Matzav

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to arrive in Yerushalayim on Sunday, where he will join Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu for a visit to the Kosel, according to journalist Barak Ravid.

Rubio confirmed the trip in a post from the airport, using social media to announce his departure.

“My focus will be on securing the return of the hostages, finding ways to make sure humanitarian aid reaches civilians, and addressing the threat posed by Hamas,” he wrote.

“Hamas cannot continue to exist if peace in the region is the goal,” he added.

{Matzav.com}

Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, has hired legal representation and is now refusing to cooperate with investigators, according to a recent report.

CNN reported, citing a person with knowledge of the investigation, that Robinson had initially been speaking with authorities but has since stopped answering questions. What he may have told them before going silent has not been disclosed.

Robinson is currently in custody without bail at the Utah County Jail, following an order issued by state Judge Shawn Rice Howell.

According to a probable-cause affidavit reviewed by NBC News, prosecutors are preparing to charge him with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm resulting in serious injury, and obstruction of justice.

The legal filings indicate that Robinson, who was arrested Thursday evening, does not have any previous criminal record, neither misdemeanors nor felonies.

Kirk, 31, lost his life on Wednesday while addressing an audience at Utah Valley University in Orem.

At a press briefing, Utah Governor Spencer Cox explained that the state has three days to bring official charges against Robinson and added that authorities believe he acted independently.

President Donald Trump stated that in his view, whoever is convicted of murdering Kirk should receive the death sentence, a punishment permitted in Utah for aggravated murder cases.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the passing of Rebbetzin Rus Zelushinsky a”h, from the Shaarei Chesed neighborhood of Yerushalayim, who passed away at the age of 100.

She was the mother of Rav Yonah Zelushinsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Avi Ezri and a Rosh Yeshiva at the Ponovezh Yeshiva.

Rebbetzin Zelushinsky was born in Germany on 23 Shevat 5686 (1926) to her father Reb Yaakov Levi z”l, and her mother Rebbetzin Rachel a”h.

She later married Rav Avrohom Yehuda Zelushinsky, who for decades served as the administrator of Yeshivas Chevron Knesses Yisroel, working hand in hand with its Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yechezkel Sarna. Her husband passed away during Chol Hamoed Sukkos in 2016.

A true aishes chayil, Rebbetzin Zelushinsky was a woman of deep yiras Shamayim, wisdom, and generosity, always pursuing chessed. Those who knew her recall that she never ceased reflecting on the greater meaning of life, maintaining this lofty perspective until her very last days.

She merited to raise generations of bnei and bnos Torah, children and grandchildren who follow the path of Torah, most prominently her son, Rav Yonah Zelushinsky.

Her life was not without sorrow; she endured the loss of her eldest son, Rav Mordechai Shraga Zelushinsky zt”l, a rosh yeshiva at Yeshivas Tiferes Yaakov, who was niftar 18 years ago at the age of 56 after a serious illness.

Her levayah took place this morning, leaving from Shamgar Funeral Home in Yerushalayim to Har Hamenuchos, where she was laid to rest.

The family is sitting shivah at the home of her daughter, the Karlinksy family, at 74 Nof Ramot, Yerushalayim.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com}

The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to approve a resolution promoting a two-state framework, a move that Israel denounced as a “political circus.” The non-binding measure set out “tangible, time-bound and irreversible steps” toward creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

The resolution, officially titled the “New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,” passed with 142 nations in favor, 10 opposed, and 12 abstaining.

Among those voting against were Israel and the United States, joined by Argentina, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Tonga.

The measure, introduced with support from France and Saudi Arabia, urges “collective action to end the war in Gaza, to achieve a just, peaceful and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the effective implementation of the Two-State solution.”

The declaration, spanning seven pages and already backed by the Arab League, also addressed Hamas directly. It stated that the group “must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support.”

It further demanded that “Hamas must free all hostages” and denounced “the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians on the 7th of October.”

Another clause called for “deployment of a temporary international stabilization mission” in Gaza, under a UN Security Council mandate, to aid the civilian population and transfer security responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry reacted strongly, with spokesperson Oren Marmorstein sharply criticizing the outcome. “Once again, it has been proven how much the General Assembly is a political circus detached from reality: in the dozens of clauses of the declaration endorsed by this resolution, there is not a single mention that Hamas is a terrorist organization,” he said.

