Matzav

In the aftermath of the deadly Washington, D.C., attack that left one National Guard member dead and another gravely injured, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is pressing for a dramatic overhaul of the United States’ travel-ban list. According to a CNN report, she has recommended expanding the current roster from 19 restricted nations to as many as 32, a significant escalation of existing policy.

The push follows revelations about the suspect in the D.C. shooting — an Afghan national who had assisted U.S. operations overseas, later arrived in Washington state during the Biden administration’s resettlement effort, and ultimately received asylum under the Trump administration.

After discussions with President Donald Trump, Noem signaled she favors a broad, aggressive strategy rather than incremental additions. As she wrote on X, “I am recommending a full travel ban on every …. country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies,” insisting that Americans should not be forced to witness “foreign invaders” harming citizens or draining public resources.

CNN noted that the administration has not yet finalized which countries would be added or when any announcement would be made. The reporting indicated that the proposal remains under active review and could be revised before the administration makes its decision public.

At present, the 19 countries with full or partial restrictions include Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Speaking to Newsmax, Noem emphasized what she described as deep flaws in the vetting systems used during the Biden administration — especially during Operation Allies Welcome, the mass evacuation and resettlement program following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, she warned, “We think up to 100,000 people came in under Operation Allies that may be here that we don’t know necessarily who they are or why they came to this country,” arguing that all screening should occur before individuals ever reach U.S. soil.

Noem also highlighted the mounting backlog in asylum cases and said the administration is reallocating resources to strengthen pre-entry checks and tighten immigration enforcement. These efforts, she noted, are part of President Trump’s wider security-driven agenda focused on safeguarding the border and prioritizing national security in migration policy.

A DHS spokesperson told Newsmax that the updated list would be released in the near future, as the administration evaluates how to correct past failures and rebuild trust in a system long criticized for putting procedural red tape ahead of protecting Americans.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump used a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday to blast the press for what he said is obsessive scrutiny of his health while giving Joe Biden a free pass during Biden’s time in office. He argued that the media is recycling baseless storylines because it cannot pin genuine scandals on him.

Speaking to reporters in the room, Trump complained that journalists repeatedly float questions about his condition. “But you always find something new. Like, is he in good health?” he said, noting that the same reporters showed little urgency when concerns were raised about Biden. “The guy didn’t do a news conference for eight months. If I go one day … ‘There’s something wrong with the president.’ You people are crazy,” he added.

Trump said he fields questions constantly and that critics are simply manufacturing narratives. “I sit here, I do news — four news conferences a day. I answer questions from very intelligent lunatics. You people,” he joked, before adding, “They always … I give the right answers. There’s never a scandal. There’s never a problem.”

He pointed to his recent physical, saying he voluntarily took a cognitive test even though he was told no other president had previously taken one. The exam, he said, was no pushover. “They said to me, ‘Would you like to take a cognitive test?’” Trump explained, noting that he chose to proceed. “As the doctor will tell you, I aced it … I got every single question right.”

Trump contrasted his own openness with what he described as years of gentle treatment of Biden. “Stories about Biden was in wonderful health,” he said, arguing that the different tone in coverage shows a clear imbalance.

His comments followed the White House release on Monday of additional medical details from his annual physical. According to a memorandum by White House physician Sean P. Barbabella, an MRI conducted last month showed no abnormalities. The imaging evaluation of Trump’s heart and abdominal organs was described as “perfectly normal,” with no indication of inflammation, impaired blood flow, narrowing, clotting, or any other concern.

The president, who is 79, underwent the scans on Nov. 14 and described them at the time as routine. “It’s part of my physical,” he said when asked. “Getting an MRI is very standard.”

Trump again emphasized that he “aced” his cognitive test and dismissed insinuations about his fitness for office. He closed his remarks by returning to familiar territory, once more labeling the 2020 election “fake” and “rigged,” and claiming that missteps under Biden left the country vulnerable.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump unleashed a sharp critique of Democratic economic rhetoric during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, dismissing their emphasis on “affordability” as nothing more than a scripted talking point crafted for political gain. He insisted the term has become a hollow slogan rather than a reflection of Americans’ lived experience.

In a live broadcast carried by Newsmax, Trump argued that Democrats “just say the word” affordability without enacting policies that actually make everyday costs manageable. “There’s this fake narrative that the Democrats talk about affordability. They just say the word. It doesn’t mean anything to anybody,” he said, framing their messaging as deceptive and disconnected.

The president contended that he stepped into office facing an extraordinarily strained economy. “I inherited the worst inflation in history. There was no affordability. Nobody could afford anything. The prices were massively high,” he declared, presenting his administration as having reversed that trend.

Trump highlighted falling energy costs as evidence of economic recovery, asserting that easing fuel and electricity prices are driving down costs across the board. “Our prices now for energy, for gasoline are really low. Electricity is coming down, and when that comes down, everything comes down,” he said.

He repeatedly accused Democrats of misleading the public about inflation and cost-of-living issues. “But the word affordability is a Democrat scam,” Trump said. “They say it and then they go on to the next subject and everyone thinks, Oh, they had lower prices. No, they had the worst inflation in the history of our country.”

