Matzav

An extraordinary sense of excitement swept through the chassidim of Pshevorsk with the rededication of their beis medrash in Antwerp, unveiled last night following an extensive renovation and expansion. The enlarged building now offers seating for an additional 600 mispallelim.

The evening marked a moving scene as the Rebbe of Pshevorsk, the elder of Europe’s admorim, returned from a period of rest in France and made his way with regal bearing into the heart of the newly renovated bais medrash.

Nearly seven decades have passed since Rav Itzikel of Pshevorsk established the community’s stronghold in Antwerp. Generations of chassidim and seekers from across the globe flocked there to bask in the presence of the tzaddikim of Pshevorsk — first the founding Rebbe, then his son-in-law, the Rebbe Rav Yankele, and today, their successor, the current Rebbe of Pshevorsk.

Despite its centrality, the building had not undergone any major renovation in all those years. As the community steadily grew, the structure proved too small, particularly on Shabbos and Yomim Tovim. For an extended period, the leadership was compelled to rent the Satmar Beis Rochel hall, an arrangement that was both burdensome and logistically difficult.

Recognizing the urgent need, the community’s leaders met earlier this summer and resolved to expand their bais medrash space. They approved a plan to extend the existing beis medrash, adding 600 seats along with new galleries on three sides to better accommodate the ever-growing crowd.

With the Rebbe’s return this week, he was honored to inaugurate the renewed beis medrash. The construction itself was carried out by devoted chassidishe yungeleit. Now restored in full splendor, the bais medrash stands ready to host mispallelim who will spend the upcoming Tishrei mo’adim in the shadow of their rebbe.

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

Another year, another budget, another hit to the hardworking families of Lakewood, NJ. This time, it’s a $298 million spending plan that will leave the average homeowner shelling out nearly $400 more in local taxes — between the township increase and the already-announced school district hike — and that’s before Ocean County and the Fire District even take their turn at our wallets.

We’re told this is the price of “growth.” Lakewood has boomed from 90,000 residents in 2010 to nearly 150,000 today. With that explosion, we hear, comes a $20 million spike in spending to keep up with police, public works, and the rest of the municipal services. Fine. Growth costs money. But what no one seems to explain is why growth hasn’t also meant increased revenues. If tens of thousands more residents are paying into the system, why is it always the same story: the numbers don’t add up, the coffers are “strained,” and the solution is another tax hike?

The taxpayers of this town are not bottomless pits. We are stretched beyond what’s reasonable, and yet every year the refrain is the same: pony up more, take the hit, deal with it. There’s no pushback, no resistance, no organized outcry. It’s as if we’ve all been numbed into accepting that higher taxes are as inevitable as sunrise.

Meanwhile, take a look around. What exactly are we paying for? Traffic is worse than ever, turning what should be a 10-minute drive into a daily ordeal. Infrastructure lags behind our growth by decades. Quality of life? It’s in the gutter. And still the bills climb higher. It feels like we’re paying a premium for decline.

What makes this even harder to swallow is that every segment of our community is being squeezed. Baalei batim, yungeleit, working families, retirees — all of us are carrying a burden that grows heavier each year. It doesn’t matter whether you’re struggling to cover tuition, mortgage, rent, groceries, or just trying to keep the lights on; the township has found a way to make sure there’s less left in your pocket at the end of the month.

And where is the outrage? Where are the voices demanding accountability, transparency, or even basic fairness? Why are we sitting silently while decision after decision leaves ordinary families gasping for air? There should be lines out the door at township meetings, but instead it’s crickets. We’re treated like an ATM, and we allow it.

The result is a community that is being priced out of itself. Families who settled and live here because Lakewood was affordable and offered a thriving Torah environment are finding it increasingly difficult to remain. What happens when the very people who built this town can no longer afford to live in it?

Enough is enough. We can’t keep nodding along while taxes rise and services crumble. We can’t keep shrugging as if this is the natural order of things. If growth really is the driver, then growth should be the solution, not the excuse. And if leadership cannot manage growth responsibly, then it’s time for leadership that can.

Until then, we’re left with the same old story: more taxes, more frustration, less quality of life. And we wonder why people feel disillusioned.