He added, “There is no reference to the simple fact that Hamas is solely responsible for the continuation of the war, through its refusal to return the hostages and disarm. The resolution does not advance a solution of peace — on the contrary, it encourages Hamas to continue the war.”

Marmorstein closed his remarks by expressing appreciation to “all the countries that did not lend their hand to this disgraceful decision in the General Assembly.”

The resolution was passed just days before a UN summit scheduled for September 22 in New York, co-hosted by Riyadh and Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to formally recognize a Palestinian state.

Other governments — including Britain, Canada, Australia, and Belgium — have also announced their plans to recognize Palestinian statehood.

{Matzav.com}

Hamas issued an official announcement on Friday night declaring that Khalil al-Hayya, one of the group’s senior leaders who was reported to have been targeted in Israel’s strike in Qatar earlier this week, survived the attack.

According to a statement from the terror group, cited by Channel 13 News, al-Hayya “carried out the funeral prayer for his martyred son who was killed in the strike and for those killed in the assassination attempt, under special security arrangements.”

Despite the claim, Hamas provided no pictures or additional evidence to prove his presence.

On Thursday, the organization released photographs from the funeral held in Doha for those killed in the Israeli strike. The images featured Hamas leaders Osama Hamdan and Izzat al-Rishq, though al-Hayya himself did not appear in any of them.

Earlier reports indicated that al-Rishq had been inside the building struck in Doha. Al-Rishq, who sits on Hamas’s diplomatic bureau and oversees its Arab and Islamic relations office, has long operated out of Jordan, Syria, and later Qatar.

Al-Hayya currently serves as Hamas’s acting chief in Gaza following the killing of Yahya Sinwar. Though based in Qatar, he previously worked for many years inside Gaza. His involvement with Hamas began during the First Intifada. He was jailed in Israel during the 1990s and has survived multiple assassination attempts over the years.

{Matzav.com}

The State Department revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be traveling to Israel and the United Kingdom from September 13 through September 18. His trip to Israel is expected to focus on reaffirming America’s dedication to Israel’s security, reviewing the ongoing conflict with Hamas and broader regional stability, and engaging with Israeli leadership about operational priorities and efforts to secure the release of hostages.

While in Israel, Rubio will also meet with families of the hostages to stress that ensuring the return of their relatives remains one of Washington’s highest priorities.

The official announcement further stated that “in the United Kingdom, Secretary Rubio will join the President’s delegation for a second State Visit and meet with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss US-UK cooperation on global challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine war, preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, securing Hamas-held hostages, advancing a Gaza ceasefire, and addressing competition with China.”

{Matzav.com}

Shomrim North West London reported on Friday that police in London had taken into custody a man suspected of being behind a string of antisemitic vandalism incidents that targeted local shuls, a Jewish school, a nursery, and a walkway frequently used by mispallelim in Golders Green.

The most recent attack involved human waste being smeared on the entrance of a neighborhood shul and its Jewish children’s nursery. This latest act brought the total number of antisemitic incidents in the area to eight within just over a week.

Authorities have stated that they are not currently searching for any other individuals in connection with these crimes.

According to Shomrim North West London, their team collaborated closely with the Metropolitan Police during the investigation, assisting by supplying CCTV footage, intelligence, and support for those directly impacted.

A representative of Shomrim remarked, “We thank the police for listening to our concerns, putting on extra resources, and acting decisively to arrest the suspect. Our volunteers have been working tirelessly around the clock, analysing CCTV and carrying out covert operations to assist this investigation. This arrest is a testament to the strength of partnership between the community, Shomrim, and the police. We will continue to support those affected and ensure our community feels safe and reassured.”

The organization also praised the dedicated volunteers who responded day and night, coordinated evidence collection, and offered comfort to the victims during this challenging period.

{Matzav.com}

Law enforcement sources said that Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Charlie Kirk, threatened to take his own life rather than surrender when his father confronted him about the shocking murder.

Authorities explained that Robinson’s father recognized his 22-year-old son in images of the suspect released by police on Thursday. When Robinson came home, his father directly confronted him.

According to investigators, Robinson admitted to carrying out the shooting at Utah Valley University when his father asked if he was the gunman. At first, however, he refused to hand himself over to authorities.

Robinson told his father that he would rather end his life, but his parent persuaded him to speak with their youth minister, who also has ties to the US Marshals Service fugitive task force, sources said.

The minister then contacted a deputy with the federal agency, after which the FBI moved in and arrested Robinson on Thursday evening, according to officials.