Trump acknowledged that some challenge his description of past inflation peaks, but he said either way, the economic picture before his presidency was bleak. “Some people like to correct me and they say 48 years. I say it’s not 48 years, it’s much more. But whether it’s 48 years or ever, it’s pretty bad,” he said.

He credited his economic team with reversing the inflation trajectory since last January, though he admitted the job is not complete. “There is still more to do. There’s always more to do,” Trump said, describing current inflation levels as “very good” and likely to improve going forward.

At the same time, he cautioned that the aim is not to drive inflation all the way down to zero, arguing that a downturn in prices could be harmful. “Deflation can be worse than inflation,” he warned. “We have it almost … we’ll soon be at a perfect level,” Trump said.

{Matzav.com}

Tensions between President Isaac Herzog and Democrats chair Yair Golan escalated sharply after Golan publicly urged Herzog not to serve as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “guardian” by approving a pardon without any acknowledgment of wrongdoing. In response, Herzog scrapped a planned meeting with the MK, signaling clear displeasure with the tone and substance of Golan’s remarks.

The confrontation began when Golan released a pointed statement challenging Herzog directly. “Are you loyal to the state and the law, or are you Netanyahu’s guardian?” he declared, framing the decision as a test of presidential integrity. Golan intensified the criticism by invoking Herzog’s lineage, insisting, “I know that your father, President Chaim Herzog, would have kicked Netanyahu out the door, without hesitation and without blinking.”

Channel 12 reported that Herzog refused to meet under what the President’s Office viewed as a wave of “violent and insulting discourse,” canceling the scheduled sit-down as a form of protest. Despite the fallout, Golan appears unfazed. In a conversation with the network, he offered no retraction, noted that the appointment has not been rescheduled, and conveyed no expectation that it will be soon.

“I respect the president, but given the worrying signs on the pardon issue… one must have a clear and staunch position,” he insisted, making it clear that he believes Herzog must safeguard the country’s legal framework. “We expect the president to defend the state of Israel’s laws, its institutions, its representatives and the judicial branch.”

Golan argued that this moment demands blunt honesty about Israel’s direction. “It’s come time to tell ourselves and everyone, Israel is at a fateful hour. We must fight for the future of Israel as a democratic and free country.” He concluded by emphasizing the urgency behind his appeal: “My sole intention to the president was to say this is an emergency and we all have the duty — the first citizen and every other citizen — to fight for Israel’s future.”

{Matzav.com}

A newly released analysis by IMPACT-se paints an alarming portrait of the Palestinian Authority’s upcoming 2025–2026 academic curriculum, revealing that the educational material continues to foster hostility rather than coexistence.

The review concludes that the updated curriculum maintains a pattern of content that “contradicts UNESCO standards for education for peace and tolerance,” with no meaningful shift away from rhetoric that encourages extremism.

Researchers scrutinized 290 textbooks and instructional guides used across grades 1 through 12 in Gaza, Judea, Samaria, and eastern Jerusalem, including materials used in UNRWA-affiliated schools.

According to the findings, the curriculum remains steeped in messaging that glorifies radical nationalism, stokes animosity, promotes antisemitism, and legitimizes violent struggle.

In multiple places, the books employ overtly antisemitic language. Jews are described as “liars,” “corrupt,” “devil’s helpers,” and “bloodthirsty monsters,” with the narrative repeatedly stripping Israelis of basic humanity.

Examples cited include passages depicting Israeli soldiers as snipers targeting children “for no reason,” or as combatants committing atrocities while “laughing loudly.”

The report documents that themes of jihad and martyrdom permeate the curriculum from the earliest grades. Even first graders encounter the word “Shahid” during lessons on the Arabic alphabet. Terms like “the peak of faith” and promises of “reward in paradise” are intertwined with jihad-related messages, at times including references to 72 virgins.

Political indoctrination appears even in science and math books. Algebra lessons incorporate variables such as “number of shahids,” and physics problems describe scenarios like a girl launching a projectile with a slingshot.

Israel itself is erased from the educational landscape. Maps omit its name and borders, and cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa are removed entirely. Instead, students are taught about a “Greater Palestine” stretching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Despite prolonged international pressure — especially from the European Union — the report states that “no substantive reform” has taken place. The 2025–2026 textbooks, including those issued after the October 7th massacre, continue to echo the same incitement found in previous editions.

{Matzav.com}

A new measure introduced on Capitol Hill has triggered sharp reactions after calling for sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel. The legislation, put forward in the House of Representatives, marks the first instance of such a proposal ever formally reaching Congress.

Leading the effort is Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, whose long-standing hostility toward Israel is well known. She has secured the backing of 22 other Democratic members, forming the largest congressional bloc to publicly attach their names to such a measure to date.

Advocates of the BDS movement quickly seized on the development, highlighting what they described as the broader meaning of the proposal. They argued that the bill’s mere submission signals that “sanctions against Israel” have moved into the mainstream of American discourse.

Still, political analysts in Washington say that the initiative is unlikely to progress. Despite its potential to stir debate, it is expected to stall almost immediately because support for Israel remains a firmly rooted bipartisan norm in Congress.

