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Rabbi Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, conferred an honorary doctorate on Isaac Herzog, president of Israel, at the university’s 101st annual Chanukah dinner on Sunday.

The honorary degree recognized Herzog’s “leadership, moral courage and lifelong commitment to the Jewish people,” the university stated. Yeshiva added that the degree conferral was “a profound family legacy,” as his late father Chaim Herzog, a former Israeli president, received an honorary degree from the school in 1976.

Berman said at the black-tie event at the Cipriani Wall Street venue that Isaac Herzog is “a leader, who not only carries the conviction to defend Israel at every turn but has the character to build a state that is a beacon of light to all.”

Herzog is “the very embodiment of what it means to be a Zionist in our times,” he said.

The Yeshiva president announced at the event, which drew several hundred people, that the school had reached its $613 million fundraising goal, after billionaire philanthropist and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who spoke in a prerecorded message, donated the last $5 million.

“Even in the face of hate or division, we can come together with unity and solidarity and lead with spirit and purpose of light,” Kraft said in the message. “That’s what, to me, Yeshiva University does every day.”

Kraft added that his $5 million gift was not just an investment in the school but also an effort to “illuminate minds, strengthen hearts and prepare a new generation to lead with conviction, compassion and courage.”

There were also several institutional announcements at the event, including that Douglas Murray, a conservative British political commentator who is one of Israel’s staunchest defenders in the media, will be a visiting professor at Yeshiva next semester.

Berman announced that Yeshiva will debut a new engineering program and will expand its science and health school significantly, including with new departments and chairs.

The Yeshiva president also said that “distinguished scholars are joining our faculty in pursuit of an institution, whose values they actually trust, and our philanthropic achievements have surpassed every benchmark.”

“Yeshiva University is thriving with clarity and pride and purpose,” he added.

Yeshiva University HerzogIsaac Herzog, president of Israel, receives an honorary doctorate at Yeshiva University’s Chanukah fundraising dinner, Dec. 7, 2025. Credit: Courtesy of Yeshiva University.
In his keynote address, Herzog recalled observing a conversation some 25 years ago in Hebrew between Rabbi Norman Lamm, a former Yeshiva president, and Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a former Sephardi chief rabbi of Israel, in the latter’s office.

“It was a meeting of the minds and hearts, between a renowned leader of the American Jewish community and an admired leader of Sephardic and Israel Jewry,” Herzog said.

As the two “spoke of the impressive trajectory of American Jews, and of the dialogue that must take place within the streams of Jews in America and elsewhere, I watched another bridge between Israel and world Jewry take place before my eyes,” he added.

“Dear friends, you—all of you—are the embodiment of this bridge in our times,” he said.

The Israeli president said the university is “for American Jewry what Israel is for world Jewry.”

“It is home base, and as Yeshiva’s second president Rabbi Samuel Belkin said, ‘You have built a little Israel right here,’” he said.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Murray and billionaire philanthropist Miriam Adelson attended the event, as did the parents of Omer Neutra, who was murdered on Oct. 7 and whose body Israel liberated from Gaza in early November.

Anita Zucker, chair of the dinner and supporter of an eponymous scholarship for Jewish early childhood education at Yeshiva, stated that “this dinner marks not only a celebration of YU’s past but also the beginning of its bold new chapter.”

“The enthusiasm surrounding this event speaks to the unity, devotion and deep commitment that define the Yeshiva University community,” she said.

There were also lighthearted moments at the event, as when Herzog noted that Albert Einstein “famously declined David Ben-Gurion’s offer to become Israel’s second president, and yet he happily accepted an honorary doctorate from Yeshiva.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, I did accept the position of Israel’s president, and I am also pleased to accept this honor here this evening,” he said. JNS

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] In a moving scene in Moscow, Maxim Harkin — who was freed from Hamas captivity on Hoshana Rabbah after 738 harrowing days — marked a powerful spiritual milestone. Strengthened in his faith during his time in Gaza, he underwent a bris milah.

Presiding over the event was Russia’s Chief Rabbi, Rav Berel Lazar, joined by guest of honor Rav Dovid Yosef, who traveled specially for the occasion. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Harkin received his new Hebrew name: Zalman Zelig.

