Matzav

Bomb threats were emailed Monday to three district offices belonging to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, prompting swift law-enforcement action and renewed alarm over the escalating climate of political hostility. Schumer said the threatening messages carried the subject line “MAGA” and claimed that the “2020 election was rigged.” The threats targeted his offices in Rochester, Binghamton, and on Long Island.

“Local and federal law enforcement responded immediately and are conducting full security sweeps,” Schumer said in a statement. “Everyone is safe, and I am grateful for their quick and professional response to ensure these offices remain safe and secure for all New Yorkers.”

He emphasized again what he has stated repeatedly over the years: “As I have said many times, these kinds of violent threats have absolutely no place in our political system. No one—no public servant, no staff member, no constituent, no citizen—should ever be targeted for simply doing their job.”

Schumer was alerted earlier in the day by law-enforcement officials about the threatening emails. The Post has reached out to his team for copies of the messages.

The incident comes at a time when the security of elected officials has become a central concern on Capitol Hill. Just weeks ago, Schumer asked the US Capitol Police to offer “special protection” to Sens. Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin after a video they recorded urging service members to “refuse illegal orders” triggered backlash. President Trump accused them of “seditious behavior” and said they had attempted to undermine military authority.

In response to the overall rise in threats, the House has expanded its security program, including a $20,000 monthly allowance for members to cover private protection and the rollout of a “Mobile Duress Program” to give lawmakers urgent-alert capabilities.

Concerns about personal safety have already pushed several lawmakers to bow out. Reps. Jared Golden and Marjorie Taylor Greene both cited security worries when announcing that they would leave the House — Golden after completing his term, Greene stepping down next month.

These developments add to a broader pattern of violent incidents involving public figures over the past 18 months, including the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania targeting Trump, the shooting of Minnesota state legislators in June, the arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk.

{Matzav.com}

Federal officials have accused New York state of freeing nearly 7,000 undocumented migrants with criminal records since President Trump entered office — all without alerting immigration authorities — while more than 7,000 others remain behind bars across the state, the NY Post reports. The Department of Homeland Security outlined the situation in a sharply worded letter sent Monday to Attorney General Letitia James.

According to DHS, every individual referenced in the letter is shielded by New York’s sanctuary policies. Federal authorities are now insisting that the state turn these offenders over for removal, arguing that state officials have repeatedly failed to notify ICE even when dealing with migrants accused of serious crimes.

The correspondence sent from Washington details how thousands of migrants have cycled through the criminal justice system — in some cases on bail, parole, or outright release — despite ICE detainers intended to transfer them to federal custody.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stressed the seriousness of the issue in his letter, stating: “These are people who are not only in the country illegally, but who have committed additional crimes, including heinous crimes like murder, rape, possession of child pornography, armed robbery, and many others.”

Documents obtained by The Post highlight 6,947 undocumented migrants with active ICE detainers who were released back into the community since Jan. 20. Their collective criminal histories include attempted murder, thousands of assaults, and hundreds of crimes ranging from burglaries and robberies to drug trafficking, weapons violations, and sexual predatory offenses.

New York’s sanctuary laws prohibit local agencies from coordinating with ICE, meaning that instead of being transferred to federal custody, these individuals were routinely allowed to walk free. As Lyons put it: “Virtually all Americans agree that people like this should be swiftly removed from the United States when they leave New York’s custody and not be returned to our streets to wreak havoc on law abiding citizens.”

The letter also notes that 7,113 additional detainees currently incarcerated in New York jails and prisons have ICE detainers outstanding. DHS tallied their combined offenses at 148 homicides, 717 assaults, 134 burglaries, 106 robberies, 235 dangerous drug offenses, 152 weapons offenses, and 260 sexual predatory crimes.

This latest warning follows an earlier letter issued to James on Sept. 15 — one DHS says received no response. The new correspondence includes an attachment listing a dozen individuals with severe criminal backgrounds who were recently freed by New York authorities despite active ICE holds.

Among those cited was Anderson Smith Satuye Martinez, identified as a Crips gang member with a prior assault conviction. He was arrested on Aug. 19 for weapons and drug offenses, released despite the detainer, and only later taken back into custody when ICE tracked him down in the Bronx on Sept. 11.

ICE also rearrested Jose David Hernandez Hernandez, who had previously faced allegations of rape, strangulation, and assault. Local authorities released him as well, but he is now in federal custody pending the conclusion of deportation proceedings.

Another case highlighted in the letter involved Alexander Moreno Montoya, a repeat offender with charges that include assaulting a police officer, weapons possession, and cocaine possession. He, too, was released from Rikers Island on March 17 despite an ICE detainer, then located by ICE agents on July 7 and removed from the United States.

In its closing line, the DHS letter presses the state attorney general directly: “Please confirm whether the State of New York plans to honor detainers on these aliens or whether each of these barbarians will someday walk the streets of New York again.”

