Matzav

The Yesha Council, the umbrella group of local authorities in Yehuda, Shomron and the Jordan Valley, made an unusual request of Israel’s State Comptroller on Monday, urging him to review how Israel’s government deals with sanctions against Israeli citizens by foreign countries.

In a letter to State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman, Yisrael Ganz, governor of the Binyamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council, pointed out the “worrying phenomenon” over the last several months of foreign states, with which Israel maintains relations, imposing sanctions against law-abiding Israeli citizens and legitimate organizations.

The citizens and organizations sanctioned weren’t under suspicion or being investigated, and certainly weren’t indicted or convicted of anything, Ganz added.

Foreign states are simply motivated by politics, he said. “[A] number of Western countries prevent Israeli citizens from living a normal life due to the fact that they are engaged in an activity that those governments don’t like.”

“The meaning is simple: These countries criminalize policies,” Ganz wrote.

The letter is a product of growing frustration on the part of the Yesha Council with what it perceives as Israeli government inaction on the issue.

While Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has condemned the sanctions against residents of Yehuda and Shomron, both publicly and in meetings with the Yesha Council, and promised to work against them, there have been no tangible changes on the ground.

Ganz referred to his frustrations in his letter to Engleman, saying the Yesha Council has repeatedly asked the government to do more, specifically regarding its Aug. 8 request to appoint a project manager, (a kind of “sanctions czar”), who would head up the effort to counter the sanctions.

“To our great regret, all our requests came up empty,” Ganz wrote.

Starting in 2023, the Biden administration has acted against the Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria with the U.S. State Department announcing a visa restriction policy blocking individuals it deemed dangerous to “peace, security or stability” in Yehuda and Shomron.

On March 14, 2024, the U.S. sanctioned three Jewish residents of Yehuda and Shomron and two organizations.

It has since engaged in several rounds of sanctions against residents and organizations in Yehuda and Shomron.

The list of countries imposing sanctions—the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Norway, Canada, Japan, France and others—has grown in recent months.

“The sanctions are a danger to the sovereignty of the State of Israel. This is a slippery slope and the Israeli government is not doing enough in this regard to protect its sovereignty,” Ganz told JNS. “We must not allow other countries, even if they are friendly, to dictate policies and control citizens and non-parliamentary organizations.”

Netanyahu reportedly expressed his displeasure to U.S. President Joe Biden about the sanctions in February.

In August, in a discussion of the issue the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, Knesset member Simcha Rothman, who heads the committee, said that the sanctions were a “violation of [Israeli] sovereignty in the most basic sense.”

In January, then-Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen condemned reports of growing “settler violence” as a modern-day antisemitic “blood libel.”

“The anti-Israeli campaign called ‘settler violence’ is a false campaign, disconnected from reality, and its entire purpose is to slander an entire population. The community that settles in Judea and Samaria is a law-abiding community that contributes to the state in many areas,” he said.

Critics of sanctions have pointed out that the U.S. has imposed no sanctions against the Palestinian Authority for funding terrorism, even though Palestinian Arab violence is many multiples of Jewish violence.

(JNS)

The Aloha state is nearly 9,000 miles from Israel, but Tina Nakada Grandinetti, a housing policy researcher who is running to be a state representative in Hawaii’s 20th District, accused the Jewish state of war crimes in a post on Oct. 14.

“It’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day and the genocide against Palestinians continues,” the Democrat wrote. “When I was 22 years old, I spent an eye-opening couple of months in Palestine. Among so many other lessons, my friends in the West Bank taught me the phrase ‘our existence is resistance.’” (The Biden administration, and some states and global bodies, refers to Yehuda and Shomron as the “West Bank.”)

As a proud Uchinanchu—a community of Okinawans in Hawaii—”I’ve carried that reminder with me every day,” she continued. “Nothing is a greater challenge to colonialism and imperialism than the persistence of indigenous people, the perpetuation of our cultures and the deepening of our solidarity with each other.”

“From Hawaii to Okinawa, from Turtle Island to Palestine, another world is possible, and we are building it together,” Grandinetti said, using a progressive term for North America. “Free Palestine.”

Corinne Solomon, a Jewish Republican running against Grandinetti, told JNS there has been a rise in Jew-hatred in Hawaii since Oct. 7.

“Native Hawaiians have a painful history post-outsider contact, with today’s Native Hawaiian struggles blamed on settler colonialism,” she said. “The local anti-settler colonialism activists have adopted anti-Zionism-antisemitism, which, to them, is a logical progression as they see the conflict between Israel and Gaza as ‘Jews are settler colonists’ versus Palestinians, who are the indigenous victims.”

