Matzav

A number of mezuzahs were torn from the doorways of Jewish seniors’ homes in an apartment building in North York, Toronto, Canada on Shabbos.

Toronto police’s Hate Crime Unit launched an investigation into the matter, according to CTVNews.

No leads about the culprits were communicated to the public.

Toronto City Councilor James Pasternak tweeted that the vandalism was “an act of hate directed at Jewish residents—seniors who deserve safety, stability, and dignity in their own homes. There is no excuse for targeting people because they are Jewish.”

He added: “Toronto cannot look the other way while seniors are intimidated in their hallways. We will continue working with residents, Toronto Seniors Housing, and police until safety is restored.”

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called the incident “outrageous and [a] vile act of antisemitism.

“Jewish Torontonians deserve to live in peace and safety. Thank you Councillor Pasternak for connecting residents to the police who are investigating,” she wrote on X.

Speaking to channel CP24 later on Sunday night, Pasternak said that the Jewish elders in the residential building “were shocked and dismayed that this kind of antisemitism and hate would be in our city.”

They “always felt that their building was welcoming and safe. They chose that building because of its community,” Pasternak remarked.

He moreover noted that the Jewish tenants attend a small shul within the building on a daily basis, and have “always lived their lives openly, celebrated their religion, and their history. And so, this is a major shock that someone would go through the night ripping off or tearing off these mezuzahs, and they were fixed very strongly so it’s not an easy task to pry off.”

B’nai Brith Canada responded to the incident, stating on X that the Jewish organization has “engaged municipal leaders and the Toronto Police after being made aware” of the vandalism.

The historic NGO said that the act “is yet another example of the consequences of the antisemitic environment that has been allowed to fester.”

It further charged the city’s “permissive” response to the rising levels of incitement against the Jewish community, describing the “inability” to protect Jewish seniors as a “sign of the further decay of our society.”

B’nai Brith added that it will arrange this week an event for mezuzah donations for the seniors in the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation building on 6250 Bathurst Street.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs association in Canada remarked, “We’ve seen hateful conduct go from shouting in the streets to targeting Jews outside our homes to now in the hallways of our own buildings.”

CIJA urged Canadian leaders “at all levels” to take action that will protect the Jewish community.

{Matzav.com}

A menorah was installed at the Kosel in Yerushalayim’s Old City on Sunday ahead of Chanukah, which begins on the evening of Dec. 14.

The bronze menorah, which measures some 6.5 by 6.5 feet, will be lit every evening during the eight-day Yom Tov, the Western Wall Foundation said.

Every evening, a candle-lighting ceremony will be held in the presence of Hamas captivity survivors, public figures, injured Israeli soldiers, bereaved families, rabbonim and others.

The events, which will be accompanied by an orchestra, will take place every day at 4:30 p.m., except for Friday, Dec. 19, and Motzoei Shabbos, Dec. 20, when the chanukiyah will be lit at 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively. JNS

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump used the spotlight outside the Kennedy Center Honors to chide Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for not yet reviewing Washington’s newest proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. While praising Zelenskyy’s advisers and suggesting that Moscow had shown acceptance of the framework, he said he was “a little bit disappointed” that Zelenskyy himself still had not gone through the plan several hours before the event.

Trump said that Ukraine’s senior officials “love it,” and that “Russia is fine with it,” but expressed frustration that the Ukrainian leader hadn’t examined the details personally. “We’ve been speaking to President [Vladimir] Putin, and we’ve been speaking to Ukrainian leaders, including President Zelenskyy, and I have to say that I’m a little bit disappointed that President Zelenskyy hasn’t yet read the proposal – that was as of a few hours ago,” he remarked while pausing on the red carpet. “His people love it, but he has it. Russia’s fine with it. I’m not sure that Zelenskyy is fine with it. His people love it. But he hasn’t read it, so someday you’ll explain that one to me.”

The president’s critique came amid a rapid-fire exchange with reporters that veered between policy, arts, and global tensions. Trump wove comments about negotiations with Russia and Ukraine into reflections about the challenges of a war he described as “very tough, very nasty,” noting the ongoing toll measured in heavy casualties each month.

At the same time, he highlighted cultural achievements connected to the evening’s festivities. Trump — the first president ever to host the Kennedy Center Honors — repeatedly spoke about the center’s restoration, saying his administration “saved” the project by helping raise more than $100 million. He stressed that continued improvements would make the institution “better than it was from day one,” and praised its acoustics and history.

Trump also addressed domestic policy, defending his use of tariff authority as a crucial tool for national security in advance of a pending Supreme Court decision. In lighter moments, he joked about taking a Johnny Carson–style approach to hosting duties and praised honorees, including Sylvester Stallone and the rock band Kiss, adding that “you have to be yourself.” The crowd lining the red carpet, he said, was “bigger than it’s ever been,” attributing the enthusiasm to renewed national pride: “We have a country that’s the talk of the world again.”