“I want to thank the family members of Tyler Robinson who did the right thing in this case and were able to bring him into law enforcement,” Cox said.

Robinson, who previously attended Utah Valley, was taken into custody on aggravated murder charges. Investigators believe he acted alone.

During the search for Robinson, authorities interviewed his roommate and reviewed a series of Discord messages Robinson allegedly sent after the attack.

In some of the messages, Robinson instructed his roommate to collect a rifle and indicated it had been hidden inside a dark-colored towel near a wooded section close to the university campus, officials said.

Another message revealed that Robinson had switched clothing after carrying out the shooting, according to Cox.

Authorities also noted that Robinson had spoken disparagingly about Kirk in the hours before the attack, accusing the conservative activist and father of two of being “full of hate.”

{Matzav.com}

Officials revealed Friday that Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, had become more politically outspoken in recent years and vented just before the murder that the conservative leader was “full of hate.”

Robinson, 22, who once attended Utah Valley University, grew angry over Kirk’s planned campus event and ranted about it during a dinner in the days leading up to the shooting of President Trump’s close ally, according to investigators.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox said at a press briefing that a family acquaintance who was present at that dinner recalled Robinson complaining that he “didn’t like [Kirk] and the viewpoints he had.”

Cox added that Robinson furiously claimed “Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate,” remarks that the family friend described as disturbingly intense.

Authorities said Robinson was ultimately handed over by his father, who sought help through a family minister. Law enforcement sources noted that Robinson initially told his father he would rather end his life than give himself up.

Investigators discovered three unfired bullet casings in the chamber of the rifle allegedly used in the shooting, each bearing unusual engravings. One read “Hey fascist! Catch!” alongside arrow symbols pointing up, right, and down.

Another casing carried the phrase “Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao,” referencing a famous Italian anti-fascist anthem, Cox explained.

A third casing was marked with “If you read this, you are gay LMAO [laugh my a– off],” found in the chamber of the Mauser 98 bolt-action rifle fitted with a scope.

The single casing that had been fired was etched with the bizarre phrase, “notices, bulges, OWO, what’s this?” according to Cox.

Social media posts by Robinson’s mother showed family snapshots that appeared ordinary, featuring vacations, gun show outings, and sports events with their three children.

A background search revealed no criminal history for Robinson, as investigators continue piecing together his behavior and statements in the period before the assassination.

Authorities interviewed his roommate, who shared Discord messages Robinson sent following the attack. These included directions to retrieve a rifle hidden in a towel in a wooded spot near Utah Valley University.

Other messages from Robinson admitted he had changed his clothes after carrying out the attack, Cox said.

Robinson’s father identified him in FBI photos circulated on Thursday, prompting him to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. When Robinson returned home, his father confronted him, and Robinson confessed to being the shooter, according to law enforcement.

Though the father urged him to surrender, Robinson responded that he would prefer to kill himself.

Eventually, the father persuaded him to speak with their youth minister, who also serves with the US Marshals Service task force. The minister then contacted the FBI, which led to Robinson’s arrest.

“We got him,” Governor Cox declared at the start of Friday’s press conference, standing alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, who confirmed that the 33-hour manhunt ended late Thursday.

Patel closed his remarks with a personal farewell to Kirk, stating, “See you in Valhalla.”

{Matzav.com}

Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, is set to face multiple state charges, including aggravated murder, according to a probable cause affidavit made public on Friday.

The 22-year-old from Washington, Utah, is also being charged with felony discharge of a firearm resulting in serious injury and obstruction of justice, the affidavit reviewed by NBC News revealed.

So far, every charge brought against Robinson is at the state level.

In Utah, aggravated murder is the sole offense that allows for the death penalty, though prosecutors must specifically seek that punishment.

Executions are rare in the state, which has only carried out seven since 1977. Most were by lethal injection, though firing squad remains a legal option.

Typically, aggravated murder is filed as a first-degree felony not subject to capital punishment, with penalties ranging from life in prison without parole to a minimum of 25 years behind bars.

President Trump joined a growing number of voices calling for Robinson to face the death penalty for Kirk’s killing.

“In Utah, you have death penalty, and a good governor there, I have gotten to know him,” Trump told “Fox & Friends” on Friday morning. “The governor is intent on the death penalty in this case and he should be.”

Governor Spencer Cox had already declared before Robinson’s arrest that the state “will pursue the death penalty,” once “this evil human being” was in custody.