There have been “free Palestine” and “stop the genocide in Gaza” rallies in the state, as in others across the country. And, according to Solomon, a “rabid antisemite” professor teaches at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and leads a Students for Justice in Palestine chapter.

“Jewish students at UH Manoa have reported being harassed over their identity,” she told JNS. “SJP has organized Palestine rallies in Hawaii since October 2023.”

Hawaiians in the state’s 20th District should know that a vote for Grandinetti is one “for a radical Socialist who supports a terror organization, and, if elected, will be Hawaii’s next AOC or Cori Bush-type Hamas ‘Squad’ member,” she said. (JNS sought comment from Grandinetti.)

“Israel is important to me as the ancestral—both physical and spiritual—homeland of the Jewish people, an ally to the United States and a beacon of democracy in the Middle East,” Solomon told JNS.

“By publicly accusing Israel of genocide, this spreads the blood libel against Jews that they are bloodthirsty indiscriminate killers and thus fosters antisemitism,” she said, noting that the keffiyeh, in which her opponent poses, “is the modern-day equivalent of a swastika.”

Solomon told JNS that an estimated 7,000 Jews live in Hawaii out of about 1.4 million people. There aren’t many Jews in the 20th state district, she said. (The district has about 27,000 people, per the state’s website.)

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat and a physician, is Jewish, as is Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).

“The voters here that are concerned with the Middle East are the younger voters,” Solomon told JNS. “Voters in my district are concerned with the exorbitant cost of living, crime and homelessness, which is what I focus on in my campaign.”

(JNS)

Watch live as former President Donald Trump speaks at the ‘Building America’s Future’ community roundtable in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, ahead of election day.

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Over the last 15 years, a new approach and method of limud Hashas has been nurtured and developed in Eretz Yisroel at Reshet Kollelei Shas Yiden. This phenomenon has captured the imagination and electrified lomdei Hatorah throughout the world, and has earned the avid support of Gedolim across the Torah spectrum. 

Shas Yiden in UK & USA

Shas Yiden not only grew from 6 avreichim metzuyonim to 122 avreichim geonim in five kollelim across Eretz Yisroel but, in response to repeated requests from abroad, a Shas Yiden kollel was first established in the UK, in Stamford Hill, London. The Shas Yiden reputation soared in this location and their first Annual Siyum Hashas with Gedolei Torah in attendance reflected the grandeur of those in Yerushalayim.

This foray into Chutz La’aretz has been followed by a long-awaited opening of a Shas Yiden kollel in Flatbush, NY. The Eretz Yisroeldike bren of learning the entire Shas has already had a significant local impact and is a source of inspiration to the local Flatbush kollelim. The incredible devotion to limud gantz Shas and its completion within a year by each avreich at Shas Yiden has encouraged many others to try and emulate this broader study of Shas.

This elevated level of Torah study at Shas Yiden and the ability of the avreichim geonim to face public oral farheren by world recognized Gedolei Torah, together with monthly tests on 225 blatt, is nothing short of remarkable. Shas Yiden has truly raised the bar in the study of Shas. Our unique system of learning, the tight demanding regimen and the motivation emanating from Eretz Yisroel has truly placed Shas Yiden in a Torah league of its own. 

In the Words of Maranan Hageonim

Sar Hatorah, רשכבה”ג Maran Hagadol Harav Chaim Kanievsky, זצ”ל – Nasi, Shas Yiden
I tested them, I know them throughout Shas – a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar partnership 

Rosh Hayeshiva, רשכבה”ג Maran Hagadol Harav Gershon Edelstein, זצ”ל
Shas Yiden has raised the bar of Torah learning in both depth and clarity, and its unique method of ameilus in Torah

The Sanzer Rebbe, שליט”א
A first in 2000 years of Jewish history – never before a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim know kol Hashas kulo, Rashi and Tosfos b’al peh

Over 1.6 Million Blatt at Shas Yiden
This Year Alone!

With each of the 122 avreichim geonim at Shas Yiden required to complete a minimum of 13,555 blatt per year, you are helping support some 1,654,000 blatt! 

At the most recent farheren, the reaction of the Gedolei Torah conducting the testing to the prowess of the Shas Yiden was simply one of amazement at the breadth and detailed knowledge and all-encompassing mastery of Shas – remarking: “They know it like others know Ashrei Yoshvei!” The joy of the avreichim geonim and their clear love of Torah electrifies each farher. (To see the different farheren in action, please click on our website: www.shasyiden.com.) It is no wonder that the overall reaction to the Shas Yiden Network is that in its 15 years it has certainly revolutionized and raised the bar in the learning and mastery of Shas. 