In Israel, the organization Ad Kan urged the country’s top officials to act. The group asked both the Foreign Minister and the Interior Minister to prevent every lawmaker who endorsed the bill from entering Israel, adding that it will “continue to monitor and report” on further developments.

{Matzav.com}

Russia’s president used a Tuesday appearance in Moscow to insist that the Kremlin seeks no confrontation with European capitals, while warning that if Europe pushes for war, Russia is “ready right now to fight.” He charged that European governments have put forward terms for a settlement in Ukraine that Moscow rejects out of hand.

Vladimir Putin also accused European backers of Kyiv of derailing Washington’s diplomatic push to end the conflict, leveling the claim just before his scheduled Kremlin talks with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. “They don’t have a peace agenda, they’re on the side of the war,” he declared, contending that repeated revisions to peace outlines have been loaded with “demands that are absolutely unacceptable to Russia,” which he said were crafted to “block the entire peace process” — all so that Moscow could then be blamed. “That’s their goal,” he said.

These remarks fit neatly into the narrative Russia has advanced since President Donald Trump returned to office and launched direct conversations with Moscow, portraying Europe’s support for Ukraine as the main obstacle to reaching a deal.

Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Moscow carrying a still-developing framework the U.S. hopes could bring the nearly four-year-old war to a close. Their visit overlapped with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s trip to Ireland, part of his rapid tour through European countries that have kept Ukraine’s defenses afloat.

Speaking alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Zelenskyy said he expected quick word from the U.S. envoys on whether negotiations might advance, noting that Trump’s original 28-point plan was trimmed to 20 points during Sunday’s discussions in Florida between American and Ukrainian teams. “They want to report right after that meeting to us, specifically. The future and the next steps depend on these signals. Such steps will change throughout today, even hour by hour, I believe,” he said. If the outcome looks fair, he added, “we then might meet very soon, meet with the American delegation.”

Zelenskyy stressed that time is lethal: “There is a lot of dialogue, but we need results. Our people are dying every day.” He reiterated, “I am ready … to meet with President Trump. It all depends on today’s talks.”

Before heading to their Kremlin appointment, Witkoff and Kushner were spotted leaving a Moscow restaurant midday Tuesday. The White House has been intensifying efforts after months of stalled progress, dispatching senior officials to pursue momentum for a deal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Kushner will join the session with Putin and that the meeting — involving only Witkoff, Kushner, and a U.S. interpreter — will last “as long as needed.”

Diplomacy has been unfolding on twin tracks, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaging Ukrainian negotiators while Witkoff and Kushner handle the Moscow channel. Zelenskyy noted he had debriefed with Kyiv’s delegation returning from Florida, and Rubio said that while those talks were productive, “there’s more work to be done.”

Zelenskyy said the Florida meeting was shaped by a joint document drafted earlier in Geneva, describing that text as now “finalized,” without elaborating. He also wrote on Telegram that Ukrainian diplomats were ensuring European voices remain “substantially involved” in decisions, warning that Russia is mounting disinformation campaigns to skew the process. “Ukrainian intelligence will provide partners with the information we have about Russia’s true intentions and its attempts to use diplomatic efforts as cover to ease sanctions and block important collective European decisions,” he said.

During his meetings in Dublin — his first official visit to Ireland — Zelenskyy spoke with political leaders and lawmakers. Ireland, militarily neutral and outside NATO, has nonetheless provided nonlethal aid, and more than 100,000 Ukrainian refugees have settled there since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, 2022.

Despite the flurry of diplomacy this week, major unknowns remain. Key issues such as territorial control are still unresolved, and European officials caution that any path to peace will be slow and fraught. Europe, concerned about Russia’s long-term ambitions and searching for ways to keep Ukraine funded past this year, is also pressing for a stronger role after being sidelined by Washington. Security guarantees for Ukraine are under discussion as well.

On Monday, Zelenskyy was in Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron said the two leaders held a call with Witkoff, along with discussions involving eight other European states, top EU officials, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Macron predicted “crucial discussions” in the coming days between Washington and its partners. His comments came after Sunday’s U.S.–Ukraine meeting, which Rubio also described as productive.

Diplomats continue wrestling with whether Kyiv should be expected to concede territory and how any future security architecture could protect Ukraine — both fundamental sticking points. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, is confronting one of the bleakest phases of the war: fending off Russia on the battlefield, contending with a corruption scandal shaking his government, and scrambling to secure financial lifelines.

Late Monday, Moscow claimed that its forces had seized Pokrovsk, a strategically important city in the Donetsk region. Zelenskyy countered in Paris that fighting remained active there. On Tuesday, Ukraine’s general staff dismissed the Russian assertion as propaganda, saying on Facebook that the army was preparing additional supply routes to support troops defending the area.

{Matzav.com}

A political storm erupted Monday as numerous coalition MKs — especially from the Religious Zionism party — publicly announced that they would vote against the current version of the new draft law submitted to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. But according to Chareidi party sources, Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu appears far less alarmed than expected.

Late Monday night, Netanyahu sent a message to senior representatives of the Chareidi factions stating that he believes he will succeed in assembling a majority to pass the draft law now under committee review. His assessment came even as tensions within the coalition intensified.

