Matzav

Dr. Anthony Fauci spent the pandemic years burying critical information about where COVID-19 came from, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary alleged in a fiery appearance on “Pod Force One,” accusing the longtime federal health official of directing an intentional and far-reaching concealment.

Makary, who previously taught at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, told host Miranda Devine that while leading the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Fauci aggressively shut down discussion of a possible lab leak in China — a suppression effort that, he argued, went largely unnoticed inside the medical world. “One thing that’s extremely obvious that very few people realize, and certainly hardly anyone in the medical establishment where I come from realized, is that [Fauci] was involved in a massive cover-up of the origins of COVID, a massive cover-up,” the FDA commissioner said.

He emphasized that the concealment was indisputable, regardless of whether Fauci had any personal involvement in the underlying experiments. “Whether or not he was involved in the experiments or funding the experiments that led to the origins of COVID, he was clearly 100% involved in the cover-up,” he added.

Fauci — who also held the role of chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden — received a sweeping presidential pardon last December, insulating him from prosecution for any potential offenses dating back to 2014. Makary suggested that this blanket pardon was not coincidental, arguing that Fauci’s alleged actions in hiding the virus’s origins overshadow even the “massive disagreements” he has with Fauci’s public health guidance during the crisis.

According to Makary, Fauci took the manipulation of scientific discourse to a new level. “[O]nly recently did Anthony Fauci take it to the next level of using science as political propaganda,” he told Devine. “He commissioned the pieces that lied about the COVID origins. The author who submitted the article said this was commissioned by Dr. Fauci and [Dr. Francis Collins, the former director of the National Institutes of Health] in that cover letter.”

Evidence released in 2023 by the House Oversight Committee showed that Fauci requested, reviewed, and approved a scientific paper — “The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2” — written early in 2020 to push back against the notion that the virus originated from a Wuhan research facility.

Two months later, Fauci appeared at a White House briefing beside President Trump and cited that paper while arguing that a lab leak was unlikely.

The paper’s timing raised further questions: it was drafted just four days after Fauci and Collins held a call with its authors to address growing reports that COVID-19 could have escaped from the Wuhan lab.

Makary described the internal scramble during that period. “If you think back to the end of January, just before COVID became a thing in the news in the United States, January, February, what was Dr. Fauci doing? He was frantically engaging in a massive cover-up with 3 a.m. emails and phone calls,” he said. He added that the scientists involved originally told Fauci, “‘We think it came from the Wuhan lab,’” only to publish a letter days later asserting the opposite — after some reportedly received “millions of dollars in funding from Fauci’s agency.”

“This is not rocket science. It’s a no-brainer where it came from,” Makary fumed.

Beyond the origins debate, Makary accused Fauci and Collins of systematically weakening Obama-era restrictions on gain-of-function work and approving grants for risky viral manipulation projects. He argued that “They did everything you could do bureaucratically,” and said Fauci subsequently “parsed his words to basically lie to Congress” about the research.

He called the alleged deception “an American tragedy,” expressing disbelief that leading academics missed what he views as obvious. “What I’m shocked by coming from the faculty at Johns Hopkins is none of my colleagues knew any of this,” Makary said. “I could not believe that my colleagues had no idea of the origins and the facts surrounding the origins and the massive cover-up that Fauci and Collins led.”

Makary contended that Fauci and Collins managed to shape the narrative because of the immense influence they wield — influence tied deeply to federal research dollars. He said the Wuhan lab maintained “the safety standards of a poorly managed dental office,” yet the medical establishment still rallied behind Fauci and Collins.

“They have achieved sainthood, and they have tremendous power.”

{Matzav.com}

Dear Editor,

There have been countless podcasts, articles, speeches, and discussions about the rising cost of frum living. There’s no denying it: living a frum life is expensive. Yes, there are many contributing factors, and everything from the shidduch crisis to basic capitalism has been blamed. But one thing is clear: if we, as a community, take real steps to reduce costs, then costs will come down.

I’d like to suggest a simple first step. Every shul should establish straightforward guidelines for making a kiddush, bar mitzvah, aufruf, or any similar event within the shul. For example: if you’re making a kiddush here, you choose from two or three preset tiers. Naturally, the Rav should speak with the membership to determine what is truly affordable, and the available options should reflect the financial reality of the shul’s families.

I can already hear the reactions: “But what about people who won’t make the kiddush in the shul?” And the answer is — you’re right. You can’t force anyone to do anything once they’re outside the shul. But if 90% of the membership follows the system, it’s absolutely worth it. And let’s be honest: many of the wealthier members would probably prefer preset options anyway. It gives them less to worry about, and it even provides a built-in excuse — “I would’ve done something fancier, but the Rav doesn’t allow it.”

This is not a massive national initiative that requires an Agudah convention session. We don’t need a new organization or a fundraising drive to make it happen (give your maaser to the tzedakah of your choice). All we need is for our rabbonim and our shul members to look around and finally say: enough is enough.

C.J.

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A new wave of anger is sweeping through the 9/11 survivor and responder community after New York City acknowledged the existence of dozens of long-absent toxin-related records—files many say should have been available decades ago to protect first responders’ health.

The Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA), which represents thousands of FDNY firefighters, sounded the alarm after learning that 68 boxes of documents tied to environmental hazards at Ground Zero had been located. Union leaders say the people who dug through the rubble, breathed the toxic dust, and developed illnesses deserve complete transparency, not confusion over missing paperwork.