Caring for the Avreichim Families

Despite the difficulties of these last few years, Covid etc., Shas Yiden has made sure to keep our commitment to each of the Shas Yiden families to ensure their menuchas hanefesh to be free to focus on Shas.  Each month their salaries have been paid on time. Further, in Tishrei and, now again, for Nissan, they are all paid full extra salary checks to help them meet the extra Yom Tov expenses. 

That we are able to do so, a big ‘thank you‘ is due to you all. You have an eternal stake in the incredible learning of Shas Yiden. Your on-going interest and support in this unique ‘Entire-Shas’ Torah-learning venture is most sincerely appreciated. Collectively and individually, you are singular partners in changing the way the Torah world views the ability to both learn and master the entire Shas. Whatever you can do to help in defraying their extra Yom Tov expenses will be a great chesed to these Bnei Torah who are true bnei aliyah.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah at Maayanei HaYeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak of Rav Avraham Eliyahu Halevi Wosner zt”l, the rov of the Shevet Halevi kehillah in the Brachfeld neighborhood of Modiin Illit, and a son of the preeminent posek, Hagaon Rav Halevi Shmuel Wosner zt:l.

Rav Avraham Eliyahu Halevi was born in Yerushalayim in 1946, a son of Rav Shmuel Halevi Wosner and Rebbetzin Rivka Wosner.

When he was two, his father moved to the Zichron Meir neighborhood in Bnei Brak and he learned at the Satmar Talmud Torah in Bnei Brak. Later he learned at his father’s yeshiva, Chachmei Lublin, in Bnei Brak.

When he reached marriageable age, he married into the family of Rav Avraham Shlomo Katz zt”l, rov of Riskeva and the Satmar neighborhood in Bnei Brak. For a time, he served as a maggid shiur and mashgiach in the Yachil Yeshiva and was also an expert sofer.

In 2006, when his father established the Shevet Halevi kehillah in Brachfeld, he appointed his son to be its rov. Rav Wosner led the community with chesed and warmth, welcoming everyone warmly, regardless of their age or status. He constantly shared words of Torah from his abundant yedios, and many sought his counsel and hadracha.

After some ten years, the Shevet Halevi kehillah moved into a new and magnificent beis medrash built in the center of the Brachfeld neighborhood in Modiin Illit. The foundation stone for this new building had been laid years earlier by Rav Shmuel Wosner zt”l, and after many years of gathering in an old caravan, the kehillah finally had their own new beis medrash. The rov would attend all the tefillos there and was beloved by the mispallelim.

Out of his profound commitment to honoring his father, he refused to leave Bnei Brak, his father’s city of residence, and remained devotedly by his side throughout the years. Nonetheless, he would travel to Brachfeld for Shabbos and Yom Tov to be among his kehillah members.

In recent years, his health declined, but with extraordinary dedication, he continued to go to the beis medrash regularly. Even in recent months, despite his weakened condition, he persevered and attended the davening at the beis medrash. On the night of Rosh Hashanah, he made a special effort to attend the large Shevet Halevi beis medrash in Bnei Brak, where he offered brachos for a good year and was himself bentched by his nephew, the Shevet Halevi Rov, while crowds of chassidim approached him to receive brachos for the new year.

Rav Wosner endured great suffering and pain until today, when he was niftar.

He merits leaving behind 15 married children and hundreds of grandchildren and great-grandchildren throughout the world.

The levayah will be held this evening at 9:00 p.m. at the Shevet Halevi beis medrash adjacent to Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin at 17 Rechov Harav Dessler in Bnei Brak. Kevurah will take place at the Ponevezher Bais Hachaim.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

On Tuesday, Israel’s Knesset passed a new law aimed at preventing the opening of any future US Consulate in Yerushalayim for Servicing Palestinians in Yehuda and Shomron.

Proposed by MKs Ze’ev Elkin (United Right) and Dan Illouz (Likud), the bill is an amendment to the Basic Law: Yerushalayim the Capital of Israel. While Israel has no Constitution, Basic Laws act as a sort of quasi constitution in Israeli law.

The new bill requires that any new diplomatic embassies in Yerushalayim must be of states with diplomatic treaties with Israel. The law only applies to any future embassies, all existing embassies will remain in place.

The effect of the bill is to prevent the forming of a new consulate that will service Palestinians, as new consulates must now only service residents of Israel or officials tasked with interacting with Israel.

Following the bill’s passing in the Knesset, Elkin recalled that in the past under a previous coalition, he had threatened to quit the coalition if a new US consulate was opened. He passed the bill “in order for the state of Israel not to find itself again under diplomatic pressure to open consulates.”