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reinforced that message, telling The NY Post: “Attorney General James and her fellow New York Sanctuary politicians are releasing murderers, terrorists, and …. predators back into our neighborhoods and putting American lives at risk.” She added: “We are calling on Letitia James to stop this dangerous derangement and commit to honoring the ICE arrest detainers of the more than 7,000 criminal illegal aliens in New York’s custody. It is common sense. Criminal illegal aliens should not be released back onto our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans.”

{Matzav.com}

Speaking before global defense leaders at the International DefenseTech Summit in Tel Aviv, Brig. Gen. Benny Aminov, who heads the Defense Ministry’s Military R&D division within DDR&D, revealed that Israel has reached a major milestone in its battle against hostile unmanned aircraft. He reported that “drone challenges at Israel’s borders are moving toward a solution – we have achieved a technological breakthrough in enemy drone detection.”

Aminov described rapid progress on the next phase as well, explaining that “we are now working on interception solutions using drone-based systems that enable response to swarm scenarios while accelerating the development of new directed-energy weapons.” These capabilities are being designed specifically to cope with complex, fast-moving threats that traditional defense systems struggle to manage.

He emphasized that modern aerial dangers require a complete rethinking of how Israel adapts and deploys new tools, noting that “the issue of low-altitude threats is an example of a challenge that requires our defense establishment to change its operational approach fundamentally – responding within compressed timeframes, ensuring spiral development, accelerating testing during the development process, and bridging small defense-tech companies with major defense contractors.”

According to Aminov, Israel’s adversaries are constantly shifting their tactics, pushing the defense establishment to stay ahead. As he put it, “our enemies continue to evolve in this learning competition. This drives us to develop robust solutions, and it is here that directed-energy weapons demonstrate their unique strength. Their distinctive characteristics enable us to address even the unknown unknowns – threats we don’t yet know we face.”

The summit itself highlighted how combat experience and field lessons are shaping Israel’s next generation of military technology, as experts and innovators displayed cutting-edge work in areas expected to influence global defense strategies for years to come.

Among the high-profile attendees were Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, Director General of the Defense Ministry; Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold, head of DDR&D; Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Prof. Isaac Ben-Israel, who chaired the conference; Brig. Gen. Benny Aminov; Avi Berger, who leads DDR&D’s Space Program Office; Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nitzan Alon of Elements Venture Capital; Michael Dodd, U.S. Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies and Acting Deputy Director of the Defense Innovation Unit; Dame Fiona Murray of MIT; Shaun Maguire of Sequoia Capital; Dr. Christian Steinborn of Rheinmetall AG; Francois Chopard of Starburst; along with numerous additional senior military, academic, and industry figures from Israel and abroad.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Transportation Minister Miri Regev unveiled an aggressive new enforcement plan on Monday aimed at curbing the mounting death toll on the nation’s roads, where 422 people have already lost their lives this year.

At the center of the initiative is a dramatic hike in penalties for motorists caught handling a mobile device behind the wheel. Under the proposal, drivers would be slapped with a 10,000-shekel fine, issued on the spot by police officers, with no preliminary legal process required. Regev’s office emphasized that the goal is to send a clear message about the severity of distracted driving.

Officials noted that repeat offenders will face even harsher consequences. If a driver is caught a second time within a short window, authorities would be able to impound the vehicle, pending a judge’s approval.

This represents a substantial jump from the current punishment structure, which imposes a 1,000-shekel fine along with eight points on the driver’s license.

The plan is now headed to the Economic Affairs Committee for deliberations, after which it is expected to be forwarded to the Knesset for a vote. The ministry indicated that the upgraded sanctions will likely extend beyond cellphone violations, targeting additional high-risk behaviors such as crossing a solid white line, ignoring red lights, and operating a vehicle under the influence.

{Matzav.com}

A violent ramming attack near the Judea Junction on Highway 35 left a female soldier lightly injured on Monday night, adding to a string of recent assaults across the region. Security officials say the attacker sped his car toward troops stationed in the area before escaping toward Hebron.

Eyewitness reports indicate that the terrorist abandoned the scene immediately after the impact, racing his vehicle into Hebron as responding forces arrived. Emergency medical teams quickly reached the injured soldier and stabilized her before transferring her for further care.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated, “Following the report that was received regarding a ramming attack at Judea Junction, a terrorist accelerated in his vehicle toward IDF soldiers, and injured a female IDF soldier. The soldier was evacuated to the hospital to receive medical treatment, and her family has been notified.”

According to the military, troops opened fire at the vehicle as it sped away. A direct hit was confirmed, prompting an intensive pursuit. Soldiers have since launched broad sweeps across the area, establishing roadblocks and combing nearby terrain in an effort to locate the suspect.

