Matzav

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is set to convene the security cabinet and top defense officials tonight for an urgent meeting focused on Gaza, with particular attention to recovering the remains of slain hostages and fallen soldiers.

“We are determined to bring back the hostages, all of them, every last one,” the prime minister declared.

Shas leader Arye Deri demanded that Netanyahu immediately suspend all components of the agreement with Hamas, including reopening the Rafah border crossing and authorizing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Deri made the appeal in a post on X/Twitter on Thursday.

He insisted that no further cooperation should continue until Hamas “cooperates fully and seriously” in returning the bodies of all murdered hostages.

“We are committed to bringing all our sons to a Jewish burial,” Deri wrote.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli warned that the Israel Defense Forces may be forced to resume combat in Gaza if Hamas fails to surrender its weapons. Speaking to Channel 14 on Wednesday, he emphasized that the situation remains critical.

“We are not in a state of routine – this is a significant moment, and we must be precise: either they hand over the weapons, or we will have to return to fighting,” Chikli said.

{Matzav.com}

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Wednesday dismissed reports that Palestinian terrorist leader Marwan Barghouti was abused during a prison transfer, asserting that while the claims were fabricated, he was “proud Barghouti’s conditions have drastically worsened.”

Earlier in the day, the Qatari news outlet Al-Araby TV cited a Palestinian source alleging that Barghouti was “beaten and assaulted” while being moved from Ramon Prison in southern Israel to Megiddo Prison, located north of Jenin.

The same report claimed that Barghouti suffered four broken ribs and briefly lost consciousness as a result of the alleged beating.

Raed Abu al-Hummus, the head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, issued a statement accusing Israel of carrying out “a real, systematic, and planned execution attempt” against Barghouti. He said Barghouti was “in real danger,” adding, “his blood flowed, his ribs were broken, and he was tortured until he lost consciousness…The necessary medical intervention was not performed, and he was not taken to the hospital. They merely gave him an Acamol pill.”

Responding to these accusations, Ben-Gvir said that “arch-terrorist Marwan Barghouti’s claims are false,” yet proudly declared that “we are proud that Barghouti’s conditions have drastically worsened in my tenure.”

The minister continued, “The games are over. The murderer Barghouti now knows terrorists like him will be treated harshly, which is why he invents fake news to energize his despicable terrorist friends who left him behind.”

Barghouti, who hails from the West Bank, was a senior Fatah figure and a central organizer of the Second Intifada. He was captured by Israeli forces in April 2002 during Operation Defensive Shield in Ramallah and later convicted in a civilian court on five counts of murder and several additional charges. He is serving five consecutive life sentences plus additional years.

During a large-scale hunger strike he led between April and May 2017, the Israel Prison Service released footage purportedly showing Barghouti eating secretly in his cell, a video his supporters dismissed as fake.

Barghouti continues to enjoy widespread popularity among Palestinians and has often been cited by Hamas as a top priority for release in negotiations. He appeared on a list of high-profile prisoners Hamas demanded Israel free as part of the ceasefire deal mediated by US President Donald Trump.

However, Israeli officials have made clear that Barghouti’s release is not under consideration. Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian told reporters last week, “I can tell you at this point in time that he will not be part of this release.”

{Matzav.com}

A single-page mortgage form signed by New York Attorney General Letitia James has become the focal point of a federal criminal case that could send her to prison for up to 60 years.

The document in question — a “second home rider” attached to her mortgage and obtained by The Post — contains James’s written assurance that the property would serve as a secondary residence she would primarily occupy.

That statement, according to prosecutors, allowed James to lock in a more favorable loan rate from Old Virginia Mortgage/Annie Mac, ultimately saving her close to $19,000 in mortgage costs.

In reality, however, The New York Times reported that shortly after the deal closed, James’s grandniece, Nakia Thompson — who has a long criminal history — moved into the home and began living there.

Federal prosecutors allege that James’s actions amount to bank fraud and false statements to a financial institution. The strength of the case, they note, may depend on whether Thompson paid rent while residing there.

Thompson told a federal grand jury in June that she lived in the three-bedroom, one-bath house rent-free, according to the Times.

The mortgage rider, dated August 17, 2020, bears James’s signature and spells out detailed restrictions on how the property was to be used.

Among the clauses in the agreement was a promise that James would “occupy and use” the house as a second home and retain “exclusive control” over who could live there.

It further required that the property remain “primarily” for her personal use for at least one year following purchase.

The document explicitly barred any “shared ownership arrangement” that would require her to rent it out or grant a management firm — or anyone else — control over occupancy, reiterating that it would be used “primarily” for her own purposes.

Another clause stated that if she or anyone acting on her behalf provided “inaccurate information or statements” about the property’s use as a second home, she could be found in default on the $109,600 loan.

The government’s case appears to hinge on Thompson’s sworn claim that she did not pay rent.

According to the indictment, James submitted tax records showing she spent zero days at the house while reporting thousands of dollars in rental income, as well as deductions for property-related expenses.