City officials recently confirmed that these materials—once described as nonexistent—had indeed been found, sparking widespread concern about how such a trove could vanish for so long. The timing adds tension to an already strained system, as the World Trade Center Health Program is confronting a $3 billion budget gap that could begin limiting services by 2027. More than 92,000 responders and survivors rely on the program.

Attorney Michael Barasch, who represents tens of thousands of 9/11 victims, including the family of Detective James Zadroga, placed responsibility squarely on the city. “You do not find 68 boxes by accident,” Barasch said. “You either hid them or ignored them, and families paid for that choice with funerals, chemo, and empty chairs at the table.”

Barasch labeled the discovery “a betrayal” and pressed for federal oversight, arguing that such records could have accelerated diagnoses and benefits for cancer and respiratory-disease patients who were exposed to toxic dust after the towers fell.

Data from the CDC shows the staggering scope of the health crisis: 9/11-linked cancer cases have climbed 143% in just five years, with over 48,000 confirmed cases and at least 8,215 deaths—now outnumbering the victims killed on the day of the attacks itself.

Responding to the uproar, City Hall issued a statement to FOX 5 NY defending its handling of the situation. “As one of the many first responders at Ground Zero on 9/11 and in the weeks that followed, Mayor Adams has been unwavering in his commitment to ensuring victims, their families, first responders, and survivors receive the care and services they deserve. While we cannot comment on the specifics of pending litigation, the city has begun turning over documents to plaintiff’s counsel, and both parties are working out a schedule to continue this process.”

For families still fighting cancers and lung diseases two decades later, the appearance of these documents raises hopes that long-buried details about contamination levels, cleanup decisions, and environmental risks may finally come to light. Advocates like Barasch insist that only full transparency—and reliable federal funding—can ensure that first responders are not, in their words, “sacrificed twice.”

{Matzav.com}

A dramatic confrontation overnight at the Bnei Brak–Ramat Gan border escalated into a major street riot, after military police attempted to arrest a chareidi yeshiva bochur wanted for draft evasion. The arrest operation failed, triggering large-scale clashes, damage to military police vehicles, and multiple arrests.

According to initial reports, military police forces arrived to detain a student from Yeshivas Rav Chaim Ozer at his home. However, the bochur was not at home—he was in yeshiva at the time. News of the attempted arrest immediately spread through the emergency alert lines of the Yerushalmi Faction, drawing hundreds of protesters within minutes.

A massive crowd of avreichim and yeshiva students responded to the call from local assistance groups, flooding the scene and confronting the military police.

Radio journalist Daniel Grobais of Galei Tzahal reported that demonstrators overturned military police patrol vehicles, vandalized additional equipment, and even stole military gear and handcuffs from the vehicles. Border Police officers were eventually dispatched to rescue the military police personnel from the area.

Photos from the scene showed an overturned military police car lying on its side. Witnesses described a chaotic environment as the crowd surged around the security forces.

The Israel Police released a statement early Wednesday morning, saying: “The police operated tonight to disperse an illegal demonstration in Ramat Gan and arrested two rioters. A report was received of a gathering of protesters on Meir Baal Haness Street in Ramat Gan, following military police activity at the scene and attempts to harm the forces.

“Dan District officers arrived immediately and began dispersing the rioters and extracting the military police teams. The rioters continued to gather, damaging military police vehicles and overturning a car. Officers worked to disperse the demonstration and arrested two suspects, who were brought in for questioning at the police station.”

Video footage from the scene showed Border Police officers flipping the damaged military patrol car upright while securing the area.

One of the arrested individuals is a well-known yeshiva student from the chareidi community. Local sources claim that the draft-dodging bochur initially targeted for arrest managed to flee during the chaos, escaping to his yeshiva under the cover of the clashes.

{Matzav.com}

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has announced that it will once again prosecute Pedro Hernandez in the notorious case of Etan Patz, the 6-year-old Jewish child whose disappearance and murder in 1979 shook the nation and transformed how America responds to missing children.

Hernandez, who was convicted in 2017, saw that conviction thrown out earlier this year after an appellate court ruled that the jury had been given flawed legal instructions. That decision wiped out the verdict from his second trial, forcing prosecutors to determine whether they could bring the case forward again.

With a December 1 deadline approaching, prosecutors reviewed the file and informed the court that they intend to proceed. In their formal filing, they wrote, “The District Attorney has determined that the available, admissible evidence supports prosecuting defendant on the charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Kidnapping in the First Degree in this matter, and the People are prepared to proceed.”

Etan Patz vanished in May 1979 on the very first morning his mother allowed him to walk alone to his school bus stop in Manhattan. His disappearance led to one of the most intensive searches in New York City history and marked the beginning of a nationwide transformation in how missing children cases were handled. His photograph was among the first to appear on milk cartons in an effort to enlist the public in the search. Despite decades of investigations, his body was never located.

Years later, another individual was deemed responsible in a civil case, but that man was released in 2012 after Hernandez was criminally charged. Now, more than four decades after Etan’s disappearance, prosecutors plan once again to bring the case before a jury.

{Matzav.com}

Russian officials moved quickly on Wednesday to contradict President Trump’s assertion that Moscow had already signed on to certain compromises toward ending the war, dismissing the idea of imminent agreement even as their military unleashed another devastating drone barrage on Ukrainian civilians.

After Trump said the day before that US envoys had made headway in talks with both Kyiv and Moscow — and that Russia had signed off on unspecified concessions — the Kremlin publicly pushed back, saying no such progress had been reached.