Elkin said: “Jerusalem is the eternal and undividable capital of the state of Israel, and we will not enable any other country to question our sovereignty over a unified Jerusalem. No pressure will deter us from maintaining this important principle.”

Illouz added, “Whoever questions [a unified] Jerusalem, questions the very existence of the state of Israel, and we will not accept this! This law clarifies once and for all: Jerusalem is ours, and it is not for sale!”

{Matzav.com}

Norway wants the International Court of Justice in The Hague to issue an opinion on Israel’s obligations to facilitate humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Oslo said on Tuesday after the Knesset made it illegal for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to operate in the country’s territory.

The Scandinavian nation is requesting that the United Nations’ top court “pronounces on Israel’s obligations to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population, delivered by international organizations, including the U.N., and states,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a statement cited by the Agence France-Presse agency.

Norway will submit a resolution to the U.N. General Assembly, which will request the court to “give an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations as an occupying power to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people,” Oslo said in the statement, adding that UNRWA and “several countries” have already expressed their support for its initiative.

On Monday, a majority of Israeli lawmakers from across the political spectrum voted into law two bills banning UNRWA’s operations in Israeli territory and prohibiting state officials from cooperating with the agency.

The legislation was introduced following the exposure of UNRWA personnel complicity in Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 massacre, despite pressure from the United States and other countries against the move.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a statement on Monday that “Norway strongly rejects the legislation adopted by the Knesset, which will make it impossible for UNRWA to operate in Palestine.”

Barth Eide claimed in the statement that “no one can take on UNRWA’s responsibilities in meeting the fundamental needs of Palestine refugees for food, protection, shelter, health care and education.”

Oslo’s top diplomat added, “This is yet another example of Israel ignoring its international legal obligations.”

Also on Monday, South Africa submitted to the ICJ its case against Israel, arguing that Yerushalayim intends to commit genocide in Gaza.

South Africa launched its case in late 2023 and has now filed the bulk of the relevant material to support its claim, the statement said. Israel has dismissed allegations that it’s perpetrating genocide, calling them a blood libel. Pretoria has not published the contents of the documents.

(JNS)

Frum parents of children with disabilities have attempted for decades to send their children to Jewish day schools in California. They were denied because while federal funding is available for private schools to provide critical support services, California lawmakers have banned money available for kids with special needs from being used at religious private schools, including Jewish ones.

In a 3-0 ruling on Monday, a federal appeals court effectively declared that California is violating federal law.

“We easily conclude that the nonsectarian requirement fails the neutrality test,” went an opinion authored by Judge Kim Wardlaw, and joined by Judge Morgan Christen and Judge Mark Bennett.

The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed by Congress in 1975 to ensure that children with disabilities receive education that meets their required needs and provides federal funding to states for special education programs in public schools.

Since public schools cannot always meet those requirements due to a variety of reasons, federal and state law allows that money to be used in private and charter schools. However, in California, religious private schools were excluded from such usage.

On March 13, 2013, the offices of Becket Law filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California “to ensure that religious parents can make sure their children with disabilities receive an education that is right for them and that religious schools are able to receive the critical support needed to educate students with disabilities.”

They lost the case on Aug. 10, 2023.

Becket appealed, and more than a year later, on Oct. 28, it received a favorable ruling in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The case will now return to the district court.

The State of California has 90 days to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

“This is a massive win for Jewish families in California,” said Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. “It was always wrong to cut Jewish kids off from getting disability benefits solely because they want to follow their faith.”

Rassbach told JNS that “California politicians are depriving children with disabilities the resources they deserve just because they are Jewish. The court was right to rule against the state’s blatant religious targeting. This is a massive victory for religious freedom and a resounding message to California: Faith can’t be a barrier to educational rights.”

Maury Litwack, the founder of Teach Coalition, an initiative associated with the Orthodox Union that advocates on behalf of Jewish day schools and yeshivahs for equitable government funding and resources, told JNS he echoes Rassbach’s sentiment.

“Today’s unanimous 3-0 ruling has confirmed that California has long been violating the law by discriminating against religious parents and schools in its special-education programs,” he told JNS. “This is a game-changing moment for our community and for religious families of children with disabilities everywhere—not only requiring change in the state of California but holding nationwide implications as well.”

(JNS)

A rocket believed to have been launched by Hezbollah terrorists struck the headquarters of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon, lightly injuring some peacekeepers, UNIFIL said.

“This afternoon a rocket hit UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, setting a vehicle workshop on fire. Peacekeepers were not in bunkers at the time. While some peacekeepers suffered minor injuries, fortunately, no one was seriously injured,” the peacekeeping force said in a statement.

