Matzav

The Knesset approved this evening (Monday) with a historic majority of 92 out of 120 MKs, the bill to ban UNRWA activities in the territories of Israel.

MK Boaz Bismuth, one of the initiators of the bill, stated, “UNRWA terrorists, your story here ends – enemies have no right to exist in the State of Israel.”

Shai Rosengarten, chairman of the Im Tirtzu organization, said, “A historic moment for the State of Israel, a very important moment for the Knesset. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, UNRWA has acted as a hotbed of incitement to terrorism instead of caring for the Arabs in Israel and in Gaza. Now the Knesset is finally correcting the distortion. Kudos to Knesset Speaker MK Amir Ohana and coalition chairman MK Ofir Katz for their determination, kudos to the Knesset members who initiated Bismuth, Iluz and Malinovski, kudos to the chairman And also Yuli Edelstein for the hard work in the committee. After a year’s struggle, justice has finally been done, the people of Israel live!”

According to the bill, the only agreement (from 1967) that allows UNRWA to operate in Israel will be annulled, and as a result, the organization’s activities will no longer be legal in Israel. In addition, any contact between officials from Israel and UNRWA personnel will be prohibited and, among others, they will not be given diplomatic visas and economic benefits. The bill also stipulates that any criminal procedure that has or will apply to a UNRWA employee in connection with the crimes they committed on October 7th or in any connection related to the anti-terrorism law will remain valid.

The bill received initial Knesset approval in July.

Later this evening, the plenary is expected to approve a second bill against UNRWA, which is intended to revoke the organization’s tax breaks and diplomatic status and immunities.

UNRWA, which has long been criticized for cooperating with Hamas, has come under increased scrutiny as its workers have been found to have been directly involved in Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Israel revealed in January of this year that UNRWA staff participated in the October 7 Hamas attacks. It then presented a dossier showing that the UNRWA workers who participated in the Hamas massacre kidnapped a woman, handed out ammunition and actively took part in the massacre at Kibbutz Be’eri, where 97 people were murdered.

Last week, the IDF announced that the IAF struck and eliminated the terrorist Mohammad Abu Itiwi, a Nukhba commander in the Al Bureij Battalion of Hamas’ Central Camps Brigade. Mohammad Abu Itiwi has also been employed by UNRWA since July 2022.

On October 7th, Mohammad Abu Itiwi was involved in the murder and abduction of Israeli civilians. Abu Itiwi led the murderous attack on the bomb shelter on Route 232 in the area of Re’im in southern Israel.

Last month, Sharif Abu al-Amin, a senior Hamas official in Lebanon and chairman of UNRWA’s teachers’ union in that country, was eliminated in an airstrike in Tyre.

Ayelet Samerano, mother of Yonatan Samerano who was murdered on October 7th and his body abducted to Gaza, told the UN in May that her son was kidnapped by an UNRWA social worker.

Despite the accumulation of proof of UNRWA’s employment of Hamas terrorists, Israel has faced significant international pressure not to pass the bills targeting UNRWA, including from the US. Foreign Ministry officials have warned that the move could lead to Israel’s suspension from the UN.

(JNS)

Margarita Simonyan, a well-known Russian media figure, shared details about a recent discussion she had with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Posting on social media, Simonyan recounted how Abbas spoke critically of Israel, describing it as an “American colonial project.”

As reported in Hebrew by Kan, Abbas voiced his perspective over breakfast and coffee with Simonyan, saying, “We have no issues with Jews, we’re neighbors and live many years together. We have an issue with the US. They are the ones perpetrating everything. Who brought Zionism to this country? The colonizers.”

Simonyan noted that Abbas emphasized this view repeatedly, asserting that the United States is the driving force behind the situation. “He kept repeating this the whole time,” she wrote, quoting Abbas’s belief that “if not for America – none of this would exist” and that “if America would stop supporting it – it would disappear.”

Simonyan also mentioned that she asked Abbas for permission to share his remarks publicly, which he granted.

During the exchange, Abbas acknowledged that he had faced pressure to distance himself from Russia but dismissed Simonyan’s gratitude for his support. He responded simply, “It’s our duty to support Russia.”