The celebration continued later that evening at a Yud Tes Kislev seudah, attended by hundreds. There, Zalman Zelig Harkin publicly expressed heartfelt gratitude for the miracles that brought him to freedom, offering words of thanks and inspiration that deeply moved the crowd.

The festive gathering featured singers Yanky Daskal, Moshe Louk, and child soloist Ari Kraus, accompanied by the Malchus Choir and Mendy Brandwein’s orchestra.

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{Matzav.com}

A tense exchange erupted today in the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee as the panel discussed whether to count national-civilian service toward the IDF’s draft targets, an issue that has become central in the emerging conscription legislation.

Committee legal adviser Miri Frenkel issued a sharply critical legal opinion earlier in the day rejecting the inclusion of national service in the draft quotas. When the matter came up in the committee session, she confronted IDF representative Brig. Gen. Shay Taib over the army’s position.

Taib warned that the proposal, as currently written, would not help the IDF meet its operational needs. “As the law is drafted right now, the people who go to national civilian service do not assist us in any parameter,” he told the committee. “At present, the mechanism written here does not provide the turnover we need. Of the 12,000 soldiers the army requires, at least 6,000 must be combat troops.”

Frenkel challenged him directly. “One thing is difficult to understand in your position,” she said. “On the one hand, the IDF says it is short 12,000 soldiers, some of them combat personnel. You also say that every chareidi man can serve in the IDF. So I don’t understand why you agree to transfer soldiers into a civilian-security service framework.”

Taib pushed back: “I didn’t say I agree.”

Frenkel insisted that the army must present a clear position. “This is not a matter of agreeing or not agreeing—you need to state your stance,” she said. “What I understand from your words is that you do agree. The question is a principled one. It’s not just about manpower management. You cannot say, ‘I need 12,000 combat troops,’ and at the same time support opening national service as an alternative.”

Taib reiterated that the army does not back the proposal: “There is a clause in the bill that is before us. We do not agree with it. Within this clause, I am suggesting not to accept the ages of 19–20 that were written here, but to raise them.”

Frenkel pressed further: “This isn’t only about combat soldiers. It also includes combat-support roles.”

Taib bristled at the line of questioning: “I’m responding to the clause in front of me. Do you want to dictate my position? You’re so focused on arguing that you’re not listening to what I’m saying.”

{Matzav.com}

Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, South Fallsburg rosh yeshiva, has spent recent days holding intensive conversations with Gedolei Roshei Yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel regarding the government’s emerging draft-law proposal.

Rav Wachtfogel has been reaching out directly to the senior ranks of the Israeli yeshiva world. In recent days, he held a phone conversation with three of the leading Roshei Yeshiva in Eretz Hakodesh: Rav Dovid Cohen of Yeshivas Chevron, Rav Chaim Feinstein of Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo, and Rav Aviezer Piltz of Yeshivas Tifrach.

After hearing each of their perspectives on the draft-law proposal currently advancing in the Knesset, Rav Wachtfogel has begun working to bring these Roshei Yeshiva together for a special gathering. The purpose of the meeting would be to deliberate collectively and to formulate a unified position on what is widely viewed as a critical, defining issue for the Torah community. Their determinations would then be conveyed to the gadol hador, Maran Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshivas Slabodka.

This initiative comes as the chassidishe Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel is also preparing to convene and formally announce its opposition to the draft bill.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rabbi Chananya Sinai Dovid “Chesed” Halberstam. He was 74.

Born on 23 Av 5711 in Eretz Yisroel, Rabbi Halberstam descended from illustrious lineage. His father, Reb Meir Halberstam, traced directly back to the Divrei Chaim of Sanz.

As a bochur, he eventually joined his brother, Chaim Baruch, and began gravitating toward Lubavitch. In 5730, he arrived in New York to immerse himself in learning and quietly took on responsibilities in assisting Rebbetzin Nechama Dina until her passing.

Those early acts of help grew into a lifelong mission. Rabbi Halberstam became a ben bayis in the home of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Rebbetzin, serving as their Mashbak for nearly two decades. He tended to the Rebbetzin with unwavering loyalty, drove her personally, and was entrusted with numerous private matters affecting both the Rebbe and Rebbetzin.

The depth of that relationship was something he often reflected on. He once shared how the Rebbetzin’s empathy reached into every corner of their lives: “When a family member was in labor and she was in critical condition due to some complication, the Rebbetzin said she could not sleep at night! So too with a joyous occasion, when my family was able to get an apartment, which entailed many difficulties, the Rebbetzin said that she could not sleep all night because she was so happy for us.”

