Matzav

President Donald Trump revealed that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has personally assured him that Beijing would not attempt any military or political action to bring Taiwan under Chinese control while Trump is in office.

Speaking to CBS’ 60 Minutes, Trump said that Taiwan was not discussed during his recent meeting with Xi in South Korea, where the two primarily focused on trade relations between Washington and Beijing. Still, Trump expressed complete confidence that China would refrain from making any moves on the island while he leads the United States. “He has openly said, and his people have openly said at meetings, ‘We would never do anything while President Trump is president,’ because they know the consequences,” Trump stated in the interview excerpt aired Sunday.

The question of Taiwan’s sovereignty has long been one of the most sensitive flashpoints in U.S.-China relations. Taiwan functions as a self-governing democracy, but China insists the island is part of its territory and has not ruled out using military force to achieve reunification.

Since 1979, the Taiwan Relations Act has served as the cornerstone of U.S. policy toward the island. While it stops short of obligating the United States to defend Taiwan militarily, it commits America to helping ensure that Taiwan can protect itself and discourages any unilateral change in its political status.

When asked directly whether he would order American troops to defend Taiwan if China launched an attack, Trump sidestepped the question. The U.S. has long maintained a strategy of “strategic ambiguity” on the matter, declining to explicitly declare whether it would intervene militarily to defend the island. “You’ll find out if it happens, and he understands the answer to that,” Trump said, referring to Xi.

Neither the White House nor the Chinese embassy in Washington responded to inquiries about Trump’s claim or provided specifics about when Xi or his officials may have made such assurances.

The 60 Minutes segment was filmed on Friday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida and marked his first appearance on the program since resolving a legal dispute with CBS earlier this year over an interview involving Kamala Harris.

The remainder of the interview is slated to air later Sunday, with more portions expected to cover Trump’s foreign policy agenda and his ongoing talks with global leaders.

{Matzav.com}

Political analyst and presidential adviser Dick Morris warned that the New York City mayoral race could reshape the national image of the Democratic Party if socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani captures City Hall. Speaking to Newsmax on Saturday, Morris described the election as a pivotal moment for Democrats and a bellwether of where the party is heading.

“We have to understand that if Mamdani wins, he’s going to become the poster child for the Democratic Party,” Morris told Newsmax’s The Count. “When people think of the Democratic Party, they’re going to think of Mamdani and AOC (Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez).”

According to Morris, a Mamdani victory would spotlight the Democratic Party’s radical evolution and the growing influence of its far-left wing. “Ultimately, it’s the best way we have of illustrating how crazy the Democrats have become, how antisemitism has become their theme [and] vibe,” he said. “I think that will send shock waves throughout the Jewish community in New York and nationally.”

Morris expressed support for Republican contender Curtis Sliwa, calling him “obviously … the one who should be elected,” and accused Mamdani of embracing the same failed policies introduced years ago by Andrew Cuomo, who is now running as an independent in the same race. “The idea of sanctuary cities, the idea of arrest without bail, letting people go, those were all pioneered by Andrew Cuomo, and he passed some of them into law in New York state,” Morris said.

The veteran strategist—who once served President Bill Clinton—argued that the Democratic Party has veered ever further left after each defeat, abandoning moderation in favor of ideological extremism. “It’s gotten so deformed, so degenerate,” Morris said. “What happens when the Democrats lose an election? They react by moving to the left, not by moving to the center, and they nominate increasingly crazy candidates until the country gets it and pulls them up short.”

He pointed to the party’s history of missteps after past losses. “After Jimmy Carter was defeated by Ronald Reagan, they nominated Dukakis and Mondale,” Morris recalled. “It took a long time for Clinton to bring them back to sanity. And I think Democrats are going to be basically self-immolating in a firestorm of crazy rhetoric.”

President Donald Trump renewed his call for Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster, demanding they use the nuclear option to pass the House GOP’s continuing resolution with a simple majority and put an end to the ongoing government shutdown.

“The Democrats will terminate the Filibuster the first chance they get,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday night. “They will Pack the Supreme Court, pick up two States, and add at least 8 Electoral Votes. Their two objectors are gone!!!”

Trump said the GOP should not rely on Democratic restraint, warning that the opposing party lacks “parliamentary discipline” and will reverse any advantage once back in power. His message to Republicans was blunt and urgent: “Don’t be WEAK AND STUPID. FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! WIN, WIN, WIN! We will immediately END the Extortionist Shutdown, get ALL of our agenda passed, and make life so good for Americans that these DERANGED DEMOCRAT politicians will never again have the chance to DESTROY AMERICA!”