The U.N. statement added, “The rocket was fired from north of UNIFIL’s headquarters, likely by Hezbollah or an affiliated group. We have opened an investigation into the incident.”

UNIFIL stressed in the message that Hezbollah terrorists and “all actors” are required to protect U.N. peacekeepers and their facilities, noting that “any deliberate attack on them is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of [Security Council] Resolution 1701.”

‘We were totally subject to Hezbollah’

Earlier on Tuesday, Austria’s Defense Ministry confirmed that eight of its troops sustained light injuries in the rocket attack on Camp Naqoura, located in Southern Lebanon near the border with Israel. Vienna contributes about 180 soldiers to the 10,000-strong UNIFIL force.

“We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms and demand that it be investigated immediately,” the ministry said in the statement, adding that none of its soldiers at Naqoura needed urgent medical care.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 stipulates that Hezbollah terrorists are not allowed to operate south of the Litani River, located some 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of the Israel-Lebanon frontier.

The U.N. resolution, which was passed after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah—and ratified by both Beirut and Yerushalayim—also calls for the Iranian-backed terrorist organization to be disarmed.

A former U.N. soldier stationed in Southern Lebanon some 10 years ago told the Danish daily B.T. earlier this month that during his service there: “We were totally subject to Hezbollah.” The former soldier claimed no actions were taken against the violations of Resolution 1701.

The U.S. has called in recent months for the “effective implementation” of the resolution to resolve the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel, which started when the Lebanese terrorist group joined the battle against the Jewish state in support of Palestinian Hamas on Oct. 8, 2023.

“We think that it is vital, and it can help create the conditions that will ultimately allow civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to return home,” Vedant Patel, a U.S. State Department spokesperson, said on Oct. 22.

European nations have repeatedly accused the Israel Defense Forces of attacking UNIFIL troops amid the fighting. These allegations have been rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who noted on Oct. 14 that Yerushalayim “repeatedly asked UNIFIL to get out of harm’s way.”

(JNS)

Iran is reportedly still plotting to assassinate former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, according to a report by the Washington Free Beacon. Last week, congressional leaders received an update from the State Department alerting them to Iran’s continued assassination plans, including those targeting former U.S. Iran envoy Brian Hook, the Free Beacon shared.

Former President Donald Trump has previously stated that he, too, was a target of Iran’s assassination efforts. “Moves were already made by Iran that didn’t work out, but they will try again,” Trump posted on social media.

The Free Beacon report indicated that Congress has been briefed on credible assassination threats against Hook on 20 occasions, all stemming from his role in spearheading the Trump administration’s firm stance on Iran. Similarly, Pompeo has been the subject of 17 separate threats, which were also communicated to Congress.

Due to these ongoing threats, Pompeo, Hook, and former National Security Advisor John Bolton remain under U.S. government protection. In May, the FBI revealed it was actively searching for Iranian intelligence officer Majid Dastjani Farahani, who is suspected of recruiting individuals to carry out targeted attacks within the United States, including against both current and former U.S. officials.

Iran’s efforts to target former Trump administration officials were previously documented by Politico, which reported on an Iranian “hit list” of Trump-era officials and aides. “Iran has made it very clear that they are determined to seek retaliation against former officials in connection with the [drone strike killing of Iranian General Qasem] Soleimani …,” stated Matt Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Justice Department, in an interview with Politico.

{Matzav.com}

A troubling wave of antisemitism has surfaced in France, where a Jewish resident is enduring persistent threats in a building already marked by tragedy. Nancy is facing relentless antisemitic harassment, including death threats and Nazi symbols, in the same building where 85-year-old Holocaust survivor Mireille Knoll was murdered in 2018. Nancy has already filed multiple police reports.

The harassment has escalated in recent weeks, with perpetrators defacing the building’s common areas with swastikas and targeting Nancy’s personal space. Her door and mailbox have been vandalized with antisemitic death threats, some written in Arabic, while Nazi symbols and Stars of David have been scrawled across the corridor. French news channel BFM brought the case to public attention after visiting Nancy’s home and documenting the ongoing threats.

“The intimidation began with letters, then evolved to symbols appearing in the stairwell and elevator,” Nancy told BFM in a visibly distressed state. “About two weeks ago, threatening letters started arriving. I’ve already submitted six police reports and find myself at the police station every three days to follow up. My life has been completely disrupted. I can’t sleep, I feel lost, threatened, and anxious. I simply cannot comprehend how someone could target another human being this way.”

These incidents are unfolding at the same Avenue Philippe-Auguste address where Knoll was tortured and killed by two assailants, Yacine Mihoub and Alex Krimbikos, who stabbed her before setting her apartment ablaze. The French judiciary officially classified her murder as an antisemitic hate crime.