Sincerely,

A Taxpayer

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{Matzav.com}

A batch of sixty written exams taken by applicants for semicha in the Israeli Rabbinate went missing during the grading stage, following a test on the halachos of marriage.

In the weeks and months afterward, those who had sat for the test reported that no results were ever sent to them. What followed was a drawn-out ordeal, with repeated efforts to locate the missing material and lengthy back-and-forth discussions among the institutions and committees involved.

The case eventually reached Rabbi Kalman Bar, the Chief Rabbi of Israel. He offered several possible solutions, such as granting an automatic pass to everyone or arranging an oral test in place of the written one. However, each of these suggestions was ultimately rejected on legal grounds.

At last, after extended deliberations within the Municipal Rabbis Committee headed by Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, along with advice from legal experts, the Examinations Department of the Chief Rabbinate sent an official communication to those affected. The notice explained that a new test had been arranged, without cost to the candidates: “Following the exams in which you were tested on laws of marriage, we wish to inform you that due to a malfunction in the transportation of the exam notebooks we were unable to complete the grading process as required.”

“After extensive discussions in the Municipal Rabbis Committee and the legal office of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, it was decided to summon the candidates for a retake exam, with understanding and consideration that the previous exam was held about a year ago.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

As in past years, Agudath Israel of America’s Washington Office has worked closely with agencies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help avoid potential problems for travelers carrying arba minim.

Both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have notified their respective field personnel about the upcoming Sukkos holiday and the increased level of travel by persons of the Jewish faith, many of whom will be carrying arba minim. The agencies have also made this information available to the public – the TSA notice here and the CBP notice here.

The notifications, which have been sent out to federal officials at airports and border crossings, emphasize the religious significance of these items and outline the rules and procedures that would help allay possible security and health issues that are of concern to the federal government. Prior to these agency steps, lack of familiarity regarding Sukkos and the arba minim had led to numerous incidents each year of inadvertent mishandling and mistreatment — including denial of entry — of these ritual objects.

The TSA Notice makes clear that the arba minim carried in airports, through security checkpoints or on aircraft, are not on the “prohibited items list” and provides instructions for travelers needing “special accommodations” in regard to checkpoint screening. The CBP Guidance sets forth detailed information regarding the inspection process for personal sets of arba minim brought into the United States from foreign countries at select ports of entry and points out that the agency is “committed to treating all travelers, including travelers who may be observing Sukkot, with respect and dignity at all U.S. ports of entry.”

“We are gratified by the ongoing sensitivity of these agencies to the religious concerns of our community,” said Rabbi A. D. Motzen, Agudath Israel’s National Director for Government Affairs. “They are taking meaningful and appropriate steps to accommodate our religious needs.”

He also thanked his colleague Rabbi Ariel Sadwin of Agudah’s Office of Federal Constituent Affairs for serving as the main Agudah point of contact with those federal agencies related to the annual guidance.

Agudath Israel of America once again produced a one-page handout that travelers can print out – or save to their phones – to familiarize themselves with the rules before traveling.

For travelers entering Israel: You will be allowed to bring in one esrog for personal use. The other 3 minim are not allowed and will be confiscated and replaced with Israeli grown produce. See guidelines from Agriculture Ministry here.

{Matzav.com}

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that subway crime reached record lows over the summer, leading the state to extend initiatives such as late-night NYPD train patrols and enhanced mental health outreach programs in the transit system.

“We’re going to continue the overnight patrols that were actually intended last January as a very temporary measure,” Hochul said during a press event at the One Vanderbilt subway entrance. “I know New Yorkers tell me they feel safer when they see officers on board, so we’re going to continue doing that for the months to come.”

Data shows that from June 1 through August 31, overall transit crime fell nearly 10% compared with the same period in 2024, and dropped 16.8% compared with the summer of 2019.

July and August 2025 marked the safest months of those names in the city’s history, according to NYPD figures. Transit crime overall declined 22.8% in August from the previous year, with felony assaults falling by 40.4% and robberies down by 34%.

Hochul said the state will maintain its reliance on the $77 million already committed to transit safety efforts, with $45 million of that funding allocated to the National Guard’s Empire Shield mission.