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy commented separately on the state of diplomatic efforts. He said over the weekend that he had held a “substantive phone call” with American and Ukrainian officials involved in ongoing discussions in Florida. “Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace,” he wrote, saying he’d been briefed on the latest developments.

Russia publicly signaled approval of Washington’s updated national security strategy the same day, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling TASS that the document aligns with Moscow’s preference for reduced confrontation. “There are statements there against confrontation and in favor of dialogue and building good relations,” he said, expressing hope that this would lead to “further constructive cooperation with Washington on the Ukrainian settlement.” The White House strategy paper, released Friday, said the U.S. considers ending the war essential to “reestablish strategic stability with Russia.”

Trump’s outgoing Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum on Saturday, said the peace talks were nearing a conclusion. He described efforts as being in “the last 10 meters,” identifying two unresolved issues: “terrain, primarily the Donbas,” and the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Russia currently holds most of Donbas — which it claims as its name for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions — along with two additional southern territories it annexed illegally three years ago. The Zaporizhzhia facility, seized early in the invasion, has been offline and relies on steady power to cool reactors and spent fuel to avert disaster. Kellogg, who will step down in January, is not participating in the Florida talks.

Diplomatic activity is poised to intensify further as officials confirmed that the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany are set to meet Zelenskyy in London on Monday.

As the political maneuvers unfolded, Russia escalated strikes across Ukraine. Overnight missile, drone, and artillery attacks killed at least four people. Local authorities reported that a man died in a drone strike in the Chernihiv region on Saturday night. In Kremenchuk, a combined attack on infrastructure knocked out power and water systems in a city known for one of Ukraine’s major oil refineries. Kyiv and Western governments say the Kremlin is trying to degrade Ukraine’s energy network to leave civilians without basic utilities through a fourth winter, a campaign Ukrainian officials describe as “weaponizing” the cold.

On Sunday, shelling in the Kharkiv region killed three more people and injured 10 others, according to the regional prosecutor’s office, adding another grim chapter to a conflict still raging even as diplomatic channels attempt to resolve it.

{Matzav.com}

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TODAY! marks a pivotal moment for Telshe Yeshiva as we embark on our annual Shutfim Rally! This isn’t just a fundraiser; it’s an invitation for our cherished Talmidim and Yedidim to become integral partners in a mission that has spanned a century and a half.

In the hallowed batei medrash of Telshe, the “Kol Torah” rings strong, day in and day out. It is here that young men grow in Torah and Yirah, shaping their futures and enriching the Jewish world. When you join as “shutfim” (partners), you become a true shareholder in their profound success, a direct participant in every word of Torah learned and every spiritual height achieved. 

This year has been extraordinary, marking 150 years since the venerable establishment of Telshe Yeshiva. We recently celebrated this monumental milestone with a historic dinner in Cleveland and a heartwarming homecoming for our talmidim, events that beautifully showcased the deep, enduring bond so many of us feel with Telshe.

Now, as the 2025 calendar year draws to a close, we have a crucial 36-hour window – beginning today, Monday, December 8th, and concluding Tuesday, December 9th – to ensure a resounding success for the Yeshiva. This is your chance to stand with us, to reinforce the foundations of Torah, and to propel us forward in our timeless mission: “להגדיל תורה ולהאדירה” – to magnify Torah and glorify it.

Visit: CHARIDY.COM/TELSHE  or Call: 440-574-0400

Reb Avraham Shalom Ben Zion Aryeh Rabinowitz, one of the veteran and distinguished chassidim of Belz in Yerushalayim, has passed away at the age of 88.

Rabbi Rabinowitz, son of Rav Menachem Rabinowitz, was among the early residents of Kiryas Belz and was widely respected as one of its elder chassidim.

Known for his extraordinary precision in the nuances of Tefillah, he was privileged to teach the Belzer Rebbe fine points of Hebrew grammar and exact wording in the tefillos.

He had traveled to the United States to attend the wedding of his granddaughter, which took place last week. During the wedding festivities he began to feel unwell and was hospitalized on Friday night. He passed away on Shabbos morning in the midst of the family’s sheva brachos.

His levayah in the United States was held at the Belz beis medrash on 43rd Street in Boro Park, after which his aron was flown to Israel. The levayah in Eretz Yisroel took place at the Sanhedria Funeral Home. The procession then passed the main Belzer beis medrash in Kiryas Belz on its way to the Kahal Machzikei HaDas section of Har HaMenuchos.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

Tension inside the governing coalition has intensified as the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has continued advancing the controversial draft law. The committee held its fourth discussion on the bill, with two additional sessions scheduled this week, including a late-night meeting on Tuesday.

The steady progress of the legislation has triggered urgent pressure within the coalition on United Torah Judaism to lift its current boycott on preliminary Knesset votes. Last week, despite visible movement on the bill, UTJ ultimately upheld the boycott, largely due to intense resistance from Agudas Yisroel.