Several lawmakers also weighed in Friday, insisting that Robinson be sentenced to death if convicted.

“They got him! Now, justice must be served for Charlie Kirk, for his family and for our country. I would support [Utah Gov. Spencer Cox] and Trump’s DOJ in pursuing the death penalty. Political violence of any kind CANNOT happen in this country,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey wrote on X.

“While it is great news, it does not erase the loss of one of the greatest conservative voices in history. Prosecutors MUST pursue the death penalty and demand justice for Charlie Kirk’s assassination,” Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth added, echoing Ivey’s remarks.

Cox told reporters Friday morning that under Utah law, prosecutors have three days to submit formal charges.

The filings are expected “early next week,” he said.

Cox also stated that investigators currently believe Robinson acted alone.

“We do not at this time have any information that would lead to any additional arrests,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump declared on Friday that Memphis will be the next city to receive a federal law enforcement surge, making it the second city after Washington, DC, to be targeted under the initiative.

Memphis, Tennessee’s second-largest city with about 611,000 residents, reported 297 homicides last year and currently holds the highest violent crime rate among large American cities.

Data from the FBI shows that in 2024, Memphis recorded 2,501 violent crimes per 100,000 people.

“We’re going to Memphis. [It is] deeply troubled and the mayor is happy. The Democrat mayor [Paul Young] is happy. And the [Republican] Governor [Bill Lee] is happy,” Trump said during an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”

“Deeply troubled — we’re going to fix that, just like we did Washington. I would have preferred going to Chicago.”

Trump explained that the idea was suggested by a friend, a railroad executive who also sits on the board of Memphis-based shipping giant FedEx.

“He said, ‘When I walk one block to my hotel, they won’t allow me to do it. They put me in an armored vehicle with bulletproof glass to take me one block.’ He said, ‘It’s so terrible.’”

Just last month, Trump ordered a surge of federal officers and National Guard units into Washington following a series of violent crime incidents that drew national attention.

He has repeatedly floated the possibility of launching a similar effort in Chicago, but Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, have resisted the move.

Earlier this week, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago, focusing on illegal immigrants with criminal records. So far, however, that operation has been limited to immigration enforcement.

“So we’re going to Memphis. I’m just announcing that now, and we’ll straighten that out,” Trump said Friday.

“We’ll bring in the military, too, if we need it. But National Guard,” he added. “Memphis is, look, it’s a great music city, it’s, you know, home of Elvis and everything else.”

Trump has previously used federal deployments in major cities, most notably in 2020 under the multi-agency initiative known as Operation Legend.

{Matzav.com}

With just days before tens of thousands of Breslover chassidim are set to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, outrage has erupted after Moldova canceled both chartered and scheduled flights. Thousands who had already purchased tickets and secured lodging now find themselves stranded without a solution. Leaders of Ichud Breslov are calling the decision unlawful and accuse Moldova of blatant antisemitism. They are urging the Israeli government to reexamine its ties with Chisinau.

Each year, large groups of Breslover chassidim make their way to the kever of Rav Nachman of Breslov in Uman, Ukraine, a pilgrimage that stands at the center of the chassidus. The quickest access route is often via Moldova, whose airport lies relatively close to Uman. While cooperation between Israel and Moldova once functioned smoothly, community leaders say the situation has deteriorated sharply in recent years.

According to Ichud Breslov in Uman, the Moldovan authorities abruptly canceled flights that had been contracted and paid for. “Last year they canceled all our charter flights at the very last moment,” said one senior organizer. “They led us to believe until the end that there was a simple technical fix, but in the end, they canceled everything. This year, after endless negotiations, they again pulled the plug at the last second. It’s another devastating blow.”

Reb Levi Yitzchok Gewirtz, director of Derech Tzaddikim and Netivim Tours and one of the Ichud Breslov leaders, recalled last year’s chaos. “They gave us the impression until the very last minute that if we solved a ‘small problem,’ everything would be fine,” he said. “But in reality, they canceled everything without sufficient notice. It caused massive financial losses and immense distress.”

This year, expectations that Moldova might act differently quickly faded as drawn-out negotiations collapsed yet again at the last minute. The situation reached its peak when even regular, fully authorized flights arranged months in advance were canceled.