{Matzav.com}

New York City’s Democratic mayor, who has been mired in a string of scandals, took aim at the Republican party over what he described as inflammatory rhetoric at a recent rally.

Eric Adams posted on Monday, “No matter who says it, hate is hate and there is no place for it in our city.”

His remarks were in response to several inflammatory comments made by Republican leaders and supporters during an event held on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

While Adams’ message, which emphasized “how we all need to turn down the temperature that fuels hate and violence,” might have seemed well-intentioned, it didn’t stop the comments section from filling up with demands for him to “resign” and criticisms questioning “why is this man still the mayor?” Adams’ critics appear to be holding onto the fact that he currently faces five federal charges related to an alleged bribery and fraud scheme. The accusations claim he provided special treatment to Turkish officials, even allegedly helping them bypass safety requirements on a new consulate building project in New York.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

MSNBC has stirred significant controversy for airing clips of a Nazi rally during its report on former President Donald Trump’s recent high-profile campaign event at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

During coverage of Trump’s rally, which filled the iconic New York City arena, the left-leaning network displayed footage from a 1939 Nazi gathering that took place at the same venue and drew a connection between the two events.

“But that jamboree happening right now, you see it there on your screen in that place is particularly chilling because in 1939, more than 20,000 supporters of a different fascist leader, Adolf Hitler, packed the Garden for a so-called pro-America rally,” the anchor commented as the historical footage played.

The choice to contrast the Trump rally with footage of a Nazi rally sparked strong reactions from conservative voices, who highlighted the diverse attendance at Trump’s event.

“Yesterday’s Trump rally was filled with Americans from every walk of life including orthodox, conservative, reform, and secular Jews. I saw a woman in a burka. It wasn’t anything like a Nazi rally. Shame on MSNBC,” wrote X user @amuse.

Many also noted that Holocaust survivor Jerry Wartski was among the attendees at the rally.

Some critics went further, accusing MSNBC of incitement with its coverage choices.

Elon Musk, Tesla’s founder and a speaker at Trump’s event, harshly criticized MSNBC on X, labeling the network as the “scum of the Earth.”

Democratic leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have recently sought to present their party as focused on unity and optimism.

During her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, Harris underscored this theme, calling for “a new way forward.”

In stark contrast, MSNBC’s decision to compare Trump supporters to Nazi rally-goers appeared to deviate from the core message of unity and optimism.

“Trump had a Revolutionary Rally in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The Energy was unmatched and a Promise of a Better America was on the horizon,” commented Sam Mitha.

“Liberal Media couldn’t handle this, so they ran a Propaganda Campaign simultaneously. They compared this Trump Rally to a NAZI Rally in 1939,” he continued.

Others emphasized the presence of Holocaust survivor Jerry Wartski at the event on Sunday.

“You don’t hate the media enough,” posted Republican commentator Colin Rugg. “Holocaust survivor Jerry Wartski was in attendance at the rally this evening, along with other Jews who were supporting Trump.”

Wartski, age 94, publicly endorsed Trump last week in a campaign video, where he criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for labeling the former president as a “fascist.”

When asked why Jewish voters should support Trump, the Auschwitz survivor answered, “Because he’s a mensch.”

{Matzav.com}

The family of IDF officer Rabbi Avi Goldberg Hy”d, who lost his life in combat in Lebanon, shared a public statement on Monday as they grieve his petirah.

The Goldbergs conveyed that they are open to receiving visits from political leaders of all affiliations, but with one stipulation: any such visit must include members from both the coalition and the opposition.

“At a time when the rifts in Israeli society are growing, it is important for us to underline the value of unity,” family members emphasized. They noted that “Rabbi Avi, together with his wife Rochel, dedicated his life and invested much time and work to connect between parts of Israeli society. This is the proper way to part from him and accompany him on his final journey.”

The shivah is being held at 2 Rechov Mekor Chaim in Yerushalayim, located just a brief distance from the Knesset.

{Matzav.com Israel}

On Monday, authorities were investigating after fires were set inside ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and in nearby Vancouver, Washington, destroying hundreds of ballots.