Information obtained by Emes News indicates that while Agudas Yisroel still opposes ending the boycott, Degel HaTorah is now leaning toward voting with the coalition in Wednesday’s session. A final decision is expected at tomorrow’s faction meeting. Media personality Yinon Magal has already reported that “the chareidim are expected this week to resume voting with the coalition on bills in preliminary readings.”

The divide places Degel HaTorah in the decisive role. Degel is aligned with Shas on voting strategy; therefore, if Degel and Shas return to supporting the coalition, the government will have the numbers to pass preliminary legislation even without Agudas Yisroel’s backing.

The shifting dynamics highlight a growing question inside the coalition: As pressure mounts around the draft law, which chareidi faction ultimately holds the stronger influence, and how long can the current boycott remain in place?

A final decision from Degel HaTorah is expected within the next 24 hours, one that may determine whether the coalition regains stability or spirals into deeper internal conflict.

{Matzav.com}

Avrumi Malul, a yeshiva bochur who was arrested for refusing to enlist in the IDF, described the harrowing conditions he faced during his detention in Military Prison 10.

Speaking with Yankele Friedman on Kol Chai Radio, Malul said the experience was nothing short of “gehennom,” beginning from the moment he was taken from his home community and transported to jail.

He was arrested on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. and released the following Friday just before Shabbos. Although he had been sentenced to seven days, he ultimately served six. “Hashem had mercy on me,” he said. “They removed the Shabbos from my sentence, so I was released Friday.”

He recalled that during the drive to the prison, he caught sight of his own neighborhood through the transport windows and felt a stab of deep pain. Upon arrival, he underwent a full security check, was given prison uniforms—“extremely unpleasant,” he noted—and was placed in handcuffs.

Malul explained that his difficult conditions stemmed from what he thought was a harmless answer during his intake interview. Prison staff asked routine questions, including whether he intended to escape. Thinking he might receive more lenient treatment if he appeared weak or pitiable, he tried to portray himself accordingly. The strategy backfired. “It turned against me,” he said. He was placed in the separation wing, which he described as the harshest part of Prison 10. The wing had no phone, no books, no amenities, nothing at all. He was housed with only two other inmates who were not yeshiva students, leaving him with no shared background and no sense of companionship. The isolation and environment were “unbearable,” he said.

Inside the prison, Malul found himself fighting simply to observe basic religious practices. He asked to daven with a minyan at five o’clock in the morning, but was refused. In the separation wing, he said, there is no possibility of gathering a minyan at all. The distress grew more severe when he was prevented from putting on Rabbeinu Tam tefillin, which he has worn faithfully for years as part of his family’s tradition. Desperate, he even asked the wing commander to allow him to do guard duty—solely to gain access to his tefillin. “I begged her,” he said. “I asked, please let me do guard duty so I can put them on.” She refused, explaining that he was not authorized because he had already met with an attorney that day. “I went to sleep that night… and I hadn’t put them on,” he recalled painfully. “After years and years of never missing it.” Only once did he manage to put on Rabbeinu Tam tefillin, borrowing a pair from an inmate in a nearby wing.

Conditions in the prison, he said, were extremely harsh. His daily time outdoors was limited to twenty minutes, and even then he was required to walk with his hands behind his back, unable to move freely without express permission from a commander. The food was meager, consisting mainly of dry bread and a piece of cheese. Although there were meals labeled “mehadrin,” he described their appearance as “in the worst condition imaginable,” adding that even the regular IDF food lacked any visible kosher certification and was hardly edible. Eventually, Malul was transferred to a regular platoon, which he described as “paradise compared to the separation wing,” though he was still required to perform guard duty like other inmates.

Malul expressed deep anguish for the yeshiva boys who remain in the prison, trying to maintain their religious commitments under impossible circumstances. He said the inmates urgently need spiritual support and called for a rabbi to visit daily to provide even a short shiur. Upon his release, he felt a mixture of relief and sorrow. “My eyes cried bitterly, but my heart was happy,” he said of his first steps outside the prison. “I’m glad I was released, but it hurts me for all the yeshiva boys who are still there. Spending Shabbos in that place is gehennom.”

{Matzav.com}

A legislative discussion in the Ministerial Committee for Legislation erupted into shouting and personal attacks on Sunday, as a fierce confrontation broke out between Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

The committee was debating a bill intended to formalize who appoints the special prosecutor in cases involving investigations of the Attorney General or the Military Advocate General. The proposal would grant Justice Minister Yariv Levin the authority to make such appointments.

What began as a tense discussion quickly spiraled into a verbal clash after Limon accused Ben Gvir of repeatedly attempting to interfere in criminal investigations. Both Channel 12 and Kan News reported on the dramatic exchange, publishing direct quotes from inside the meeting.