In Moscow, senior officials stressed that the idea of Russia softening its stance was pure fiction. Sergei Ryabkov, a deputy foreign minister, declared that “There can be no talk of any concessions or surrender of our approaches to the key aspects of resolving the problems facing us, including in the context of the special operation [in Ukraine],” a firm rejection of any notion that an agreement is in sight.

Trump did not elaborate on what concessions he believed had been secured, but the Kremlin made clear that none existed.

Pressed on whether a breakthrough might be close, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov brushed off the suggestion, responding: “It’s premature to say that yet.”

As this diplomatic back-and-forth played out, Russian forces launched one of their largest recent drone assaults on the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday night, leaving at least 19 people injured and entire residential blocks burning.

Regional governor Ivan Fedorov said the onslaught ignited widespread fires, tore through apartment buildings, and destroyed vehicles across multiple neighborhoods. “A rescue operation is currently underway at 12 locations,” he reported in an online video, adding that “The maximum number of units from the State Emergency Services, national police and our medical teams has been deployed.”

Photos and videos shared on social media captured firefighters struggling to contain towering flames, twisted vehicles, and charred high-rise facades.

Ukraine’s air force later announced it had intercepted 72 of the 90 drones Russia launched overnight, along with two ballistic missiles, in one of the heaviest nationwide barrages in weeks.

{Matzav.com}

An internal military review released today paints a stark picture of what unfolded in Moshav Yated on October 7, 2023: while Hamas terrorists broke through the border and the Israel Defense Forces struggled with paralyzing command failures, the community’s own defenders stepped in and stopped what could have become another large-scale massacre.

The investigation, overseen by Brig. Gen. (res.) Itamar Ben-Haim and signed off by Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, is part of a sweeping series of inquiries into the events of that day, when thousands of terrorists crossed into Israel, murdered roughly 1,200 people, and dragged 251 captives into Gaza. This report focused specifically on how Yated—located just three miles from Gaza—faced its encounter with 11 Hamas attackers.

Drawing on a year of testimonies from residents, security team members, intelligence personnel, video footage, communication records, and reenactments, investigators mapped out a timeline in which the IDF’s absence stood in sharp contrast to the swift actions of local defenders.

The moshav first came under fire at 6:29 a.m., when Hamas launched its massive rocket barrage. The attacks masked the infiltration of terrorists who moved on foot and by vehicle into the surrounding area. Barely ten minutes later, Yated’s security coordinator activated the community’s standby squad, locked the gates, opened shelters, positioned armed civilians around the perimeter, and began sweeping for intruders.

Despite the chaos, Yated’s residents repeatedly managed to locate, capture, or neutralize terrorists before they reached homes. At 9:15 a.m., the security coordinator and his deputy detained one attacker near the fence and held him inside a resident’s home. Minutes later, another resident reported an Arabic-speaking man at her door—leading the defense team to engage two more terrorists, one hiding between houses and another crawling under the gate. By flanking them from multiple angles, residents wounded one, cornered others, and ultimately stopped four additional infiltrators who were lying low in nearby brush.

At the same time, Route 232 became the scene of an intense gunfight. A joint force of Paran Regional Brigade soldiers and the LOTAR Nitzana counter-terror team was ambushed by terrorists disguised in semi-military clothing at 9:40 a.m. The fighters left their armored vehicles under a hail of fire and engaged attackers who were firing from several directions. A request for an attack helicopter was made, but the aircraft did not arrive for 40 minutes.

While attempting to cross between vehicles at 9:51 a.m., Cpt. (res.) Iftach Gorny—part of the LOTAR force—was fatally shot while stopping terrorists from seizing IDF weapons. The brigade commander attempted lifesaving measures, but Gorny died at the scene.

A tank crew from the Caracal Battalion arrived at 10:05 a.m. and began firing northward according to the brigade commander’s orders. By 10:30 a.m., five captured terrorists from inside the moshav were transferred to a secured location. Nasreen Yousef, a Druze resident whose home stands near Yated’s entrance, recalled the improvised methods used to restrain them. “I was in flipflops, running backward and forward with bits of string and cable ties to tie them up, with towels and floor rags for hoods,” she said in a 2024 interview.

Later that morning, the military force on Route 232 located weapons abandoned by fleeing terrorists. An attack helicopter eventually struck retreating attackers near a junction. Through the rest of the afternoon and evening, IDF units together with the local standby squad patrolled the area, cleared homes, and accounted for residents. Reinforcements from the Bahad 1 officers’ school arrived at 8 p.m., though they were redirected to another mission two hours later.

Overnight into October 8, additional military backup reached Yated and took up defensive lines. At 3 a.m., intelligence suggested the possibility of a second infiltration, prompting heightened readiness. At 6:10 a.m., a soldier spotted movement at the fence line, leading to the discovery of another breach and another infiltration alert. Within minutes, Paran Brigade forces, LOTAR fighters, and Shaldag commandos were on site.

After hours of searching with no findings, most forces withdrew. But around 11 a.m., a resident checking the same area where the fence had been breached spotted five terrorists lying on the ground and surrendering. He alerted the coordinator, and the standby squad—together with a Caracal team—handcuffed the men and moved them to a holding point.

By midday, the community began planning the evacuation of residents in armed convoys. Those evacuations started around 1 p.m., with the coordinator and two defenders staying behind until nightfall. Volunteers from a nearby yeshiva joined them to provide extra manpower. The captured terrorists held on October 8 remained in the moshav until Caracal forces transported them to the Netivot police station on October 9.