Multnomah County Elections Director Tim Scott said the fire suppressant inside the drop box was able to protect nearly all the ballots; only three were damaged, and his office planned to contact those voters to help them obtain replacement ballots. However across the Columbia River in Vancouver, while the ballot box in question did have a fire suppressant system inside, it was not effective, and hundreds of ballots were lost, according to Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey.

Vancouver is inside Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, which is the site of what many consider to be one of the closet House races in the country this year, between Democrat Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican Joe Kent.

Police officers and firefighters first resounded to reports of the fires at about 3:30 a.m., and said that incendiary devices had been placed inside, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

There are surveillance cameras with coverage of the ballot drop boxes and their surroundings.

Auditor Greg Kimsey summed up the situation, calling it “heartbreaking” and saying “It’s a direct attack on democracy.”

{Matzav.com}

A year and a day after launching ground operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces on Monday continued to engage terrorist forces across the coastal enclave.

Troops were conducting targeted raids in the central and southern Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces said on Monday morning, killing armed terrorists and dismantling Hamas infrastructure.

The IDF highlighted an incident in which soldiers detected terrorists inside a structure rigged with explosives and directed the Israeli Air Force to strike the building.

Dozens of terrorists were also eliminated in Jabaliya in northern Gaza, where tunnel shafts were also neutralized and a large amount of weapons found, according to the military.

Israeli forces are continuing efforts to evacuate non-combatants to safer areas, despite Hamas deliberately attempting to prevent them from doing so, the IDF said.

As an example, civilians were allowed time to leave before the IDF conducted a precision strike against Hamas terrorists embedded inside the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabalyia.

According to the IDF, the terrorists who barricaded themselves inside the medical facility included those who participated in the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre of Israeli citizens in the northwestern Negev.

During the operation, Israeli soldiers apprehended 100 terrorists from the compound, including terrorists who attempted to escape during the evacuation of civilians.

Inside the hospital, soldiers found weapons, terror fund and intelligence documents.

While the operation was taking place, the IDF said that the Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration (CLA) coordinated with the hospital to ensure essential hospital services were maintained, including activating an additional generator, ensuring electricity and oxygen supply for patients.

“Throughout the war, Hamas terrorists have repeatedly operated from inside hospitals across the Gaza Strip, using them to hold hostages, execute terror attacks, and store weapons and explosives,” the IDF said.

“The IDF will continue to act in accordance with international law and act against the Hamas terrorist organization, while avoiding harm to civilians.”

The IDF also provided video documentation of an ambulance driver from Kamal Radwan who testified that Hamas terrorists used the hospital to conduct activities.

IDF chief to wounded soldiers: ‘I salute you’

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi addressed soldiers wounded during the year-long “Swords of Iron” war, the audio of which was published by the army on Monday morning.

He made the comments to mark the week-long “Salute to the Wounded of the ‘Swords of Iron’ War.”

“I address you, those wounded physically and mentally, those who have healed and those still recovering, which is a battle in itself. All of you put the defense of the homeland and your comrades-in-arms above your personal well-being. I salute you,” Halevi said.

“As we continue to fight on various fronts, we dedicate this week to you. The IDF works together with the Ministry of Defense to provide comprehensive support for you and your families. Our commitment to you stems from a deep sense of duty, and your return to daily life is an essential part of restoring Israeli society as a whole.

“We are fighting alongside you, both on the battlefield and beyond. The accomplishments you have achieved, and those we continue to achieve daily, are part of a just war, and many missions still lie ahead—missions that we are determined to fulfill.”

(JNS)

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is suing to stop a $1 million daily giveaway from Elon Musk’s pro-Trump political group, saying the contest is “indisputably an unlawful lottery” that violates Pennsylvania’s consumer protection laws.

The Justice Department last week had warned Musk’s group, America PAC, that the contest could be illegal, but the group has continued awarding a daily $1 million prize to registered voters in one of seven swing states who sign a petition to support free speech and the right to bear arms.

The lawsuit is the first legal challenge to America PAC’s contest, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, which first reported the story.

Krasner says the contest violates Pennsylvania’s unfair trade practices and is seeking an injunction, according to court documents.

(c) Washington Post

Trump 2024 senior adviser Tim Murtaugh enthuses about former President Trump’s rally at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden, indicators from internal polling numbers and ‘fascism’ claims from Democrats.