Calling the cancellations an “illegal act,” Reb Noson Bin Nun, chairman of Ichud Breslov, asked, “What businessman would invest in a country that can openly violate clear international agreements? This is banana republic behavior. If their government can just cancel legal contracts and flights, what guarantees they won’t nationalize and seize investors’ assets?”

Breslover leaders do not mince words, labeling the move “open antisemitism.” They argue the conduct is deliberately aimed at Jews and has no other rational explanation. “This is pure antisemitism,” said Rabbi Gewirtz. “They simply don’t want Jews passing through their country.”

One chossid whose flight was suddenly canceled expressed his frustration: “This behavior is particularly painful. It’s not hidden antisemitism—it’s right in our faces. We feel like we’re being treated as second-class citizens. If this were about famous soccer players or celebrities, people would move mountains to help them. But when it’s thousands of Jews who want to pray, no one really cares. It reminds us of dark times when terrible things were done to the Jewish people.”

In response, Ichud Breslov is demanding that Israel reconsider its relations with Moldova. They are pressing the government to use diplomatic pressure and even explore economic sanctions. “We cannot continue business as usual with a country that cancels binding international agreements just because they involve Jews,” said the Ichud. “We expect our government to defend its citizens against antisemitism—not only at home but abroad—and not allow any country to treat us like outcasts.”

Rabbi Pinchas Zaltzman, chief rabbi of Moldova, also expressed surprise at the government’s actions. While not a spokesman for the Moldovan authorities, he acknowledged Israel’s extensive efforts to resolve the situation and admitted he himself was taken aback by the harsh stance adopted by Moldovan officials.

As of now, thousands of Breslover chassidim who already bought tickets and accommodations remain in limbo, venting anger and confusion. Many are unsure whether they will be able to reach Uman at all.

{Matzav.com Israel}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Mrs. Chaya Beer a”h, the mother of Eli Beer, president and founder of United Hatzalah.

Mrs. Beer, who resided in Yerushalayim, was known as a woman of yiras Shamayim who raised her children with a steadfast commitment to Torah and chesed.

Together with her husband, Reb Gavriel Beer, she lived for many years in the United States before making aliyah and settling in the city of Yerushalayim.

She merited to see generations of children and grandchildren walking proudly on the path of Torah and chesed.

Her son, Eli Beer, has often spoken about the values of emunah, chesed, and communal responsibility that he absorbed in his parents’ home, crediting that upbringing as the foundation of his life’s work in building United Hatzalah into a world-renowned emergency response organization.

The levayah was held last night, leaving from Maayanei HaYeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak, proceeding to Yerushalayim, where she was laid to rest.

Yehi zichrah boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}

President Trump revealed on Friday morning that the man suspected of killing Charlie Kirk was identified after his own father alerted authorities. Law enforcement sources told The Post that the suspect is 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, a resident of Utah.

“I think, with a high degree of certainty, we have him,” Trump said during a live appearance on “Fox & Friends” from the network’s Manhattan studio. He noted that he was informed of the news just minutes before his 8 a.m. interview.

“Somebody who was very close to him turned him in,” Trump explained, adding that it was the suspect’s father who came forward through “a minister who was involved with law enforcement.”

“I hope he’s going to be found guilty, and I hope he gets the death penalty. What he did — Charlie Kirk was the finest person and he didn’t deserve this.”

While Trump did not name the alleged shooter, sources confirmed to The Post that Robinson, from Utah, is the individual in question.

Authorities announced they would provide the public with an official briefing later in the day.

Investigators believe the attacker fired a single round from a raised position about 200 yards from where Kirk, 31, was seated in a tent at the Losee Center on Utah Valley University’s campus, officials previously told The Post.

Witnesses first described the gunman as dressed in jeans, a black shirt, and a black vest, carrying a long rifle while positioned atop a building to the east of the school library.

Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA and a father of two, had just finished responding to an audience member’s question about mass shootings linked to transgender perpetrators when he was struck by the bullet at the outdoor gathering in Orem.

Video from the event captured the conservative speaker suddenly jolting backward, clutching at his neck in pain, as the sound of the lone gunshot echoed, triggering panic among the thousands in attendance.

“I didn’t watch,” Trump admitted to Fox News on Friday regarding the disturbing clips circulating online. “I heard about it… I would have never made a good doctor, let me put it that way,” he said.

“I mean, I heard enough. I didn’t want to watch it… I didn’t want to remember Charlie that way.”

Multiple agencies took part in the manhunt for the shooter, including the FBI, Orem Police, the Utah Department of Public Safety, and campus police from Utah Valley University.