(JNS)

Some 12,000 injured soldiers and security personnel have entered physical rehabilitation programs since the start of Israel’s war against Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, including 900 wounded over the past month in Lebanon, according to data published on Tuesday by the Israeli Defense Ministry’s Rehabilitation Department.

Around 66% of the 12,000 are reservists, 93% are men and 51% are between the ages of 18 and 30.

Since the beginning of the “Swords of Iron” war, the department has received an average of a thousand wounded troops and security forces every month.

The number of injuries in the north surged by 150% from September to October following the start of ground operations in Southern Lebanon on Oct. 1, with 910 soldiers evacuated to hospital over this period.

Around 1,500 soldiers were injured twice during the war, meaning that they were treated at a rehab center, returned to service and then were injured again.

Official IDF data lists 5,184 injured soldiers since the beginning of the war, but the Rehabilitation Department figures also include security personnel such as Israel Security Agency forces, police officers, emergency response team members and others.

According to the Defense Ministry, roughly 5,200, or 43%, of those received at rehabilitation centers suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other psychological issues. Some 14% are classified as having moderate to severe injuries, including 23 with severe head injuries, 60 amputees and 12 who lost their eyesight.

The Rehabilitation Department is also working with some 62,000 wounded veterans from previous wars. The forecast is for the department by 2030 to be treating some 100,000 people, with at least half suffering from PTSD and other psychological challenges.

The annual medical and financial cost for each wounded soldier is estimated at 150,000 shekels ($40,113).

While the Rehabilitation Department’s budget has increased by 1.9 billion shekels ($507.7 million) to 7.3 billion ($1.95 billion) since Oct. 7, 2023, the head of the department, Limor Luria, is warning that more money is needed.

“We need a budgetary response,” she was quoted by Ynet as saying on Tuesday.

“We have approached the Finance Ministry to enable us to respond to the high number of injured, which is expected to continue growing in the coming years, and to provide the best possible care for them,” she said.

(JNS)

Israeli security forces earlier this month arrested an Arab national who swore allegiance to ISIS and had plans to carry out terror attacks in the Jewish state, the Israel Police and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced on Tuesday.

The Arab suspect, identified by the Israel Police as 19-year-old Abed al-Rahman Mahajna from Umm al-Fahm in central Israel, was charged on Tuesday after being taken into custody approximately three weeks ago.

According to authorities, Mahajna declared his allegiance to the terror organization in recent months and was involved in Arab riots during the Israel Defense Forces’ “Operation Guardian of the Walls” in May 2021.

During the arrest raid, security forces discovered documents with instructions on how to produce bombs, as well as a will he had prepared about a year ago in which he expressed his desire to become a “martyr.”

“This incident joins the series of arrests made against Israeli citizens who planned to carry out terrorist activities in Israel,” an unnamed ISA official told local media, adding that “the trend in which Israeli citizens are involved in terrorism and espionage is extremely serious, and security will act hard against those involved.”

Last week, seven Arabs from Jerusalem were arrested by security forces on suspicion of plotting to murder scientists and officials on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The suspects, from the neighborhood of Beit Safafa in the eastern part of the Jewish state’s capital, were allegedly asked by Tehran to kill a nuclear scientist and the mayor of a large city.

In August, Israeli forces dismantled an Arab-Israeli terrorist squad that had detailed plans to carry out a combined shooting and bombing in the Galilee region, the country’s security agencies revealed on Sept. 26.

The cell, which was led by a resident of the town of Arraba in the Galilee and also included Palestinians from Judea and Samaria, was detained on Aug. 12, according to the Israel Police and ISA.

Five months earlier, authorities nabbed 13 Arabs from northern Israel who were said to have been planning terrorist attacks on behalf of Hamas. The suspects, most of them residents of Sakhnin in the Lower Galilee, purchased weapons from terrorists in Judea and Samaria.

One-third of Israel’s 2.095 million Arab citizens believe that Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 massacre of primarily Jewish civilians is in line with Arab, Palestinian and Islamic values, according to a December 2023 poll.

(JNS)

A cyberattack caused some Israeli businesses to experience credit card payment problems on Tuesday morning, Shva (Automatic Bank Services) reported.

According to the Israel-based company, a denial-of-service attack occurred starting at 7 a.m., causing disruptions in processing transactions. Regular service was restored by 9:50 a.m.

“Due to a denial-of-service attack, entities connected to the company via the internet experienced disruptions in the transmission of transactions for credit card approvals,” according to Shva.

Shva is the largest provider of communication and IT services for the country’s banking sector and serves as the leading clearing house for credit card transactions.