Investigators concluded that the scale of Hamas’s simultaneous attacks—combined with a total breakdown in operational control on October 7—left the IDF unable to defend Yated in the crucial early hours. In contrast, the report emphasized that the moshav’s defenders mounted a disciplined and coordinated response that saved the community.

Yousef noted in her 2024 account that her ability to speak Arabic allowed her to question the terrorists and gather vital information. “If I hadn’t gone out and asked questions and spoken, probably half our community, or most of them, wouldn’t be around anymore,” she said.

The report also credited the IDF units battling along Route 232—especially Gorny and his teammates—with preventing dozens more terrorists from reaching Yated and neighboring farming communities.

In the final assessment, investigators wrote that the civilians of Yated were the decisive line of defense when the army could not be.

{Matzav.com}

A new initiative in Queens is set to create a lasting public tribute to the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, as well as to the survivors who built new lives in New York. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams joined Queens Borough President Donovan Richards on Tuesday to unveil plans for the “Queens Holocaust Memorial,” which will rise on the landscaped grounds of Queens Borough Hall.

According to the mayor’s office, the project is intended to function as a year-round space for education, remembrance, and communal reflection. The memorial will be formally sited on Borough Hall property, with the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services handling the official designation process in concert with community and civic partners.

The city and the Queens Borough President’s office have put forward a combined $3 million to move the project from concept to reality. DCAS will coordinate the logistics, while the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ “Percent for Art” program will run the artist selection process, working closely with historians, cultural experts, and survivors to shape the final design.

Plans call for a commemorative garden and a central public artwork that will anchor the memorial. Once in motion, the design phase will invite artists to propose concepts that honor memory while speaking to today’s challenges.

“It is not enough to say ‘never again’ – we have to live it with our actions too. By preserving the stories of both victims and survivors, by creating a permanent space for remembrance and reflection, by promoting understanding and solidarity across generations, this memorial will live out the meaning of ‘never again,’” said Mayor Adams.

He continued by stressing the city’s broader mission. “As our city and our country confront the rising tide of antisemitism, our administration will not remain silent. We will use our office to call out hate wherever we find it, encourage compassion wherever we need it, and create a city where everyone can live side by side in harmony.”

Richards echoed that sentiment, tying the project to the increasing need for vigilance and truth in the face of modern distortions. “No matter how much time passes since the evils of the Holocaust, New York City’s commitment to the pledge of ‘Never Again’ must never waver. That is why, in the face of rising tides of heinous anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial across our society, I could not be prouder to lead this effort alongside the administration and the Queens’ Jewish community in creating this critically important memorial here at Queens Borough Hall,” he said.

He noted that the borough feels a profound responsibility to honor those who settled here after the war. “The Queens Holocaust Memorial will not only pay a touching tribute to the six million innocent Jews murdered by the Nazis and the survivors who settled in our borough afterward, but it will also serve as daily inspiration for our fight to forge a future free of antisemitism. I thank all our city and community partners for their commitment to see this memorial through.”

Moshe Davis of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism underscored the broader context. “When hate crimes, vandalism, and extremist rhetoric targeting Jewish communities are happening both nationally and globally, this memorial will stand not only as a powerful testament to those lost and to those who rebuilt, but also as a rebuke to intolerance and a reminder of our imperative to confront hatred with moral clarity,” he said.

New York remains home to the largest population of Holocaust survivors of any city in the world. After liberation, thousands made their way to the city, and many put down roots in Queens, contributing to the borough’s growth, shaping its institutions, and strengthening Jewish life across the metropolitan area.

The original push for the project came from the Queens Jewish Community Council, which partnered with local rabbonim, civic organizations, and neighborhood leaders to advocate for a dedicated site. The City will issue a DCAS assignment letter to formally designate the space for the memorial, after which the Queens Jewish Community Council will take the lead on further private fundraising to support the artwork and garden.

Once completed, this will stand as the first major Holocaust memorial in Queens. It is expected to host remembrance gatherings, school programs, and educational events that bring together New Yorkers of all backgrounds to learn, reflect, and confront hate with unity and clarity.

{Matzav.com}

A Namibia local politician whose name mirrors that of the Nazi dictator is on track to secure another electoral victory — and he maintains that the infamous name was given to him without any understanding of its horrific legacy. Adolf Hitler Uunona, 59, is expected to win reelection on Nov. 26 in the country’s north, where he previously dominated the 2020 vote with an overwhelming 85% share.

Uunona, a member of the left-wing Swapo party, became an international curiosity after his landslide win in the Ompundja constituency four years ago. The renewed spotlight brought questions about his name, prompting him to clarify its origins.

His father “probably didn’t understand what Adolf Hitler stood for. As a child, I saw it as a totally normal name,” he told the German outlet Bild in 2020.

He said that only later in life did he realize the weight attached to the name. “Only as I grew up did I understand this man wanted to conquer the whole world. I have nothing to do with any of these things,” he added.

Though his wife still refers to him as Adolf, Uunona generally avoids using the “Hitler” portion of his name in public settings. Still, he has no intention of altering it.

“It’s in all official documents. It’s too late for that,” he told Bild.

Namibia’s history as a former German colony has left many Germanic names embedded in the country’s geography and culture, and names such as Adolf remain fairly common.

In 2020, a vehicle in Oshana — Uunona’s home region — drew attention when it was photographed with “Adolf Hitler” and a Nazi swastika slapped across its rear window. Uunona distanced himself from the disturbing display, noting that the car was not his and that he had no involvement with the offensive imagery.