Legal analysts noted that Thompson’s criminal background could complicate matters for James.

The 36-year-old grandniece is currently wanted in North Carolina, where she admitted to assaulting a police officer in 2011, and she has multiple prior convictions in Virginia for offenses including grand larceny and possession of burglary tools.

If the defense calls Thompson to testify, prosecutors are expected to highlight her criminal history to undermine her credibility, explained former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani.

“It’ll be up to the judge in the case to decide whether to allow Thompson’s criminal history to be used to impeach her,” she said.

The charges, filed last week in the Eastern District of Virginia, accuse James of falsely certifying that the home “was not occupied or used by James as a secondary residence and was instead used as a rental investment property.”

Prosecutors say her misrepresentation helped her qualify for a 3% mortgage rate — a discount that, according to U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, saved her $18,933 in interest and seller concessions.

James has publicly rejected the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated attacks orchestrated by the Trump administration.

Appearing at a rally for Democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani in Washington Heights on Monday, James struck a defiant tone.

“We see powerful voices trying to silence truth and punish dissent and weaponize justice for political gain,” she told the cheering crowd.

“We are witnessing the fraying of our democracy, the erosion of our system of government,” James declared, calling the moment “a defining moment in our history.”

{Matzav.com}

Fox News contributor Hugh Hewitt warns ‘thousands’ of non-uniformed individuals are ‘complicit’ in Hamas’ terrorist activities as President Donald Trump pushes forward with the second phase of the Gaza peace agreement.

WATCH:

President Donald Trump took aim at ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos on Tuesday during a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei, mocking the host’s interview style and even his name.

“We’ll take a couple of questions from the news, and I’m sure they’ll be incredibly non-hostile, and friendly, like JD went through a very ‘friendly’ interview with George Slopadopoulos,” Trump quipped sarcastically, deliberately mispronouncing Stephanopoulos’ name for effect.

He then brought up the lawsuit he had against ABC, making light of the outcome. “He was nice enough to pay me $16 million the last time we came — he had to pay $16 million to me. Which is good. It was worth it. It was worth having somebody lie. If you get $16 million, that’s good.”

Turning to Vice President JD Vance’s recent appearance on the network, Trump sharply criticized how the exchange was handled. “JD had a very nasty person interviewing him, and we can’t let that happen. Just is inappropriate to cut off a highly respected vice president of the United States, mid-sentence. I guess it’s one way to win an argument. That was the only way he was gonna win the argument. It was pretty inappropriate, I wanna tell you that.”

Moments later, Trump told the reporters present that he would not be taking any questions from “ABC fake news.”

The exchange came days after Vance’s contentious interview with Stephanopoulos, during which the ABC anchor repeatedly pressed him about bribery allegations involving border czar Tom Homan. The back-and-forth ended abruptly when Stephanopoulos terminated the segment after a heated exchange.

Stephanopoulos challenged Vance multiple times, claiming that Homan “was recorded on an audiotape in September 2024, an FBI surveillance tape, accepting $50,000 in cash.”

Vance shot back, questioning the credibility of both the claim and the network. “I don’t know what tape you’re referring to, George. I saw media reports that Tom Homan accepted a bribe. There’s no evidence of that. And here’s why fewer and fewer people watch your program and why you’re losing credibility,” Vance said. “Because you’re talking for now, five minutes with the vice president of the United States about this story regarding Tom Homan, a story that I’ve read about, but I don’t even know the video that you’re talking about.”

When Vance urged the host to move to other subjects, Stephanopoulos refused and ended the interview altogether.

Afterward, Vance took to social media to mock the exchange, writing, “Peace in the Middle East? China threatening critical supply chains? Government shutdown? George S doesn’t care about that. He’s here to focus on the real story: a fake scandal involving Tom Homan.”

{Matzav.com}

Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international anchor, apologized on Monday for remarks suggesting that Hamas had “probably” treated Israeli hostages better than “average Gazans.”

“I regret saying that they may have been treated better than many Gazans, because Hamas used these hostages as pawns and bargaining chips. It was insensitive and wrong,” Amanpour wrote on X.

The veteran anchor has a history of making controversial statements about Israel.

“From speaking to many former hostages and their families, like everyone, I’ve been horrified at what Hamas has subjected them to over two long years. They’ve told me their stories of barely being able to breathe in the tunnels, not being allowed to cry, being starved and made to dig their own graves—and, of course, today, some of the hostages are coming back in body bags,” added Amanpour.

HonestReporting, an organization that monitors and exposes anti-Israel bias in the media, criticized Amanpour for her remarks, in a post on X that drew thousands of reposts.

“Thanks to our exposure of her appalling commentary and your help sharing it online, Amanpour has issued an apology,” HonestReporting wrote. “This isn’t the first time she’s had to apologize for her anti-Israel bias. Shame on her for this latest atrocious example.”