Chareidi lawmakers were stunned by the scale of opposition from within their own partnership. While they anticipated a handful of dissenters, they did not expect so many coalition MKs to openly declare that they would vote against the proposed legislation.

To make matters worse, senior coalition officials began briefing reporters that “the law was born dead,” a phrase first publicized by journalist Amit Segal. They predicted the bill would not survive a vote on the Knesset floor. Furious at the internal backlash — and at the media briefings — Chareidi party leaders delivered sharp messages to the Prime Minister’s Office demanding clarity and commitment.

Sources say that Netanyahu responded confidently, assuring the Chareidi factions that despite the vocal opposition, he expects to secure enough support for the legislation. He conveyed that, in his view, the law will pass its second and third readings within five weeks.

Still, senior Chareidi officials are deeply uneasy. They fear that in order to lock in the needed majority, the government may introduce substantial changes to the bill — particularly in the sensitive clause defining “who is considered Chareidi” for the purpose of calculating draft quotas. According to one veteran Chareidi figure closely involved in the negotiations, “We are barely able to vote for the current draft as it is. The rabbonim told us explicitly this is the absolute limit. If changes are made, Netanyahu may gain the votes of the Religious Zionism party and the Likud rebels, but he will lose the Chareidim — and once again there will be no majority.”

Meanwhile, the Religious Zionism faction issued a public statement Tuesday reiterating its stance: “We reaffirmed in our faction meeting that we will vote only for a law that brings about real and immediate enlistment of Chareidim to the IDF in order to meet the army’s needs and ease the burden on soldiers, reservists, and their families. We are consulting and formulating our comments on the law and will insist that they be incorporated in the legislative process. In any case, we will make decisions together and act as a united faction.”

{Matzav.com}

The International Committee of the Red Cross on Tuesday handed over to the Israel Defense Forces “findings” that had been transferred to it by Hamas, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

The possible remains of a hostage were set to be sent to the Health Ministry’s National Institute of Forensic Medicine at Abu Kabir in Tel Aviv following a military ceremony with the participation of an IDF rabbi, it stated.

The PMO’s hostage and missing persons coordinator is in “continuous contact with the families of the two deceased captives, and in this difficult hour, our hearts are with them,” the statement continued.

“The effort to bring our hostages home continues without interruption and will not cease until the return of the last captive,” the PMO added.

The bodies of two hostages remained in the Gaza Strip: Israel Police counter-terrorism officer Master Sgt. Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak, who was working in Israel’s south when thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded on Oct. 7, 2023.

Under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that went into effect last month, the Palestinian terrorist organization committed to returning for burial all 28 bodies it was holding, on Oct. 13.

However, Hamas has slow-walked the return of the deceased hostages.

The most recent handover took place on Nov. 25, when the terror group transferred the body of Dror Or. He was buried on Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s office said last week that Hamas must fulfill its obligation, vowing that Israel “will not compromise” until every captive is brought home. JNS

{Matzav.com}

The Trump administration showed no sign of shifting course on Monday, even as a newly filed discrimination lawsuit took aim at its personnel decisions. Hours after the suit hit federal court, eight immigration judges stationed at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan were dismissed, according to an official with the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ).

The legal action was launched that same morning by Tania Nemer, who argued she was removed from her position as an Ohio immigration judge because she is a woman, because of her Lebanese citizenship, and because she had previously run for local office as a Democrat.

Her claims land in the middle of a sweeping workforce reduction initiative. According to the NAIJ official, about 200 immigration judges have either resigned or been pushed out under the Department of Government Efficiency’s campaign to cut costs and streamline operations. Of that total, roughly 100 were outright terminated.

Despite the deep cuts, the nation’s immigration courts are drowning in cases. Syracuse University’s TRAC Reports estimates a staggering backlog of 3.4 million unresolved matters — and that number continues to climb.

In an attempt to plug the staffing gap, the War Department announced in September its intention to temporarily deploy 600 military attorneys to the immigration courts. But the NAIJ official said that only 25 of those lawyers have completed the necessary training and begun adjudicating cases.

Meanwhile, Congress previously authorized the creation of 800 permanent immigration judgeships as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Yet so far, only 11 new judges have actually been appointed.

Nemer’s lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, DC, asserts that her firing on Feb. 5 stemmed partly from her unsuccessful political campaign earlier in her career — a move she argues infringed on her Constitutional right to participate in political activity.

The DOJ, however, countered in her earlier Equal Employment Opportunity proceedings that the Trump administration “has the right to fire employees” and that Nemer’s removal was a “lawful exercise” of that authority.

Nemer, who began serving on the bench in 2023 under President Joe Biden’s administration, is now seeking reinstatement to her judicial post.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump’s senior advisers, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, walked into the Kremlin on Tuesday for a pivotal discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aiming to push forward the recalibrated U.S. peace outline for Ukraine. Although Putin remarked in recent days that “Trump’s plan could be the basis for negotiations,” he has also signaled little movement from his entrenched positions, casting uncertainty over whether the talks will yield meaningful progress.