Limon confronted Ben Gvir sharply:
“You are forbidden to intervene in investigations—not through legislation, not by influencing the appointments of officers, not through discussions in which you order materials to be transferred. You are forbidden! Time after time you try to interfere, acting in violation of the principles document you yourself signed.”

Ben Gvir fired back immediately:
“You’re talking about conflicts? You are one big conflict of interest!”

Limon insisted he has no involvement in the investigation under discussion:
“I have no knowledge of the investigation and no details.”

Justice Minister Levin then joined the fray:
“You’re backing away. If you were a witness in my investigation, I’d see how frightened you are.”

Ben Gvir demanded answers:
“I want you to answer me clearly—did you or did you not improperly interfere in the investigation?”

Limon responded:
“What you are doing right now is political interference. You are demonstrating exactly that.”

Ben Gvir:
“What are you afraid of? We asked you a simple question—answer it.”

Levin accused the Attorney General’s Office of failure:
“You failed miserably. You should have stepped aside and allowed Ben Hamo to rule.”

Coalition MK Shlomo Karhi jumped in with another accusation:
“Is it true that the Attorney General, who briefed the IDF Chief of Staff on the investigation, knew he was meeting Meni Benjamin?”

Ben Gvir taunted Limon repeatedly:
“It’s obvious you’re recording this. You’re red, embarrassed, and avoiding answers.”

Limon maintained his position:
“I repeat again and again: you are violating the principles document and the rulings of the Supreme Court.”

At that point, Ben Gvir escalated sharply:
“You… the days are over when you intimidated ministers. The days are over when you behaved like a mafia. Don’t you understand that, Gil Limon? Who are YOU to threaten me?”

Limon replied calmly:
“I am not threatening you.”

But Ben Gvir insisted:
“You just threatened me. Who are you to threaten me? You are a civil servant—and you will behave like a civil servant!”

{Matzav.com}

A fierce political dispute erupted after Housing and Construction Minister Chaim Katz began considering the appointment of Yehuda Morgenstern—who previously served as director-general of the ministry under Minister Yitzchok Goldknopf—as acting director-general of the Israel Land Authority. The prospective appointment sparked widespread backlash in the political arena, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett even declared that if he returns to office, he will cancel the senior appointment.

The loudest criticism came from Minister Amichai Shikli, who openly opposed Morgenstern’s anticipated appointment. Shikli stated, “I have nothing whatsoever against Yehuda Morgenstern, a wise and pleasant man, but the Israel Land Authority must not be placed in the hands of the ‘real estate Chassidus’ of Gur!”

Shikli argued that the head of the Israel Land Authority must be someone motivated by Zionist priorities: “The director of the Israel Land Authority must—especially now—be someone whose driving force is Zionism, strengthening Jewish settlement in the Galilee and Negev, and supporting IDF soldiers and reservists.”

He went on sharply criticizing past policies: “We have had enough of the five bitter and difficult years for settlement under Yanki Quint. The Israel Land Authority needs a director whose only concern is Zionism.”

UTJ chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf responded with a blistering attack, accusing Shikli of bigotry and discriminatory rhetoric. Goldknopf said, “The minister’s repulsive statement is tainted with condescension, hatred of the other, and a toxicity usually found only among haters of Israel.”

He continued, saying that Shikli’s comments were especially inappropriate given his public role combating antisemitism abroad: “As someone tasked with fighting antisemitism, Shikli should restrain himself and understand that saying Yehuda Morgenstern’s appointment means the authority will be controlled by the Gur community is a disgrace and a shame. Disqualifying a person because of his affiliation with a Chassidic group is an injustice—exactly the kind of injustice Shikli claims to fight abroad, where people and communities are targeted because of their Jewish identity.”

Goldknopf went on to defend Morgenstern’s reputation and qualifications: “Yehuda Morgenstern is a man who worked his way up through effort and diligence, and no one disputes his professionalism, credentials, or abilities.”

Finally, he issued a direct call to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu: “It is expected of the prime minister that when a minister from his own party and government makes such statements, he will condemn them.”

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s Ministry of Defense released new data early Monday marking the National Day of Appreciation for Wounded IDF Soldiers and Security Personnel, revealing a staggering picture of the toll taken since the Simchas Torah massacre two years ago.

According to the Rehabilitation Department, 82,400 wounded individuals are currently receiving care, including 31,000 coping with psychological injuries and post-trauma.

Since the Hamas surprise attack on Simchas Torah, approximately 22,000 newly wounded have entered the rehabilitation system. Of these:

• 58% are suffering from psychological trauma

• 63% are reservists

• 49% are under the age of 30

The ministry estimates that by the end of 2026, another 10,000 wounded will be added—most of them battling psychological injuries.

Looking further ahead, projections show that by 2028 the Rehabilitation Department will be treating around 100,000 wounded, half of whom will be individuals dealing with psychological trauma.