In April 2023, Amanpour referred to the Palestinian terrorist attack in which Lucy Dee and her daughters Maia and Rina Dee were murdered by Palestinian gunmen as a “shootout,” during an interview with Palestinian authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. Amanpour later apologized for this mischaracterization.

HonestReporting also criticized The New York Times on Monday for a photo caption that described the release of Palestinian prisoners—including 250 convicted terrorists—in exchange for Israelis held in Gaza as an “exchange of hostages.”

The text presents a narrative in which “Hamas terrorists and murderers are somehow equal to Israeli hostages held in Gaza. This is moral collapse printed in black and white,” HonestReporting wrote on X. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Health officials have confirmed that a resident of New York has tested positive for the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, the first case of local transmission recorded in the United States since 2019.

According to the New York State Department of Health, the virus—currently spreading rapidly across parts of China and neighboring countries—was identified in an individual from Nassau County, located on Long Island.

Local health authorities reported that the person developed symptoms in August after traveling outside of the county but remaining within the United States.

While investigators are unsure exactly how the infection occurred, officials said it is most likely that the individual was bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus.

In late September, a 60-year-old woman from Nassau County who had not recently left her community tested positive for the virus during preliminary screening.

Officials have not yet confirmed whether this woman is the same individual mentioned in the earlier reports.

The Department of Health emphasized that chikungunya is rarely deadly and that most people recover completely within about a week.

However, the agency cautioned that certain populations—such as infants, the elderly, and individuals with preexisting medical conditions—face greater risks of severe illness.

Earlier this year, three other chikungunya cases were reported nationwide, though all of those infections were linked to travel in countries where the virus is already widespread, officials said.

At present, the virus has not been discovered in any mosquito populations within the region, and there is no indication of a larger outbreak, health authorities reassured the public.

Still, the species of mosquitoes capable of transmitting the virus—Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus—are known to exist in parts of Long Island and the greater New York City area.

These same mosquitoes can also spread other serious illnesses, including West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, and Jamestown Canyon virus.

Experts noted that chikungunya cannot be passed directly from one person to another. With colder weather reducing mosquito activity, “the current risk of transmission is very low,” said State Health Commissioner James McDonald.

Chikungunya, last found locally in 2019, is typically associated with tropical and subtropical climates. Symptoms often include fever, joint and muscle pain, headaches, swelling of the joints, and skin rashes, according to the state health department.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.”

It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.) 

Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them.

Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year!

Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)!

YES! YOU CAN MAKE

The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha

The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly:  It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact. 

All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned.

Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year

The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own. 

Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden. 

Official Shtar from Shas Yiden

Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim.

All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: 718-702-1528.

The opportunity to complete the entire Shas has been a cherished way to honor family members and others as a prized achievement. It has also proven to be a source of comfort for mourners to obtain such a zechus for their dear ones during the year of mourning – a siyum of the entire Shas can be completed on the yahrzeit!

Yissachar-Zevulun Pact –

The legendary visionary and “Father of Yeshivos”, Reb Chaim of Volozhin, was the founder of the famous yeshiva in the town of Volozhin and the beloved talmid of the Vilna Gaon. 

Reb Chaim had an ongoing Yissachar-Zevulun pact with a local shoemaker – a man who was not learned but who dearly valued Torah learning. They had a ‘deal’ whereby the shoemaker would pay the monthly financial support needed for Reb Chaim and his family. For this financial support, the shoemaker would have an equal share in all Reb Chaim’s daily Torah study – both in the mitzvah of Torah study בעוה”ז and that the knowledge of the Torah learned would continue to be his בעוה”ב (in the World to Come).

One day the shoemaker passed away suddenly. During the shiva period, Reb Chaim was facing a perplexing halachic question and researched high and low for a solution. That night the shoemaker appeared to him in a dream and gave him the full solution that he sought. Reb Chaim was amazed and commented, “Azoi gich, Azoi Gich – So quickly, so quickly has he acquired the zchus and knowledge of the Torah that I have studied!”

In the words of Gedolei Torah:

Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden:

“In just ONE year, through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden, you can be zoche to the entire Shas forever – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in olam hazeh and olam habah).

“Moreover, whoever supports Shas Yiden is zocheh to fulfill both Yissachar-Zevulun and support of aniyei (the poor of) Eretz Yisroel in the fullest sense of the word.

“Those who support Shas Yiden will be saved from chevlei (the travails of) Moshiach – spiritually and materially, and will be zoche to have ehrlicher bonim u’vanos yir’eishomayim ”

Maran Hagaon Harav Dov Lando, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva, Slabodka:

“Who compares to the Shas Yiden? Incredible talmidei chachomim geonim who raised the bar in limud Hashas b’iyun u’v’amkus. Blessed are those who enter a Yissachar-Zevulun pact with them.”