Beyond policing, the state has made strides in addressing mental health concerns underground. The governor’s office noted that the Subway Co-Response Outreach Team—made up of clinicians working alongside MTA officers—has carried out 750 referrals to guide individuals in crisis out of the transit system.

“Recent polls do show that [riders are] feeling safer and they’re also feeling safer about the system—another sign of confidence, ridership is way up this summer,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, pointing to a 9% increase in ridership during the season.

Hochul added that the MTA will keep pursuing long-term system improvements, such as installing brighter lighting, stronger protective barriers, and more secure fare gates across stations.

{Matzav.com}

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, stated that he is open to collaborating with President Donald Trump, despite the president’s repeated attacks labeling him a “communist lunatic.”

“I would be happy to work with the president and the administration on anything that would benefit New Yorkers,” Mamdani said during an interview at Bloomberg headquarters in Manhattan. “Where I take issue are the proposals that come at the expense of those same New Yorkers.”

The 33-year-old candidate, who is leading in the polls ahead of November’s election, acknowledged he has not yet had a direct conversation with Trump. The president has tried to sway the race by encouraging two other contenders to withdraw in hopes of boosting former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Speaking to Fox News on Friday, Trump criticized Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, saying he is “not exactly prime time,” and mocked his fondness for cats. Reports also indicate Trump advisers have considered offering Mayor Eric Adams positions to lure him out of the contest.

“You look at the candidates now, maybe one on one, somebody could beat him, and I’m not looking at the polls too carefully, but it would look like he’s going to win,” Trump said in that interview.

Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, secured his primary victory by campaigning on affordability measures such as freezing rent for over 2 million tenants, introducing free child care, and launching publicly operated grocery stores. His progressive platform has unsettled Wall Street and corporate circles, as he has pledged higher taxes on businesses and wealthy individuals.

“I don’t think that we should have billionaires because of the fact that it’s such a gaping chasm of inequality,” Mamdani said, days after appearing at Brooklyn College alongside Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders at a campaign event.

Mamdani explained that his agenda requires about $10 billion in funding, with $9 billion expected from tax hikes and the remainder generated through cost-cutting measures.

Any move to increase taxes would need state approval, something Governor Kathy Hochul has openly resisted. “That the city of New York, as powerful and mighty as it is, is still a subdivision of the state, so any tax increase has to come across my desk first,” Hochul told Bloomberg TV earlier this week.

Although Mamdani expressed confidence in his ability to push forward his tax plans, he emphasized that he is “absolutely flexible” when it comes to exploring alternative revenue options.

“The most important thing is what you fund, not how you fund it,” Mamdani said. “If there was a proposal to raise the same amount of money from different means, by all means we should do that.”

Hochul has held back from formally endorsing Mamdani. Aside from disagreeing with some of his fiscal priorities, she remarked in a July MSNBC interview that Mamdani has “a lot of healing to do with the Jewish community.” Mamdani, who would be the first Muslim mayor of New York City, has criticized Israel and aligned himself with pro-Palestinian positions, adding to intra-party tensions.

The candidate has pledged to stop city investments in Israeli government bonds and dismantle a program created by Adams that encourages economic collaboration between Israeli and New York businesses.

“I am someone who has supported and support BDS and nonviolent approaches to address Israeli state violence,” Mamdani said, referring to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions campaign, which opponents across the country have denounced as antisemitic. Hochul, by contrast, has rejected BDS and spoken in favor of strong New York–Israel ties.

Mamdani indicated that he would look for areas of cooperation with Trump, particularly in efforts to reduce contracting costs within New York’s city agencies.

Trump, for his part, has suggested he would be willing to work with Mamdani, though he continues to deride the notion of his victory.

Still, Mamdani is gearing up for battles on a range of issues, including potential reductions to health care and nutrition programs. He has also vowed to reinforce New York’s sanctuary city laws, limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

If disputes escalate, Mamdani said he would not hesitate to adopt California’s example in pushing back against the National Guard’s deployment to Los Angeles.

“That is a model for the approach we need to take here to ensure that we continue to receive the funding that New York City and New York state deserves,” Mamdani said.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) disclosed on Sunday that top Hamas figures, along with senior officials based in Gaza City, had recently filed requests to use the Israeli-run system that permits Gazans to travel through Jordan on their way to a third country.

