Matzav

Chanukah’s glow reached the United States Capitol, where a candle-lighting gathering brought together Yesha Council Chairman and Binyamin Governor Yisrael Ganz with House Speaker Mike Johnson. In the midst of the ceremony, Johnson turned directly to the residents of Judea and Samaria with a resonant message, calling them “the Maccabees of our time.”

The lighting took place during a period marked by escalating anti-Jewish hostility across the globe, a reality highlighted by the horrific terror attack in Australia just hours later. Johnson—who only recently toured the Binyamin region, visited ancient Shiloh, and offered a heartfelt prayer there with his wife—spoke about the repeated attempts throughout history to harm Jews, and how the Jewish people, generation after generation, have persisted and prevailed despite overwhelming odds.

“Everyone is free to celebrate and pray in whatever way they choose,” Johnson said during the event. He pointed out that even during eras of persecution and threats of expulsion, Jewish communities continued to grow and thrive. “Even during years under attack and in danger of expulsion, the Jewish people prospered and flourished. This is the essence of what we are celebrating today – the light of love and heroism will always lead us to better days.”

After the candles were kindled, Ganz expressed gratitude for the Speaker’s encouragement, noting that their shared lighting inside Congress served as a symbolic reply to those trying to extinguish Jewish life—whether terror in Australia, rising antisemitism around the world, or violence in Eretz Yisroel itself. “The light we lit in Congress together with the US House Speaker is a clear answer to the darkness that seeks to extinguish us—whether through the terror attack in Australia, the waves of antisemitism globally, or the terrorism here in our land. The people of Israel are an eternal nation, and our enemies will never defeat us. Like the Maccabees, in our generation too, we will continue to shine, build, and grow stronger in the light of faith and heroism.”

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The International Criminal Court’s Appeals Chamber in The Hague on Monday evening narrowly rejected Israel’s challenge seeking to halt the ICC’s involvement in alleged war-crimes investigations related to the Gaza conflict. As a result, the arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will remain active.

The 3–2 decision dismissed Israel’s argument rooted in the principle of complementarity — the claim that Israel should first be allowed to investigate the allegations on its own before the ICC steps in. The ruling significantly reduces Israel’s options for overturning the international warrants.

Israel’s core appeal asserted that the ICC prosecutor was obligated to provide formal advance notification before opening an investigation into senior Israeli officials. The judges rejected this claim, stating that the prosecutor relied on what he considered a prior warning allegedly conveyed to Israel even before the October 7 attacks.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticized the ruling as fundamentally political, saying the court’s majority disregarded the rights of a democratic state with an independent judiciary. The ministry stated: “Israel rejects the narrow-majority ruling that denies Israel its right to receive advance notice, as required under the principle of complementarity, especially with regard to a democratic nation with a strong and independent legal system. This is what politics looks like when disguised as ‘international law.’”

Because the appeal was dismissed, the ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on suspicion of war crimes committed during the Gaza war remain in effect, posing ongoing diplomatic and legal challenges for Israel and its leadership.

According to a report cited by Channel 12 News, a source familiar with the decision blasted the court’s conduct, saying: “They keep proving, again and again, that they have no respect whatsoever for the sovereignty of states — including those that are not members and never agreed to the court’s framework. In the end, this will leave the international community no choice but to overhaul this institution from the ground up.”

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A high-level gathering is set to take place in Qatar on Tuesday, where United States Central Command will convene military envoys from dozens of nations to advance the next phase of President Donald Trump’s regional peace framework. The goal of the session is to assemble a roster of countries willing to form the International Stabilization Force, intended to operate inside Gaza once the second stage of the plan is underway.

Kan News revealed that approximately forty delegations are expected, with many coming from states that have already signaled readiness to contribute personnel, while others are arriving to evaluate their options. Among those slated to attend are nations from across Asia and the Middle East — Indonesia, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates — together with representatives from several countries in Europe.

Participants will spend part of the conference debating how broad the ISF’s mandate should be. Discussions will focus on whether the multinational contingent will move into zones still under Hamas control for the purpose of disarming the group, or whether their deployment will be limited only to sectors currently overseen by Israel.

Kan News also noted that the structure of the force is subject to an Israeli veto. Yet even with Israel objecting to the involvement of Turkey and Qatar, Jerusalem is not sending officials to the summit itself. Instead, the Americans intend to have Major General Yaki Dolf join the session remotely as the designated Israeli representative to U.S. command, where he will outline Israel’s stance.