In response to the growing national challenge, the Ministry of Defense announced: “Given the scope of the wounded and the national challenge, the Ministry of Defense, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, established a public committee headed by Prof. Mori Yosef to examine expanding national support, treatment, and services for wounded IDF soldiers.”

The ministry noted a significant expansion in resources: “The department is broadening its medical and psychological treatment framework and the realization of rights. Its budget has risen by 53% and now stands at 8.3 billion shekels, half of which—4.1 billion shekels—is dedicated to services for those with psychological injuries, who make up roughly one-third of our patients.”

The past year has seen major increases in demand:

• The number of psychological treatments provided has doubled

• Use of alternative therapies has risen by about 50%

• Calls to the “One Soul” mental-health hotline have surged by nearly 80%

{Matzav.com}

A joyous milestone was marked in Modi’in Illit, where the wedding of the first granddaughter of the Mirrer mashgiach, Rav Binyomin Finkel, was celebrated.

The kallah is a daughter of Rav Moshe Finkel, son of the mashgiach and son-in-law of Rav Eliezer Lieberman.

The event drew a large crowd of rabbonim and community figures who came to honor the mashgiach and rejoice with him at this significant moment.

PHOTOS:

Police have revealed a sweeping security scandal that has rocked the quiet community of Givat Ze’ev, where several private security guards were arrested on suspicion of facilitating the entry and employment of illegal Palestinian residents in return for money.

According to details cleared for publication, investigators from the Yerushalayim Central Unit detained seven guards employed by a private firm contracted to secure the town. Their arrests followed a lengthy undercover investigation launched after the Givat Ze’ev Local Council formally approached the police with concerns.

Officers moved in during daylight hours last week, bringing the covert probe into the open. Investigators believe the guards exploited their authority at local checkpoints, allegedly accepting payments to allow unauthorized individuals to slip past security screening points.

Police said that on November 30, detectives executed the first wave of arrests against four suspects, some of whom were working as guards at Givat Ze’ev. With those arrests, the months-long undercover investigation became public, and a court-imposed gag order—meant to protect the early stages of the probe—expired this morning.

Authorities outlined what they described as a systematic arrangement: the guards allegedly coordinated with Palestinian residents to grant “free passage” to illegal entrants by bypassing the main inspection route at the Ofer security checkpoint.

Once inside, police say, the illegal entrants would merge onto Route 443 and board waiting vehicles bearing Israeli license plates. Those cars would then drive together into the Agan Ayelet neighborhood through a residents-only gate staffed by guards, thereby sidestepping the primary security screening mechanism entirely. From there, the way into any part of Israel was effectively open.

Investigators estimate that the guards—tasked specifically with safeguarding the town—received tens of thousands of shekels in exchange for their cooperation. The probe also uncovered that some of the illegal entrants later found employment at various locations, where they were ultimately discovered and detained by police. In several cases, businesses employing them were shut down under police orders for hiring individuals without legal status.

Givat Ze’ev Local Council head Yossi Asraf issued a sharply worded statement condemning the alleged betrayal: “We view with utmost severity the suspicions against guards who, if true, violated their duties and endangered the security of Givat Ze’ev’s residents. Our trust in the security apparatus is fundamental, and any breach of that trust is unforgivable. I welcome the swift and determined action of YMAR Jerusalem, launched at the council’s request, and we rely on the police to uncover the full truth and prosecute all involved.”

Asraf urged residents to remain vigilant and report anything unusual: “I call on every resident of Givat Ze’ev to continue exercising alertness and to contact us regarding any wrongdoing or suspected illegal activity. You are our eyes on the ground, and together with the community we will safeguard the security of the council.”

Council officials said they will continue reviewing the town’s security infrastructure, tightening oversight procedures, and taking all necessary steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“We will not allow anyone to erode the personal safety of our residents,” Asraf emphasized, “and we will take every measure required to protect them.”

{Matzav.com}

A top voice on border enforcement raised an alarm this weekend about escalating hostility toward federal immigration agents. Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Trump border czar Tom Homan said the dangers faced by Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel have skyrocketed, noting that “Threats on ICE officers are up 1200%.”

Homan described a climate in which officers are increasingly targeted, explaining that “They’re being doxxed on social media. They’re getting death threats every day. They’ve been attacked. They’ve been shot at.” He stressed that these agents regularly pursue some of the most dangerous offenders in the country, prompting them to take necessary precautions while working within legal boundaries. Homan insisted that “I think they’re following the law. And if any ICE officer acts out of policy or does something inappropriate, they’ll be held accountable.”

Expanding on that theme, Homan pushed back against what he characterized as a distorted national narrative. He argued that the public conversation has somehow inverted reality, saying, “we’re at a place in this country where all of a sudden the ones who enforce law, the bad guys and the ones who broke the laws are victims.” He said he maintains confidence in frontline personnel: “I’m going to trust the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol who have been trained very well to do the right thing.”