The high-stakes Moscow mission follows two weeks of hurried diplomacy that included back-and-forth negotiations between Washington and Kyiv. The revised U.S. proposal — trimmed from 28 items to 19 — was slated to be formally presented to Putin during the Kremlin meeting. For Kushner, it marks his first direct involvement in talks with Putin; for Witkoff, it is his sixth such sit-down in Russia and the first time Trump’s representatives have met Putin face-to-face since August’s Alaska summit.

American officials intend to brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately after leaving the Kremlin. Zelensky noted on Tuesday that he expects to speak with Witkoff and Kushner as soon as their meeting with Putin concludes. According to individuals familiar with the schedule, the two envoys are also set to see Zelensky in Europe on Wednesday to walk him through every detail of the Moscow discussions.

Much of the diplomatic wrangling centers on the future dividing line between Ukraine and Russian-held areas. Putin has repeatedly asserted that Russia will not halt its military campaign until it fully seizes the Donbas region. The U.S. has pushed Kyiv to contemplate territorial concessions to break the deadlock — a notion that would be agonizing domestically for Ukraine and potentially explosive politically.

On Sunday, Witkoff, Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Zelensky’s national security adviser, Rustem Umerov, leading a Ukrainian delegation in Miami. Zelensky later said that Ukraine’s top general updated the Americans “on the real situation at the front” and discussed “implementing various steps at the front…in the event of a ceasefire.” He added that the 19-point plan was “further revised” during the Miami session.

Witkoff continued discussions with Umerov late into Sunday evening and again on Monday morning before departing for Moscow. While Zelensky was in Paris on Monday, he and French President Emmanuel Macron held a joint call with Witkoff and Umerov. Afterward, Macron briefed Trump directly, emphasizing “the importance of the security guarantees required for Ukraine and our determination to work on them together with the U.S.,” according to a French official.

As Trump’s envoys arrived in the Russian capital, Zelensky convened his own negotiating circle in Dublin. He said afterward that they covered matters “that cannot be said over the phone.” The Ukrainian leader also expressed openness to a direct meeting with Trump if the Kremlin discussions move the process forward.

Zelensky voiced cautious optimism Tuesday, stating, “The chances now to end the war are better than ever. … There will be no easy decisions.”

{Matzav.com}

The Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee convened Monday for the first formal discussion of the new draft law, led by Committee Chairman MK Boaz Bismuth. At the opening of the session, Bismuth delivered an unusually expansive and emotional address, emphasizing both the security needs the bill aims to address and the spiritual significance of Torah learning within the Jewish people.

Bismuth began by noting the weight of the moment. “On this day, the entire Jewish people are watching us,” he said. “I would dare say, even the generations before us and those that will come after us. This is a rare moment in the history of the nation. The Knesset is being asked to decide not only on a law — and not only on a historic law — but on a correction.”

He insisted that the bill should not be viewed through a partisan lens. “The draft law we bring today is not an issue of coalition and opposition. It belongs to the entire State of Israel. It was born from the existential need to strengthen national security, while preserving the delicate social fabric, the world of Torah, and the ability to live together.”

Bismuth went on to describe the sense of responsibility he feels not only as a committee chairman, but as a Jew. “At this time, my ancestors are also looking at me — those who gave their lives to preserve the Torah of Israel and our ancient heritage. Beyond the urgent security need, this law reflects a resounding statement: the study of Torah has immense value, because it guards the spiritual core of our nation.”

He argued that the legislation, even with the changes expected throughout the committee discussions, would ultimately reveal a simple truth: “Whoever votes for it is voting for the future of the State of Israel. Whoever opposes it shows that he prefers small political games over the security of the country — positioning over national interest.”

According to Bismuth, the law represents the first time the government is presenting a clear, stable, data-driven framework developed in coordination with the IDF. “This framework gives certainty — to the army, to the Torah world, and to every citizen. Finally, there will be order.”

He said the proposal will “restore trust, restore fairness, and ultimately strengthen unity among us. The era of confusion is ending.” He added that future generations will judge how today’s leaders fortified the army, strengthened society, and unified the country.

Bismuth acknowledged that critics will continue to argue that the law either does too little or imposes insufficient sanctions, but warned against absolutism. He referenced the painful lessons of history, noting that national ruin often followed an inability to compromise. “The zealots always rejected imperfect solutions; they drew their vitality from division,” he said.

Reflecting on recent years, he recalled “three turbulent years — one of internal conflict, and two of war against cruel enemies who committed the worst atrocities since the founding of the state.” The public, he said, now seeks calm, clarity, and truth. “We cannot leap from zero to one hundred after decades of delaying a decision.”

Bismuth also addressed the relationship with the chareidi community, urging reconciliation. “There are those among us who spent years urging peace with our most bitter enemies. All the more so, I expect them to make peace with our chareidi brothers. The world of Torah is central to our identity. We should not clash with them; we should advance together toward our shared goal, with mutual respect.”

He concluded his remarks with a prayer that the nation overcome internal divisions “to put an end to our troubles and suffering, and to enact — together, coalition and opposition — a historic correction for the good of the entire nation.”