This incident comes on the heels of another attack earlier in the week near the Samaria Crossing on Highway 5. In that case, a terrorist hurled a heavy iron rod at a passing vehicle belonging to a central-Israel resident, with the rod smashing into and becoming lodged in the windshield.

The shaken driver, overwhelmed by anxiety, received treatment from Magen David Adom and was able to return home shortly afterward. Merav, who had been in the passenger seat during the assault, described the harrowing moment: “We left Kedumim toward Petah Tikva. Three minutes before the Shomron Crossing, we heard a boom. At that moment I didn’t understand what was happening. We reached the checkpoint and forces arrived there.”

In response, the IDF initiated a search of the surrounding area. Troops from the Ephraim Brigade entered the village of Mas-ha, seized surveillance cameras, and gathered additional evidence. The iron rod was transferred to police experts for detailed forensic analysis.

The Shin Bet has joined the investigation as well. A security official emphasized the determination of the agencies involved, saying: “The police, through intelligence and investigative efforts in cooperation with the Shin Bet, will use every tool available – including the forensic laboratories – to bring about the arrest of those responsible for the terror attack.”

{Matzav.com}

A Saudi Al-Hadath broadcast reported that American envoy to Turkey Tom Barrack recently delivered a blunt message to Iraqi officials, cautioning them about an “imminent Israeli operation in Lebanon” and making clear that the campaign would continue “until the organization is stripped of its weapons.”

In the communication, Barrack urged Baghdad to steer clear of any confrontation, insisting that Iraq must stay “outside any possible escalation in the region” and advising its leaders to take whatever actions are necessary to avoid being drawn into the tensions.

This warning surfaced amid dramatic developments in Beirut, where Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Ali Tabatabai, was eliminated in an airstrike. The attack — the first in five months to hit the Dahiyeh district, the group’s main stronghold — removed a figure widely viewed as Hezbollah’s second-in-command and the man overseeing the organization’s efforts to rebuild its capabilities.

{Matzav.com}

Dear Matzav Inbox,

Recently, a respected rabbi returned from a trip to Eretz Yisroel and shared his impressions with his followers. Some of his remarks—specifically those expressing concern about yeshiva bochurim seen walking the streets of Yerushalayim during hours typically devoted to learning in the Beis Midrash—were subsequently quoted on the Matzav website. The Rabbi cautioned parents of boys studying in Israel, stating, “I want to tell the people here who have boys in Eretz Yisroel that their children are roaming the streets of Eretz Yisroel.”

While I do not share the Rabbi’s perspective, he is certainly entitled to express his views to his own audience. However, I believe that Matzav should have exercised greater discretion and refrained from amplifying these remarks to a wider public. The journalistic ethos of the early 1900s—“Not everything said should be printed”—ought to have guided the editorial decision in this case. One can reasonably argue that such negative statements may border on lashon hara.

The large majority of our sons who learn in Eretz Yisroel are sincerely striving for both deeper Torah knowledge and growth in yiras Shomayim. When they return to our batei kenisios, their elevated level of hasmodah and their care in tefillah are clearly visible. These exemplary bnei Torah, the pride of Klal Yisroel, are sought after for the most promising shidduchim. Chazal taught that not every student achieves the same outcome—“elef nichnas v’echad yotzei l’ho’ro’oh.” The pre-marriage learning system in Eretz Yisroel allows bochurim to make meaningful spiritual strides. And while no system is perfect and not every student succeeds equally, this does not justify broad public criticism. Constructive suggestions for improvement should be directed privately to those responsible for the system, not broadcast in respected forums such as Matzav.

It is equally important to remember that many bochurim who travel to Eretz Yisroel are still developing in their Yiddishkeit and searching for inspiration. In time, many indeed become inspired. Their growth is gradual, and perhaps some seemingly aimless walks through the streets of Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh, together with the hashkafah and mussar shiurim they hear in specially designed yeshivos, will ultimately guide them toward genuine transformation.

I offer these remarks in a constructive and respectful spirit. May our most precious accomplishment as Klal Yisroel—the nurturing of our bnei Torah—be protected from comments that risk diminishing their true achievements.

F. B.

To submit a letter to appear on Matzav.com, email MatzavInbox@gmail.com

DON’T MISS OUT! Join the Matzav Status by CLICKING HERE. Join the Matzav WhatsApp Groups by CLICKING HERE.

The opinions expressed in letters on Matzav.com do not necessarily reflect the stance of the Matzav Media Network.

The White House moved to quiet persistent speculation on Monday by releasing the full medical findings from the MRI President Trump received earlier this fall. After reviewing the test, presidential physician Dr. Sean Barbabella concluded that the 79-year-old president is in “excellent overall health.”

Dr. Barbabella issued a memo describing the October imaging as routine for an annual executive physical, emphasizing that everything observed during the exam was “perfectly normal.” He explained, “As part of President Donald J. Trump’s comprehensive executive physical, advanced imaging was performed because men in his age group benefit from a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular and abdominal health.”