Homan emphasized that oversight remains essential, even as he continues to defend the professionalism of federal officers. “If someone does something inappropriate, out of policy, illegal, they need to be held accountable,” he said, while also cautioning that he cannot personally witness every situation in the field: “I haven’t seen that. And again, I’m not in every arrest. I’m not in every operation. I trust the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol do the right thing.”

{Matzav.com}

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Hamas’s external chief Khaled Mashal delivered a fiery address that openly celebrated the organization’s armed campaign and portrayed the group’s arsenal as a source of national dignity, vowing that its struggle against Israel would continue. Speaking via video to supporters gathered in Istanbul, he praised the October 7 attacks as a defining event meant to push Israel from what he called “our homeland,” while dismissing the foundations of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza.

His remarks were broadcast on Al Jazeera during the “Pledge to Jerusalem” conference, where Mashal charted an uncompromising vision for the next stage of Hamas’s strategy. Even though the group has publicly entered the first phase of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire that began two months ago, he rejected the core requirements of the American proposal — including international oversight, demilitarization, and Hamas’s removal from governing authority.

Mashal told his audience that although the stage he described as the most brutal period of a “genocidal war” had passed, the conflict with Israel would continue. The message he delivered cast Gaza as the spearhead of a broader regional mission and the October 7 “Al-Aqsa Flood” massacre as an uprising that set into motion what he sees as a turning tide for Palestinians.

He appealed to the global Muslim community to unify around what he described as a religious and national campaign centered on Jerusalem, asserting that the “liberation of Jerusalem” must become the symbol of Palestinian aspirations. Among the ambitions he laid out were claims that the Al-Aqsa Mosque must be “cleansed,” holy sites reclaimed, and that Gaza’s actions had “turned into the pride of the nation and the conscience of nations.”

Israeli media outlets highlighted passages in which he dismissed any possibility of external authority assuming control of Gaza or the West Bank, declaring that Palestinians themselves alone possess the right to govern. Mashal insisted that Hamas will not accept any “guardianship, mandate and re-occupation” of Gaza or “all of Palestine,” and that “the Palestinian is the one who governs himself and decides for himself.”

This rejection extended directly to the International Stabilization Force and the Board of Peace that the Trump peace plan envisions as central elements of Gaza’s transition. Mashal argued that attempts to redefine Palestinian claims “into misleading frameworks are rejected,” reinforcing his refusal to allow outside actors to shape Gaza’s future.

One of the strongest themes of his speech was Hamas’s pledge never to relinquish its arms. He declared that “the resistance project and its weapons must be protected,” describing them as fundamental to Palestinian identity, and stated that “the resistance and its weapons are the honor and strength of the nation.” He mocked diplomatic appeals, saying “a thousand statements are not worth a single projectile of iron.”

Mashal predicted that Gaza would eventually oust foreign forces and described this period as an “opportunity” for Palestinians to “remove this entity [Israel] from our homeland and exclude it from the international stage.” He portrayed Hamas’s war effort as a vehicle for reshaping both regional politics and international legitimacy.

Even the pro-Palestinian outlet Palestine Chronicle underscored that Mashal’s message rested on a few central pillars: Yerushalayim, resistance through arms, and the insistence that no external bodies may direct Gaza’s future. It framed the speech as a blueprint for Hamas’s next phase of activity.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry swiftly circulated clips of Mashal’s remarks, warning that the Hamas leader’s rhetoric “made a mockery of President Trump’s peace plan” and signaled that Hamas has “no intention of disarming, giving up its weapons, its rule, or its path.” The ministry stressed that Mashal had also rejected any international presence in Gaza, calling his speech a repudiation of the plan’s fundamental conditions.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reinforced that interpretation, noting that Mashal had publicly thrown out every requirement that made the ceasefire and hostage-release process possible. He argued that Mashal’s statements illustrate why negotiations with Hamas remain deeply unstable.

HonestReporting, which monitors media portrayals of Israel, pointed out that Mashal’s sweeping rejection of disarmament was ignored by Western outlets. Idit Bar, a researcher on Arab and Islamic affairs quoted by the group, said Mashal “put all the cards on the table: no to disarmament, no to relinquishing Hamas’ rule, yes to the annihilation of Israel, yes to the liberation of Jerusalem.” She emphasized that calls for “cleansing” Al-Aqsa of “impure Jews” and freeing prisoners effectively incentivize more kidnappings, given Hamas’s lessons from October 7.

Mashal also laid out additional goals, including halting what he described as the “Judaization” of Judea and Samaria and intensifying regional coordination against Israel. He urged supporters to challenge Israeli officials in international bodies and to expand activism on college campuses and in the media.

Within Hamas-friendly networks, the speech circulated widely as a statement of direction for the organization, placing Jerusalem and armed struggle above all other considerations. The celebration of resistance and the rejection of outside authority became the speech’s defining features.