Bismuth then closed with the verse, “Vehi noam… May the pleasantness of Hashem our G-d be upon us, and establish for us the work of our hands; yes, establish the work of our hands,” and the committee officially opened deliberations on the proposed law.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Yaakov Sofer zt”l after a difficult illness. Rav Sofer served as the Rav of the Erlau community in Beitar Illit and was the son of the previous Erlauer Rebbe, the Imrei Sofer. He was 77 years old.

Rav Yaakov was born in the town of Erlau, Hungary, on the 10th of Iyar 5708 (1948), to his illustrious father, the Erlauer Rebbe. He was a sixth-generation descendant of the Chasam Sofer. At two years old, he was brought to Eretz Yisroel together with his parents.

He received the foundation of his Torah from his father, learning in the Erlau yeshiva, Ohel Shimon, where his brilliance and diligence were already evident.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he wed Rebbetzin Sofer, the daughter of Rav Mordechai Davidovitz of Beis Meir.

The couple initially settled in Yerushalayim, where they raised their children in the mesorah of their forefathers. In 2003, he accepted the call to serve as the Rav of the Erlau community in Beitar Illit. There he established his beis medrash as a beacon of Torah for the entire region. Residents from all backgrounds flocked to him to hear halachic guidance, seek his counsel, and receive his warm blessings.

Several months ago, he was diagnosed with a severe illness and hospitalized in Hadassah Ein Kerem. His brother, the current Erlauer Rebbe, visited him nearly every day, offering encouragement and heartfelt support. Despite his suffering, Rav Sofer continued learning with remarkable strength and dedication.

Late last night, surrounded by brokenhearted family members and close talmidim standing by his bedside, he was niftar, leaving behind a grieving community and an immeasurable void.

His aron was brought to the Erlauer beis medrash in Beitar Illit.

The levayah took place today at the Erlauer beis medrash on Hisorerus Teshuvah Street in Beitar Illit and proceeding to Har HaMenuchos in Yerushalayim. He was buried beside his father, the previous Erlauer Rebbe.

Rav Yaakov leaves behind a distinguished family carrying forward his legacy, including his sons, Rav Mordechai Yehuda Sofer and Rav Moshe Sofer; his daughters, the wives of the Unsdorf–Modi’in Illit Rebbe, Rav Mordechai Zev Leifer, Rav David Rabinowitz, and Rav Shaul Gelbman; and his brothers, the Erlauer Rebbe, Rav Avraham Shmuel Binyomin Sofer, Rosh Yeshivas Ohel Shimon Erlau, Rav Akiva Sofer, Rav of Erlau in Bnei Brak, Rav Zalman Sofer, Rav of Erlau in Boro Park, and Rav Aharon Sofer, Rav of Erlau in Elad.

He was predeceased by his brother, Rav Shimon Sofer, Rav of the Erlauer community in Tzfas.

Yehi zichro baruch.

{Matzav.com}

A delegation of senior members of the Nevah Tzion Beis Din traveled to Spain in recent days to personally supervise a special round of sheep slaughter, ensuring the highest standards of kashrus for the bnei Torah community. The mission was carried out under the direction of Rav Masoud Ben Shimon, Gaavad of Nevah Tzion and Chief Rabbi of Bnei Brak.

The trip was part of an ongoing effort by Ashpar, a leading kosher meat company, to provide top-quality meat for consumers seeking the most meticulous levels of supervision. Spanish sheep are widely regarded as among the finest in the world, known for their exceptional taste, texture, and overall quality.

The visiting delegation included Rav Yaakov Ben Shimon, son of the Gaavad and son of the late Rav Shlomo Ben Shimon; Rav Chanoch Cohen, Rosh Yeshivas Be’er HaTalmud; Rav Yitzchak Zayat, a veteran member of the Badatz and son-in-law of Rav Shalom Cohen; and Ashpar CEO Rav Yitzchak Ovadia. Rav Cohen and Rav Ben Shimon are among the newest additions to the Beis Din.

Upon arriving at the Spanish facility, the Badatz members conducted thorough, hands-on oversight of the entire operation. They followed each stage of the slaughtering process, ensuring that all procedures adhered precisely to the strict halachic requirements and meticulously applied standards instituted by Rav Shalom Cohen.

The Gaavad personally assembled and approved the team of shochetim, bodkim, and supervisors after an extensive vetting process. Each team member was evaluated individually to confirm both professional skill and uncompromising yiras Shamayim — qualities the Gaavad emphasized as essential.

After observing the process, Rav Yaakov Ben Shimon and Rav Chanoch Cohen expressed deep admiration for the precision and devotion exhibited by the slaughtering teams. They noted that every element was carried out with the utmost hidur, in full accordance with the rigorous standards long associated with the Nevah Tzion certification.

Rav Chanoch Cohen added, “For years we have known that Badatz Nevah Tzion represents the highest level of mehadrin kashrus for bnei Torah. Since joining the Beis Din, I have been overwhelmed by what I have seen firsthand — the level of supervision, the meticulous observance of every stringency, and the care taken to uphold every halachic detail in the most exalted manner.”

The Spanish slaughter initiative is one component of Ashpar’s broader mission to supply premium-quality, mehadrin kosher meat. The company, together with the Nevah Tzion Badatz, aims to deliver the finest products to the community while maintaining the uncompromising halachic standards for which the certification is renowned.