While the firm did not offer details on who was behind the cyberattack, the Hebrew-language Bizportal site suggested that it might have been “Anonymous Sudan,” a group with Iranian links that has carried out cyberattacks against Israel before.

Gil Shwed, the outgoing CEO of cybersecurity firm Check Point, was quoted by Bizportal as saying on Tuesday that “the number and sophistication of [cyber] attacks on Israel are among the highest in the world, with over 2,300 attacks per week—a 100% increase compared to 2023. These attacks are caused, among other things, by criminal entities, Iranian actors and other hostile parties.”

In July, Visa Cal credit card holders reported fraudulent charges due to a malfunction at Shva.

(JNS)

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Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah on Tuesday elected its deputy secretary general Naim Qassem to replace secretary general Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Sept. 27.

In his third public address since Nasrallah’s death, Qassem on Oct. 15 reiterated the Iranian terror proxy’s unwavering support for Hamas, staunchly rejecting calls to separate a ceasefire in Lebanon from the situation in Gaza.

“We insisted on the demand for a ceasefire in Gaza—and we did not agree to their request to separate Lebanon from Gaza,” Qassem declared, dismissing international pressure to de-escalate the conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Hezbollah has been committing near-daily rocket, missile and drone attacks against Israel since Oct. 8, 2023, a day after the Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas led a mass invasion of southern Israel, murdering some 1,200 people, kidnapping 251 others and committing widespread atrocities.

Qassem had served as deputy secretary general of the radical Shi’ite group since 1991.

The terror leader reportedly fled to Iran shortly after Nasrallah’s assassination.

According to a recent report in the UAE-based Erem News outlet, quoting an Iranian source, Qassem left Beirut on Oct. 5 for Damascus, before flying to Tehran. He was reportedly aboard the plane used by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for a state visit to Lebanon and Syria.

“The transfer of Naim Qassem to Tehran was by order of the higher authorities in Iran for fear of being assassinated by the Israeli entity, because he is on the list of wanted by the occupation government,” the Iranian source said.

The first speech Qassem delivered after Nasrallah’s assassination was delivered in Beirut, while the second and third were delivered from Tehran, according to the source.

Commenting on Qassem’s appointment, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tweeted on Tuesday afternoon, “Temporary appointment. Not for long.”

(JNS)

Former President Donald Trump expressed on Monday that the United States “needs religion,” stating it serves as “the glue that holds” the nation together.

Trump made these remarks during a conversation with preacher Paula White at the National Faith Summit held in Atlanta, Georgia. He argued that the issues currently affecting the country are linked to the waning influence of religion in the U.S. over the last 25 to 50 years.

“If you take a look at the anger, the problems that we have, and a lot of it is that it’s less based on religion now than it was 25 years ago and 50 years ago,” he explained to White. “I mean, we were a really, people would say, a Christian and really religious — even other faiths — country.”

“And that seems to be heading in the wrong direction. And I think as that goes down, I think that our country goes down. I really do,” he continued. “I think this is a country that needs religion. It’s like the glue that holds it together, and we don’t … have that.”

Trump asserted that religious people are “the most important people, and I’m not sure you even realize it.”

“They’re trying to hurt you. They’re trying to stymie you, this new administration, this new radical left group of people, and it’s not so new. It’s been around for a while,” Trump commented. “And they are people that are not nice people.”

He then addressed Catholics directly, claiming that they are being “persecuted” by the radical left.

“When you see what’s going on with the FBI and the Catholic Church, I say, ‘What is happening.’ And you know, the expression is that you’re next because … everybody’s next with this group,” Trump remarked.

Notably, an FBI memo leaked from the Richmond, Virginia, field office in 2023 indicated an increasing “interest” in “radical-traditionalist Catholic” beliefs among violent extremists.

Trump also shared insights about his religious upbringing, reflecting on how his faith developed during his youth.

As he campaigns, Trump is positioning himself as a candidate representing religious interests, successfully bringing together Christians, Jews, and Muslims in an unprecedented way.

A significant example of this shift can be observed in traditionally Democrat-leaning Wayne County, Michigan, where communities with substantial Arab and Muslim populations have begun to move towards the GOP amid growing discontent with the Biden-Harris administration over the Middle East conflict.

Last week, an Islamic leader from Dearborn, Michigan, told reporters that Trump’s values resonate more closely with the Torah and, lehavdil, the Quran compared to Harris. “So the reason I lean towards Mr. Trump because I found him closer to the Bible, and Torah, and the Quran because I support peace, no war,” Imam Husham Al-Husainy stated. “We should stop the war, whether in Europe or in Middle East. And I believe in justice evenly between all the children of Ibrahim.”