Hamashpia Hagadol Reb Meilech Biederman, shlit”a:

 “Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden – best possible deal, and in just 1 year! 100% partnership! 100% Shas x 5 times! 100% Shisha Sidrei Mishna – בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב”

Sanzer Rebbe, shlit”a:

“A first in 2000 years of Jewish history! Until Shas Yiden, never a Torah institution where ALL the avreichim metzuyonim v’geonim know the entire Shas by heart”

Harav Yaakov Hillel, shlit”a:

“Therefore, the great mitzvah to support the efforts [of the Talmidei Chachomim] with generous donations in order that they should continue diligently with their studies to enhance the greatness of the Torah and its glory. 

ShasYiden.com

NBC News anchor Andrea Mitchell faced a barrage of ridicule on social media after she appeared to credit the Biden administration for the Gaza ceasefire agreement orchestrated by President Donald Trump.

“That time Andrea Mitchell thanks Blinken and [former President Joe] Biden over [current Secretary of State Marco] Rubio and Trump for the peace deal in Gaza. Just incredible,” journalist Joe Concha wrote on X.

Mitchell had publicly thanked former Secretary of State Antony Blinken on X for “creating the basis for the agreement,” sparking immediate backlash from users accusing her of ignoring Trump’s leadership in the deal.

“Andrea Mitchell decided she knows who deserves gratitude for the Israel/Gaza agreement,” journalist Glenn Greenwald commented on X.

“It’s … Antony Blinken, who achieved nothing other than fueling, encouraging, and justifying the Israeli war. Two-life long D.C. denizens and Israel loyalists slobbering over each other.”

The ceasefire, announced last week, resulted in the release of 20 Israeli hostages and represented the initial phase of Trump’s 20-point peace initiative aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Blinken had previously posted that Trump’s plan “adopted and built on” efforts started under the Biden administration, a remark that prompted Mitchell’s response — and unleashed widespread mockery online.

Critics accused Mitchell of attempting to “rewrite history” by overlooking Trump’s central role in securing the truce.

{Matzav.com}

Conservative commentator Candace Owens has been barred from entering Australia after the nation’s High Court upheld a government decision that she could “incite discord” among local communities.

In a unanimous ruling issued Wednesday, Justices Stephen Gageler, Michelle Gordon, and Robert Beech-Jones concluded that while Australia recognizes an implied freedom of political communication, that principle “is not a ‘personal right,’ is not unlimited and is not absolute.”

The court emphasized that Australia’s Migration Act — which governs both temporary and permanent visas — grants the government authority to deny entry to anyone deemed likely to “stir up or encourage dissension or strife on political matters.”

“Ms Owens Farmer’s submissions should be emphatically rejected,” wrote High Court Justice James Edelman in a separate opinion, using Owens’ married name, Farmer.

In addition to the visa denial, the High Court ordered Owens to cover the government’s legal costs. A spokesperson for Owens did not respond to requests for comment.

Owens had initially applied for a visa in November 2024 to participate in a public speaking tour across Australia. Her request was denied by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who cited the Migration Act’s “character requirements.” Owens subsequently appealed to the High Court, contending that the statute was unconstitutional because it violated her right to political expression.

The Department of Home Affairs defines “good character” as referring to “enduring moral qualities of a person.”

In rejecting her application, Burke said Owens had made “extremist and inflammatory comments towards Muslim, Black, Jewish and LGBTQIA+ communities which generate controversy and hatred.”

“In the current environment where the Australian community is experiencing heightened community tensions, as per the advice of Australia’s security apparatus, I find that there is a risk that Ms Farmer’s controversial views will amplify grievances among communities and lead to increased hostility and violent or radical action,” Burke said at the time.

Neither Burke nor the Department of Home Affairs has issued new comments following the court’s decision.

Owens now becomes the second high-profile American barred from entering Australia in recent months. In July, the rapper Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — had his visa revoked after authorities determined that his song “Heil Hitler” promoted Nazi ideology.

{Matzav.com}

Travelers in both Pennsylvania and British Columbia were left in shock on Tuesday when airport speakers suddenly blared pro-Hamas propaganda and insults aimed at President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

Videos recorded by startled passengers captured the unauthorized announcements echoing throughout Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania and Kelowna International Airport in Canada.

At Kelowna, monitors reportedly lit up with slogans supporting Hamas and calling for “Free Palestine,” witnesses and airport officials confirmed.

Authorities said hackers managed to infiltrate both the airports’ loudspeaker systems and flight information displays in what appeared to be coordinated acts of cyber-vandalism. While the incidents caused confusion and disrupted boarding, officials emphasized that flight safety was never at risk.

At Harrisburg, “an unauthorized user gained access to the airport PA system and played an unauthorized recorded message,” airport spokesperson Scott Miller said in a statement to CNN affiliate WGAL.

“The message was political in nature and did not contain any threats against the airport, our tenants, airlines, or passengers.”

Miller added that the public address system was immediately shut down and that law enforcement began investigating the intrusion.

One aircraft that had already begun boarding was temporarily inspected “out of an abundance of caution,” he said. “No security issues were found,” and the flight departed without incident.

Roughly 2,000 miles to the northwest, Kelowna airport officials reported a nearly identical breach.