חברי בד”ץ נווה ציון בביקור במשחטהצילום: באדיבות המצלם חברי בד”ץ נווה ציון בביקור במשחטהצילום: באדיבות המצלם

חברי בד”ץ נווה ציון בביקור במשחטהצילום: באדיבות המצלם

חברי בד”ץ נווה ציון בביקור במשחטהצילום: באדיבות המצלם

חברי בד”ץ נווה ציון בביקור במשחטהצילום: באדיבות המצלם

{Matzav.com}

Saudi Arabia has delivered a fresh infusion of financial aid to the Palestinian Authority, transferring $90 million as an installment of its 2025 support package. The latest grant reflects Riyadh’s continued effort to bolster the PA amid ongoing economic pressure.

The funds were handed over in Amman, where Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Jordan, Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan, met with Estephan Salameh, the PA official responsible for planning and international cooperation. During the meeting, the ambassador emphasized that the new allocation is meant “to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian Arab population, alleviate their suffering, and support vital sectors,” with particular focus on health and education.

Deputy PA chairman Hussein al-Sheikh welcomed the financial boost, noting that the assistance helps the leadership in Ramallah navigate severe budgetary strain. He said the contribution ensures that key PA institutions can continue functioning and providing services to the public.

This latest transfer follows high-level engagement between the two sides. In November, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held discussions with PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas, reiterating his intention to maintain strong backing for the Authority. During that meeting, the Crown Prince vowed to oppose what he described as “Israeli aggression,” to promote the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and to support efforts toward releasing PA tax revenues currently withheld by Israel.

Alongside its direct support, Riyadh has also been working with global partners in recent weeks, encouraging other countries to step forward with financial contributions. Its goal, officials say, is to help stabilize the PA’s fragile economy and avert a deeper crisis that could undermine governance in Ramallah.

{Matzav.com}

El Al and the National Cyber Authority are sounding the alarm over a fresh wave of phishing attempts circulating under the airline’s name. The fraudulent campaign spreads through WhatsApp groups, social media platforms, and SMS messages, offering what appears to be a lavish “prize-winning quiz” with vouchers worth hundreds or even thousands of shekels, a promise officials stress is nothing more than “an impersonation attempt.”

One of the messages, labeled “El Al – Government Subsidies Gift,” offered a cash reward for filling out a brief survey and then pushed users to forward the link through WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. With El Al logos and formatting that mimic the company’s style, the scheme was crafted to appear authentic while quietly harvesting personal details that could later be resold or used in additional cyberattacks.

El Al has made it clear that the circulating message is not from the airline, stressing that it is a phishing scam crafted to deceive recipients and that the company has absolutely no connection to the supposed offer or any of its contents.

The airline’s warning highlights a broader trend within the cyber world. Attackers frequently target airline passengers because they are accustomed to receiving time-sensitive travel notices, booking updates, ticket confirmations, and reward alerts — making them more likely to click quickly. Yet the techniques on display here mirror the same strategies deployed daily against companies across all industries: mimicking trusted brands, creating false urgency, driving users to malicious forms, and prompting victims to spread the threat further. {Matzav.com}

Serious claims are emerging from soldiers serving in the IDF’s newly formed “Adi” company in Tzeilim, raising doubts about whether the unit is truly functioning as a chareidi framework as originally presented.

The situation came to light Monday night on the main broadcast of Kol Barama Radio, where reporter Mendy Rizel shared testimony from soldiers inside the unit. The company, created less than a year ago to provide security for the Tzeilim base, is officially designated for chareidi recruits, but the soldiers describe something very different.

Several servicemen say that most of the current members of the unit are no longer religious. They describe an environment that looks nothing like the halachically sensitive structure that the IDF had pledged to maintain for chareidi soldiers.

One soldier explained: “Most of the soldiers are formerly chareidi and are not religious at all today. The result: public Shabbos desecration, fitness training with a female instructor, and a Torah class once a month instead of every day, as the regulations require.”

Another soldier shared his pain openly: “For the first time, I started violating Shabbos during my service, because of the environment.”

A different soldier said that when he entered the program and stated that he was not religious, he was simply told, “You’ll strengthen yourself.”

According to IDF regulations, a chareidi-designated company is supposed to maintain a strict religious setting, including daily Torah learning, a fully halachically appropriate environment, and zero compromise on religious standards. The accounts coming out of the unit indicate major departures from that commitment.

In response to the reports, the IDF Spokesperson addressed the issue involving a female fitness instructor: “The incident will be investigated by the relevant command authorities and handled accordingly. In the case in question, the fitness instructor opened the gym for the soldiers but did not run the training. The IDF places great importance on maintaining suitable service conditions for chareidi soldiers and works to preserve them through inspections and ongoing command dialogue.”

The IDF further stated: “Chareidi soldiers in chareidi tracks undergo a screening and affiliation interview with the relevant authorities. The soldiers in the Adi company serve in a designated framework for soldiers from the chareidi sector with all the necessary conditions to maintain their way of life, including set times for prayers, Torah classes, and conversations with rabbanim.”