His life was forever marked by tragedy on Yud Ches Adar 5754 when his son Ari Hy”d, was murdered in a terror attack on the Brooklyn Bridge by a Lebanese terrorist returning from Beth Israel Hospital, where the Rebbe had been treated for his eye.

In recent years, Rabbi Halberstam lived in Queens. His humility, warmth, and steadfast sense of duty remained constants throughout his life.

He leaves behind his wife, Baila, and their children: Sara Gutnick of Melbourne, Australia; Chanie Apfelbaum of Crown Heights; Mendy Halberstam of Hollywood Lakes, Florida; and Shea Halberstam of Cleveland, Ohio. He is also survived by many grandchildren who carry his legacy forward.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Uber is rolling out a new way to hail a ride—by walking up to a physical kiosk, no smartphone required. The company revealed on Tuesday that its first booth is headed to LaGuardia Airport in New York, giving passengers an option reminiscent of lining up for taxis in pre-app days.

Uber confirmed that the initial kiosk will appear in Terminal C, with additional locations already under consideration. The company said the concept is aimed at settings like “hotels, ports and international airports in the coming months,” signaling a broader push to reach travelers who may not have data access or the Uber app on hand.

The rideshare platform framed the new setup as particularly helpful for international arrivals who find themselves disconnected upon landing. “Simply walk up to the kiosk, enter your destination, then start your ride type. The kiosk prints a paper receipt with your trip details, making the experience as straightforward as possible,” Uber said.

For now, Uber has not responded to questions about the timeline for installation at LaGuardia or the rollout schedule for additional cities. A spokesperson also told Bloomberg that next year’s surge of international tourism—driven in part by global events like the World Cup—creates a “strong opportunity” for growth. Uber will initially operate and maintain the kiosks itself, though that arrangement may shift over time.

Alongside the kiosk announcement, the company introduced a slate of other updates designed to smooth the holiday travel rush. One highlight is an expansion of the Uber Shuttle program, now extending service to Newark Liberty International Airport. With shuttles already running at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia, Uber now covers all major New York–area airports with the offering.

Another new feature will allow riders to tip their drivers from their phone’s lock screen before the trip concludes. “With tipping now just a tap away, more riders can show appreciation in the moment – early pilots showing that this simple change has increased tips for drivers,” Uber said.

These developments follow earlier announcements about Uber’s autonomous vehicle plans. The company revealed that its robotaxi—built in partnership with Lucid and Nuro—will begin operating in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2026. The model is based on the Lucid Gravity SUV and will be used exclusively on Uber’s platform. Within six years, Uber says more than 20,000 of these driverless vehicles are expected to hit roads in multiple markets, available to customers directly through the app.

{Matzav.com}

Oreo is setting its sights on a new segment of snack lovers with a major announcement: a completely sugar-free version of its world-famous cookie. Mondelēz revealed that Oreo Zero Sugar Cookies will be hitting shelves early next year, marking a significant expansion for the brand.

The revamped cookies, arriving in January 2026, will even sport a refreshed look, with the words Zero Sugar stamped directly onto each cookie. According to a statement shared with USA TODAY, Mondelēz spent roughly four years engineering the recipe so that fans would still get the familiar Oreo flavor and texture they expect.

Shoppers eager to try them won’t have to wait long. Beginning in January, both Original Zero Sugar Oreos and Double Stuf Zero Sugar Oreos will be sold nationwide, and the company emphasized that these new products are not limited-time items but permanent additions to the Oreo lineup.

Those who don’t want to wait until the retail release can already order the cookies directly from the Oreo website. A 20-count bag currently retails for $5.29.

The ingredient list for the sugar-free versions includes maltitol, polydextrose, sucralose, and Ace-K—sweeteners that allow the cookies to mimic traditional sweetness without relying on actual sugar. The recipe specifically excludes aspartame, a sweetener that has faced scrutiny over potential cancer risks.

In terms of calories, a sugar-free Oreo clocks in at about 45 calories per cookie. By comparison, the classic Oreo contains around 53 calories each, according to the brand’s nutritional information.

{Matzav.com}

The body discovered Monday in an open area near the village of Zoharim has been identified as 29-year-old Moshe Tzabari of the Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood in Yerushalayim, who had been missing since early Sunday morning.