COGAT reported that in recent weeks a number of such appeals were submitted, including some by officials who wished to depart Gaza themselves. All of these requests were turned down by Israel.

At the same time that Hamas leadership continues to publicly instruct civilians in Gaza City not to evacuate southward, those same leaders are fearful for their own safety and are actively seeking to escape. They are forcing residents of northern Gaza to serve as protective cover while prioritizing their own survival.

Individuals linked to these efforts included Mohammed Al-Madhoon, who serves as a minister in the Hamas administration; the family of Ismail Al-Ashqar, head of Hamas’s Foreign and Security Committee; and the family of Alaa Al-Din Al-Batta, chairman of another Hamas government body.

COGAT further revealed that about two weeks ago, Anwar Atallah, a member of Gaza City’s municipal council, managed to leave Gaza with his family via the same system that allows Gazans to cross into Jordan and then continue to another country.

“While Hamas calls the residents of Gaza City NOT to move south, its operatives fear for their own lives and are seeking to leave the Gaza Strip. They are using residents of northern Gaza as human shields while looking out for their own interests,” the Coordinator stated.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Thousands, led by prominent rabbonim and poskim, accompanied the aron of Rav Amram Edre’i zt”l, paying tribute to a man of deep yiras Shomayim who for decades stood as a watchman at the gates of kashrus in Eretz Yisroel. A foremost expert in halachic standards of food supervision, he was counted among the leading authorities of the Chief Rabbinate’s Kashrus Division. After years of serving Klal Yisroel with unshakable devotion, he passed away at the age of 77.

Born in Morocco, young Amram immigrated to Eretz Yisroel before reaching bar mitzvah age. His first years of Torah study were in Yeshivas Tiferes Yisroel under Rav Meir Rubman, where he developed a lifelong bond with his fellow talmid, Rav Reuven Elbaz, rosh yeshiva of Ohr HaChaim and member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah. He later learned in Bnei Brak at Yeshivas Or Torah under Rav Reuven Fein and at Beis Meir under Rav Zalman Rotberg, where his diligence and growth were quickly recognized.

Following his marriage, he joined Kollel Torah V’Chaim led by Rav Shimon Baadani, devoting himself to the study of issur v’heter. His mastery of the complexities of kashrus developed rapidly, and already in those years he began writing halachic chiddushim. He later settled in Kiryat Malachi and eventually in Yerushalayim, where he lived until his final day.

In Yerushalayim, Rav Amram established himself as a central figure in the world of kashrus. Davening regularly at the famed Twigg shul, he dedicated himself to his seforim, which became foundational works for rabbonim, shochtim, and mashgichim worldwide. His first sefer, Kashrus Kehilchasa, was widely praised by gedolei Yisroel. Rav Ovadia Yosef wrote that the sefer is an invaluable guide for mashgichim “in every place, to arrive at halacha with clarity.” Similarly, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Betzalel Zolty offered glowing approbations.

Over the years, he authored many other landmark works, including Encyclopedia L’Kashrus HaMazon, Shu”t Ama D’var, Madrich L’Kashrus HaMazon, HaChalav U’Mutsrav, HaMitbach HaKasher, and Kashrus HaMashka’os. His seforim became standard references in kashrus organizations and yeshivos across the globe.

When Rav Mordechai Eliyahu zt”l became Rishon L’Tzion, he quickly recognized Rav Amram’s expertise and appointed him a personal consultant on kashrus, particularly in the sensitive field of food import supervision. Rav Eliyahu himself wrote in his haskamah that every rav and posek should make use of Rav Amram’s sefer, which prevented countless mistakes and ensured adherence to halacha.

Rav Amram also merited a close connection with the Baba Sali. When he presented his first sefer to the tzaddik, the Baba Sali blessed him warmly and instructed those around him: “Buy this important sefer; it is needed in every Jewish home.”

Among the many stories he would recount was one regarding Rav Mordechai Eliyahu’s unusual refusal to sign an import certificate. While Rav Eliyahu normally rushed to approve documents to prevent merchants from incurring losses, on this occasion he delayed his signature for weeks, despite pressure. Only later did a rav from Germany reveal that the shipment contained an ingredient mistakenly certified as kosher, but in truth it was completely treif. Rav Amram would recall how the sefer of the Chief Rabbi lay unsigned on the desk during that entire time. “The Rav had ruach hakodesh,” he said.