Expanding on the purpose of the test, Barbabella noted, “The purpose of this imaging is preventative: to identify issues early, confirm overall health, and ensure he maintains long-term vitality and function. President Trump’s cardiovascular imaging is perfectly normal.”

He added further detail regarding the condition of Trump’s heart and blood vessels: “There is no evidence of arterial narrowing impairing the blood flow or abnormalities in the heart or major vessels. The heart chambers are normal in size, the vessel walls appear smooth and healthy, and there are no signs of inflammation, or clotting. Overall, his cardiovascular system shows excellent health.”

The MRI itself became a topic of discussion only after Trump mentioned it in passing on Oct. 27, describing the procedure as “perfect” when speaking about his Oct. 10 visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His remark triggered a flurry of follow-up questions because the original readout of the physical omitted any reference to the MRI.

The White House memo also addressed the abdominal portion of the imaging. “His abdominal imaging is also perfectly normal,” Barbabella wrote. “All major organs appear very healthy and well-perfused. Everything evaluated is functioning within normal limits with no acute or chronic concerns. Summary: This level of detailed assessment is standard for an executive physical at President Trump’s age and confirms that he remains in excellent overall health.”

Earlier this summer, on July 17, officials disclosed that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency after noticing “mild swelling in his lower legs.” Medical experts said the condition is generally managed with compression stockings to reduce the risk of clotting.

Trump has also displayed a recurring bruise on his hand, which aides have attributed to his daily aspirin regimen—intended for heart health—and the large number of hands he shakes at public events.

{Matzav.com}

A new long-range outlook is raising alarms, warning that some of the coldest temperatures on the planet are likely to settle over the northeastern United States before December draws to a close. Climatologist Judah Cohen of MIT explained to USA Today that the chilly start to the month is merely a preview, saying, “My thinking is that the cold the first week of December is the appetizer and the main course will be in mid-December.”

According to Cohen, weather models are flagging an enormous zone of potentially record-breaking cold stretching across North America. He noted, “The most expansive region of most likely extreme cold on Earth stretches from the Canadian Plains to the U.S. East Coast in the 3rd week of December,” crediting his analysis to computer-driven atmospheric simulations.

This looming deep freeze is tied to a projected shift in the polar vortex, which appears ready to sag southward and send a torrent of Arctic air barreling across the country. Although the precise temperature plunge cannot yet be pinned down, Cohen believes the looming cold spell will surpass the already frigid conditions hitting parts of the nation this week.

Midwestern states are already struggling with daytime temperatures stuck in the teens and low 20s, with nighttime lows near zero from Illinois through Missouri. Cohen’s modeling suggests that the most intense cold air mass anywhere in the world later this month will be pointed straight at the U.S. East Coast.

Whether snow accompanies this outbreak remains uncertain, as storm development will determine how the cold manifests. But should a system materialize, the bitter temperatures will be more than sufficient to support significant winter weather.

Across the country, the season has already announced its arrival. Much of the Midwest endured a messy round of November snowfall over the weekend, triggering widespread delays and transportation headaches for travelers.

In the Northeast, the next punch arrives on Tuesday, when the region braces for its first major winter storm of the season. A developing Nor’easter is expected to spread snow from Pennsylvania through Maine, with Fox Weather predicting that parts of New York and New England could pick up as much as 8 inches, while isolated spots in New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont may receive up to a foot.

Major coastal cities—including New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia—are not expected to accumulate much, with brief morning flakes quickly giving way to a cold, steady rain lasting most of the day.

By early Wednesday, forecasters say the storm should finally be moving out, leaving the region to prepare for whatever the polar vortex has in store next.

{Matzav.com}

The Knesset Finance Committee on Monday approved a list of 95 nonprofit organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions under Section 46 of the Income Tax Ordinance. The list was finalized with one notable exception: a Temple Mount advocacy group was removed at the request of MK Moshe Gafni.

Gafni, who chairs the committee and leads Degel HaTorah, asked that the organization known as the Temple Mount Administration be taken off the list until the Israel Tax Authority conducts a new and thorough examination of its activities.

Explaining why he demanded the removal, Gafni said that Prime Minister Netanyahu repeatedly insists that the status quo on the Temple Mount must remain unchanged. He argued that the organization’s activities contradict longstanding halachic rulings and the position of the country’s chief rabbinate, and therefore should not be granted eligibility for tax-recognized donations. He added that he wants the Tax Authority to verify that granting such approval would not violate existing law or disrupt the current status quo.

The Temple Mount Administration responded with a statement defending its work. The organization said that the past decade has seen significant positive developments on the Temple Mount, including regular morning and afternoon prayer gatherings led by prominent rabbinic figures. It said it has been a partner in these improvements through coordination with government officials and security agencies and intends to continue its efforts.