FBI Director Kash Patel initially reported that a person of interest was in custody hours after the murder, but clarified later that the individual had been released following questioning. That person was not the suspect currently under investigation.

The bureau also appealed for tips, creating a hotline on Wednesday night and encouraging witnesses to submit photos or videos. By Thursday, the FBI had offered up to $100,000 for information that could help locate the suspect.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” Trump wrote in a sorrowful Truth Social post after Kirk’s death was confirmed.

He later expressed being “filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk” in a video message.

“Charlie inspired millions. And tonight, all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror,” Trump said, declaring Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom.”

“This is a dark moment for America,” Trump concluded.

Kirk was rushed to a hospital immediately after the shooting and taken into surgery, a nurse told Laci Williams, a former staff member and close friend, who relayed the details to The Post. His death was later confirmed.

The activist gained widespread recognition for his “Prove Me Wrong” campus debates, where students and community members could openly challenge his views.

He was in the middle of one such debate, part of his “American Comeback Tour,” when he was fatally shot.

Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika Frantzve, a former Miss Arizona, and their two small children.

“This is a dark day for our state, it’s a tragic day for our nation,” Utah Governor Spencer Cox said. “I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination.

“I just want to remind people that we still have the death penalty in the state of Utah.”

{Matzav.com}

Two people were stabbed in the dining hall of a hotel at Kibbutz Tzuba in the Yerushalayim Hills on Friday. A 50-year-old man sustained life-threatening injuries, while a 23-year-old man was moderately hurt.

Emergency teams rushed both victims to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital for treatment.

Authorities said the attacker was a 42-year-old man from Shuafat who already had a record of both criminal and security-related offenses, including previous convictions for stone-throwing.

Reports also indicated that the assailant had been working at the hotel in Tzuba for the past four months.

Police explained that an off-duty officer from the Southern District, who happened to be vacationing at the hotel, confronted the attacker and subdued him. One of the injured men is related to this officer, who later recounted that he had no chance to reach for his firearm and instead physically tackled the assailant to bring him down.

Witnesses recalled that the terrorist shouted “Allahu akbar” before launching his attack on the two men inside the hotel’s dining area.

One guest staying at the hotel told Arutz Sheva: “We were sitting to eat, there was suddenly a commotion, we didn’t understand what was happening. We saw someone holding a knife about to enter the balcony where we were, and an Arab employee, the dining room manager, caught him and saved us.”

MDA paramedic Noa Sade, who treated the gravely injured victim, described the scene: “When I arrived at the scene, I joined the MDA scene commander. The casualty, who was suffering from a stab wound to the chest, was fully conscious and lying on an MDA ambulance stretcher. We provided him with medical treatment, including fluids and medication, while evacuating him to the hospital, as his condition was serious and unstable.”

MDA Senior EMT Ro’i Ben Shoham also detailed his response: “When I arrived at the entrance plaza, I saw an injured man sitting in the parking lot, conscious and suffering from a stab wound to the chest. The team that was with me in the ambulance provided initial medical treatment, including bandaging, bleeding control, and administering oxygen, and he was evacuated to the hospital by an MDA Mobile Intensive Care Unit in moderate condition. With the assistance of the security guards on site, who neutralized the attacker and handed him over to the security forces, we carried out a search during which we located a man about 50 years old in the dining hall, also suffering from a stab wound to the chest. We provided medical treatment that included bleeding control and administering medications, and he was evacuated to the hospital by a Mobile Intensive Care Unit in serious condition, under the care of an MDA paramedic.”

{Matzav.com}

Hundreds of demonstrators from the Peleg Yerushalmi Faction blocked Route 4 on Thursday near Bnei Brak, protesting the arrest of yeshiva students and amid growing tensions surrounding Israel’s draft law.

Police declared the gathering illegal and issued warnings that officers would resort to force if necessary to disperse the protesters.

According to witnesses, a senior police officer approached the demonstrators, who had brought traffic to a standstill on the major thoroughfare, and formally announced that the protest was unlawful. He informed participants that they had five minutes to leave before police would intervene to clear the road.

A police spokesperson said, “Israel Police officers are on site directing traffic to alternate routes while extricating vehicles caught in the blockade. National traffic police are also present, guiding drivers. We advise the public to travel on alternative roads and follow real-time updates.”