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President Donald Trump signaled that the GOP’s grip on the House of Representatives may be precarious next year, conceding in a discussion with The Wall Street Journal that political gravity and the timing of his policies could complicate the party’s path into the 2026 midterms. He explained that the major financial boosts he anticipates from his economic strategy might not show up quickly enough to influence voters.

Trump made clear he didn’t want to offer predictions about the outcome in November. “I can’t tell you. I don’t know when all of this money is going to kick in,” he said, emphasizing a wave of large-scale investments he believes his administration has steered into the United States.

He reflected on the long-standing trend that typically punishes the governing party, noting that only a pair of presidents — Bill Clinton in 1998 and George W. Bush in 2002 — managed to defy the post–World War II pattern. For Trump, that historical backdrop illustrates how difficult the coming election cycle could be for Republicans.

Describing the challenge ahead as “statistically … very tough,” Trump still insisted that the job market, new investment commitments, and broader economic activity would eventually help families feel noticeable relief.

But he faces a public increasingly uneasy about everyday expenses, a factor adding volatility to the political environment. According to the Journal, the U.S. economy may be expanding on paper, yet many families continue to say that high prices and slow job growth make those numbers feel detached from reality.

To respond to voter frustration, Trump recently approved tariff reductions on hundreds of food imports, an acknowledgment from the administration that grocery costs remain a pressure point. Democrats have seized on that vulnerability, arguing that Trump’s pledge to rapidly rein in living expenses has fallen short.

Polling has also begun to reflect the strain. An AP-NORC survey showed his economic approval sliding to just 31%, which the organization characterized as the lowest level recorded for him in that poll.

In the interview, Trump maintained that price stability is coming, asserting that costs will be “in good shape” later in the campaign season. He shifted blame for inflation onto Democrats and highlighted his signature agenda items — tax relief, deregulation, increased domestic energy output, and tougher trade enforcement.

Tariffs remain a central tool in that framework. The Journal pointed out that a looming Supreme Court decision could determine the future of key tariff authorities tied to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump argued that an unfavorable ruling would be “a horrible thing” for the United States.

At the same time, Trump has encouraged Republican-led states to consider mid-decade redistricting as a means of bolstering GOP prospects, a tactic that underscores how fragile the House majority is and how minor shifts could tip the balance, according to reporting from the New York Post.

Trump’s blunt assessment acknowledges the steep climb ahead. Midterms are rarely gentle on the party in charge, and voters typically expect visible, personal benefits before rewarding any administration.

Still, the White House is banking on momentum from new factories, AI development hubs, revived manufacturing operations, and shifts in energy and border policies. Officials hope those cumulative effects will leave Republicans with a more resonant argument as the midterm season approaches.

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A highly unusual incident in Bnei Brak has led to a joint probe by the Shin Bet and Israel Police after two Arab men were reported purchasing chareidi-style clothing, including tzitzis and suits, at the Bisan HaMelech store.

According to a report by Lee Ayash of i24, the saleswoman contacted authorities yesterday at approximately 5:30 p.m., about forty minutes after the pair had left the store. She grew concerned upon realizing the items they selected and their demeanor during the transaction.

Security footage from the shop shows the two men browsing and buying the garments. Police officers arrived quickly after receiving the alert and conducted searches throughout the area, but the individuals were not found.

The saleswoman told investigators that the men had purchased tzitzis and suits before leaving the premises. She provided an official statement to police this morning, and the investigation remains ongoing as security officials work to determine the intent behind the purchases.

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A 20-year-old man nearly lost his life after suffering a violent allergic reaction while eating a Chanukah donut in the busy Mahane Yehuda market in Yerushalayim today. The young man, who has a milk allergy, tasted the donut without realizing it was dairy, triggering a rapid and dangerous reaction.

The incident occurred Monday afternoon. Within minutes of taking a bite, the man began showing signs of a severe milk-induced allergy attack, putting him in immediate, life-threatening danger.

Emergency teams from United Hatzalah rushed to the scene and quickly identified that the symptoms were consistent with a major allergic reaction. After confirming that the patient had been exposed to dairy, the responders administered an adrenaline injection with an EpiPen.

Thanks to the swift intervention and on-site medical care, his condition began to stabilize. He was urgently transported to the hospital for further monitoring and treatment.

Dr. Natan Unger, a volunteer physician with United Hatzalah who treated the young man at the scene, explained, “I administered adrenaline after it became clear that he is allergic to milk. He was also given oxygen and medication until his condition stabilized.” The man was moved to the hospital fully conscious and in stable condition.

American officials say that the assassination of a senior Hamas operative in Gaza is being viewed inside the White House as a breach of the ceasefire agreement brokered by President Trump. They stressed to Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu that Washington will not allow the president’s reputation—or his image as the central force shaping events in the region—to be undermined.