Mashal’s hardline posture stood in stark contrast to comments released one day later by another senior Hamas official, Bassem Naim. Speaking to the Associated Press in Doha, Naim said Hamas was “very open minded” about pursuing a “comprehensive approach” that could involve “freezing or storing” its weapons for a period of five to ten years as part of an extended truce intended to pave the way for a Palestinian state.

Naim maintained that Hamas still holds its “right to resist,” yet acknowledged that the group might permit its arsenal to be placed under Palestinian controls with guarantees “not to use it at all during this ceasefire time or truce.” At the same time, he insisted that international forces would not be permitted “inside the Palestinian territories,” limiting any foreign role to border-monitoring duties.

Under Trump’s 20-point plan, such a temporary weapons freeze falls short of what the proposal requires. The framework, endorsed by the UN Security Council, calls for Hamas’s complete disarmament, the transfer of internal security responsibilities to vetted Palestinian police units supported by an International Stabilization Force, and the handover of governance to a technocratic Palestinian committee.

One of the plan’s provisions makes clear that Hamas and similar organizations must “not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form,” and that all terrorist infrastructure, including tunnels and weapons factories, must be dismantled and prevented from reemerging.

The plan mandates the creation of a temporary International Stabilization Force in Gaza to cooperate with Israel and Egypt on border security, to prevent weapons from entering the Strip, and to oversee the reconstruction process through a controlled flow of goods. The ISF would effectively manage the transition from IDF control to Palestinian civilian administration under a deconfliction mechanism.

Point 17 allows Israel and stabilization forces to move ahead district by district if Hamas refuses to uphold the agreement, enabling reconstruction to occur in “terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF” while remaining pockets of resistance are addressed separately.

Retired U.S. Army Major John Spencer referenced this clause in his analysis online, arguing that Hamas’s leadership no longer holds the leverage it once did. He suggested that the IDF could continue “high intensity operations against Hamas to kill, capture, disarm Hamas one area at a time while other forces create bubbles of stability for ever increasing size of the population,” implying that Mashal’s stance fits within contingencies anticipated by the plan.

{Matzav.com}

The widening federal fraud scandal tied to a taxpayer-funded meal program is casting a long shadow over Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s future prospects, with allies beginning to question whether he can survive another gubernatorial run—let alone pursue higher office. According to a report from The Hill, the fallout from the scheme, which siphoned away staggering sums intended to feed children during the COVID-19 shutdowns, is reshaping political calculations across the state.

The controversy centers around elaborate theft operations involving members of Minnesota’s sizable Somali community, where federal investigators say participants stole huge amounts of money from pandemic-era nutrition initiatives. More than 50 people have already been convicted, and prosecutors have suggested that the overall haul—across several schemes—may total as much as $1 billion. The scope of the scandal gained national visibility after The New York Times highlighted it on November 29.

The political ramifications are mounting quickly. Longtime associates of Walz are reportedly wondering whether he should abandon the idea of seeking a third term, with several of them telling The Hill that the governor’s vulnerability is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

One of the most striking assessments came from Ember Reichgott Junge, a former Democratic state senator and a well-known political commentator in Minnesota, who told the outlet, “The governor, I think, has done a very respectable job, a good job, in Minnesota for the years that he’s been here. But he clearly is vulnerable and in my view, he is riskier than any Democratic candidate that might run.” She emphasized that the fraud “happened on his watch” and added that Walz “can’t erase that.” Though she acknowledged that he has ordered audits and corrective measures, she warned that those probes will “probably uncover more.”

Reichgott Junge noted that the scandal dominates local news cycles, appearing “nearly every other day,” and predicted it will “continue to surface through the next year.”

Compounding the pressure, Small Business Administration Secretary Kelly Loeffler wrote on X that her agency has found evidence of fraud as well, accusing Walz of using his “best efforts to obstruct” inquiries.

Another veteran Walz ally, speaking anonymously, told The Hill that the damage may stretch far beyond the governor’s local prospects, potentially crushing any national ambitions. The source explained, “The challenges are that Minnesota has a very low tolerance for fraud, waste and abuse. It’s a very low threshold, and that’s one of the reasons the state has worked so well for so long. It’s clearly a real vulnerability.”

Additional reporting from Breitbart News revealed that nearly 500 state employees claim Walz repeatedly dismissed their warnings about widespread fraud carried out by Somalis in state-funded aid programs. Some even allege that whistleblowers were punished by Walz’s political allies for sounding the alarm.

Walz, now 61, first burst into national relevance roughly a year and a half ago when then–Vice President Kamala Harris selected him as her running mate, sparking high hopes among Democrats. But one senior party strategist offered a blunt retrospective, telling The Hill, “I think we all had high hopes for him, but I don’t think he was a very effective running mate at the end of the day. It never seemed like he was comfortable in the role beyond his rollout.”

{Matzav.com}

Hamas hinted Sunday that it may be willing to place its weapons under long-term storage or suspension as part of its ceasefire arrangement with Israel—an unprecedented suggestion from a senior figure in the organization and one that touches the core dispute in the US-brokered truce process.