In his later years, Rav Amram suffered from severe kidney disease and was frequently hospitalized, always surrounded by devoted family members. Ultimately, after great suffering borne with dignity, he was niftar, leaving behind a legacy of Torah, halacha, and kashrus integrity.

His levayah took place on Har HaMenuchos, where hespedim were delivered by rabbonim, including Rav Yosef Eliyahu, son of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, Rav Yitzchak Rokeach, his uncle Rav Shaul Edre’i, Rav Yitzchak Toubouli of Arachim, and his grandson Yisroel Edre’i.

Rav Amram leaves behind his devoted wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who continue in his path of Torah and mitzvos.

The family is sitting shivah at the Beit Katan Hotel, Rechov Yehuda 1, Yerushalayim.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Political Sources: “He Tried to Help With the Draft Crisis but Cut Off Contact”

Mordechai (Mottele) Karelitz, the former mayor of Bnei Brak, who served as a member of the state commission of inquiry into the Meron tragedy and more recently stepped in to assist Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu with the ongoing draft law crisis, has suddenly withdrawn from any involvement, according to a report revealed Sunday by Kikar HaShabbos.

Karelitz, who years earlier was part of the Tal Committee that produced the 2002 draft law, had in recent months positioned himself as someone who understood all sides and could bring a measure of calm to the fraught political standoff. He reportedly agreed to Netanyahu’s request to step in and offer his services. Yet political figures now say that Karelitz has disappeared from the scene, ceasing communication on the issue and refraining from attending internal deliberations about the law.

Political insiders told Kikar HaShabbos that when Karelitz’s name was floated as a potential fixer, Netanyahu’s own staff was divided on whether to involve him, given that he had served on the Meron inquiry, a commission that laid significant blame on Netanyahu for the tragedy. Ultimately, they say, Netanyahu himself decided to bring Karelitz into the process. That involvement, however, appears to have come to an abrupt end in recent days.

A source familiar with Karelitz’s thinking explained: “In my opinion, Mottele initially believed he could step into the situation and get things moving, succeeding where the Knesset members had failed. But he quickly realized that he had entered a morass, and he preferred not to tarnish his reputation with a crisis he knew he would not be able to resolve.”

Israeli musician Idan Raichel revealed in a recent interview a chilling story about a child he once helped save in Gaza, who years later turned into a terrorist killed in battle.

“I received a picture from a combat soldier in Khan Yunis who found it on a dresser in a home,” Raichel recalled. “In the picture, I still have dreadlocks. And I’m standing next to a father and a baby in a baby’s bed. I was active in an organization called Save A Child’s Heart – an international non-profit organization based in Israel, dedicated to improving the quality of pediatric cardiac care for children all around the world here in Israel.”

Raichel explained that the program had eventually brought in numerous children from Gaza for life-saving treatments. “Then at a certain point they started bringing a lot of Palestinian children from Gaza,” he noted. Shifting back to the present, he continued: “The soldier tells me – ‘Listen, the father of this baby is a Hamas activist, and this baby himself became a martyr. We have a poster of him and you.”

Reflecting on the devastating irony, Raichel said, “It’s frightening. Absolutely terrible. A very elderly woman from Austria once told me: We were all guilty during the Holocaust. We didn’t know about the camps, but we knew that Jews were disappearing from the streets and we didn’t ask enough questions.”

Overcome with emotion, Raichel added: “To this day, not a single ‘Righteous Among the Nations’ has been found in Gaza.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the passing of habachur Nosson Tzvi Levy z”l, who was niftar at the tender age of just 14 after a difficult illness. He passed away at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital after months of suffering which he bore with remarkable strength.

Nosson Tzvi was born on 8 Adar Beis 5771, the only son born after years of waiting to his father, Rav Berel Levy — known throughout Yerushalayim as a man of chesed and a dedicated volunteer for Yedidim — and his mother, Rachel Esther, née Yitzchaki.