Senior administration figures told reporters that the killing of Raed Saad in Gaza over the weekend triggered sharp displeasure in Washington. According to an N12 report, the rebuke reflects rising tension between the Trump administration and the Israeli government over how the next phase of the Gaza agreement should be implemented, as well as broader disputes over Israel’s policy direction in the region.

Officials noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and the president’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner have all expressed deep frustration with Netanyahu’s decision-making and the way key military and diplomatic moves are being made in Jerusalem. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago on December 29.

One American official described the message delivered to Netanyahu as unusually blunt. He said the prime minister was told that if he wants “to destroy his own reputation and appear as someone who does not honor agreements, that is his decision.” However, Washington made clear that it would not permit any action that could tarnish President Trump, particularly after he succeeded in securing the Gaza deal.

An Israeli official confirmed that the White House was unhappy with the strike but claimed the American message focused primarily on the perception among certain Arab states that the assassination violated the ceasefire terms.

Israel eliminated Raed Saad on Shabbos. Saad served as the deputy commander of Hamas’s military wing and was one of the architects of the October 7 attack. According to U.S. officials, Israel did not notify Washington in advance and carried out the strike without prior coordination with the White House.

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Federal agents say they stopped what could have become a devastating wave of coordinated explosions across Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve, detaining five individuals tied to a fringe pro-Palestinian movement. According to The NY Post, the group had allegedly been preparing to strike multiple sites throughout the region.

Investigators say the threat was “credible” and connected to members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), a radical organization known for its extremist ideology. A law enforcement source said the group had moved from rhetoric to operational planning.

Authorities captured four suspects in Lucerne Valley, deep in the Mojave Desert, where they were allegedly experimenting with homemade explosive devices. The fifth suspect was tracked down and arrested in New Orleans during the sweep.

Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the operation in a statement shared publicly, writing, “After an intense investigation, the Department of Justice, working with our @FBI, prevented what would have been a massive and horrific terror plot in the Central District of California (Orange County and Los Angeles).”

Bondi explained the nature of the threat, noting that “The Turtle Island Liberation Front—a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group—was preparing to conduct a series of bombings against multiple targets in California beginning on New Year’s Eve.” She added, “The group also planned to target ICE agents and vehicles.”

Emphasizing the scale of the effort behind the arrests, Bondi said, “This was an incredible effort by our US Attorneys’ Offices and the @FBI to ensure Americans can live in peace. We will continue to pursue these terror groups and bring them to justice.”

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Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams used the moment of announcing stepped-up protection for Jewish neighborhoods ahead of Chanukah to deliver a stark message about what unfolded on Bondi Beach. He said the horrific murders in Sydney embodied what agitators have been encouraging in the streets for the last two years, describing it as the “actual application of the globalization of the intifada,” a phrase that has become a rallying cry at anti-Israel demonstrations since October 7.

As he addressed the threat environment heading into the yom tov, Adams stressed that what happened in Australia followed a clear and frightening pattern. “That attack in Sydney is exactly what it means to globalize intifada. We saw the actual application of the globalization of intifada in Sydney,” he said, underscoring that such violence emerges from a well-defined ideology. “This attack did not come out of nowhere. It came out as a consequence of Islamic extremists. We have to be clear on that.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch added her own assessment, describing the mass killing in Sydney as “part of a wider assault on Jewish life” and assuring New Yorkers that her department is prepared to counter any danger directed toward the city’s Jews.

Adams—long regarded as a steadfast ally of the Jewish community—will soon leave office, and he has openly voiced anxiety about the direction the city may take under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani has repeatedly declined to criticize the “globalize the intifada” chant and has positioned himself ideologically against Zionism.

Speaking to the New York Post over the weekend, Adams cautioned that “dark days” may be ahead if the incoming mayor does not set firm boundaries. He insisted that leadership requires unmistakable clarity: “There needs to be a clear denouncement of ‘globalize the intifada.’ There needs to be a clear denouncement of people standing in front of a house of worship and calling for harm to a particular group. A mayor must not only lead based on what they say, but what they do. He has to send a very clear message that antisemitism and hate of any faith will not have a place in the city.”

For his part, Mamdani issued a statement describing the attack as a “vile act of antisemitic terror” and promised that his administration would work to “keep Jewish New Yorkers safe.”

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A massive outpouring of support has swept across Australia and beyond for Ahmed al Ahmed, as donations for the man credited with stopping one of the Bondi Beach shooters soared past A$1.1 million in just a single day. The 43-year-old, who was struck by gunfire during the attack, is recuperating in the hospital after undergoing surgery for wounds to his arm and hand.