With the rest of the list approved, the Tax Authority will now decide whether the group can regain eligibility after completing its renewed review.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

Seven-year-old Riki has a wish: to win the cancer and live. 😰

Riki knows she has only one chance, a new treatment given in only one children’s hospital in the USA.

She also knows her parents can’t afford it, having spent all their assets on her medical expenses.

 

Riki is praying for a miracle 🙏

You can be that miracle!

Together, we can fund her only hope and give her life

Let’s do it now! 💓

Be a Miracle for Riki >>>

Donate now

President Donald Trump used a Truth Social message on Monday to urge Israel to stay engaged with Syria diplomatically, emphasizing that Jerusalem should avoid steps that could hinder Damascus’ progress. He praised recent developments in the region, insisting that “the United States is very satisfied with the results displayed, through hard work and determination, in the country of Syria. We are doing everything within our power to make sure the Government of Syria continues to do what was intended, which is substantial, in order to build a true and prosperous country.”

Trump highlighted what he believes has been a major boost for Damascus, noting that “One of the things that has helped them greatly was my termination of very strong and biting sanctions – I believe this was truly appreciated by Syria, its leadership, and its people!”

He followed with a direct appeal to Israel, saying that “it is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria’s evolution into a prosperous State. The new President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is working diligently to make sure good things happen, and that both Syria and Israel will have a long and prosperous relationship together.”

Calling it a pivotal moment, Trump added: “This is a historic opportunity, and adds to the success, already attained, for peace in the Middle East!”

His remarks were issued shortly after a volatile stretch along the Syrian-Israeli frontier. Days earlier, Israeli forces carried out a significant raid targeting three “Jamaa Islamiya” operatives in southern Syria. According to the IDF, the mission turned into close-quarters combat, leaving three soldiers in critical condition and three more with varying injuries.

The tension escalated the following day in Beit Jinn, a Syrian town situated at the base of Mount Hermon, roughly 11 kilometers from Israel’s border. Reports indicate that IDF units entered the area—near a buffer zone monitored by Israel—with the intent of detaining a local resident. Their arrival triggered an eruption of violence, including exchanges of gunfire between troops and residents, resulting in the deaths of two Syrian civilians and injuries to others.

Throughout the confrontation, Israeli forces deployed artillery fire while Israel Air Force aircraft circled overhead, providing support as the situation unfolded. After approximately two hours of clashes, the IDF pulled back to the outskirts of the town.

{Matzav.com}

As the IDF resumes arrests of yeshiva students classified as deserting or absent without leave, attorney Yoav Lalum has issued an urgent demand to the military and legal leadership, alleging that every student arrested in proactive operations over the past year has been from Sephardic communities.

In a sharply worded letter sent to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, Lalum—head of the Noar K’Halacha organization—called for an immediate halt to what he described as targeted enforcement against Sephardic bnei Torah.

The renewed arrests by the Military Police have already raised tensions across the chareidi sector. Lalum warned that the data itself points to a deeply troubling pattern. “A simple review of the list of detainees who were arrested in proactive arrests by the IDF enforcement authorities reveals that almost all of the detainees arrested in the past year were specifically from the Sephardic communities,” he wrote.

He said such an outcome is impossible to justify and signals a systemic problem. “There is no way to accept such a result,” he told the Chief of Staff, adding that the situation “raises more than a suspicion that, heaven forbid, improper and illegitimate considerations are guiding the discretion of enforcement officials in the army, as they exercise their authority under the law to enforce the rules on deserters or draft evaders.”

Lalum requested full disclosure of the guidelines governing enforcement decisions and called for a comprehensive internal investigation before he proceeds with a petition to the High Court. “I am making this appeal as an exhaustion of proceedings before filing a petition,” he wrote, “with the goal that you order a full inquiry into the events that occurred and how it is possible that only Sephardic yeshiva students were arrested in proactive arrests.”

He further warned that the impact extends far beyond the arrests themselves, striking at the core of the community’s trust in the IDF and the political establishment. “It goes without saying,” Lalum wrote, “that these actions severely damage the trust of the Sephardic chareidi public in the army and in any draft law, even one agreed upon by the chareidi leadership. Just as the chareidi establishment treats Sephardic children in the education system, there is a serious concern that those who will be forced to fill the quotas will be Sephardic avreichim and bnei Torah whose life is Torah, while Ashkenazi troublemakers will receive deferments.”

Lalum ended his letter by emphasizing that the military must demonstrate transparent and equal enforcement, especially as the possibility of legal action looms. “It need not be stated,” he wrote, “that it is the duty of the IDF—as the army of the nation—to clarify and prove that there is no concern whatsoever of ethnic discrimination in its conduct regarding Sephardic chareidim.”