WATCH:

In Eretz Yisroel, Shmeni Atzeres/Simchas Torah ended on Thursday night with large public celebrations. In Yerushalayim, hundreds danced to live music at the Kosel, at Liberty Bell Park and various other sites.

In Chutz La’aretz, Shmeni Atzeres/Simchas Torah extends for a second day. Rabbi Yitzhak Yedidia Frenkel is credited with starting the custom of second-night hakafos (Hakafos Shenios) in Tel Aviv in 1942, with music distinguishing the Hakafos from those celebrated on Yom Tov the day prior.

This Simchas Torah, the first since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 massacre, which also occurred on the Yom Tov, was special. Hundreds of people, including 190 survivors and the families of 10 hostages, danced with the Torah at the city’s Ramada Hotel, accompanied by a band in their Yom Tov finest. The floors and walls vibrated to the music, singing and dancing.

The event was held at the request of survivors of the Nova festival massacre, who have attended Shabbatons run by Kesher Yehudi in the past and have subsequently been learning regularly with Kesher Yehudi Chavusos.

The survivors and families celebrated the holiday in Yerushalayim together with Kesher Yehudi staff, volunteers and donors from abroad, as well as Rabbi Yedidya Rahav Meir and Rabbanit Sivan Rahav Meir, Rabbi Moshe Kenan, Rabbi Yisroel Goldwasser, Rabbi Fanger and musician Yonatan Razel.

The event included moments to remember and honor their fallen friends and loved ones, as well as special prayers for those who remain in captivity. Among the guests were Shlomi and Merav Berger, whose daughter Agam has been in Hamas captivity for over a year. Shlomi spoke to the gathering on Thursday night, saying, “What I see in front me of is the [entire] people of Israel. No sects, no streams, just all of us together, celebrating each other and the Torah. This is how it is meant to be and how we are going to merit to bring all of our hostages home and win this war.”

With full registration, people had to be turned away for lack of space.

“If each of us who came here today makes a serious commitment to really—truly—have a strong and authentic connection with another Jew in Israel that is completely different from us, then I guarantee you that another Oct. 7 cannot happen,” said Tzili Schneider, Kesher Yehudi’s founder. “We must show the Holy One, blessed be He, that his children truly love each other, no matter our differences.”

After an extended musical havdalah led by Razel, the celebrations ramped up with hakafos. The celebration went on past midnight, with more and more guests joining in, including musical entertainer from the U.S. Lipa Schmeltzer, Rabbi Meir Goldwicht from Yeshiva University, Rabbanit Yaffa Deri and Yerushalayim Mayor Moshe Lion, who also addressed the crowd.

Leah and Shmuel Rieder, of Monsey, New York, Kesher Yehudi donors sponsoring the event, attended with children and grandchildren from the United States.

“We are thrilled to share with Kesher Yehudi in giving nachat ruach [satisfaction of the spirit] to the Holy One, blessed be He, when His sons and daughters are happily accepting Shabbos, learning Torah and mitzvot,” they said.

“It is hard to put into words the extent of inspiration, joy and love we experienced this holiday,” they told JNS.

“This was an incredible glimpse of the power of the Jewish people to come together despite everything to celebrate life, and to celebrate each other. It is the greatest tribute to Hashem to be with these precious, hurting souls and to come together with them to sing, pray and connect.”

(JNS)

A near miss at an Israeli airbase: Drama unfolded at the Ramat David Airbase when an F-16 fighter pilot received clearance from the control tower to take off. While accelerating to 250 km/h, the pilot spotted another fighter jet directly in front of him. At the last possible moment, the pilot shut off his engine and managed to steer the jet away.

In a video of the incident revealed on Monday, the surprised fighter pilot is heard asking the control tower: “Did you see that jet on the Runway? This is very serious.”

The Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Office responded to the incident by saying, “A collision between two fighter jets was narrowly avoided during takeoff due to an erroneous clearance issued by the control tower, while another aircraft was still on the runway. The teams responded swiftly and professionally, preventing a severe safety incident. The incident will be investigated, and no property damage or injuries were reported.”