Before he became the focus of international praise, Ahmed was crouched behind parked vehicles, watching chaos unfold. In a split-second decision, he rushed one of the attackers from behind, overpowering him, knocking him to the ground, and wrenching the weapon away.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns shared an image from Ahmed’s hospital room, noting publicly that “There is no doubt that more lives would have been lost if not for Ahmed’s selfless courage.” He added his thanks in a second post: “Thank you, Ahmed.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking to ABC News, described the events as a stark contrast of human behavior. “What we’ve seen in the last 24 hours was the worst of humanity in a terrorist act,” Albanese said. “But we also saw an example of the best of humanity in Ahmed Al Ahmed running towards danger, putting his own life at risk.” President Donald Trump echoed those sentiments from the White House on Sunday, joining the chorus of praise for the Sydney resident.

Albanese confirmed that Ahmed had been shot twice by the second terrorist during the takedown. Family members reported the injuries were to his arm and hand.

Authorities revealed on Monday that the attack on the Hanukkah gathering was carried out by a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, marking Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades, with 15 lives lost.

Speaking to ABC News, Ahmed’s father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, described his son’s instinctive response. “My son is a hero. He served in the police, he has the passion to defend people.” He added, “When he saw people lying on the ground and the blood, quickly his conscience pushed him to attack one of the terrorists and take away his weapon.”

Ahmed’s cousin, Jozay Alkanji, said he has already had one operation and that additional procedures may be needed as he continues his recovery.

Expressions of gratitude have flooded in from political leaders at every level. Premier Minns visited St George Hospital, later writing online that “Ahmed is a real-life hero,” accompanied by a photo of him standing beside Ahmed, who rested with his arm in a cast.

President Donald Trump also commented on Ahmed’s heroism, calling him “a very, very brave person” whose actions prevented even greater bloodshed.

A GoFundMe effort established for Ahmed drew extraordinary attention, with more than A$1.1 million contributed within 24 hours. Among the donors was billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who gave A$99,999 and shared the campaign on social media, amplifying global support for the man many now view as a symbol of courage under fire.

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Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese forcefully rejected criticism from Prime Minister Netanyahu today, dismissing any connection between Canberra’s support for recognizing a Palestinian state and the deadly terror attack at a Chanukah celebration in Sydney.

Albanese’s remarks came a day after Netanyahu sharply rebuked the Australian government, accusing its policies of fueling a rise in antisemitism. “Their policy pours oil on the antisemitic fire,” Netanyahu said Sunday night.

Speaking Monday to Australian television, Albanese responded unequivocally: he said he “does not accept Netanyahu’s claim linking recognition of a Palestinian state to the attack.”

Rather than address the policy failures that many in Australia say contributed to the tragedy, Albanese argued that the country is confronting a wide range of threats. He said that both “the rise of antisemitism and of the extreme right” represent serious dangers, adding that as prime minister, his responsibility is “to bring the Australian nation together and overcome the forces seeking to divide us and set Australians against each other.”

“This is a time to embrace the Jewish community,” he insisted, “not only those directly affected by the attack — everyone.”

Meanwhile, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns visited the hospitalized hero who subdued one of the terrorists. Minns met with Ahmad al-Ahmad, the courageous civilian who wrestled a gunman to the ground during the massacre.

“Ahmad is a true hero,” Minns said after the meeting. “Last night, his incredible bravery undoubtedly saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk.”

[Video below.] Appearing Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky cautioned that aggressive redistricting efforts in the middle of a decade risk inflaming civil tensions and could even spark violence among voters who feel shut out of the political process.

The discussion arose as host Kristen Welker pressed Paul on President Donald Trump’s stance toward Indiana Republicans who opposed a proposed redistricting plan. Welker asked, “On domestic policy and redistricting, President Trump is threatening the primary and all of the Indiana lawmakers who voted against his redistricting plan and the new map that would have benefited Republicans. Do you support Republicans trying to redraw maps mid-decade?”

Paul responded by framing the issue as a long-running, bipartisan escalation. “You know, it’s this escalation on both sides. Both sides are doing it, and so is one side going to sit quietly and not do it? You can argue who started it. But I do think this, and this is a negative aspect of both parties doing this, I think it will lead to more civil tension and possibly more violence in our country. Because think about it, if 35% of Texas is Democrat, solidly Democrat, and they have zero representation or like my state, we are a very Republican state, we have one Democrat area in Louisville, and we have a Democrat congressman. We could carve up Louisville and get rid of the one congressman, but how does that make Democrats feel? I think it makes them feel like they’re not represented. So, I don’t know, I think it’s bad, but it’s really not one party or the other doing it, it’s both parties doing it since the beginning of time. But in general, when it becomes so extreme, like if California has no Republican representatives after this is done, or has one left, I think that makes people so dissatisfied, they think, well, the electoral process isn’t working anymore, maybe we have to resort to other means. I think it could happen to both sides.”