Beloved by all, Nati learned at Talmud Torah Avi Ezri in the Har Nof neighborhood, where he was known as a refined and diligent child, beloved by his melamdim and friends alike. Those close to him describe him as a pure and holy neshomah, an innocent boy untouched by sin, who pursued his learning with sincerity and joy.

His brokenhearted father shared upon his petirah: “Nati is no longer. A boy who never tasted the taste of sin in his life. Nati, be a meilitz yosher for us from Above.”

He is survived by his parents and his only sister.

The levayah will take place this evening at 10:00 p.m., leaving from the K’hal Yerushalayim funeral hall on Har HaMenuchos.

Tehei nishmaso tzrurah b’tzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In a rare and moving scene that captures the depth of yiras Shomayim of two gedolim, Rav Dov Landau and Rav Don Segal corresponded with each other — not in person — in writing.

The mashgiach, Rav Don Segal, traveled to the home of Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka Rav Dov Landau, on Rechov Harav Sher in Bnei Brak. The visit was made so that Rav Segal could receive a brachah and chizuk for his efforts in raising funds for the needs of the Torah world.

The encounter itself was uplifting, but what drew particular attention was the way in which the two giants of Torah communicated. Due to his long-standing personal kabbalah, Rav Don Segal does not speak during the days of Elul, engaging in a taanis dibbur throughout the month. As a result, the exchange between the mashgiach and Rav Landau was conducted in writing.

The two gedolim passed written notes back and forth, a sight that left those present deeply moved.

The scene was described by one observer as “a glimpse into what it means to live Elul.” He noted that while others may speak about the awe of these days, the mashgiach embodies it in every action.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A moving story has emerged from a Daf Yomi shiur in Tiveriah, where members recently recalled a remarkable chain of events surrounding their siyum on Maseches Bava Basra.

Several months ago, the local Daf Yomi chaburah in the Nof Kinneret neighborhood was preparing to celebrate the completion of Bava Basra, the longest masechta in Shas. As is their custom, they planned a seudah, with a guest speaker to inspire and uplift. But this time, they decided to do something even more elaborate to mark the special milestone.

The group arranged for a grand siyum at the Tzipori Hotel on the Kinneret, complete with an elegant seudah. To make the occasion meaningful for families as well, they even sent gourmet dinners from the hotel to the homes of the participants’ wives, so they could also feel part of the simchah. The cost, however, ran into several thousand shekels, and the question of how to cover the expenses loomed.

At that point, one of the most dedicated members of the shiur, Reb Betzalel, stepped forward. He explained that he and his wife had only one daughter, who was already grown, and that he longed for more children. With great faith, he offered to sponsor the siyum almost entirely in the zechus that Hashem should bless him with another child.

Last week, on Thursday, the 18th of Elul, Reb Betzalel and his family were overjoyed to welcome a healthy baby girl. Astonishingly, the siyum on Bava Basra had taken place on the night of the 18th of Kislev — exactly nine months earlier. Members of the shiur could not help but see in this a clear sign of siyata diShmaya, the power of Torah, and the merit of those who support its learning.

The man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been placed under what officials called a “special watch” at the Utah County Jail, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office told TMZ.

Authorities did not clarify whether 22-year-old Tyler Robinson had tried to harm himself or made threats of doing so after being taken into custody. According to reports, Robinson told his father he would rather end his own life than surrender, after his father realized he resembled the suspect seen in FBI video footage.

This special designation means Robinson is now being observed continuously, with corrections officers keeping eyes on him around the clock.

Investigators allege Robinson fired a single round from a bolt-action rifle that struck Kirk in the neck while he was speaking at Utah Valley University. He is now facing charges that include aggravated murder, discharging a firearm and causing serious injury, and obstruction of justice. The aggravated murder charge makes him eligible for the death penalty.

President Donald Trump announced the arrest during an interview on Fox News Friday evening.

“I think, with a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody,” Trump said.

He continued, “Everyone did a great job. We worked with the local police, the governor, everybody did a great job.”

Trump also described the difficulty investigators faced in identifying the suspect: “We started off with a clip that made him look like an ant; it was almost useless. We just saw that there was someone up there. So much work has been done over the last two and a half days.”

{Matzav.com}

The IDF announced on Sunday that it had carried out airstrikes on two tall buildings in Gaza City which were being used by Hamas as intelligence centers and lookout points for attacks on Israeli forces.