The IDF has not yet issued a response.

{Matzav.com}

An internal inquiry within the Shin Bet has revealed that Israel’s security service had no knowledge that the Nova music festival was scheduled to take place at the Re’im parking area on the night of October 6–7, 2023, according to a report published today by Haaretz. The oversight became evident only after the events began to unfold.

Despite the fact that a Shin Bet liaison reportedly participated in at least two coordination meetings with both police officials and the IDF in the days preceding the attack, the information about the large-scale gathering never reached senior leadership within the agency. The reason the details were not relayed upward remains unclear.

Because the event was not flagged to command staff, the Nova festival was entirely absent from the Shin Bet’s real-time situational evaluations during the night Hamas launched its assault. The lack of awareness meant that the gathering was not factored into early assessments or operational preparations.

Other sources indicated that the IDF also failed to notify the Shin Bet about the festival’s close proximity to the Gaza border. As a result, the agency’s operations center learned of the event only hours into the unfolding horror—approximately three hours after the attack had begun—when reports of multiple casualties started to pour in from the area.

A senior security official said the missing information could have been consequential. According to the source, had the agency or the broader security system been updated ahead of time—or even during the late-night hours before the massacre—it “might have influenced decision-making processes both within the Shin Bet and across the entire security establishment.”

{Matzav.com}

A moving scene unfolded in Rechovot in recent days as Mayor Matan Dil paid a special visit to the magnificent new campus of Yeshivas Maor HaTalmud, one of the leading flagship institutions of the Torah world in Eretz Yisroel.

The mayor arrived together with the city’s CEO, Dudi Ashkenazi, and the two were welcomed into the study of the rosh yeshiva, Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook, a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.

Throughout the tour, Mayor Dil expressed deep admiration for the scale and beauty of the yeshiva’s expanded campus. Standing inside the new facilities, he remarked, “We have been privileged in the city of Rechovot to have one of the most distinguished yeshivas—a true flagship of the Torah world. We will continue working together to strengthen its institutions for the honor of the city and the honor of Torah.”

During the meeting, Rav Kook offered warm encouragement to the mayor for his steadfast efforts to uphold and strengthen the sanctity of Shabbos in the city. He praised the mayor’s dedication and urged him to continue acting on behalf of the spiritual character of Rechovot.

The rosh yeshiva then accompanied the mayor into the central beis medrash, where hundreds of talmidei chachamim were immersed in learning. The powerful sound of Torah filled the hall, leaving a strong impression on the mayor, who did not conceal his joy and excitement as he listened to the vibrant atmosphere of continuous learning.

At the conclusion of the visit, Rav Kook presented Mayor Dil with one of his sefarim and bestowed upon him a heartfelt birkas kohen.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the country on Monday, releasing a message aimed at calming the growing storm surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s request for a presidential pardon. In his video statement, delivered in Hebrew, Herzog stressed that his guiding principle is the welfare of the nation, noting that “The issue of Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s request for a pardon is clearly provoking debate and is deeply unsettling for many people in the country, across different communities.”

Herzog emphasized that the process would be handled with absolute care and neutrality. “I have already clarified that it will be handled in the most correct and precise manner. I will consider solely the best interests of the State of Israel and Israeli society,” he said, underscoring that no pressure campaign will sway him. He added that public input was welcome — “One thing is clear to me: Violent discourse will not impact me; on the other hand, respectful discourse will definitely create a discussion. I invite the Israeli public to the President’s Residence website to express their opinions and respond appropriately.”

Even before Herzog’s remarks, political circles were buzzing with reports that the President was weighing the request seriously, including the possibility of tying a pardon to an agreement for early elections. Channel 13 News mentioned this scenario earlier in the day. Those aligned with Netanyahu, however, pushed back on any conditional approach, stating unequivocally that “this is all or nothing – either an unconditional pardon, or the Prime Minister will continue his trial until acquittal.”

Netanyahu formally submitted his petition on Sunday through attorney Amit Hadad, nearly six years after charging documents were first filed. The letter makes no acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Instead, Netanyahu framed the appeal as a step toward restoring internal unity, writing: “In recent years, tensions and disputes have increased between parts of the people and between the various state authorities. I am aware that the proceedings in my case have become a focus of fierce debates and bear broad public and ethical responsibility, out of an understanding of the implications of all the events as a result, and despite my personal interest in conducting the trial and proving my innocence until I am fully acquitted, I believe that the public interest dictates otherwise.”

He continued by linking the end of the legal proceedings to easing national friction: “Out of a public responsibility as Prime Minister to try to bring about reconciliation between the parts of the people, I have no doubt that the end of the trial will help to reduce the intensity of the flames in the debate that has arisen around it.”

Following the submission, the President’s Office acknowledged the gravity of what now lies before Herzog. It noted that the President “is aware that this is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications. After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the President will responsibly and sincerely consider the request.”