Welker followed up, underscoring the gravity of his remarks, asking, “I have to follow up because what you’re saying is significant. You are concerned that redistricting could lead to more political violence?”

Paul confirmed that concern, saying, “I am concerned that if there are no representatives, like no Republican representatives in California or no Democrats in Texas, that it would be so thoroughly one-sided that people will feel like their vote isn’t counting. So I think it’s a mistake.”

He concluded by emphasizing the broader risk of disenfranchisement, adding, “I think there is the potential, if people feel they have no representation and are disenfranchised, that it can lead and might lead to violence in our country.”

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Australian officials announced night that the death toll from the vicious, antisemitic rampage at Sydney’s Bondi Beach has climbed to 15 precious lives, a tragedy that has shaken the entire country. For Australia, this is the most devastating act of violence in three decades, not seen since the 1996 massacre in Tasmania that took 35 lives.

Authorities revealed that the perpetrators were a father and son, Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Sajid, who held legal permits for six firearms, was killed in the exchange of gunfire, while Naveed remains in critical condition. Police reported finding an ISIS flag inside their vehicle.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the atrocity in stark terms, calling it “an act of pure evil” directed specifically at Australian Jews. “We will devote every possible resource necessary to respond to this attack,” he declared. He added, “My government will continue to stand with Australian Jews, to eradicate all expressions of antisemitism.” The prime minister later visited the site, laying a wreath in memory of the victims.

As the community reels, authorities have released the names of seven of the victims taken in the attack. Among them are Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a Chabad shliach in Sydney who helped arrange the Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach; Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, 87, murdered as he tried shielding his wife; Tibor Weizmann, who likewise fell while protecting his spouse; Dan Elkayim, 27, a French Jew who moved to Sydney last year; Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, another dedicated Chabad shliach; Reuven Morrison, 62, originally from the Soviet Union and a beloved member of the local Chabad kehilla; 82-year-old Marika Pogany; and Matilda, just 10 years old, whose family has chosen not to release her last name.

In addition to the murdered, 42 people were wounded, 11 of them fighting for their lives, including two police officers who rushed toward the danger to save others.

In the wake of the massacre, the National Security Headquarters issued an urgent advisory to Israelis abroad, noting that “past experience shows that there is a concern about copycat phenomena by supporters of terrorism who may act inspired by the event.” They urged travelers and communities to act with heightened caution: avoid unsecured public gatherings, especially those connected to Jewish life; remain alert around Jewish or Israeli locations; and immediately notify security forces if anything suspicious is observed.

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[Video below.] A deadly shooting at a Hanukkah gathering in Sydney has sparked a rare and forceful rebuke from Sen. John Fetterman, who openly broke with fellow Democrats while siding with Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham over concerns about antisemitism and policies toward Israel.

The attack took place Sunday at the annual Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, where gunfire erupted during the event. Australian police said the assault “targeted” the Jewish community and confirmed it is being treated as an act of terrorism. Twelve people were killed, including one suspected attacker, and many others were wounded.

Appearing on “Sunday Morning Futures,” the Pennsylvania Democrat said he was aligned almost entirely with comments Graham had made earlier in the program, particularly regarding international efforts to advance Palestinian statehood despite Hamas’ continued violence. Fetterman said he agreed “with virtually everything” Graham warned about.

“It’s an absolute betrayal for Israel and for the worldwide Jewish community,” said Fetterman.

He went on to criticize Western governments that have moved to recognize a Palestinian state even as Hamas continues to carry out attacks. “Whether it’s France or Australia or any of these nations, our Western allies are now calling for a two-state solution when Hamas refuses to disarm and are actively trying to kill Jews. I can’t imagine why anybody would do that at this point,” he added.

Earlier Sunday, Graham sharply condemned countries that have formally recognized a Palestinian state, accusing them of “rewarding killing Jews” through those decisions. Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada all extended recognition earlier this year. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney later issued a statement asserting that the move was not intended to legitimize terrorism, but rather to encourage long-term reconstruction efforts following the Israel-Hamas war.

The United States, by contrast, has not formally recognized a Palestinian state.