{Matzav.com}

A newly surfaced recording has shed light on behind-the-scenes maneuvering between President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, revealing guidance on how Russia could appeal to Trump personally while shaping negotiations over a possible Ukraine settlement. Bloomberg obtained a transcript of the Oct. 14 exchange, in which the two discussed preparations for a potential call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During the brief conversation, Witkoff proposed that the Kremlin open with praise for Trump before turning to the substance of the peace framework. He emphasized that the Russian side should kick off any conversation by highlighting Trump’s accomplishments and expressing admiration.

“I would make the call and just reiterate that you congratulate the president on this achievement, that you supported it, supported it, that you respect that he is a man of peace, and you’re just, you’re really glad to have seen it happen,” Witkoff said.

Ushakov, appearing to embrace the suggestion, responded, “Hey Steve, I agree with you that he will congratulate, he will say that Mr. Trump is a real peace man, and so and so. That he will say.”

Witkoff also walked Ushakov through what he believed would ultimately be required to secure a deal, arguing that some form of territorial compromise was unavoidable. He told the Kremlin adviser, “Now, me to you, I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere.”

At the same time, he encouraged Ushakov to keep the tone of their joint messaging more positive, adding, “But I’m saying instead of talking like that, let’s talk more hopefully because I think we’re going to get to a deal here.”

Witkoff pointed to his prior work on the 20-point Gaza peace proposal and urged Moscow to consider a similar model for the Ukraine negotiations. “We put a 20-point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace, and I’m thinking maybe we do the same thing with you,” he said.

The exchange took place just days before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington for talks at the White House. Witkoff urged Ushakov to arrange a conversation between Trump and Putin before that meeting. “I will go to that meeting because they want me there, but I think if possible, we have the call with your boss before that Friday meeting,” he said.

Asked about the leaked audio, Trump said he had not yet heard it, but insisted that the nature of the discussion reflected routine diplomatic work. “That’s a standard thing. He’s got to sell this to Ukraine, he’s got to sell Ukraine to Russia, that’s what a dealmaker does. You got to say, look, you want this, you got to convince them of this,” Trump told reporters.

“That’s a very standard form of negotiation. I haven’t heard it, but I heard it was a standard negotiation, and I would imagine he would say the same thing to Ukraine, cause each party has to give and take,” he continued.

The dynamics hinted at in the call matched the general contours of the 28-point peace plan later advanced by Trump’s team — a proposal widely criticized for provisions heavily favoring Moscow’s interests. Those elements included Ukraine relinquishing the full Donbas region, scaling back its military by one-third, and dropping its pursuit of NATO membership.

However, following pressure from American and Ukrainian officials, the proposal was cut down to 19 points and no longer required Ukraine to surrender parts of the Donbas that Russia has failed to seize in more than 11 years of conflict.

Moscow is expected to reject the revised agreement, making it increasingly likely that the war will continue at least through Dec. 25.

{Matzav.com}

A major test is already landing on Zohran Mamdani’s doorstep before he even sets foot inside City Hall: whether he’ll sign off on a sweeping salary hike for himself and the City Council. The proposal, driven by Councilwoman Nantasha Williams (D-Queens), seeks an increase of more than 16% for New York’s elected officials and is positioned to reach Mamdani once he becomes mayor on Jan. 1.

Williams had initially hoped to muscle the bill through before the new administration arrived. But that effort fizzled fast when lawmakers realized they were legally barred from voting on pay raises during the post-election stretch, forcing them to abandon the accelerated timeline.

The scramble raised suspicions across City Hall. Some insiders speculated that council members were trying to either bypass Mamdani entirely or shield him from making an awkward early call on elected officials’ pay.

“The only thing is I think they are worried that the mayor-elect won’t do it,” said Kalman Yeger, a Democratic state Assemblyman and former council member. “They are afraid if they pass it in January and he’d have to veto. How does the mayor-elect justify it, saying the working man can’t afford milk? He can’t sign off to give them a $20,000 raise.”

The legislation Williams unveiled already has a crowded roster of supporters — 32 co-sponsors — including several of Mamdani’s closest political allies: Crystal Hudson, Lincoln Restler and Chi A. Ossé, all Brooklyn Democrats.

But even with that backing, the bill creates an uncomfortable dilemma for the new mayor, who campaigned as a champion of affordability and working-class families. Approving it would signal, critics say, that “making New York more affordable for the political class” is his first priority — as one well-connected source joked.

Under the proposal, the City Council would receive its first salary increase in nearly ten years, lifting its overall payroll from $7.5 million to $8.8 million. Individual members would see their pay rise from $148,500 to $172,500.

And council members wouldn’t be the only ones cashing in. The raises apply across the top ranks of city government, including the mayor, public advocate and borough presidents. For Mamdani, that would mean a jump from $258,750 to $300,500. Comptroller pay would rise from $210,000, the public advocate from $184,000, and borough presidents from $180,000 — each climbing 16% under the bill.

The timing of the push followed growing frustration from several lawmakers who say their salaries have been frozen since 2016 while other city employees have seen steady increases. Williams brought those complaints into the open when she introduced the bill — a move first reported by the New York Daily News.

Her plan to engineer a December vote, however, evaporated when officials noted the city charter blocks any pay decisions between Election Day and January 1. That obstacle forced her to pivot and schedule a hearing instead, which she argued preserves the bill into the next legislative session.

“If we have a hearing on the bill this year, we don’t need a hearing on it next year. It’s pre-considered,” Williams told The NY Post Tuesday.

Asked whether council leadership intended to pass the salary hike early in the new year, Williams was blunt: “That’s the goal.”