In a statement to CNN, the airport said an outside party had infiltrated both its PA system and flight information display network.

“We are experiencing some delayed flights,” the release read.

Passenger videos reviewed by CNN captured “Free Palestine” chants booming through the terminal.

“Nobody informed us what was going on, there was no crisis response. Everyone was just really confused,” one traveler told the network.

Photos shared online showed airport monitors displaying pro-Hamas phrases before the system was disabled.

Kelowna officials said staff had deleted the hacked messages, restored normal flight information, and were working to fully reboot their audio system.

Canadian agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Transport Canada, and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, said they were assisting in the probe.

So far, no group has taken responsibility for the breaches.

Since the Israel-Gaza war erupted in 2023, pro-Palestinian hacktivist groups have carried out a wave of cyberattacks targeting transportation systems and other infrastructure worldwide.

Experts say these latest incidents underscore how dependent airports have become on cloud-based digital systems that are increasingly vulnerable to remote interference.

In June, the FBI reported that cybercriminals had infiltrated the computer networks of multiple airlines across the United States and Canada.

Just weeks later, a separate attack caused widespread disruption across Europe after hackers crashed a software platform used by numerous carriers for check-in and boarding operations.

Groups identifying as pro-Palestinian have claimed hundreds of similar strikes against transportation, financial, and government systems in recent years.

One collective, known as the Dark Storm Team, has previously targeted American airports, NATO databases, and Israeli networks.

Other factions linked to the ongoing OpIsrael campaign have defaced or disabled public websites throughout North America.

{Matzav.com}

The man charged with setting fire to the mansion of Pennsylvania’s Jewish governor during Passover was sentenced to decades in prison after pleading guilty on Tuesday.

Cody A. Ballmer, 38, reached a plea deal, the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office said. He agreed to a sentence of 25 to 50 years in state prison in exchange for pleading guilty to attempted murder, aggravated arson, 22 counts of arson, burglary and other charges.

The incident was widely condemned as antisemitic.

Police accused Ballmer of breaking into Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion on April 13, the second day of Passover, and setting it on fire. Security footage showed what prosecutors said was Ballmer scaling the property’s fence, breaking a window with a sledgehammer and throwing a Molotov cocktail inside before breaking a second window and entering the home.

Shapiro had held a seder at his home before the attack, and his family and guests were sleeping in the mansion at the time. Footage shows Ballmer striking two doors, including one that would have led to the occupants, but he was unable to break through.

Ballmer threw a second Molotov cocktail in the dining area before fleeing, igniting another fire. Prosecutors said the mansion sustained “substantial damage.”

Shapiro, his wife, three of their children, 15 guests and two Pennsylvania State Police troopers were all inside the mansion at the time. Everyone was evacuated safely, and no one was injured.

Ballmer was arrested 12 hours after the attack and told police he was upset by Shapiro’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war.

“It’s hard for me to stand before you today and utter the words ‘attempted murder’ when it’s your own life, to know that someone tried to kill me,” Shapiro said at a Tuesday press conference, adding that he has “struggled over the last six months to try and make sense of all of this.”

Ballmer told police he would have beaten Shapiro with his hammer had he been able to reach him.

Shapiro said Tuesday that he “carried with me this enormous sense of guilt” for “doing this job that I love so much” that has “put our children’s lives at risk.”

Shapiro is considered a contender for the Democratic nomination for president in 2028. He was on Kamala Harris’s shortlist for vice presidential running mate last year, with some critics accusing Harris of rejecting Shapiro due to progressive backlash over his Jewish heritage. JNS

{Matzav.com}

The Emirati website Aram News on Wednesday reported estimates regarding the cost and timeframe for Gaza’s reconstruction. Hamas claims the damage to key sectors amounts to $70 billion, while the Central Bank estimates that $53 billion will be needed for recovery and rebuilding.

Experts predict that clearing the rubble alone could take between 10 and 15 years. The report noted that if Israel’s restrictions on heavy engineering equipment remain in place, rebuilding all homes could take as long as 80 years.

Current estimates in the Strip indicate that between 51 and 61 million tons of debris—including unexploded ordnance—must be removed. The cleanup cost is estimated at $1.2 billion, with the process expected to take about a decade. In total, around 300,000 housing units were destroyed, representing 60 percent of Gaza’s half-million homes.

In this context, Arab diplomats confirmed that following the recent international summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, preparations are underway for meetings between Arab and European leaders in the near future. These discussions will focus on reconstruction plans and the conditions for securing financial donations.

Diplomatic sources said that the central issue in these talks is funding, which will determine the extent of each country’s participation. They emphasized that the discussions are not primarily about technical or logistical details, but rather about ensuring stability in Gaza through the establishment of an internationally accepted governing body.

The success of any rebuilding plan depends on the establishment of a stable governing authority in Gaza after removing Hamas from power, the report said. The countries involved want to ensure that the security situation in Gaza stabilizes, with no risk of renewed conflict with Israel or internal fighting. JNS

{Matzav.com}

A decade ago, the United States passport topped the Henley Passport Index, which measures how many countries citizens can visit without needing a visa. It was considered the most powerful travel document in the world.