Beyond foreign policy, Fetterman turned his criticism inward, accusing fellow Democrats of increasingly tolerating hostile rhetoric toward Israel. He said such language is now “becoming more and more part of my party’s platform.”

“I can’t imagine why so many parts of people in my party continue to back away or to kind of deflect… condemning these kinds of horrific acts of terrorism,” said Fetterman.

Long known as one of the most outspoken pro-Israel voices within the Democratic caucus, Fetterman has repeatedly urged his party to recalibrate its approach to the Jewish state. He also pointed to social media as a major driver of antisemitism, particularly among younger Americans.

“The young people in our nation have turned their back entirely against Israel, and that’s the social media, that’s the scourge, that’s where antisemitism breeds,” he said.

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In a heated appearance Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut tied the deadly shooting at Brown University to what he described as policies advanced by President Donald Trump.

Murphy argued that differences in state gun laws directly affect levels of violence, asserting that stricter regulations save lives. “If you look at states like Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, California that have stronger laws, we have gun violence rates, murder rates, mass shooting rates that are two to 3 to 4 times lower than states that have loose gun laws. And many of the weapons that are used in our states for gun crimes come to our states from those states that have an ability for criminals and people with serious mental illness to buy weapons. So what we know is that stronger laws do work. Since we passed that bill in 2022, the first bill in 30 years that strengthens the nation’s gun laws, gun violence rates and mass shooting rates have come down in this country.”

He then directly blamed the current administration for worsening conditions, saying, “But this is not shocking because over the last year, President Trump has been engaged in a dizzying campaign to increase violence in this country. He is restoring gun rights to felons and people who have lost their ability to buy guns. He eliminated the White House office of gun violence protection, and he has stopped funding mental health grants and community anti-gun violence grants that Republicans and Democrats supported in that 2022 bill. So he has been engaged in a pretty deliberate campaign to try to make violence more likely in this country. I think you’re unfortunately going to see the results of that on the streets of America.”

CNN host Dana Bash pushed back on the scope of the accusation, responding, “That’s a pretty big statement. He’s a campaign to make violence more likely.”

Murphy stood by his assessment, insisting the consequences were predictable. “Of course. I mean, he’s knowingly restoring gun rights to dangerous people. He is cutting off grants that have bipartisan support to try to interrupt violence in our cities or to try to get necessary mental health resources to families and children in need. The evidence tells you that when you stop funding mental health, when you stop funding community anti-gun violence programs, when you give gun rights back to dangerous people, you are going to have an increase in violence that is knowable and that is foreseeable.”

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Against the backdrop of Chanukah, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed Israel’s police leadership and officers with words of gratitude, warning, and resolve during a candle-lighting ceremony at the National Police Academy on Sunday evening.

The event brought together Netanyahu and his wife Sara, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his wife Ayala, and Israel Police Inspector-General Danny Levy. Also present were senior police commanders, academy graduates, and male and female officers, along with the family of Master-Sgt. Ran Gvili of the National Counter-Terrorism Unit, who fought heroically on October 7 and was taken hostage to Gaza.

Netanyahu opened his remarks with a pledge regarding Gvili’s fate. “We will bring Ran back, just as we brought back 254 out of our 255 abductees,” he said. “Some did not believe. I believe. My friends in the government believed. They said: ‘It will be a miracle.’ I said: ‘This nation performs miracles.’ Hakadosh Boruch Hu helps a people who help themselves. We are a people who have learned to help ourselves, because we knew that in times of distress, it is not certain that anyone else will help us.”

He then reflected on Jewish history and the persistence of hatred toward Jews. “This was largely our fate in exile with waves of antisemitism that kept returning, rising, returning, rising, and returning, rising,” Netanyahu said. “What changed with the establishment of the State of Israel was not the disappearance of antisemitism but our ability to repel the massacres and mass murders against Jews, which always followed numerous accusations, lies, and insults. That is the change.”

Turning to recent events abroad, the prime minister addressed the deadly Chanukah attack in Australia. “Even today, they try to murder, and sadly, even today they succeeded in murdering Jews. They massacred Jews in Sydney, Australia,” he said.

Netanyahu revealed that he had previously warned Australian leadership of the consequences of their policies. “Four months ago, I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of Australia. I told him: ‘Your policy encourages terrorism. It encourages antisemitism. You call for a Palestinian state, and you are essentially giving a prize to Hamas for the terrible massacre they carried out on October 7th. You are legitimizing all these rioters and you are not lifting a finger to eliminate these terror hotspots. This will lead to more murders.’ He did nothing.”