The paperwork has already been routed to the Justice Ministry’s Pardons Department, where an official recommendation will be drafted. That opinion will then be assessed by multiple government bodies, including the legal adviser to the President’s Office and the minister designated to oversee the process. Because Justice Minister Yariv Levin is a senior member of Netanyahu’s Likud party and therefore conflicted out, Minister Amichai Eliyahu is expected to take the lead on evaluating the matter.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Iron Beam (“Magen Or” in Hebrew) laser defense system will begin defending against aerial threats at the end of the month, the country’s Defense Ministry announced on Monday.

“With development complete and a comprehensive testing program that has validated the system’s capabilities, we are prepared to deliver initial operational capability to the IDF on Dec. 30, 2025,” said Brig. Gen. (res.) Daniel Gold, head of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development at the Defense Ministry.

Brig. Gen. (res.) Daniel Gold, head of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development at the Israeli Defense Ministry, speaks at the International DefenseTech Summit at Tel Aviv University on Dec. 1, 2025. Credit: Israel Ministry of Defense.

Speaking at the International DefenseTech Summit at Tel Aviv University, Gold said the system was a complement to the Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow air defense systems, and “is expected to fundamentally change the rules of engagement on the battlefield.”

The system uses a 100-kilowatt laser to intercept rockets, mortars and UAVs at a range of more than 6 miles (10 kilometers), at a fraction of the cost of traditional interceptors. The estimated cost per firing is about $2 to $5, compared to $40,000 to $80,000 for a single Iron Dome interceptor.

The Iron Beam—to be renamed “Ohr Eitan” (“Eitan’s Light”) after Eitan Oster, who fell in battle in Lebanon and whose father was one of its developers—will be integrated into the Israel Defense Forces’ air defense array.

The Defense Ministry and Israel’s Rafael defense technology firm announced in September the completion of a series of successful trials of the Iron Beam system at a facility in southern Israel.

 

“The system proved its effectiveness in a complete operational configuration by intercepting rockets, mortars, aircraft and UAVs across a comprehensive range of operational scenarios,” they said in a joint statement at the time.

The Israeli military revealed in May that a smaller version of the laser defense system was tested in combat operations during the war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, shooting down dozens of enemy drones. Most of the interceptions were of Hezbollah drones, but the system also downed UAVs on other fronts, according to the IDF. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Republican strategist Karl Rove is urging his party to prepare a concrete and convincing pitch to voters well before the next midterm cycle, cautioning that the absence of a real health care proposal could severely damage their prospects.

Speaking on Fox News’s “Journal Editorial Report,” Rove said the GOP cannot enter the 2026 races empty-handed on core domestic issues. He argued that candidates must be able to explain both their economic vision and their approach to health care in a way that resonates beyond party loyalists. “If the Republicans want to maximize their victories in 2026, they need to go back in the way-back machine to 1992 and remember the immortal words of that great strategist, James Carville. ‘It’s the economy stupid,’ he said,” Rove noted. “And you got to have an agenda that is forward-looking.”

Rove said Republicans should frame their plans around policies that encourage economic expansion and help families improve their financial well-being. As he put it, candidates must be thinking in terms of “progrowth policies” that ordinary voters can immediately understand and feel.

He stressed that health care cannot be sidelined. “And ‘don’t forget health care,’ Carville famously said,” Rove reminded viewers. “The Republicans have got to have a health care agenda, otherwise they’re going to be in deep trouble.”

The topic has already proven volatile. The recent government shutdown — the longest in the nation’s history — hinged in large part on demands from Democrats to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies before permitting the government to reopen. Those enhanced subsidies expire at the end of the year, a development expected to push premiums higher for millions. That expiration is also creating uncertainty inside the GOP, since many Republican voters rely on those subsidies and are now bracing for steep costs.

Rove said these pressures are exposing division within the Republican ranks. In his view, lawmakers are increasingly worried about the political fallout tied to the public’s economic frustrations, while the benefits of the administration’s major tax and spending legislation have not yet been felt widely enough. He described the anxiety this way: members are “scared to death of the midterm election,” because the public isn’t feeling the results of President Trump’s major legislative achievement.

Rove pointed directly to the gap between Trump’s expectations and voter perceptions. “If the president’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ was as instantaneously positive as he thinks, his approval numbers on the economy wouldn’t be in the 30s, and his overall approval wouldn’t be in the low 40s,” he said.

He concluded that Republicans cannot afford to enter the cycle without a clear roadmap. “So Republicans are concerned, and they need to have an agenda going into the 2026 midterms, and they don’t have a forward-looking agenda at this moment,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

Maran Rav Dov Landau delivered a powerful shmuess at Yeshiva Ma’or HaTorah on Sunday, issuing an unequivocal declaration that there is no consent whatsoever for yeshiva bochurim from Sephardic communities to leave yeshiva and enlist in the IDF.