In 2025, that dominance has faded. For the first time in twenty years, the U.S. passport has dropped out of the top ten, sliding from seventh place in 2024 to a tie for twelfth with Malaysia. Holders can now travel visa-free to 180 countries.

At the top of the list are three East Asian nations: Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, whose citizens can enter 193, 190, and 189 destinations respectively without a visa. Germany, Luxembourg, and Italy share the fourth position.

Analysts point to several factors behind the sharp decline, most notably policies tied to the Trump administration’s tighter immigration approach.

“The declining strength of the US passport over the past decade is more than just a reshuffle in rankings — it signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics,” said Christian Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners. “Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind.”

The report also quoted Annie Pforzheimer, senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, who explained, “Even before a second Trump presidency, U.S. policy had turned inward. That isolationist mindset is now being reflected in America’s loss of passport power.”

She added that a range of “legal and questionably legal barriers to travel and temporary residence” have raised “red flags” for travelers, citing deportation policies as another contributing factor.

Henley & Partners, a firm specializing in citizenship and residency planning, attributed much of the decline to a lack of reciprocity. The report noted that while U.S. citizens can enter 180 countries visa-free, Washington grants that same privilege to only 46 nationalities.

In April, Brazil ended visa-free entry for citizens of the U.S., Canada, and Australia, explicitly citing the imbalance.

Another blow came from rising visa costs. The price of the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) nearly doubled on September 30, 2025, jumping from $21 to $40.

Policy changes abroad also hurt America’s standing. China’s expanded visa waivers now cover many European countries but not the U.S., while new eVisa systems in Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, and Somalia reshuffled rankings in favor of other nations.

The report also documented an “unprecedented” rise in Americans seeking alternate citizenships or residency rights. By the end of the third quarter of 2025, applications for second passports from U.S. citizens had surged 67% compared to the total from 2024.

Henley identified one more factor that contributed to the U.S. slide — Vietnam’s decision to exclude American travelers from its new visa-free entry list.

The United Kingdom also suffered a setback, dropping to its lowest ranking ever, though it managed to remain in the top ten at number eight.

{Matzav.com}

The National Center for Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir has verified that the two bodies returned to Israel on Wednesday night are those of Inbar Hayman and Master Sergeant Muhammad al-Atarash, according to an announcement released Thursday morning by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“The Government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the families of Hayman and al-Atarash and all the families of the fallen abductees,” the statement read.

The forensic team determined that Hayman was murdered during the October 7, 2023, terrorist assault, and her remains were subsequently taken into Gaza. At 27 years old, she was among those attending the Nova music festival that day. She was officially declared dead on December 15, 2023, and is survived by her parents and brother.

Master Sergeant al-Atarash served as a tracker in the IDF’s Gaza Brigade. He was killed while fighting on October 7, 2023, at the age of 39, leaving behind his parents, siblings, two wives, and thirteen children.

Authorities said the identification process was carried out jointly with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued heartfelt tributes for both victims on Thursday morning.

Hayman was described as “talented, loving and inclusive, with a spirit of infinite generosity.”

Family members remembered her as “brimming with creativity and full of joy for life.” She had studied film in high school and later gained recognition as a “respected graffiti artist with a unique style.”

Her artistic identity was known through the tags “Pink” and “Raven,” which inspired supporters to rally behind the slogan “Free Pink” while she was missing.

Friends said she had attended the Nova festival as a volunteer “helper,” assisting dancers who became unwell during the event.

Atarash, meanwhile, was remembered as a “serious guy who cared for everyone,” who especially loved animals and devoted time to caring for the horses he raised.

His long-term goal, the forum said, was to open a horse farm of his own.

Defense Minister Yisroel Katz also paid tribute to the two on social media.

Katz called Hayman “a true heroine who fought Hamas’s murderers,” noting that her family “fought desperately for her return.”

He said her relatives had spoken of her skill as a graffiti artist, her time as a commander in the IDF’s Caracal Battalion, and her plans for the future that were tragically cut short.

Katz added that al-Atarash’s father and brother joined him in several meetings with world leaders both in Israel and abroad to recount Muhammad’s story.

He recalled that during a visit by Belgium’s foreign minister to Kibbutz Nir Oz, al-Atarash’s brother appealed to her to ensure the hostages’ release and “nobly” asked that kidnapped women be freed first, even before knowing for certain that his brother had been killed.

Concluding his message, Katz reaffirmed that Israel remains “committed to bringing home all the hostages and the fallen.”

“The Government and the entire Israeli Public Security Bureau are determined, committed, and working tirelessly to return all of our fallen abductees for a proper burial in their own country,” the Prime Minister’s Office added, emphasizing that Hamas must uphold its obligations under the ongoing ceasefire and hostage deal.

The terror group is required to hand over every hostage, whether living or deceased. Yet to date, 19 deceased hostages are still being held in Gaza.