Over the past day, widespread calls circulated on social media urging the public to help locate Tzabari. Despite the intensive search effort, his body was ultimately found at the bottom of a deep pit in the Zoharim area.

Police revealed that on Sunday, Tzabari’s vehicle was discovered burned near Kiryat Gat. Location data indicated that one of the car’s last stops was in the vicinity of Zoharim, directing search teams to focus their efforts there.

During the search operation, first responders located a pit approximately 30 meters deep. At the bottom lay Tzabari’s body. Bloodstains were also found near the entrance to the pit, raising immediate suspicions of a criminal act.

The police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. At their request, the court imposed a gag order on details of the probe. The body has been transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for examination.

Moshe’s brother, Yisrael, posted an emotional message online: “Thank you all for sharing and helping. Sadly, our brother Moshe was murdered!” Family members insist that Moshe was kidnapped and subsequently killed, though the investigation remains under strict confidentiality.

Fire and Rescue Services worked for hours to retrieve the body from the pit. Authorities reported that after specialized rescue systems were set up, two rescuers — both trained medics — were lowered into the pit. Due to the nature of the scene, forensic investigators were also brought down to collect evidence. All personnel were later lifted back up along with the deceased, who was confirmed lifeless at the scene.

The investigation continues under a full gag order.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s State Prosecutor’s Office declined a police request on Tuesday evening to authorize an investigation into an installation depicting the severed head of Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, a display that the Likud Party says constitutes explicit incitement and imagery of an execution.

According to a report on i24NEWS, police approached the prosecution for approval to open an inquiry after receiving a formal complaint from Likud. Under Israeli law, investigations into alleged incitement offenses require prior authorization from the prosecutor’s office. That approval was denied.

Earlier in the day, Likud submitted a detailed complaint through attorney Tamar Arbel, asserting that the installation was a dangerous call to violence. The display, set up outside the Tel Aviv District Court while Netanyahu testified in his ongoing trial, featured a sculpture resembling the prime minister’s decapitated head placed on a platform, with “7/10” inscribed on its forehead.

Likud argued that the imagery represented “a classic violent depiction of an execution” and conveyed a message encouraging the physical elimination of the prime minister. The party insisted the exhibit crossed every legal and moral line.

Despite the refusal to open a case in this instance, Netanyahu has frequently been the target of threats and provocative displays. Over the years, police have investigated numerous suspects for alleged incitement against him, and several indictments have been filed in connection with such actions.

{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

Kamala Harris is openly embracing her place in American political lore, telling The New York Times that she considers herself a “historic figure” and noting that her likeness will soon be carved in marble for display in Congress. Speaking ahead of the release of her book, 107 Days, Harris said she no longer feels “burdened” by trying to secure her legacy and brushed aside questions about her political future.

“I understand the focus on ’28 and all that,” she told the Times, insisting that her imprint on history is already assured. “But there will be a marble bust of me in Congress. I am a historic figure like any Vice President of the United States ever was.” She went on to praise the energy surrounding her book tour, saying, “Thousands of people are coming to hear my voice. Thousands and thousands. Every place we’ve gone has been sold out.”

Her remarks allude to the long-running Senate practice of commissioning marble busts of former vice presidents—a custom dating back to the late 19th century—and arrive as Harris uses her book rollout to air grievances with major figures in her own party. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, among others, comes in for sharp criticism.

In the book, Harris claims Shapiro peppered her team with excessive questions, including “how he might arrange to get Pennsylvania artists’ work on loan from the Smithsonian.” She further writes that he seemed intent on involvement in every matter, prompting her to remind him that “a vice president is not a co-president.”

Political analysts had long wondered why Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz instead of Shapiro as her running mate, and her newly published anecdotes have now drawn an angry response. Shapiro dismissed her portrayal outright, saying in an interview with The Atlantic, “She wrote that in her book? That’s complete and utter [garbage].” He added, “I can tell you that her accounts are just blatant lies.” Defending his approach, he continued, “I did ask a bunch of questions. Wouldn’t you ask questions if someone was talking to you about forming a partnership and working together?”

Shapiro chalked up her storytelling to self-promotion, concluding, “She’s trying to sell books. Period.”