(JNS)

A United Nations spokesman said it “would be very difficult” for UNRWA to find out whether the latest employee revealed to have participated in Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre was carrying out a task for the U.N. body or the terrorist organization.

Mohammad Abu Itiwi, a commander in Hamas’s elite Nukhba force who was killed in an Israeli air strike while driving a U.N. vehicle in Gaza last Wednesday, was alleged by Israel in July to have participated directly in the massacre. UNRWA, the scandal-plagued Palestinian-only aid and social services agency, said it received the allegations about Itiwi and others, but could not act upon it without additional information.

Israel says Abu Itiwi directed the murder and kidnapping of Israeli civilians seeking refuge in a bomb shelter after fleeing from Hamas’s attack on the Nova music festival. Sixteen civilians were killed in the shelter, while four, including American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were taken hostage. (Goldberg-Polin, along with five other hostages, was executed in a Gaza terror tunnel on Aug. 31 after 11 months in captivity.)

After Abu Itiwi’s death, Israeli officials provided a photograph placing him at the scene of the bomb-shelter killings. UNRWA subsequently admitted his role as a Hamas member, while U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres mourned the strike that “took the life of yet another one of our UNRWA colleagues,” failing to mention Abu Itiwi’s role as a Hamas commander and participation in the Oct. 7 attack.

Abu Itiwi had been employed by UNRWA as a driver since 2022.

Farhan Haq, Guterres’s deputy spokesperson, said on Friday in response to a question from JNS that he didn’t know what mission Abu Itiwi was on at the time of his killing.

“Drivers drive vehicles. That’s the nature of their job. But beyond that, I have no details on what he was doing at that time,” said Haq.

Asked by JNS if an investigation was going to be undertaken to find out whether he was wearing his U.N. or Hamas “hat” inside the U.N. vehicle in which we was killed, Haq deemed it a “leading question,” claiming that the United Nations was trying to obtain further relevant information from Israeli authorities about Abu Itiwi.

Pressed by JNS on why UNRWA wouldn’t have information about what kind of assignment its employee was carrying out in a U.N. vehicle at a given time, Haq responded, “UNRWA has information about different things, but having hour-to-hour information about the movement of employees during a time of war would be very difficult to collect.”

An internal U.N. investigation found in August that nine UNRWA staffers “may have” participated in Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre.

But Haq later clarified that the conclusions were more definitive in nature.

Asked whether those nine UNRWA workers “likely or highly likely were part of the attacks,” Haq responded, “I think that’s a good way of describing it.”

Despite international pressure, the Knesset is set to vote on Monday on two bills that would make it illegal for Israeli officials to cooperate with UNRWA, and for it to operate in Jerusalem.

The U.S. Congress has banned funding for UNRWA through March of next year, due to the agency’s ties to Hamas and its failures to address related issues with urgency. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, however, is pressuring Israel to relent on its activities to halt or limit UNRWA’s operations.

(JNS)

The Israel Defense Forces on Monday published audio and visual documentation of the Oct. 16 engagement in Rafah in southern Gaza in which Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces.

The troops that eliminated the architect of the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre were part of an 828th “Bislah” Brigade combat team, which has been operating in the former Hamas stronghold of Rafah in southern Gaza under the command of the Gaza Division in recent weeks.

“In an encounter with four terrorists, the leader of the Hamas terrorist organization, Yahya Sinwar, was eliminated,” the IDF said, adding that the brigade had killed dozens more terrorists, located weapons and destroyed hundreds of Hamas infrastructure sites.

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In a significant advancement toward completing its high-powered laser interception system, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced Monday morning the signing of a $550 million deal to expand its laser-defense capabilities through the Iron Beam program, partnering with lead developer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems.

Defense Ministry Director General Major General (Ret.) Eyal Zamir signed the procurement order Sunday evening to scale up serial production of Israel’s first domestically developed laser-based interception system. The agreement between the ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the defense contractors will substantially accelerate production rates to meet ambitious deployment timelines.

The Iron Beam system represents a cutting-edge ground-based laser- defense platform designed to counter various aerial threats, including rockets, mortar shells, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. The project, spearheaded by the DDR&D’s research unit, in collaboration with Rafael and Elbit Systems, has demonstrated exceptional interception capabilities during extensive testing. The system is poised to enhance Israel’s multi-layered defense architecture, working in tandem with the Iron Dome system, which is a rocket-based interceptor, while offering significant cost advantages per interception.