He cautioned that further attacks should be expected and emphasized where Jews are safest. “We know there will be additional attacks. The safest place for the Jewish people in the world is where the government, the army, and the security forces will defend them – that is first and foremost in the State of Israel, because we defend ourselves, and we defend ourselves with the help of the IDF, with the help of the security forces, and with the help of the brave male and female officers of the Israel Police.”

Addressing the officers directly, Netanyahu underscored their role on October 7. “Honored guests and friends, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, his wife Ayala, the Police Inspector-General, the command staff, and the academy graduates, you were on the first line of defense on October 7. I do not forget that. I was on the line and I saw the line of the heroes and heroines, the female police officers who fought and fell, and the male police officers who fought and fell. A tremendous hero, Ran Gvili, simply fought until the last bullet with a broken arm, but with an unwavering spirit.”

The prime minister framed Israel’s current struggle in historical terms, drawing parallels to ancient times. “Somehow we returned to our land after the exile imposed upon us. And the first thing we had to renew was our capacity for self-defense. This is what we have been doing over the past two years with renewed vigor and great success. We essentially represent the free world, modern civilization, against the barbarians who want to return us to the Middle Ages. That is what they want. And like in the days of the Maccabees, they hesitate – the few against the many – we are a nation of about ten million against many, against the enemies who only recently fought us as two hundred million.”

He continued by describing the military response that followed the October 7 attack. “True, they attacked us, they caused us an unbearable disaster on October 7, but on October 8, it already turned around. We went and struck them clockwise. First in Gaza, then in Lebanon, then in Syria, also in Iraq, and above all – in Iran. No one believed, no one believed in the miracles and wonders in those days and in this time. But we believed. You believe.”

Netanyahu concluded with words of appreciation and encouragement to the police. “I want to commend you, police officers of Israel. Continue to believe. Continue to safeguard us and also safeguard one another. Thank you very much on behalf of the people of Israel throughout the generations. Happy Chanukah to all of you.”

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On Sunday, Eli Sharabi crossed paths with President Joe Biden during the Philadelphia Eagles football game.

Reflecting afterward, Sharabi described the encounter publicly, writing, “It was a deep honor to meet President Biden in Philadelphia. We thanked him sincerely for his efforts toward the release of the hostages and for his steadfast support of the State of Israel. We are grateful for this meaningful opportunity.”

Sharabi’s story is inseparable from the horrors of October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists attacked southern Israel. A resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, he was kidnapped during the massacre and held in Gaza until February 2025, when he was freed as part of a ceasefire agreement.

During his 491 days of captivity, Sharabi was kept in underground tunnels in Gaza. While he was imprisoned, his wife, Lianne, and his daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were murdered in their safe room during the attack. He only learned of their deaths after his release. His brother Yossi was also abducted and later died while in captivity.

In the months since regaining his freedom, Sharabi has sought to tell his story to the world. He authored a memoir titled “Hostage,” detailing the trauma and endurance of his time in captivity. The book has drawn wide attention, and last month Time magazine named “Hostage” one of the 100 “must-read” books published over the past year.

As part of his efforts to reach international leaders, Sharabi sent an English-language copy of his memoir in October to President Donald Trump, continuing his mission to ensure that the experiences of the hostages are neither forgotten nor ignored.

{Matzav.com}

As diplomats converged in Berlin for high-stakes discussions on ending the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled a willingness to abandon Kyiv’s bid to join NATO—if the West provides binding security guarantees—while firmly rejecting proposals that would hand Ukrainian land to Russia.

Arriving at Germany’s Chancellery, Zelenskyy prepared for meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, part of a broader round of talks involving Ukrainian, American, and European officials.

Ahead of the meetings, Zelenskyy addressed reporters via audio messages shared on a WhatsApp group, explaining that with Washington and several European capitals having blocked Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, Kyiv expects alternative protections comparable to those enjoyed by alliance members. “These security guarantees are an opportunity to prevent another wave of Russian aggression,” he said. “And this is already a compromise on our part.”

He stressed that any such guarantees must be anchored in law and backed by the U.S. Congress, adding that he anticipated updates following a separate meeting between Ukrainian and American military officials in Stuttgart. Zelenskyy also planned to hold one-on-one talks later in the evening with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and possibly other European leaders.

At the same time, Zelenskyy pushed back against U.S. ideas he said involved Ukrainian withdrawals in the east. He disclosed that Washington had raised a plan under which Ukraine would pull back from parts of the Donetsk region to create a demilitarized free economic zone—an approach he flatly rejected. “I do not consider this fair, because who will manage this economic zone?” he said. “If we are talking about some buffer zone along the line of contact, if we are talking about some economic zone and we believe that only a police mission should be there and troops should withdraw, then the question is very simple. If Ukrainian troops withdraw 5-10 kilometers, for example, then why do Russian troops not withdraw deeper into the occupied territories by the same distance?”