Outgoing Speaker Adrienne Adams, who exits office at year’s end, shifted blame toward Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams for letting the pay issue languish. Whether she believes the bill should move forward now, she wouldn’t say, offering only a shrug on her way out the door.

“I’m out of here. I’m out,” she said. “That’s something for the new members.”

{Matzav.com}

New York State officials say the massive rollout of Inflation Refund Checks is now largely complete, with more than 8.2 million payments delivered to residents across the state in an effort to counter rising living costs. Governor Kathy Hochul said the initiative is already putting much-needed cash back into the hands of families feeling the squeeze.

“Today marks the day that over 8.2 million inflation refund checks have been mailed out, putting money back into the pockets of individuals across the state. We followed through on our commitment to deliver meaningful relief to hard-working New Yorkers, and will continue to look for additional opportunities to deal with the nation’s ongoing affordability challenge,” Hochul said.

The administration noted that the Inflation Refund Check program — established as part of the FY 2026 State Budget — stands as the largest direct-aid package ever undertaken by New York State. The effort represents $2.2 billion in unrestricted, household-level relief.

Although most checks have already arrived, state officials say the Tax Department is still processing the eligibility of additional residents, which means more payments will roll out in smaller batches over the next few weeks.

Every corner of the state has now received its share of the funding, according to data provided by the Governor’s Office. That includes 585,000 recipients in Western New York getting $152.7 million; 513,000 in the Finger Lakes drawing $134.3 million; and 251,000 residents in the Southern Tier receiving $66.7 million. Central New York saw 321,000 checks totaling $83.8 million, while the Mohawk Valley’s 198,000 beneficiaries collected $52.4 million.

North Country recipients numbered 156,000, with $42.4 million distributed. The Capital Region saw 475,000 people receive $122.8 million, and Mid-Hudson residents received $234.2 million across 924,000 households. New York City accounted for the largest portion — 3,536,000 recipients and $828.8 million — while Long Island saw 1,251,000 checks totaling $316.4 million. Altogether, more than 8.21 million New Yorkers have received just over $2 billion to date.

State officials emphasized that these refund checks represent just one component of Hochul’s broader Affordability Agenda. That agenda also includes cutting middle-class tax rates to their lowest point in seven decades, expanding the Child Tax Credit to as much as $1,000 per child, and implementing universal free school meals — a move projected to save families about $1,600 per child each year.

{Matzav.com}

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Israeli officials informed the family of Dror Or late last night that his remains had been brought back to Israel, following forensic verification by specialists. The announcement came nearly 16 months after Or was murdered and abducted by Hamas terrorists from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri during the October 7, 2023 atrocities.

According to Israeli authorities, Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed it had “found” Or’s body in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza on Monday. On Tuesday afternoon, Islamic Jihad and Hamas transferred the remains to the Red Cross, which subsequently delivered them to the IDF inside Israel.

With Or’s return, only two bodies of murdered hostages are still being held inside Gaza: Master Sgt. Ran Gvili and Thai citizen Sudthisak Rinthalak.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the Prime Minister’s Office expressed solidarity with the bereaved. “The Israeli government shares in the deep sorrow of the Or family and of all the families of the fallen hostages,” the PMO said.

The statement underscored that Israel will continue pressing until the final two victims are recovered. It noted that the state is “determined, committed, and working tirelessly” to retrieve their bodies, adding that Hamas is “required to fulfill its commitments to the mediators and return them as part of the implementation of the agreement.”

{Matzav.com}

As the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee prepares to open formal deliberations on the new draft-law proposal, we retrace the dramatic weeks of intensive consultation inside the homes of the gedolim of Degel HaTorah and Shas, meetings that ultimately led the gedolim to instruct their MKs to advance the bill. What follows is a step-by-step account of the long discussions, the halachic weighing of details, and the final ruling to allow the legislative process to proceed.

Last week, after months of uncertainty, the Gedolei Yisroel of both Degel HaTorah and Shas delivered a joint directive to their Knesset representatives permitting the draft-law proposal to move forward to committee debate. The decision was the result of coordinated, methodical examination among the leaders, who had reviewed the law extensively before issuing authorization.

According to political estimates, the draft legislation is expected to reach the committee table within days, allowing official deliberations to begin. Rabbonim involved in the process concluded that the current situation—where no law exists, funding for Torah institutions has been slashed, and thousands of yeshiva families face severe financial harm—poses immediate and serious danger. From their perspective, advancing the bill became a necessary step to stabilize the yeshivah world and prevent mass legal exposure for bochurim in the coming months.

The crisis is acute: Within about 90 days, thousands of yeshiva students would face automatic prosecution, as if they were common criminals, due to the legal vacuum. Simultaneously, mosdos haTorah are struggling to absorb both steep cuts to government funding and a troubling decline in donations. Rabbinic leaders believe that once the law passes, the legal status of the bochurim and the financial stability of the Torah world will, at least temporarily, be protected. Even if the law is eventually struck down by the High Court, the breathing room gained could help prevent catastrophic damage.

The decisive process began inside the home of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, where Degel HaTorah MKs—Moshe Gafni, Uri Maklev, Yaakov Asher, and former MK Yitzchok Pindrus—presented him with the draft text. Rav Dov Landau had given his approval for Rav Hirsch to analyze the proposal in depth and issue a ruling. For roughly two hours, Rav Hirsch reviewed the law line-by-line, raising questions, correcting formulations, and outlining the conditions that would be required before moving forward. At the end of the meeting, he informed the MKs that he would continue reviewing the draft overnight before giving a final answer.