Harris also directs frustration at Biden’s White House, accusing senior aides of sidelining her both during their administration and throughout her campaign against Trump. She writes that “Getting anything positive said about my work or any defense against untrue attacks was almost impossible,” asserting that the administration was content to let her take the political hits for the border crisis and other controversies.

{Matzav.com}

A sharp warning was issued today against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara over her ongoing delay in deciding whether to reopen the criminal investigation into the 2021 Meron disaster, which claimed the lives of 45 men, boys, and children.

Retired judge Prof. Menachem Finkelstein, the Commissioner for Public Complaints Against State Representatives in the Courts, cautioned on Tuesday that time is running out and that the risk of the case becoming time-barred is growing. His remarks were reported by Ynet.

Finkelstein said the prolonged inaction harms not only the bereaved families who have waited years for accountability, but also the ability of the justice system to conduct any future prosecution fairly. “Unfortunately, it can be said that at this stage even a decision whether to open a criminal proceeding does not appear on the horizon. This state of affairs is unacceptable,” he warned.

The original criminal probe was halted after then–Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit stopped the process upon the establishment of the national commission of inquiry. That panel completed its work in March 2024 and formally recommended that the Attorney General consider renewing the criminal investigation. Yet no determination has been made since.

In her response to the commissioner, Baharav-Miara noted that following a petition to the High Court—which was dismissed—the State Prosecutor’s Office continues to review the commission’s findings with an expanded team. Finkelstein, however, said that was insufficient: “The time that has passed since the judgment in the petition requires, in my view, a significant acceleration of the actions taken.”

He also revealed a troubling detail: some materials submitted to the inquiry committee have still not been forwarded to the police or the prosecution, despite being essential for any investigation. Additional delays, he warned, could result in severe procedural harm—and may later serve as grounds to close the case.

“Past experience teaches that such delays may later serve as a significant factor in a decision not to open an investigation or not to file indictments,” he wrote. “This must be prevented, and action must be taken before the statute of limitations runs out.”

The national commission’s final report issued sweeping criticism of the authorities involved. “We found a corrupt culture within our own house. This harmful culture led to the terrible disaster on Mount Meron… This disaster could have been prevented, and it should have been prevented,” the panel wrote. It added that the police operated under “fixed assumptions,” including the belief that attendance could not be capped, and noted that “no serious staff work was ever done” to address crowd-control risks.

The report attributed personal responsibility to several senior officials, including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu; Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who at the time served as Minister of Public Security; and former Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai.

{Matzav.com}

The Department of Homeland Security is sounding the alarm over new California data showing that publicly funded ambulance rides could soar by as much as 383%, a spike the Trump administration is using to intensify its attacks on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s policies extending Medi-Cal and Medicaid access to illegal immigrants.

Officials in Washington have repeatedly faulted California for allowing state and federal healthcare dollars to cover emergency services for migrants without legal status—a dispute that became a flashpoint during the recent government shutdown. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital that “President Trump consistently promised to protect Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries” and said the administration is now working to ensure taxpayer funds are not diverted to those who are not legally entitled to them. She added, “To keep that promise after Joe Biden flooded our country with tens of millions of illegal aliens, CMS and DHS are exploring an initiative to ensure that illegal aliens are not receiving Medicaid benefits that are meant for law-abiding Americans.”

McLaughlin argued that California has already been forced to confront the strain its policies created, saying, “California should understand this principle pretty well by now, since they had to announce they were freezing Medi-Cal enrollment for illegal immigrants earlier this year.” Newsom revealed in May that the state would halt new Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented adults beginning in 2026, and later announced plans to require those already in the program to begin paying monthly premiums in mid-2027. Although Newsom initially sought a $100 monthly charge, the Democratic-controlled legislature reduced the figure to $30.

Those not yet enrolled will be barred from applying starting in 2026, a restriction that narrows who can receive emergency Medicaid services—but does not eliminate one of the most expensive elements: ambulance transportation. According to the California Department of Health Care Services, the cost of a taxpayer-funded ambulance trip surged from $339 per ride in 2022 to $1,168 in 2024. The state has now asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to approve rates of $1,597 for 2025 and $1,637 for 2026—a jump that amounts to roughly 382%.