{Matzav.com}

Vice President Kamala Harris is facing criticism on social media for her recent display of a new accent, which some described as reminiscent of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While addressing voters at a predominantly black church in Philadelphia, she adopted a voice that drew comparisons to famous figures.

During her visit, she referenced a passage from Tehillim, stating, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the mornin’. The path may seem hard, the work may seem heavy, but joy cometh in the mornin’ and… morning is on its way,” all while speaking in an animated manner.

Her vocal delivery was likened to that of Dr. King. Some users on social media also noted similarities to former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s voice when she addressed a black church in Selma, Alabama, back in 2007.

This latest instance of Harris altering her accent comes shortly after an earlier event where she appeared to adopt a Hispanic accent during a town hall hosted by the Spanish-language network Univision.

At the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C., in September, Harris seemingly utilized a Southern accent when referring to the audience as “brothers and sisters.”

Additionally, she faced backlash for employing a fabricated Southern drawl while addressing a gathering in Detroit, Michigan, only to drop that accent when speaking to voters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, just hours later.

{Matzav.com}

In light of the difficult war situation on all fronts, and with many tragic deaths, the former Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchok Yosef, nosi of the Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah of Shas, wrote a letter to yeshiva students urging them to strengthen their limud haTorah during these days and to cancel all activities during bein hazemanim that are not related to Torah learning.

In his letter, he writes: “To my brothers and friends, the Torah scholars and the holy yeshiva students, we are at the end of the days of elevation and closeness to the Almighty. Boruch Hashem, we have merited that the benches of the bais medrash remain filled, and the Torah scholars have stood guard in tefillah and learning , diligently fulfilling their holy mission, devoting themselves day and night in the shelter of Torah throughout the entire period of the terrible war despite the severe disruptions from both within and without.

“During these days, the days of bein hazemanim, alongside the established and special learning schedules for this time, some are organizing evenings of chizuuk and short trips for those who study, in order to help them gather strength for the long winter zeman ahead. However, during these days, when the enemies of Israel have raised their heads, alongside the miracles and heavenly wonders we have been privileged to witness daily, they do not cease in their attempts to inflict casualties on Israel through acts of aggression and war. Unfortunately, many have fallen, and we are in great need of Divine assistance. We must uphold the words of the novi in Yeshayah (26:20): ‘Go, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide for a little while until the wrath has passed.’

“We must seclude ourselves in shuls and botei medrash, focus on the shelter of Torah, and increase our tefillos for the salvation of the people of Israel. Therefore, it is clear that we cannot act as usual during these days, and all activities outside that do not pertain to Torah study or tefillah must be entirely canceled.”

He concludes his letter: “The strength of Yaakov lies solely in its mouth, and we must persevere and strengthen ourselves in the study of the holy Torah that protects the people of Israel and pray for the well-being of the security forces wherever they may be, for the healing of the wounded, and for the return of all Israeli captives. May it be the will that we quickly merit the salvation and redemption of Israel, and may Hakadosh Boruch Hu save us from the hands of our enemies who rise up against us to destroy us. May He disrupt their plans and thwart their thoughts, and may Israel prevail. It shall be fulfilled for us: ‘And violence shall no more be heard in your land, wasting nor destruction within your borders,’ Amen v’Amen.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

On Monday, Hamas representatives informed the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the group is open to considering a proposal from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi regarding a hostage release agreement.

Sisi made a public offer on Sunday for a two-day ceasefire during which four Israeli hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Following this initial exchange, further negotiations would take place over the next ten days to discuss a more comprehensive agreement.

Hamas sources indicated that “there is an openness to examining the Egyptian proposal and other proposals. The organization is in the process of formulating a response after learning everything it has received. It is too early to say there is agreement or refusal.”

The sources also mentioned that Khalil al-Hayya, who leads Hamas’s negotiation team and is the group’s leader in Gaza, reviewed the Egyptian proposal in a recent meeting in Cairo. He subsequently relayed the proposal to the organization’s leadership for further evaluation.

Additionally, the sources highlighted that Hamas has communicated to both Egypt and Qatar its willingness to be flexible in order to achieve a complete cessation of hostilities and to meet its demands, which include the full withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from the Gaza Strip.

Earlier on Monday, a source involved in ceasefire and hostage release negotiations taking place in Doha told the Quds Press news agency that Hamas does not agree to a limited timeframe where the group would return some hostages only for the fighting to resume afterward.

In previous negotiations, the United States advocated for a ceasefire and hostage release framework that President Biden initially proposed in May. However, Hamas has consistently rejected that outline along with all other proposals put forth to them.

{Matzav.com}