Throughout the night, Rav Hirsch studied the document repeatedly, placing the draft beside his bed to review again and again. By the next day, he reached the conclusion that the bill could proceed, provided certain amendments were negotiated with Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth and the committee’s legal advisors. Associates say the Rosh Yeshivah “studied every detail with precision.”

Rav Hirsch then consulted with a group of senior roshei yeshivah, including Rav Dov Landau, Rav Berel Povarsky, and Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, along with additional gedolim across both the Litvishe and Sephardic Torah communities. He also made several visits to Rav Landau’s home to hear his perspective. Rav Landau, after hearing Rav Hirsch’s analysis and considering the broader situation, told him that MKs could indeed vote in favor of the law.

With the mutual agreement of Rav Landau and Rav Hirsch, Degel HaTorah issued a formal statement on Wednesday morning announcing that the Gedolim had granted “green light” approval to advance the bill.

Later that week, Rav Povarsky hosted a gathering attended by Rav Landau and Rav Hirsch. Addressing the matter of the yeshiva students’ status, Rav Povarsky spoke emotionally about the need to ensure that those who dedicate themselves to learning be allowed to continue without harassment or fear. “How can one harm bnei Torah who immerse themselves from morning to night in Torah learning and even call them evaders?” he asked painfully. Rav Landau added that “there is enormous ignorance in the general public about this subject. They don’t understand that the Torah—and only the Torah—protects Am Yisroel and Eretz Yisroel.” Rav Hirsch explained that the current draft preserves the ability of sincere yeshiva bochurim to learn as in previous generations.

In parallel, Shas also conducted its own extended review. Ariel Atias and MK Yinon Azoulay presented the full details of the law to the Shas committee established by the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah and headed by Rav Shmuel Betzalel. About three weeks ago, the committee spent a long session studying every clause, then deliberated internally. With authority granted to them by the Moetzet, the committee instructed Atias and Azoulay that Shas may proceed with committee discussions—while continuing to refine the bill through further consultation with the rabbinic committee.

Thus, Shas too adopted the same position as Degel HaTorah: to move forward out of necessity to protect lomdei Torah under present conditions. The united approach was maintained throughout the process until both parties received their Gedolim’s authorization.

The Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah released its own letter last week stating, “Together with the sages and leaders of the generation, we must enter into the depths of this matter and devote our strength to it, for this concerns us directly. There is real danger to the continued existence of the glorious Torah world established by Maran zt”l, whether from arrests—carried out disgracefully, especially against Sephardic bnei Torah—or from the ongoing crisis that threatens to break bochurim and their families. We cannot remain silent while the holy is being destroyed.”

A source close to the Moetzet noted that while some activists prefer to target MKs through protests and pashkvilim, they avoid directing anger toward the Gedolim themselves and therefore seek easier political targets. But in reality, he said, “on this issue, which is so essential to the chareidi community, the decision rests solely with the Gedolei Yisroel, and they guide the members of Knesset. The demonstrations are pointless—they carry no weight with those who actually decide: the Gedolim.”

Regarding complaints from bochurim about possible restrictions in the proposed law—such as limits on traveling abroad or future conditions on holding a driver’s license—one senior mechanech pointed out that such limitations existed even during the Tal Law years. “For many years, a yeshiva bochur who received a draft deferment was not permitted to leave the country. That was always understood. Deferment is meant only for those who truly sit and learn. So it’s unclear why some young people are upset today over similar restrictions.”

He added, “If someone is genuinely learning and seeking to be included in the deferment framework, these things should not trouble him. A serious bochur isn’t focused on traveling abroad or constantly going on trips. And if someone is bothered by that and wants to fly around and enjoy himself, perhaps he shouldn’t be the one deciding the fate of the Torah world.”

This long, multi-layered process—spanning meetings, consultations, halachic evaluations, and cross-party coordination—ultimately produced a unified verdict from the leading Torah authorities: despite imperfections and the fear that the High Court may eventually strike it down, the draft law must advance now to protect the yeshiva world from far greater harm.

{Matzav.com}

A collection of newly uncovered historical letters is reshaping the current conversation around the draft law by highlighting what the Torah leadership demanded decades ago. The documents—written by Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach and Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman—show that draft deferments for yeshivah students were always conditional: only someone fully dedicated to Torah study, with no outside pursuits, was ever meant to qualify. Even students who were ill and unable to keep a full learning schedule were to be removed from the arrangement.

These revelations come as lawmakers prepare to advance updated draft legislation aimed at protecting the status of Torah students. Debate has intensified around potential restrictions included in the proposal, such as limits on travel or other requirements tied to deferment eligibility.

However, the newly revealed letters demonstrate that such restrictions were standard for decades. As one senior educator explained, for many years—including during the era of the Tal Law—yeshivah students faced clear limitations, such as not traveling abroad. “It was always understood that draft deferment was intended only for those who genuinely sit and learn,” he said. “It’s unclear why some young men today are troubled by similar restrictions, whether involving travel or driver’s licenses.”

He added that a sincere student should not be bothered by such limitations. “If someone truly learns and wants to be part of the deferment system, he shouldn’t care about vacations or repeated trips abroad. And if he is bothered by those things, maybe he shouldn’t be the one endangering the entire Torah world.”

The letters from Rav Shach and Rav Shteinman make the standard unmistakably clear. In a letter from late 1979, Rav Shach, writing as president of the Vaad HaYeshivos, emphasized that the right to defer military service was only for a student whose full-time occupation was Torah study—one who engaged in no outside material pursuits either during or outside yeshivah hours. He urged roshei yeshivah to approve deferments only for those who truly met this requirement and instructed them not to include students whose health prevented them from maintaining the yeshivah schedule.