Although California did not explicitly tie its soaring ambulance expenditures to services for illegal migrants, DHS suggested there may be a connection and used the moment to reiterate the administration’s push for more detailed data about migrants receiving care. McLaughlin said, “This information sharing is essential to identify who is in our country, including violent criminals, determine what public safety and terror threats may exist so we can neutralize them and identify what public benefits these aliens are using at taxpayer expense.” She followed with a pointed critique: “California Democrats, like Gavin Newsom, should stop putting illegal aliens over Americans.”

Part of the controversy centers on California’s use of intergovernmental transfers, or IGTs—transactions in which counties and public hospitals send funds to the state, allowing California to claim those dollars as Medicaid spending. The federal government then matches that inflated amount. Afterward, states can return the original money to the local entities while keeping the federal match. According to DHS, this mechanism contributes to widening disparities: private ambulance providers remain stuck at a reimbursement rate of $339, while publicly funded ambulance services in California have seen dramatically increased payouts.

DHS argues that taxpayers nationwide are effectively subsidizing a system that inflates costs and helps bankroll healthcare for illegal immigrants. The administration notes that while other states also rely on IGTs, California’s exceptionally large undocumented population makes it particularly vulnerable to federal scrutiny—and a prime target for the Trump administration’s broader effort to restrict benefits for those in the country illegally.

{Matzav.com}

In the closing stretch of his term, New York City Mayor Eric Adams tapped former journalist Pat Smith to serve as the interim head of the Civilian Complaint Review Board. The choice lands just weeks before Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani takes office and instantly hands him a politically sensitive decision.

According to the New York Post, Smith’s appointment fills a leadership gap at the CCRB as the Adams administration winds down. Smith has sat on the board before and was among the three members who supported the officers involved in the fatal shooting of Win Rosario, a Queens resident with mental health struggles.

Those familiar with the agency do not expect Smith to overhaul anything during the waning weeks of Adams’ tenure. The larger question is what happens once Mamdani is sworn in on January 1, 2026. If the new mayor wants to install his own leadership, he will have to replace Smith almost immediately—a move that could ignite backlash from police unions that favored Smith’s return.

Mamdani already enters office with a fraught relationship with those unions. He spent part of his campaign walking back earlier remarks seen as hostile to law enforcement. He was also criticized after suggesting that the CCRB, not the police commissioner, should have the ultimate say in disciplinary matters. Since naming Jessica Tisch as his incoming police commissioner, Mamdani has not clarified whether he still supports that approach.

The CCRB’s structure gives its chair considerable influence over public messaging and management of its more than 200 employees, even though the chair holds only one vote among 15 members who publicly weigh disciplinary recommendations.

Smith’s appointment is not the only late-game move Adams has made that will reverberate into the next administration. In October, Adams revamped the Rent Guidelines Board by installing several members viewed as aligned with property owners—potentially complicating Mamdani’s promise to secure a freeze on rents for stabilized apartments. Without a successful court challenge, those appointments could push any freeze off the table for at least two years.

The mayor-elect’s transition plans also drew attention for another reason. Mamdani added Mysonne Linen—an activist and rapper who served seven years in state prison for armed robbery—to his transition team. Linen, now 49, was listed in late November as part of the committee advising on the city’s criminal legal system.

{Matzav.com}

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman used a live appearance on Newsmax’s “National Report” to make official what had been increasingly expected: he is running for governor of New York. The broadcast followed the release of his first campaign video, signaling the start of what could become a high-profile Republican showdown with Rep. Elise Stefanik as both aim to take on Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2026.

Rather than dwell on the potential intraparty rivalry, Blakeman highlighted what he described as proof of his ability to win in politically mixed territory. He pointed to his most recent victory in Nassau County—an area he noted leans Democratic—as evidence that his message resonates across ideological lines. “Everybody wants the same thing. They want safe neighborhoods and they want low taxes. They want economic development. They want jobs. They want prosperity. They want a better place to live for their kids and their grandkids. I’m the guy that can do that,” Blakeman said, framing his campaign as focused on broad, kitchen-table concerns.

Stefanik’s recent swipe—claiming he has “no shot” and is motivated by ego—was mentioned during the interview, but Blakeman avoided turning the conversation into a GOP brawl. He said his attention is on defeating Hochul and underscored what he views as his advantage: hands-on experience managing a major suburban county with a multibillion-dollar budget.