The gathering, hosted by Rav Avraham Salim, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, centered on the current climate surrounding the draft debate and the claims being circulated regarding Sephardic bnei Torah. Rav Landau devoted his remarks to affirming the unwavering position of the Torah world.

Rav Landau began by highlighting the rich Torah legacy of Sephardic Jewry throughout the generations, noting that many of the greatest sages of all time were Sephardic. “Many of our greatest teachers throughout the generations were Sephardic sages: the Rambam, the Rif, the Ramban, the Rashba, Maran HaBeis Yosef, the Mishneh LaMelech, the Machaneh Ephraim, the Sha’ar HaMelech, and other giants whose teachings we absorb to this day,” he said. “In every beis midrash we immerse ourselves in their Torah just as we do in the teachings of the Ashkenazic sages.” He recalled the powerful impression made on him in his youth by the rosh yeshiva of Porat Yosef, Rav Ezra Attiya, whose noble and refined character left a lifelong mark on him.

Rav Landau then reflected on the early years of the State, which he described as a time of profound spiritual assault on Sephardic communities. “At the beginning of statehood, in a cruel and sweeping spiritual destruction orchestrated by the heads of the government, Sephardic Jewry suffered a catastrophe that claimed countless souls,” he said. In response, he noted, the great leaders of both the Ashkenazic and Sephardic worlds fought with all their strength to rebuild Torah education. The prominent Ashkenazic yeshivos opened their doors to students from the Sephardic communities, many of whom went on to become outstanding talmidei chachomim and marbitzei Torah.

He described with gratitude the extraordinary growth of Sephardic yeshivos over the past decades. “Today there are many yeshivos for Sephardic bochurim that are an inseparable part of the world of Torah,” he said. Their standard of learning, their atmosphere, and their spiritual stature, he noted, rival the finest of the veteran yeshivos. Leading them are great Sephardic roshei yeshiva whose dedication and leadership have built a vibrant Torah world filled with “excellent bnei Torah and young tzorvim growing into talmidei chachomim who sanctify Heaven’s name.”

With emotional intensity, Rav Landau turned to the rumors and claims being spread regarding Sephardic bochurim and the draft. “To our great sorrow, there are inciters and agitators who malign the roshei yeshiva, as if there is some agreement—chalilah—for bnei Torah from Sephardic backgrounds to abandon the wellspring of Torah and enlist,” he declared. “Chalilah v’chas! May the mouths of the liars be sealed. There is no such agreement and no such consent.”

He stressed that roshei yeshiva invest their full strength into every talmid, without distinction of origin or ability, guiding even those who struggle with patience and devotion, exactly as the Gemara instructs. Those who attempt to sow division, he warned, inflict deep harm on the entire Torah world and desecrate the name of Heaven, whether knowingly or unknowingly. “One who desecrates Hashem’s name is accountable regardless,” he said.

Rav Landau concluded with a heartfelt charge to bnei hayeshivos: “Every yeshiva student must understand our mission: to learn Torah with depth, diligence, and total immersion, disconnected from the influences of the street.” He closed with a prayer that Torah learning continue to expand without interruption: “May Hashem help us continue to see the flourishing of the batei medrash and the increase of Torah learners without limit. Avinu Malkeinu, remove harsh decrees from us. May the earth be filled with the knowledge of Hashem as water covers the sea, and may we merit to see the return of Tzion, speedily in our days. Amein.”

{Matzav.com}

A&B Famous, one of the most widely recognized names in the kosher food market, has announced a temporary halt in production of its flagship Original Gefilte Fish, citing an unexpected shortage of key fish varieties essential to its recipe.

In a public notice, the company explained that its longstanding reputation rests on strict adherence to kashrus, freshness, and the use of only the highest-quality ingredients, including fish that is never previously frozen. That commitment, the company noted, is the foundation of the product’s “signature fresh, authentic, and delicious flavor.”

According to A&B, seasonal harvesting restrictions have made the specific varieties of fresh fish required for its classic recipe unavailable. As a result, the company said, it is currently unable to produce its Original Gefilte Fish in accordance with its rigorous standards.

“A&B Original Gefilte Fish will be temporarily unavailable until we are once again able to obtain the premium, freshly caught fish required for our recipe,” the notice states.

Despite the shortage, the company emphasized that several other products remain fully stocked. These include White & Pike, Salmon, and Gluten-Free gefilte fish varieties, all of which continue to be produced without disruption.

A&B expressed cautious optimism that the issue will be resolved within two to three weeks, at which point they expect to resume full production and restock the complete line of products.

The notice concludes with an apology for any inconvenience and thanks customers for their loyalty and understanding during the temporary shortage.

A&B Famous is based in Paterson, New Jersey.

{Matzav.com}