In another document from 1983, Rav Shteinman wrote in his own handwriting that he would issue a deferment letter only for a student who engaged in nothing other than learning in yeshivah and whose Torah study was truly his sole occupation.

These statements, penned decades ago, mirror the very discussions unfolding today. The message of the Gedolim was consistent and uncompromising: the deferment exists only for those whose lives are fully devoted to Torah study. If a bochur genuinely lives that life, the framework is designed for him. If he chooses a different lifestyle, it should not be at the expense of the broader Torah world.

{Matzav.com}

A new episode of the Shawn Ryan Show set off a political firestorm after Tucker Carlson delivered sweeping assertions about U.S. attitudes toward Israel, arguing that the country barely figures into the concerns of struggling Americans.

Carlson’s appearance centered on his belief that public outrage at lawmakers supposedly “serving Israel” is rooted not in foreign-policy grievances but in a collapsing economic reality at home. Pointing to voices on both the far right and far left, he told Ryan that figures as different as Nick Fuentes and Zohran Mamdani reflect the same frustration. “Both sides are enraged by people serving Israel. What? Nobody cares about Israel. Just shut up about Israel… I know I don’t care at all about Israel,” he said, insisting that the fury stems from stagnant wages, soaring debt, and an economy that suffocates ordinary families.

He went on to describe household debt in stark, personal terms, comparing it to addiction and accusing both major parties of perpetuating a system designed to enrich lenders. Democrats, he claimed, protect banks through taxpayer bailouts, while Republicans offer nothing but demands to “pay up.” Carlson argued that political discourse on Israel merely diverts attention from these systemic failures. “I don’t think it’s primarily about Israel. I really don’t. I don’t think people care that much,” he added, suggesting that the obsession with the subject is misplaced.

His remarks quickly sparked intense criticism. Commentators accused Carlson of minimizing Israeli concerns for the sake of a rhetorical point and highlighted his long record of commentary on the Middle East. Some critics described the comments as insensitive or even inflammatory at a time of heightened global tensions. Others defended him, applauding his focus on American financial distress over what they view as endless foreign entanglements.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

A rare Motzoei Shabbos glimpse of Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl, the revered senior posek and rov of the Old City of Yerushalayim, has drawn attention after a question arose about whether the rov objected to being photographed before zeman Rabbeinu Tam.

Photographer Shuki Lerer spent this past Shabbos, Parshas Toldos, in the Old City. After Shabbos, he arrived to document Rav Nebenzahl, capturing images of the rov wrapped in his tallis, immersed in Torah learning and waiting for Maariv. Lerer later photographed him davening and making Havdalah in his home on 9 Batei Machseh Street in the Jewish Quarter.

During the visit, one of those present remarked to Lerer that he was taking pictures before zeman Rabbeinu Tam, noting that the rov is careful to keep zman Rabbeinu Tam. Concerned, Lerer turned to Rav Nebenzahl and respectfully asked whether the photography bothered him.

The rov answered that he would prefer it not be done at that time. Lerer immediately left the home.

Lerer later related that he felt troubled afterward for not having apologized to the rov:
“I had a pang of conscience and decided I wouldn’t release the photos. But on Monday, I called the gabbi and told him I was uneasy, afraid the rov was upset with me.”

The gabbai got back to him with a message straight from Rav Nebenzahl: The rov is “not makpid on any Jew,” and Lerer may use the photos—“because this is your parnassah.”

With that reassurance, the matter was put to rest, leaving the photographer with both the images and a heartfelt brachah from the elder posek.

הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר הגר”א נבנצל במוצאי שבתצילום: שוקי לרר

A grave alert was issued to Israel’s political leadership as defense officials warned that the current ceasefire is enabling Hamas to reestablish its rule in Gaza, despite Israel’s stated intention of removing the terror organization from power. According to a report aired this evening, the defense establishment informed ministers during last Thursday’s cabinet meeting that Hamas is strengthening, rebuilding its capabilities, and returning to near-complete control of the Gaza Strip.

The intelligence review presented to cabinet ministers showed that 13 out of 25 municipalities in Gaza have resumed full operations. Hamas police forces and internal checkpoints have been redeployed throughout the Strip, and the organization is repairing key infrastructure and restoring its public influence. Officials said Hamas is rebuilding its governing mechanisms at a rapid pace, capitalizing on the calm to reassert authority over the population.

Senior IDF officers quoted in the report said it is impossible to ignore the fact that Hamas is regaining its strength. They stated plainly that Israel must develop an independent operational plan to demilitarize Gaza because the American plan does not provide a solution. According to the officers, Israel cannot rely on foreign initiatives to neutralize Hamas’s military presence and must devise its own approach for long-term security control.

The cabinet’s written summary instructed the defense establishment to prepare a complete military plan should the Trump administration’s proposal for an international peacekeeping force collapse. IDF assessments delivered to the ministers indicate that activating such a plan may be only a matter of time.

Meanwhile, the IDF continues operating across the Gaza Strip. This evening, the IDF Spokesperson announced that troops from the 188th Brigade Combat Team identified a terrorist who crossed the yellow line and approached soldiers in northern Gaza in a manner that posed an immediate threat. The forces opened fire and eliminated him. Earlier today, Nachal Brigade troops conducting searches in eastern Rafah spotted five armed terrorists and killed them. The terrorists are believed to have emerged from a subterranean tunnel route in the area.

{Matzav.com}