The conversation then shifted to an attack video from Hochul’s camp, which attempted to tie Blakeman to President Donald Trump on issues ranging from tariffs to remarks about citizen militias. Blakeman was unapologetic about his relationship with Trump, remarking that he has not “run away” from him and calling Trump the most effective president he has seen. He added that he would gladly accept Trump’s endorsement while continuing his efforts to appeal to voters beyond the Republican base.

When the topic turned to New York City’s political landscape, Blakeman said he would not support any attempts by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to raise taxes. He also suggested that Albany could step in if the city government fails to enforce the law, including through measures that would bring state-level law enforcement into the picture to bolster public safety.

{Matzav.com}

Channel 12 News disclosed Tuesday night that, long before Isaac Herzog entered the President’s Residence, a confidential legal analysis was drafted at the request of businessman Moti Sander—an ally of Herzog—to explore whether Benjamin Netanyahu could receive a presidential pardon before any indictment was formally issued.

The document, authored by prominent attorney Eyal Rozovsky, was meant to outline a legal path that could theoretically have cleared the way for such a pardon. This effort was taking shape in the tense days immediately preceding Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit’s announcement that charges would, in fact, be filed against Netanyahu. Ultimately, the proposal never materialized into action, and the legal proceedings pushed ahead as originally planned.

People familiar with the behind-the-scenes maneuvering during Herzog’s campaign say that certain political actors believed a pardon arrangement might be achievable. According to those accounts, Herzog reached out to both Netanyahu and then-President Reuven Rivlin, exploring a scenario in which Netanyahu would permanently step away from political life in exchange for being pardoned.

The President’s Office, however, issued a sweeping rejection of every element of that narrative, insisting that no such arrangement was ever contemplated. “There was never any agreement, understanding, or recognition – explicit, implicit, or hinted – between President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linking Herzog’s presidency to Netanyahu’s legal matters, including a pardon. Anyone claiming otherwise is lying and risks a defamation lawsuit,” the statement declared.

Turning to the leaked legal memo itself, the office emphasized that the entire matter traces back to a private individual, not the president or his campaign. “This is a complete and recycled falsehood by an individual named Moti Sander, who had no role in the presidential campaign whatsoever. As has been repeatedly published, the opinion was a private initiative by Mr. Sander, and reports at the time clearly stated that the President was not connected to it. President Herzog never saw this legal opinion and only became aware of it years later when it surfaced in the media. It should also be emphasized that President Herzog was elected by an unprecedented majority, receiving broad support from across the political spectrum, and did not need Netanyahu’s support or that of anyone associated with him.”

Addressing the current request submitted by Netanyahu just last week, the office added that no special treatment will be given. “The pardon request submitted by Prime Minister Netanyahu will be reviewed like any other. The process will take many weeks, and it is currently being examined by professional officials at the Ministry of Justice.”

{Matzav.com}

Health officials reported a heartbreaking loss this week, confirming that an 11-month-old child died on Tuesday after developing measles and experiencing severe complications. The baby had no underlying medical issues and had not yet received the routine vaccination that protects against the virus.

The Health Ministry explained that the infant was initially treated at Poriya Hospital in Tiberias before being urgently transferred to Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center. There, doctors placed him on an ECMO machine in an attempt to stabilize him, but despite extensive intervention, the infant did not survive.

Authorities noted that this case reflects a deeply concerning pattern. All 11 previous deaths recorded since the outbreak began were also among infants who were unvaccinated and otherwise healthy, underscoring the vulnerability of young children when exposed to measles.

In an appeal aimed at preventing further casualties, the Health Ministry stressed that routine immunization remains the most effective safeguard. “The vaccine saves lives,” the ministry stated, reiterating that the standard two-dose schedule includes one shot at age one and a second at age six.

Given the current spike in infections, health officials advise moving the second dose up to one and a half years old in high-risk regions. They also recommend vaccinating infants between six and eleven months during active outbreaks and caution families to avoid mass gatherings in affected areas if their children are not vaccinated.

The ministry listed the following cities and regions as outbreak zones: Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Harish, Modiin Illit, Nof HaGalil, Kiryat Gat, Ashdod, Safed, Netivot, Haifa, Tiberias, the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, and Tekoa.

To meet growing demand, temporary vaccination centers, Tipat Halav clinics, and local health funds are operating in these areas, offering vaccines without the need to book appointments in advance.

{Matzav.com}