The demonstration caused significant traffic disruptions. Northbound traffic on Route 4 was shut down from the Aluf Sadeh Interchange, with vehicles diverted onto Route 471. In the southbound direction, traffic from Em HaMoshavot was rerouted through Petach Tikva.

In an official statement, police emphasized: “The Israel Police views the right to protest as a cornerstone of democracy and permits demonstrations as long as they take place within the framework of the law. At the same time, the police will not allow public disorder of any kind, infringement on freedom of movement, or behavior that endangers public safety.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

FBI Director Kash Patel is facing intense criticism over his handling of the investigation into the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, Reuters reports. Both current and former officials faulted him for wrongly declaring that a suspect had been taken into custody, a claim that quickly unraveled.

Just before police in Orem, Utah, provided their first official briefing about the shooting, Patel posted on social media that the alleged gunman had been arrested. That statement was swiftly contradicted by authorities on the ground, who clarified that two individuals had been interviewed and later released. The discrepancy fueled confusion for hours until the FBI issued its own correction.

The backlash was immediate, with law enforcement veterans calling Patel’s move damaging to the case. “At the outset of an investigation, much of the initial intelligence is typically wrong or slightly off. That’s why what he did yesterday has never been done by any FBI director before him, or any division leadership before,” said retired FBI agent Dan Brunner. “The investigators need to sort through all the initial intelligence before putting out factual evidence … FBI does not run investigations on social media.”

Inside the White House, Patel’s conduct was also criticized. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said his behavior was not up to standard. According to the source, “his performance is really not acceptable to the White House or the American public” and will be addressed.

Others voiced similar concerns. John Cohen, a former senior Homeland Security official, commented that Patel’s decision “is unorthodox and could be confusing in that details change quickly.”

Despite the uproar, the White House publicly rallied behind Patel, dismissing reports of internal discontent. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt accused Reuters of publishing a damaging piece at a delicate moment, saying, “This is a despicable story from anonymous sources clearly trying to sow distrust amongst the President’s team during a time of utmost unity. Kash Patel is leading the manhunt to catch the killer of our friend, and everyone is supporting him and trying to be as helpful as possible during this effort, including the President of the United States.”

The murder of Kirk, who was gunned down in front of an audience of 3,000 at a Utah college, marks one of the most shocking episodes of political violence in the U.S. this year. It also presents the first major trial of Patel’s leadership since he assumed command of the FBI.

Critics say Patel’s inexperience in law enforcement is evident, with multiple agents privately expressing doubts about his ability to guide such a sensitive investigation.

Since taking over, Patel has steered the bureau in new directions. Agents who normally handle corruption probes or counterterrorism cases have been reassigned to politically charged investigations, including inquiries targeting opponents of the president. He has also shifted personnel within Washington to focus on street-level crime.

In the process, Patel forced out dozens of employees viewed as disloyal to Trump. Three dismissed officials filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, hours before the shooting, claiming Patel admitted he was instructed to purge anyone involved in criminal cases tied to Trump’s first presidency.

Among those removed was the previous leader of the Salt Lake City FBI office, which now heads the Kirk investigation. His successor, FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls, updated the public Thursday morning, saying the firearm used had been recovered, though the gunman remained at large.

Later that day, investigators released two images of an individual they are seeking to identify. The bureau also offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The announcement drew criticism from conservative activist Laura Loomer, who said, “This is honestly embarrassing for the FBI and our country. What a slap in the face to Charlie Kirk.”

Patel’s own history with the bureau has been controversial. Before he became its director, he accused the FBI of harboring a “deep state” intent on undermining Trump. As a congressional aide, he played a central role in reviewing the bureau’s 2016 Russia investigation into Trump’s campaign.

Since assuming the directorship, Patel has embraced Trump’s agenda publicly, even appearing at social events with him—breaking from the tradition of past FBI chiefs who typically kept their distance from partisan politics.

There have also been moments of friction. In May, Patel told Congress that Trump’s proposed budget shortchanged the bureau, only to reverse himself the following day and endorse the cuts.

Earlier this year, Patel was also removed from his temporary role as acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. No explanation was provided at the time, and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll was appointed as his replacement.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump on Thursday downplayed concerns that Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Doha would undermine efforts to reach a hostage release deal.

Asked by a reporter how the attack might impact negotiations, Trump responded, “Hopefully it won’t affect it at all. We want the hostages out and we want them out soon.”