In a recent interview with Israel Hayom conducted before the Iranian attack, Rafael Chairman Dr. Yuval Steinitz revealed that the Iron Beam system would achieve operational status within approximately one year, with capabilities to neutralize threats well beyond Israel’s borders. Steinitz noted that Israel stands on the brink of a revolutionary shift in threat interception, describing capabilities that seem drawn from science fiction, but are rapidly becoming operational reality.

“Since the war began, the Defense Ministry has authorized hundreds of contracts worth billions of dollars to bolster domestic defense production and strengthen IDF capabilities,” Zamir said. “Our primary objective has been to reduce external dependencies while reinforcing Israeli industry. The Iron Beam contract stands among our most crucial agreements, marking the dawn of a new era in warfare—the age of laser defense. The first ground-based laser system, developed through collaboration between DDR&D, major defense contractors and startup companies, will enter operational service within a year. This deal ensures accelerated deployment of multiple additional laser systems.”

DDR&D head Brigadier General (Ret.) Dr. Danny Gold emphasized the system’s significance, saying, “Iron Beam exemplifies the exceptional expertise of our defense industries under DDR&D leadership, combining innovative thinking with robust execution capabilities. Our achievement of global technological leadership in battlefield applications stems from successful collaboration between established defense companies and startup enterprises. Iron Beam will complement Iron Dome, creating an enhanced defensive shield against rockets, missiles, UAVs, cruise missiles and emerging threats through the combination of laser and missile-based interception systems.”

Rafael CEO Yoav Har-Even issued the following statement: “Rafael takes pride in leading the development of the world’s first advanced high-powered laser-interception system. Following extensive research, development, breakthrough innovations in laser technology and comprehensive testing that validated the system’s effectiveness, Iron Beam is approaching operational readiness. This implementation represents a crucial advancement in Israel’s air-defense capabilities. Iron Beam will join Iron Dome and David’s Sling in providing superior protection for Israel’s citizens through revolutionary technology and exceptional performance.”

The contract-signing ceremony, held at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, included DDR&D head Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dr. Danny Gold, Rafael CEO Yoav Har-Even, Elbit Systems president and CEO Bezalel (Butzi) Machlis, Ministry Chief Financial Officer CPA Dekel Cohen, Defense System Legal Adviser Attorney Itay Ophir and additional senior officials.

Machlis said, “The technologies developed at Elbit and incorporated into Iron Beam represent a quantum leap in defensive capabilities against diverse threats. Our management and workforce take pride in contributing to Israel’s security through pioneering strategic systems. The development and integration of laser technology into this national defense initiative marks another crucial milestone in advancing Elbit Systems’ capabilities, revolutionizing the nature of defense and combat operations for a new era.”

(JNS)

The man killed in Sunday’s truck-ramming incident at a bus stop at the Glilot Interchange north of Tel Aviv, close to a sensitive military base, has been identified as Betzalel Carmi, 72, from Rishon Lezion.

Carmi was evacuated to Ichilov Hospital in nearby Tel Aviv in critical condition and was later pronounced dead.

Thirty-nine others were injured in the incident.

Many of the injured are still receiving medical treatment, including four in serious condition and four others who were moderately hurt.

Police are still investigating the circumstances of the incident and have not yet classified it as a terrorist attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu stressed on Sunday that “it is still being determined whether this was a terrorist attack.”

The truck driver, an Israeli citizen and resident of the central Arab-Muslim city of Qalansawe, crashed into a bus full of retirees who had just gotten off an intercity tourist coach shortly after 10 a.m. local time. They had arrived at the IDF Glilot base to mark the national day of mourning for the victims of the Hamas-led massacre of Oct. 7, 2023.

The driver accelerated as he approached the bus, and several people were trapped under the truck and had to be rescued before being evacuated to hospital.

At the time of the attack, a Command and Staff course was underway at the base, and officers in civilian clothing exited the base and confronted the truck driver, who reportedly attempted to exit the truck and attack officers before being shot and killed.

