. These standards, he said, have reliably delivered safe, effective shots while still being validated by post-approval research: “These approaches have helped provide children and adults with timely access to safe and effective vaccines, saving many lives.”

Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota, reviewed the internal email and flatly disputed Prasad’s claim that “COVID-19 was never highly lethal for children,” pointing to CDC figures showing 1,597 pediatric deaths from 2020 to 2022. He also questioned the FDA’s conclusion regarding the 10 reported cases. “Prasad’s email is filled with factual mistakes and misrepresents both the severity of COVID in children…,” Osterholm wrote to NPR. He added that none of the cases have ever been published or presented to medical experts and argued, “until these cases have been reviewed by an expert third party, like the National Academy of Science[s], we can not accept the fact they are vaccine-associated deaths.”

The FDA continues to make VAERS data public while consistently warning that the system cannot determine causation. As the agency notes, “it is important to note that for any reported event, no cause and effect relationship has been established.” Prasad acknowledged in his email that assessing causality with case reports often involves subjective judgment.

Makary told Fox News that while the COVID shot proved “amazing” for individuals at high risk early in the pandemic, the scientific landscape has shifted. “Back in 2020, we saw a reduction in the severity of illness and lives saved, but now recommending that a 6-year-old girl get another 70 million COVID shots – one each year for the rest of her life – is not based on science. And so we’re not going to just rubber stamp approvals without seeing some scientific evidence.”

This stance marks the latest chapter in a broader movement by officials in the Trump administration questioning aspects of vaccine safety and regulation. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly expressed skepticism about vaccines for years. The FDA already moved in August to narrow eligibility for the updated COVID vaccine and announced it would require stronger evidence before future approvals.

The email outlining revised vaccine standards surfaces just as the CDC prepares for a pivotal December 4–5 meeting of its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The panel is reevaluating how children receive critical protections against measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, polio, and other diseases. Many in the medical community fear the committee may consider delaying doses, spacing out the schedule, or recommending changes to formulations—steps that could reduce childhood vaccination coverage and open the door to outbreaks of previously contained illnesses.

Moderna, whose pediatric COVID vaccine is authorized for children as young as six months, responded to Makary and Prasad’s allegations by pointing to a statement the company issued in September. Moderna said extensive peer-reviewed research from numerous sources confirms the shot’s safety and that it is “not aware of any deaths in the last year or pertinent new information from prior years.” The company said it works with regulators in more than 90 countries and that “with more than one billion doses distributed globally… these systems… have not reported any new or undisclosed safety concerns in children or in pregnant women.”

{Matzav.com}

The nationwide cost of gasoline has dipped under $3.00 a gallon, a benchmark the United States hasn’t touched since spring 2021, according to new figures released by GasBuddy. The company called the development a major turning point for drivers as the colder months approach.

Patrick De Haan, who leads petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, highlighted the significance of the sudden downturn. “We haven’t seen the national average fall this low in over four years, and the speed and breadth of the decline are remarkable,” he said, noting that the drop has spread quickly across the country.

Over the past week, average pump prices fell in all 50 states, something GasBuddy described as an unusually broad slide. “Every single state has seen relief at the pump over the past week, a rare feat that underscores how challenging the fundamentals are for gasoline prices right now. This is a welcome break for Americans ahead of the holiday season and comes as refinery maintenance season concludes and gasoline demand weakens seasonally,” the company said.

Some of the most dramatic price cuts have appeared in parts of the South and Mountain West. GasBuddy reported that dozens of stations in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Texas are posting prices at $1.99 per gallon or below, signaling that the downward pressure is especially strong in low-cost markets.

De Haan noted earlier that the shift is notable not just for its timing but for what it suggests about the months ahead. “It is pretty compelling to see gas prices this low, falling ahead of Thanksgiving, and it signals what more Americans could experience in the coming months,” he said.

He pointed to multiple forces driving the drop: softer seasonal demand, increased OPEC production, and weakening oil prices globally. He added that while promotional discounts occasionally push prices under $2, this moment marks the first appearance of a true, non-temporary sub-$2.00 pump price in the current market cycle.

De Haan cautioned that the exact price point may still bounce around, but he predicted that more stations in traditionally low-priced states such as Mississippi and Texas—as well as elsewhere along the Gulf Coast—are likely to see similar levels before the typical spring upswing expected in 2026.

The recent relief at the pump is tied closely to broader trends in the oil market. GasBuddy noted that refinery activity has been steady and efficient, helping rebuild fuel stocks as demand naturally slips during the colder months.

West Texas Intermediate crude has been hovering near $58 a barrel in recent trading—a sharp departure from earlier this year and the lowest in several years. GasBuddy said this downturn has been reinforced by consistent monthly increases in OPEC output.

The company explained that the combination of cheap crude, robust refinery production, and competitive pricing among stations—especially across the southern United States—has accelerated the usual winter cooling of retail gas prices.

Though some areas have seen short-term refinery issues, GasBuddy expects that once those problems ease, downward pressure will likely grow in regions such as the West Coast and the Great Lakes, which are often affected by refinery fluctuations.

In its broader assessment, GasBuddy attributes the nationwide decline to a powerful mix of factors: lower crude costs, rising OPEC+ supply, record U.S. oil production, strong refining output, and a seasonal dip in demand. With refineries now operating at high utilization rates and gasoline inventories swelling, the company said market sentiment has also turned bearish, adding further room for retail prices to drift lower.

{Matzav.com}