Qatar has served as a central mediator between Israel and Hamas in the talks over both a ceasefire and the release of hostages. But on Tuesday, the Qatari government announced it was suspending its mediation role immediately after Israeli forces carried out an airstrike in Doha.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani issued a fierce condemnation of what he called the “treacherous Israeli attack” on the capital. He insisted that Qatar “reserves the right” to retaliate and warned, “We will not be lenient on our sovereignty and will deal firmly with any security breach.”

At the same time, Al Thani suggested that Qatar’s position as mediator had not been completely abandoned. While castigating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the strike and declaring that Qatar was “reassessing everything” about its role in the process, he emphasized that Doha would not withdraw from its broader diplomatic efforts, saying Qatar would not be deterred from its mediation responsibilities.

The conflicting signals highlight the uncertainty now surrounding negotiations that had already been moving slowly. Israel insists that the offensive in Doha was aimed at Hamas’s senior leadership, while critics fear it has jeopardized fragile progress toward securing the release of the hostages still held in Gaza.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump arrived in New York on Thursday, making his way to Yankee Stadium where fans greeted him enthusiastically, chanting “USA! USA!” as he appeared ahead of the team’s 9/11 anniversary matchup.

Before walking onto the field to meet the crowd, Trump stopped in the Yankees’ clubhouse. There he praised the Steinbrenner family, calling them “a great family,” and spent time with players and staff.

“It’s a great family. [Team president] Randy [Levine] is wonderful, and I will say, you’re gonna win. George used to for some reason, I don’t know what it was, we won every time I came. Every time I came, we’d win a game. If you think that was easy, sitting with him for a game, it wasn’t. It was brutal. We were exhausted at the end. But we won, and you’re going to win. You’re gonna go all the way. Can you get in the playoff? I think. How about tonight, we start tonight, and you’re gonna do well.

“Randy was telling me the Boston Red Sox came to the Oval Office. They wanted to come. What am I gonna do? Say no? And they won 15 games in a row. I just want to wish you guys a lot of luck. You’re great players. I know every one of you.”

The reception in the stadium was warm, with fans erupting into chants of “USA!” soon after his arrival.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed his own anticipation about the visit. He described the moment as meaningful and said he was glad to take part. “Had the honor and fortune of some presidents over the years, first pitches or whatever it may be,” Boone said. “So the fact that he’s gonna be here, I’m excited to be a part of. I don’t know what it’ll be like, but to interact with him for a few minutes, something I’m looking forward to.”

Fox News reported that before Trump entered the stadium, the scoreboard replayed highlights from the 2001 World Series, which saw the Yankees face off against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Although the Diamondbacks ultimately clinched the championship in Game 7, the Yankees’ victories in Games 4 and 5 became iconic, both ending in walk-off wins less than two months after the September 11th attacks.

Earlier in the day, the Yankees hosted a memorial ceremony marking 9/11. Manager Aaron Boone, alongside pitchers Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon, placed a wreath at the 9/11 monument located in Monument Park, a historic part of Yankee Stadium.

{Matzav.com}

A fresh Quinnipiac University survey shows Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani opening up a decisive advantage in the four-way contest for New York City mayor. He is now ahead by 22 points, despite widespread opposition from Jewish voters, three-quarters of whom disapprove of him because of his outspoken anti-Israel record.

According to the poll, which questioned likely voters across the city, Mamdani currently secures 45% support. Trailing him is Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York running as an independent, who stands at 23%. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa receives 15%, while incumbent mayor Eric Adams, also on the ballot as an independent, posts 12%.

Although Mamdani has built a large coalition of backers, the Jewish community is not among them. Among Jewish voters, Adams comes out on top with 42%, more than double Mamdani’s 21%. Cuomo captures 20% in this demographic. Jewish voters also give Adams a favorable rating for his work in office, with 58% approving compared to 40% disapproving—an assessment that contrasts sharply with his overall numbers citywide, where 66% of voters view him negatively against just 28% who approve.

Mamdani’s controversial stance on Israel has been at the center of criticism. He has refused to denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada” and issued condemnations of Israel on October 8, 2023, the day after the Hamas attacks in southern Israel, fueling anger among Jewish voters and others.

Recent reports have indicated that President Donald Trump, in an attempt to strengthen Cuomo’s candidacy, offered Adams a role in the administration.

Just last week, Adams rejected rumors that he might drop out of the race, affirming instead that he intends to seek re-election.

{Matzav.com}