The Senate’s current filibuster rules require 60 votes to pass most legislation, except under specific budget reconciliation procedures. With 100 total seats, a majority vote—along with Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking authority—would be sufficient if the filibuster were removed. Republicans currently control 53 seats, while Democrats hold 45 and two independents caucus with them.

Trump blasted Senate Democrats and their leader, Chuck Schumer, accusing them of hypocrisy for opposing shutdowns only when their party controls the government. He predicted that Democrats will eventually remove the filibuster themselves and urged Republicans to act first to reopen the government and deliver results to the American people. “Republicans, you will rue the day that you didn’t TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!!!” Trump wrote. “BE TOUGH, BE SMART, AND WIN!!! This is much bigger than the Shutdown, this is the survival of our Country!”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has worked to build bipartisan support to reopen the government, successfully drawing a few Democrats across the aisle. However, he has fallen short of the required 60 votes, reaching only 55. So far, Senator Rand Paul has been the lone Republican opposing efforts to end the shutdown, citing his fiscal concerns.

This shutdown has now set a new record as the longest full closure of the federal government in U.S. history, surpassing even the partial shutdown during Trump’s first term. The list of the top shutdowns underscores Trump’s political battles: the 2019 standoff under his administration lasted 35 days, followed by the current 33-day impasse, with Bill Clinton’s 21-day shutdown in 1996 trailing behind.

Earlier in the week, Trump had already called for bold action, writing, “It is now time for the Republicans to play their ‘TRUMP CARD,’ and go for what is called the Nuclear Option — Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW.”

Despite his appeal, both Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to follow that path, arguing that such a move could backfire once Democrats regain control of the Senate, giving them unchecked power to reshape the country’s institutions.

{Matzav.com}

Tehran is just days away from running out of drinking water as one of its main reservoirs nears depletion, according to alarming reports from Iranian state media. The country’s capital, home to over 10 million residents, is now confronting what experts describe as an unprecedented water crisis fueled by extreme drought conditions.

Behzad Parsa, head of Tehran’s water company, told the IRNA news agency that the Amir Kabir Dam — a crucial source of the city’s water — “holds just 14 million cubic meters of water, which is eight percent of its capacity.” He cautioned that the reservoir can sustain the city “for two weeks” at most before its supply runs dry.

A year ago, that same dam contained 86 million cubic meters of water, but this year’s rainfall has all but disappeared. Parsa revealed that there has been a “100% drop in precipitation” across the Tehran region, leaving reservoirs and groundwater severely depleted.

The city sits at the foot of the Alborz Mountains, whose rivers traditionally provide lifelines of fresh water from snowmelt. But the mountains’ once-reliable runoff has been drastically reduced amid what officials are calling Iran’s worst drought in decades. One local authority warned last month that rainfall levels in Tehran Province were “nearly without precedent for a century.”

Parsa did not specify the current status of Tehran’s other four reservoirs, but local reports indicate that the situation is dire across the board. The capital consumes roughly three million cubic meters of water daily — a demand that far exceeds the remaining reserves.

As conditions worsen, authorities have begun rationing supplies. Several neighborhoods have already had their water shut off in recent days, and summer months saw repeated outages across the city. In July and August, the government even declared two public holidays in an attempt to conserve power and water during an intense heatwave that brought widespread blackouts.

“The water crisis is more serious than what is being discussed today,” Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian warned earlier this year, underscoring the depth of the unfolding emergency.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the passing of Rebbetzin Reva Wasserman a”h at the age of 87.

Rebbetzin Wasserman was the wife of Rav Yitzchok Wasserman, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Chaim of Denver, and the daughter of R’ Moshe Shimon Bayarsky z”l of Baltimore.

In 1967, Rav Wasserman, a talmid of Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l, was sent by Rav Shneur Kotler zt”l to Denver, Colorado, to establish a yeshiva, which he did with Rav Yisroel Meir Kagan. Together with his devoted wife, Rebbetzin Reva, they founded Yeshiva Toras Chaim, which went on to become a vibrant makom Torah in the Rocky Mountain region. The Rebbetzin’s boundless devotion, warmth, and steadfast support were integral to the yeshiva’s success and enduring influence.

Known for her middos tovos, chesed, and ahavas Yisroel, Rebbetzin Wasserman exemplified grace, humility, and compassion. She carried herself with quiet dignity and selflessness, constantly seeking ways to uplift others and extend kindness to everyone who crossed her path. Her home was one of hachnasas orchim, encouragement, and genuine care, a reflection of her pure heart and unwavering bitachon.

The levaya is taking place today in Denver, Colorado, at Yeshiva Toras Chaim. Kevurah will follow in Lakewood, New Jersey.