The confirmation of Hayman and al-Atarash’s identities followed earlier reports that two sets of remains had arrived Thursday night at Abu Kabir for examination.

The Red Cross had delivered the bodies to Israel after Hamas’s Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades announced that it would return them.

Including these, Hamas has now returned the remains of nine deceased hostages in addition to releasing living captives.

Before Hayman and al-Atarash, the remains of Guy Illouz, Yossi Sharabi, Bipin Joshi, Daniel Peretz, Uriel Baruch, Staff Sergeant Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levi had been recovered.

{Matzav.com}

A federal grand jury gathered Wednesday afternoon to deliberate whether to indict John Bolton, who served as national security adviser, on charges stemming from the alleged mishandling and transmission of classified information through a private email account.

The move follows a pair of FBI raids conducted two months earlier at Bolton’s residence in Maryland and his Washington, DC office, as investigators sought evidence related to what officials described as the unauthorized possession of “highly sensitive national security” materials.

Justice Department insiders told The Post that prosecutors expect charges to be filed as soon as Wednesday or Thursday. One official described the case against the 76-year-old as “air tight.”

According to sources who spoke to The NY Post in August, Bolton is suspected of using a personal AOL email address to send classified messages and maintain diary-like records of his daily briefings and observations throughout his tenure in President Trump’s first administration.

Court filings reveal that this private email account was later compromised by an unknown foreign hacker, according to a probable cause warrant unsealed last month. Officials believe that some of the top-secret information could have been accessed by foreign governments or hostile entities.

Details about the intrusion, including how it occurred or who was responsible, were redacted in the unsealed documents.

During the FBI’s search, agents allegedly uncovered additional classified materials, including papers involving weapons of mass destruction, strategic U.S. communications, diplomatic efforts at the United Nations, and confidential travel plans.

Even if Bolton did not deliberately share the information, prosecutors argue he could still face criminal liability if he stored classified materials in unsecured locations — a rule that would extend to the use of his personal email.

Investigators were also ordered to determine whether any malicious software had infiltrated Bolton’s electronic devices and to assess whether he had installed cybersecurity protections capable of detecting potential malware.

Authorities have not disclosed whether any such programs were located on his systems.

When Bolton was dismissed by President Trump in September 2019 after serving 17 months as national security adviser, he reportedly told officials that he “did not have any notes or other records from his government service,” according to court filings.

Those assurances began to unravel months later when the National Security Council received a manuscript of Bolton’s 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, which the Trump administration alleged contained classified information.

“As written, the manuscript is very detailed, suggesting that it was likely produced from notes written by your client during his service at the White House,” Ellen J. Knight, then the NSC’s senior director for records, access, and information, wrote in a letter to Bolton’s lawyers.

A separate probe into Bolton’s email use was also launched that same year, though investigators say the inquiry was abruptly “shelved” under the Biden administration — a decision one FBI insider suggested may have been politically influenced, given Bolton’s outspoken criticism of Trump.

The following statement was released by Agudath Israel of America:

Agudath Israel of America mourns the shocking, tragic passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer zt’l, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union.

With Rabbi Hauer’s petirah, Klal Yisroel has lost a leader who was universally respected as a talmid chochom of stature, a man of integrity, humility, vision, wisdom and depth. Rabbi Hauer created Kiddush Hashem in all of his encounters with the outside world, and he leaves behind an impressive list of significant accomplishments. The loss to our community is incalculible.

Rabbi Hauer always sought to promote achdus, unity, within the Jewish world. We at Agudath Israel enjoyed a close personal and professional relationship with Rabbi Hauer, and appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with him on issues of mutual concern. We are in shock over his tragic petirah.

May Hashem console the entire Hauer family and the multitudes of people whose lives he touched in so many ways.

{Matzav.com}

Klal Yisroel has been plunged into mourning with the shocking petirah of Rabbi Moshe Hauer zt”l, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union since 2020 and longtime mara d’asra of Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation in Baltimore. Rabbi Hauer was suddenly niftar at his Baltimore home, the victim of a heart attack. He was 60 years old.

The loss is reverberating throughout the Torah world, for Rabbi Hauer was more than a leader. He was a talmid chacham, a ba’al daas, and a man whose every word and action radiated yiras Shamayim, integrity, and love for Klal Yisroel.

OU President Mitchel Aeder and Executive Vice President and COO Rabbi Josh Joseph described him as “a true talmid chacham, a master teacher and communicator, the voice of Torah to the Orthodox community and the voice of Orthodoxy to the world.”

“He personified what it means to be a Torah Jew and took nothing more seriously than his role of sharing the joy of Jewish life with our community and beyond,” the OU stated.

“Rabbi Hauer’s leadership was marked by unwavering dedication, deep compassion, and a vision rooted in faith in Hashem, integrity and love for Klal Yisroel,” the statement continued. “Whether through his inspiring words, thoughtful counsel, powerful advocacy or quiet acts of kindness, Rabbi Hauer uplifted those around him and made an impact on every person he encountered.”