The remarks came from Bassem Naim, a senior member of Hamas’s political bureau, as both sides prepare to move from the initial stage of President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza framework into the far more complicated second phase. Speaking in Doha, where much of the group’s leadership is based, Naim said, “We are open to have a comprehensive approach in order to avoid further escalations or in order to avoid any further clashes or explosions.”

The ongoing ceasefire began on October 10, halting two years of combat that followed the Hamas rampage in southern Israel on October 7, 2023—a massacre in which roughly 1,200 people were murdered and 251 were kidnapped. When asked whether that invasion had been a strategic error, Naim rejected the premise, calling it an “act of defense.” Hamas leaders have openly pledged to carry out additional attacks modeled on October 7 as part of their stated aim of destroying Israel.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hamas was obligated to return every hostage — living or deceased — in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners held by Israel. With only the remains of Israeli policeman Ran Gvili still in Gaza after his murder on October 7, the parties are now shifting toward the next stage of the agreement.

The upcoming phase outlines the political and security blueprint meant to reshape Gaza after years of conflict. It envisions a multinational force to stabilize the region, the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian administrative committee, an incremental withdrawal of Israeli troops, and ultimately the disarmament of Hamas. Oversight of the plan — including Gaza’s reconstruction — is to be handled by an international board led by President Donald Trump.

Israel has insisted that Hamas surrender its arsenal entirely, a demand Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is prepared to enforce “the hard way” if the group resists. In response, Naim asserted that Hamas still claims a “right to resist,” yet he maintained that the movement would consider relinquishing its weapons as part of a wider process that leads to the creation of a Palestinian state.

He offered only a sketch of how such a mechanism might function but suggested that the talks could take place over an extended calm lasting five or 10 years. Naim emphasized, “This time has to be used seriously and in a comprehensive way,” describing Hamas as “very open-minded” regarding the future of its arsenal.

He even outlined specific options under discussion, saying, “We can talk about freezing or storing or laying down, with the Palestinian guarantees, not to use it at all during this ceasefire time or truce.” Whether this formulation satisfies Israel’s demand for total disarmament remains unclear.

The components of this stage were included in Trump’s 20-point proposal unveiled in October alongside several “guarantor” nations. Though it was later approved by the UN Security Council, major questions remain unanswered, and the plan will require intricate diplomacy involving the US and partners such as Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. As Naim acknowledged, “The plan is in need of a lot of clarifications.”

One urgent issue is the composition and mandate of the planned International Stabilization Force. Countries including Indonesia have expressed willingness to contribute troops, yet its leadership structure, mission parameters, and geographic authority are still undefined. US officials have indicated they expect “boots on the ground” early next year.

A central question is whether this force would play any role in disarmament. Naim made Hamas’s position clear, stating that such an approach would be rejected. Instead, he said the force should limit itself to monitoring the truce, explaining, “We are welcoming a UN force to be near the borders, supervising the ceasefire agreement, reporting about violations, preventing any kind of escalations.” But he added emphatically, “We don’t accept that these forces have any kind of mandates authorizing them to do or to be implemented inside the Palestinian territories.”

Despite the many unresolved issues, Naim said that Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have made progress on forming the technocratic panel that will oversee Gaza’s day-to-day governance. According to him, the sides have agreed on a West Bank–based Palestinian cabinet minister originally from Gaza to lead the body. He withheld the individual’s name, though Hamas officials — speaking anonymously — identified the figure as Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan.

{Matzav.com}

The mobile phone belonging to captivity survivor Bar Kupershtein made its way back to him on Sunday evening, more than half a day after it vanished when his vehicle was burglarized during the night. The break-in, which happened while he slept, left a shattered window and a missing device—but not a broken spirit.

A friend managed to track down the phone’s location after Kupershtein shared its live coordinates through an app. Kupershtein later posed with the recovered device and wrote joyfully, “He actually found my phone, what a champ! Thank you so much.”

Earlier that morning, he had told his followers about discovering the scene of the break-in, recalling his reaction upon stepping outside. “I woke up this morning, went to the car, and saw it had been broken into. They smashed the window and stole the phone. And you know what? It’s all fine,” he said.

Instead of dwelling on the theft, Kupershtein chose to frame the experience with perspective born from his time in captivity. He explained why he refused to feel bitter, remarking, “We need to look at the glass half full. I’m grateful that what I have to deal with is going to the police station to file a complaint, and not being stuck in tunnels wondering what I’ll eat now, or if they’ll even give me food. Thank you that this is what I need to deal with. It’s not fun, but it’s more interesting. Thank you to the Lord.”

As the day went on, Kupershtein shared that the phone’s signal had been traced to Petach Tikva. Hopeful and slightly amused, he declared his intention to follow the trail, signing off with a wry message to the culprit: “I’m coming for you, thief.”

{Matzav.com}