The driver’s body has been sent for an autopsy.

A woman at the scene described the events to Channel 12:

“We got off the bus at the entrance of Camp Chaim Herzog. The truck came at full force and struck us. We managed to escape, but others were trapped under the truck—retirees who were caught underneath.”

The Glilot area is home to Mossad headquarters and several IDF intelligence units, including the elite Unit 8200, which Hezbollah has targeted several times over the past year.

(JNS)

WATCH LIVE:

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump expressed his gratitude to Eric Adams during his rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, asserting that the New York City mayor has faced “very badly” treatment from the Department of Justice.

“I wanna thank Mayor Adams,” Trump remarked as a few boos resonated from the crowd toward the end of his speech.

Adams was indicted by the DOJ on bribery charges late last month, a situation Trump indicated he could relate to. He suggested that the indictment was expected after Adams criticized the Biden administration for its insufficient support in addressing the city’s illegal immigration issues in the summer of 2023.

“Mayor Adams has been treated pretty badly. When he said this whole thing with the migrants coming into New York, ‘This is just not sustainable. We can’t do it. We’re trying to run the city, we got 100,000 migrants coming. We can’t do it.’ … He said it very nicely,” Trump told the enthusiastic audience. “I said, ‘He’s going to be indicted by these lunatics.’ A year later, he got indicted.”

This week, Adams responded to the criticism aimed at Trump, which included the label of “fascist” directed at the former president, especially as the mayor faced backlash for permitting the Republican nominee’s rally at Madison Square Garden.
“He’s been really great. He said, ‘They shouldn’t be calling Trump a dictator because it’s not true.’ That was nice, very nice. He’s going through a hard time with these people,” Trump stated.

{Matzav.com}

In light of the current security circumstances, Maran Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Slabodka, has directed talmidei hayeshiva to forgo all scheduled excursions during bein hazemanim.

“All trips will be canceled and the talmidim will sit in the bais medrash to study Torah for the merit of Klal Yisrael, for the return of the abductees and for the speedy recovery of the wounded,” Rav Hirsch instructed.

Reb Yehuda Weissfish, the chairman of the Igud Hayeshivos, expressed his feelings over the situation, stating, “Unfortunately, we are forced to cancel all our trips, that were planned with great effort, despite the loss of over a million shekels to our organization.”

He added, “And just as we have received merit for this demand, so we will receive merit for canceling our plans.”

The municipality of Bnei Brak also announced the cancellation of upcoming trips. “Trips scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are canceled,” read the message sent to the coordinators.

“We are in contact with the leaders of the community and are coordinating with them if and what activities will be possible. We will let the public know when we have reached a decision.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accused the United States of being “complicit” in Israel’s recent military actions against Iran, asserting that the situation was “quite clear,” according to comments he made during a televised interview with Xinhua.

Araqchi stated, “The Americans’ partnership in Israel’s (military) operation is quite clear for us. The least they did was to provide Israel’s air force with a space corridor, and also, the defense equipment they earlier delivered to Israel is, in a way, considered complicity in this operation against Iran.”

He emphasized, “We maintain that the US partnership in Israel’s crimes and escalation of tension in West Asia is quite clear and Washington bears responsibility for it.”

The Iranian Foreign Minister claimed that without the support of the United States, Israel would be powerless in the region, insisting that Tehran perceives the U.S. as complicit not only in Israel’s attacks on Iran but also in its operations across Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond.

Araqchi pointed out that these Israeli actions have been conducted with political backing from the United States, which has thwarted any efforts by international organizations to condemn Israel’s conduct.

He mentioned his call for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to denounce Israel’s strikes, though he expressed skepticism that such a meeting would effectively de-escalate tensions or deter Israeli operations in the region.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a statement shared on X on Saturday, cautioned Israel against future hostilities.

“Enemies of Iran should know these brave people are standing fearlessly in defense of their land and will respond to any stupidity with tact and intelligence,” Pezeshkian wrote.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s attack, asserting it was a breach of international law.

“On the basis of its inherent right to legitimate defense, stipulated in the Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Islamic Republic of Iran considers itself to be rightful and duty…”

{Matzav.com}