{Matzav.com}

Travelers in the United States who show up to fly without a REAL ID will soon face a new financial penalty. The Transportation Security Administration announced that starting in February, passengers lacking the federally compliant identification will be required to pay a $45 fee.

Although the REAL ID requirement has technically been in place since May, the TSA has until now allowed passengers to proceed after undergoing extra screening and receiving a reminder to update their documentation. According to the Department of Homeland Security, “94% of passengers are already compliant,” and the fee is being introduced as a stronger push for the remaining travelers to obtain the proper ID.

REAL ID licenses—recognizable in most states by a white star inside a yellow circle—meet enhanced security standards that were mandated after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Getting one generally requires bringing additional paperwork to the DMV compared to what is needed for a standard driver’s license. While the program was originally scheduled to launch back in 2008, its rollout has been postponed several times over the years.

Beginning Feb. 1, domestic flyers aged 18 and older who arrive without a REAL ID and who do not have any other approved identification, such as a passport, will be required to pay the non-refundable fee to attempt verification through TSA’s alternative identity-checking process, known as “Confirm.ID.”

TSA officials warned that “paying the fee does not guarantee verification,” and anyone whose identity cannot be confirmed may be denied entry to the secure area of the airport. For those who are approved, the identity confirmation remains valid for a 10-day travel window.

The TSA said passengers will be able to pay the fee in advance online before traveling, or at the airport—though officials cautioned that the on-site process could take as long as half an hour. Initially, the agency suggested an $18 fee, but explained it was raised to $45 after determining that the cost of running the alternative system was higher than first estimated.

Aside from REAL ID cards, other valid forms of identification include permanent resident cards, military IDs, and photo identification issued by federally recognized tribal nations. In addition, TSA accepts certain digital IDs stored in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet at more than 250 airports across the country.

{Matzav.com}

Colombian officials have transferred a group of Lev Tahor families to the United States, saying the decision came after they determined that “the rights of some of the children in the group are at risk.” The radical group had consisted of 17 children and nine adults.

The families were taken into custody on November 22 when authorities conducted a raid at a hotel in Yarumal, a city in the country’s northwest. Officials emphasized that all of the minors were with at least one parent, but noted that five of the children — who hold American and Guatemalan citizenship — have active Interpol yellow notices. These notices are issued internationally for individuals reported missing or possibly caught in situations of parental or criminal abduction.

Over the past week, the group was housed in a government facility in Medellin. During that time, Colombia’s National Institute for Family Welfare stepped in to offer the children additional support and oversight.

Colombia’s immigration agency said that the entire group has now been flown to New York. Upon their arrival, U.S. authorities took custody. The adults will be reviewed by federal officials to determine whether there are any open cases or investigations, and the children will be placed under the supervision of Child Protective Services.

{Matzav.com}

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on Monday that would render participants in the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel inadmissible to the United States.

The “No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act of 2025,” which Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) introduced, would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to bar from the United States “any alien who carried out, participated in, planned, financed, afforded material support to or otherwise facilitated any of the attacks against Israel initiated by Hamas beginning on Oct. 7,” including members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The act’s 18 other co-sponsors, all Republicans, include Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) and Ann Wagner (R-Mo.).

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said during floor debate on the bill that Democrats supported the legislation but were opposed to amending the Immigration and Nationality Act directly to cite specific terror acts. Raskin argued that all members of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, like Hamas, are already barred from entering the United States.

“To put into perspective just how anomalous this approach is, consider our response to the 9/11 attacks and the aftermath of that catastrophe,” Raskin said. “We revised our immigration laws to overhaul significant parts of our immigration system, and we created the Department of Homeland Security.”

“Even then, we did not amend the Immigration and Naturalization Act to specifically reference the events of Sept. 11, or to bar the individuals involved in the planning or commission of those outrageous terror attacks from entering or remaining in the United States,” he said.

McClintock said that Hamas deserves to join the Nazi Party and the Palestine Liberation Organization as organizations whose members are explicitly barred from immigrating to the United States under law.

“Does anyone seriously argue that we should repeal the sanctions against persons who aided and abetted the Nazis’ Holocaust?” McClintock said. “If not, then why would they oppose extending the same sanctions to the Nazis’ would-be modern-day successors, who just two years ago slaughtered more than 1,200 innocent civilians, including children and infants and the elderly, because they were Jewish?”

McClintock cited the example of Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi, a Gaza-born resident of Lafayette, La., who entered the United States in 2024 and whom the U.S. Justice Department charged about a month and a half ago for taking part in the Oct. 7 attacks.

“New laws would be helpful to prevent a future Joe Biden from making a mockery of our sovereignty and reopening our borders to the most violent criminal gangs and cartels and criminals and terrorists on the planet,” McClintock said.

Raskin asked if the new law would apply to Changpeng Zhao, former CEO of the crypto company Binance, who pleaded guilty to laundering money for terrorist organizations, including Hamas, and whom U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned in October.

McClintock said he was unfamiliar with the case.

The bill passed the House by voice vote with no objections and will now proceed to the Senate, which previously failed to take up a previous version of the legislation. JNS

{Matzav.com}