Calling the matter “very sensitive,” Zelenskyy argued that the most realistic option would be to freeze positions where they currently stand, saying that “today a fair possible option is we stand where we stand.”

The territorial dispute remains one of the biggest obstacles to a deal. Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that Ukrainian forces leave the remaining areas of Donetsk still under Kyiv’s control—an ultimatum Ukraine has refused. Moscow’s stance was reinforced Sunday by Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who told the business daily Kommersant that Russian police and national guard units would remain in parts of Donetsk even if they were designated a demilitarized zone under a future agreement.

Ushakov also cautioned that compromise would not come quickly, saying U.S. proposals that had reflected Russian demands were later “worsened” by changes suggested by Ukraine and its European allies. In comments aired on Russian state television, he added that “the contribution of Ukrainians and Europeans to these documents is unlikely to be constructive,” warning that Moscow would have “very strong objections.” He noted that territorial questions were discussed in Moscow earlier this month when Witkoff and Kushner met with Putin, adding, “The Americans know and understand our position.”

European leaders, meanwhile, voiced growing unease about the broader implications of the conflict. Chancellor Merz, who has led European backing for Ukraine alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said Saturday that “the decades of the `Pax Americana´ are largely over for us in Europe and for us in Germany as well.” He warned that Putin seeks “a fundamental change to the borders in Europe, the restoration of the old Soviet Union within its borders.” “If Ukraine falls, he won’t stop,” Merz cautioned during a party conference in Munich. Putin has denied any intention to rebuild the Soviet Union or attack NATO allies.

Even as diplomacy intensified, the fighting continued. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched ballistic missiles and 138 attack drones overnight, with 110 intercepted, though impacts were recorded at six locations. Zelenskyy said hundreds of thousands of families remained without electricity across southern, eastern, and northeastern regions, with crews racing to restore power, heat, and water after a major overnight assault.

According to Zelenskyy, Russia has fired more than 1,500 strike drones, nearly 900 guided aerial bombs, and 46 missiles of various types at Ukraine over the past week alone. “Ukraine needs peace on decent terms, and we are ready to work as constructively as possible. These days will be filled with diplomacy. It’s very important that it brings results,” he said.

Russia’s Defense Ministry countered that its air defenses shot down 235 Ukrainian drones late Saturday and early Sunday. In Russia’s Belgorod region, a drone wounded a man and set his home ablaze in the village of Yasnye Zori, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Elsewhere, Ukrainian drones reportedly hit an oil depot in Uryupinsk in the Volgograd region, sparking a fire, according to Governor Andrei Bocharov.

In the Krasnodar region, authorities said Ukrainian drones struck the town of Afipsky, where an oil refinery is located. Officials reported shattered windows in nearby residential buildings but said there was no damage to the refinery itself.

{Matzav.com}

In the months following the sudden death of her husband Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk has kept her public focus on protecting his legacy and the organization he built. As she continues to navigate that loss, she has also found herself confronting a wave of online speculation that has strained personal and professional relationships.

Those tensions came to the surface during recent television appearances, where Kirk spoke emotionally about the impact of rumors circulating online. At a CBS town hall, she cut off a question about the speculation with a blunt response: “Stop. That’s it. That’s all I have to say. Stop.” Days later, appearing on Fox News’ “Outnumbered” on Dec. 10, she expanded on her frustration. “When you go after my family, my Turning Point USA family, my Charlie Kirk Show family, when you go after the people that I love, and you’re making hundreds and thousands of dollars every single episode going after the people that I love because somehow they’re in on this, no,” she said.

Against that backdrop, Kirk announced that she and conservative commentator Candace Owens will meet privately, marking their first in-person conversation after weeks of public disagreement. The two women, who once shared a close working relationship and personal friendship, have found themselves increasingly at odds as online conspiracy theories and commentary escalated.

Kirk shared the development in a short post on X on Sunday, explaining that both sides had agreed to step back from public discourse ahead of the meeting. “Candace Owens and I are meeting for a private, in-person discussion on Monday, December 15,” Erika said. She added that the pause would extend across platforms and formats: “@RealCandaceO and I have agreed that public discussions, livestreams, and tweets are on hold until after this meeting. I look forward to a productive conversation. Thank you.”

Owens, a former Turning Point USA employee, has been at the center of much of the online debate, which has fueled weeks of mounting tension between the two women. The upcoming meeting appears to be an effort to move the conversation out of the public eye and into a more direct, personal setting.

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