The strikes came only hours after a separate early-morning operation in which the IDF hit another high-rise in the same city that Hamas had been using for comparable military purposes.

According to the IDF, Hamas regularly hides behind civilians and civilian infrastructure as shields, and the army pledged that it would press forward with its mission to dismantle terrorist organizations.

Lt.-Col. Avichay Adraee, the military’s Arabic-language spokesman, stated on X/Twitter that prior to the attack, the IDF had issued evacuation instructions for residents in the Gaza Port sector and the southern section of the al-Rimal neighborhood, including blocks 727, 786, 787, 788, and the Al-Kawthar Tower.

A second evacuation notice was also delivered for nearby districts, this time addressing residents of blocks 783, 784, 785, 786, and 727, as well as those living along Mustafa Hafez Street.

The IDF further reported that fighters from the Givati Brigade eliminated more than ten terrorists during clashes in Jabaliya and on the approaches to Gaza City, coordinating their efforts with artillery fire.

At the same time, units of the 401st Brigade conducted an operation in Sheikh Radwan, where they killed roughly ten Hamas operatives and dismantled terror-related facilities.

Over the past week, the IDF has carried out repeated strikes against Gaza City high-rises. KAN reported on Motzoei Shabbos that security assessments indicate over 280,000 residents have already fled the city.

On Shabbos, the Burj al-Noor tower was among the structures targeted by the IDF.

Earlier this month, the army destroyed three additional towers after issuing evacuation notices to civilians in each of those areas.

While the military has explained that Hamas and allied terror factions were using these buildings as elevated observation points to track troop movements and plan ambushes, it also appears the IDF is intentionally demolishing such towers to accelerate the pace of evacuations southward out of Gaza City.

For several weeks, the IDF has been repeatedly urging Palestinians to leave Gaza City and move toward the southern part of the Strip.

At the beginning of his official trip to Eretz Yisroel, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accompanied by his wife, Jeanette, joined Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, together with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and his wife, Janet, in a special visit to the Kosel in Yerushalayim.

The gathering commenced with the recitation of Tehillim and a tefillah for the President of the United States, expressing gratitude for his steadfast support of Eretz Yisroel in these challenging times, and for his role in promoting stability and peace between the two countries. The delegation also offered tefillos for the immediate release of the hostages, that they should be returned safely to their families without delay.

After the tefillos, the group was given a tour of the newly opened archaeological areas of the Kosel Tunnels. Mr. Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, Director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, shared important discoveries dating back to the era of Bayis Sheini.

Concluding the visit, Secretary Rubio inscribed a message in the Kosel guest book, writing: “May peace reign upon this Holy Land and in the world.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert gave a blistering interview to Al Jazeera in which he denounced last week’s Israeli strike in Qatar. The operation, aimed at killing senior Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya, instead also claimed the lives of his wife and son.

“There are senior Israeli officials who need to be tried for their crimes. The Israeli government gave orders to kill Palestinians. Killing the negotiators means that you don’t want negotiations and you don’t want to release the hostages. I want to say that I’m sorry for Al-Hayya’s son and his wife – they shouldn’t have been victims. We kill terrorists and we will continue to fight terror,” Olmert claimed.

Olmert emphasized that he was speaking only for himself and not on behalf of the state, since he is a fierce critic of the current government and openly campaigning for its downfall. In his remarks, he directly targeted the prime minister, saying, “Netanyahu was a friend of Qatar for many years and cooperated with them in financing Hamas while it was suffering from major financial problems. Netanyahu does not represent us and does not represent Israel. I am making every effort to bring him down.”

Despite his sharp criticism of Israel’s leadership, Olmert reiterated that Hamas is made up of terrorists undeserving of sympathy. Still, he argued that Israel should weigh specific factors before moving against top operatives. “The first condition is the timing,” he said, “and here we are talking about an attack that took place at a time when negotiations were underway to release hostages. I believe that the timing was completely inappropriate, because the State of Israel’s top priority should be the release of the hostages.”