For twenty-six years, Rabbi Hauer guided the Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion kehillah in Baltimore with wisdom and warmth, serving as both rav and mentor. His ability to blend deep Torah insight with genuine understanding of people made him a beloved figure far beyond his community.

A musmach of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, Rabbi Hauer also earned a graduate degree from Johns Hopkins University. Beyond the bimah, he was deeply active in communal life, supporting education initiatives, mosdos for children at risk, and numerous chesed organizations. He was a founding editor of Klal Perspectives, an online journal dedicated to addressing the challenges of contemporary Orthodox life, and led leadership training programs for rabbonim and askanim across North America.

In his role at the Orthodox Union, Rabbi Hauer became a respected national voice for Torah Jewry, speaking often in Washington and serving as a trusted presence on Capitol Hill. His eloquence, balance, and moral clarity made him a bridge-builder between the Torah world and the broader Jewish community.

William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said he was “shattered” by the “sudden passing” of his “dear friend and partner.”

“We just spoke this past Friday and texted on Monday, when he was overflowing with joy at the miracle of the hostages’ freedom and the unmistakable hand of Hashem in it,” Daroff shared. “Rabbi Hauer was a trusted adviser, cherished colleague and wise counsellor to me, a bridge-builder whose faith, humility and moral clarity inspired all who knew him. His loss leaves a void for all who loved and learned from him.”

Rabbi Steven Burg, CEO of Aish, echoed the sentiments of many when he said he was “shocked” to hear of Rabbi Hauer’s passing. “He was a kind man and a great advocate for the Jewish people. May the Almighty comfort his family and the OU during this difficult period.”

Jonathan Weisman, a national editor at The New York Times, called the loss “tragic” and “sudden.” “I turned to Rabbi Hauer for almost any story I was writing on American Judaism, Israel and Zionism,” he said. “He was an exceptionally thoughtful conservative voice, respectful and searching. May his memory be a blessing. I’m shocked.”

Rabbi Micah Greenland, International Director of NCSY, described being “absolutely stunned and devastated.” “He was a humble giant of a person, a leader, a scholar and visionary,” he said.

Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said she was “heartbroken” by the loss of “such an incredibly kind and thoughtful leader” whom she “was fortunate to know and learn from over the last few years.”

Rabbi Hauer has left this world, but his legacy — of Torah, leadership, empathy, and achdus — will continue to illuminate the path for Klal Yisroel. His voice, filled with conviction and compassion, guided a generation. His absence leaves a gaping void, but also a challenge: to carry forward his vision of a world rooted in emunah, ahavas Yisroel, and integrity.

Yehi zichro baruch.

President Trump lashed out at Time magazine early Tuesday morning, fuming over what he called an unflattering photo used for the publication’s latest cover story highlighting “his triumph” in negotiating the release of Israeli hostages from Hamas.

“Time Magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the Worst of All Time,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They ‘disappeared’ my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. Really weird!”

The magazine’s cover — titled “His Triumph” — features a low-angle portrait of the 47th president taken from beneath and to his right, capturing a close-up of his cheek, ear, and eye, along with part of his nostril.

“I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out,” Trump added in his post. “What are they doing, and why?”

The issue was released just one day after the dramatic return of 20 living hostages to Israel — marking the first stage of the deal struck under Trump’s Middle East plan, nearly two years after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.

In exchange, Israeli officials confirmed that roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were freed, along with the bodies of about 360 Palestinians returned to Gaza.

“The living Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been freed under the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan, alongside a Palestinian prisoner release,” Time reported. “The deal may become a signature achievement of Trump’s second term, and it could mark a strategic turning point for the Middle East.”

Trump had announced his sweeping 20-point proposal on Sept. 29, which laid the groundwork for a ceasefire that officially took effect last Friday.

The following Monday, Trump was met with roaring applause during his speech to the Israeli Knesset, before heading to Cairo for a peace summit joined by leaders from more than twenty nations, focused on sustaining the fragile truce.

“We’ve achieved what everybody said was impossible — at long last, we have peace in the Middle East,” Trump declared during his address. “Nobody thought we could ever get there, and now we’re there.”

For years, Trump has taken great pride in symbols of recognition and status, particularly Time magazine’s Person of the Year honor — an accolade he’s received twice, in 2016 and again in 2024.

He has occasionally granted interviews to the magazine, including a memorable 2015 photo shoot where he posed with a bald eagle that unexpectedly tried to attack him mid-session.

Trump has never hesitated to criticize media outlets for depictions he finds unflattering or undermining, particularly when they clash with the commanding image he seeks to project.

Just last month, he blasted the United Nations and called for an inquiry after his teleprompter malfunctioned and the escalator he was riding on suddenly stopped while he was delivering his address to the UN General Assembly.

Fox News contributor Miranda Devine discusses NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s move to fundraise for UNRWA, despite the agency having employed staff members who were involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

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