He added that the second key element was where such actions are carried out. “I am not satisfied with Qatar’s policy, it is nothing new,” he said. “I do not support Qatar’s efforts to assist a terrorist organization, but at the same time Israel is cooperating with Qatar to release the hostages and is using its services. The Israeli delegation goes to Doha and returns from there. I do not think that the attack should have been carried out there, while violating Qatar’s sovereignty.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

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American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have suspended several pilots after they were found to have posted celebratory or inappropriate remarks online about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The disciplinary action was confirmed by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

“Pilots who were caught celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk have been immediately grounded and removed from service by @AmericanAir. This behavior is disgusting and they should be fired. Any company responsible for the safety of the traveling public cannot tolerate that behavior,” Duffy stated.

The controversy began when users on X flagged a disturbing past post attributed to one of American’s pilots, which reportedly read, “Sorry you got shot in your fat [profanity] forehead. It was just the cost of our liberty.”

In a statement to the Washington Examiner, American Airlines confirmed that employees who express support for political violence have been pulled from duty. “American Airlines condemns violence of any kind. Hate-related or hostile behavior runs contrary to our purpose, which is to care for people on life’s journey. Employees who promote such violence on social media were immediately removed from service. We will continue to initiate action with team members who display this kind of behavior,” the airline said.

Delta also confirmed disciplinary measures against staff members who made posts about Kirk’s killing. A spokesperson said the behavior violated the airline’s social media policy and that those involved are under investigation. Termination remains a possibility.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian sent an email to employees stressing the importance of upholding company values both online and offline. “Whether we’re in uniform and on the clock, online or out in public, our colleagues, customers and communities expect us to reflect Delta’s values — integrity, care and servant leadership — that we hold dear,” Bastian wrote. “Remember that we all represent Delta, at all times, in any forum. It’s essential that we act in ways that uphold our shared values and the human connection that defines us.”

Kirk, 31, was gunned down on Wednesday at Utah Valley University. The FBI announced Friday that the suspected shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has been taken into custody.

{Matzav.com}

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, has been in touch with Chicago’s left-wing mayor Brandon Johnson — a political figure many Chicagoans now view as a cautionary tale for other cities.

According to documents reviewed by the Chicago Sun-Times, Mamdani reached out to Johnson on July 11 by text message to set up a phone conversation.

“Hi Mayor Johnson, this is Zohran Mamdani. I just called, looking forward to chatting,” Mamdani wrote in the message, the paper reported.

A source from Mamdani’s team told The NY Post the call lasted six minutes and was simply Johnson congratulating the Queens assemblyman on his primary win earlier in the summer. The insider emphasized that endorsements were not part of the discussion.

Johnson, who has faced scathing criticism over his leadership in Chicago, has often been likened to Mamdani because of their shared progressive agendas.

Editorials have hammered Johnson as “America’s worst mayor,” with critics citing ballooning deficits and unfulfilled promises that have left Chicago struggling.

Back in June, the Chicago Tribune issued a blunt warning to New Yorkers, urging them to think carefully before electing Mamdani to City Hall.

“A familiar dilemma: a moderate, business-friendly Democrat versus a democratic socialist. New Yorkers, take it from Chicago — we’ve seen this movie before, and the ending isn’t pretty,” the paper’s editorial board wrote.

It added that “Johnson’s approval rating cratered in his second year — a reflection of how quickly progressive promises collapsed under the weight of governance and Chicago’s financial reality. What sounded good in theory has translated into dysfunction, driven by fiscal missteps and political inexperience.”

The editorial also noted parallels between the two politicians, pointing out that Mamdani’s proposals — such as rent freezes, government-run grocery stores, and free public transit — align with Johnson’s platform and resonate with liberal voters in big cities.

“Johnson is one of the most progressive mayors in the U.S., but Mamdani, inarguably, is yet more radical,” the Tribune stated.

Some Chicago residents who once backed Johnson say they regret their choice and caution New Yorkers not to repeat it.

“What I would say to New Yorkers is do your homework. You have to know who you are supporting, who you are voting for, so people of New York don’t walk around feeling the way I do,” said Cata Truss, a Johnson supporter who later became disillusioned with his leadership. “I have buyer’s remorse in a way that I’ve never had before.”

A representative for Johnson’s campaign also confirmed to the Sun-Times that the call was made to congratulate Mamdani and extend best wishes for his campaign.

{Matzav.com}