She is survived by her husband, Rav Yitzchok Wasserman, and their children: R’ Yosef Shmuel Wasserman of Lakewood, Rebbetzin Sara Gitty Nussbaum of Denver, R’ Baruch Tzvi Wasserman of Baltimore, and R’ Ahron Yisroel Wasserman of Denver, as well as numerous grandchildren who continue her legacy of Torah and yiras Shamayim.

Yehi zichrah baruch.

{Matzav.com}

In a surprising twist to New York City’s heated mayoral race, even leading Democrats are rallying behind stronger policing measures — a move seen as a direct pushback against the far-left policies of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani.

Andrew Cuomo, who’s making a political comeback as an independent after being shut out of the Democratic primary, threw his weight behind outgoing Mayor Eric Adams’ ambitious proposal to swell the NYPD ranks by 5,000 officers. Cuomo framed the plan as a long-overdue response to what he called an unsustainable staffing crisis inside the police department.

“We’re losing police officers at one of the highest rates of attrition because they’re so short-staffed, they have to work all the time,” Cuomo said, according to the New York Post. “Hiring 5,000 police officers will actually give them enough staff where people can work normal shifts.”

Under Adams’ plan, the NYPD would grow from under 34,000 officers to roughly 40,000 by 2029 — the largest the force has been in nearly two decades. The proposal, which requires City Council approval, would cost $17.8 million in the upcoming fiscal year and balloon to about $315.8 million by the end of the decade.

Cuomo used the initiative as a political cudgel against Mamdani, slamming him for his anti-policing record and his vocal support for the “defund the police” movement. Cuomo, a former three-term governor, accused Mamdani of putting radical ideology over public safety.

“Either Mamdani knows more about public safety than Mayor Adams — who served 22 years as a police officer — or he’s just pushing ideology,” Cuomo charged. “Socialists are against the police.”

Sensing political danger, Mamdani has tried to soften his stance in recent weeks, walking back earlier comments and apologizing “for the language I’ve used.” He’s since proposed creating a $1.1 billion Department of Community Safety to handle nonviolent mental health emergencies, while promising to retain current Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch if elected.

Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, meanwhile, wasted no time blasting both Cuomo and Mamdani, arguing that the two left-leaning politicians share responsibility for the city’s decline.

“Andrew Cuomo, the one that you’re flirting with, said he would leave New York City and flee to Florida if he loses next week,” Sliwa told Newsmax’s “Finnerty.” “I fight for what I know is right. Improve, don’t move. If I happen to lose to Zohran Mamdani, I become his worst nightmare.”

“I pitch my Republican flag and my law and order values, and I fight, fight, fight. That’s what Republicans do — we don’t surrender, we don’t retreat, and we don’t drop out,” Sliwa declared.

Hours after a frantic search was launched for Israel’s Chief Military Prosecutor, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, police confirmed Sunday night that she had been located alive and in stable condition.

Authorities said Tomer-Yerushalmi managed to make contact with her husband, who immediately notified police of her whereabouts. She was discovered roughly one kilometer from the main search area and was promptly transported for a medical evaluation.

Earlier in the day, widespread concern erupted when she failed to make contact since morning. Police initiated a large-scale operation, quickly joined by the IDF, as the Chief of Staff ordered the military’s Operations Directorate to utilize all available assets to find her. Helicopters, boats, and flares were deployed across the coastline.

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir personally reached out to Police Commissioner Daniel Levi for continuous updates on the search efforts. The operation was concentrated around HaTsuk Beach in Tel Aviv, where her car had been discovered running and abandoned. Near the vehicle, search teams reportedly uncovered what appeared to be a suicide note, intensifying fears for her safety.

Tomer-Yerushalmi was expected to face questioning in the coming days over allegations including obstruction of justice, mishandling classified information, and giving false testimony.

Her disappearance came on the heels of a political firestorm sparked by her resignation and its connection to the controversial leak of footage allegedly showing abuse of detainees at the Sde Teiman base. During Sunday’s Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not hold back his criticism.

“The incident in Sde Teiman caused immense damage to the image of the State of Israel and the IDF, to our soldiers. This is perhaps the most severe public relations attack that the State of Israel has experienced since its establishment. I do not recall one so focused with such intensity. This demands an independent, impartial investigation, and I expect such an investigation to be carried out,” the Prime Minister stated.

According to reports, Tomer-Yerushalmi acknowledged her role in the leak in her resignation letter, a move that provoked widespread backlash and ignited heated political debate.

Likud spokesman Guy Levy unleashed a scathing statement against the Attorney General, saying, “All this madness we are seeing now is the direct result of the crazy investigation disruption that the Attorney General is carrying out for over two weeks. She did not arrest the Advocate-General, did not take her mobile devices, did not take her statement, and did not even put her in protective custody. The Attorney General must be arrested tonight!”

MK Tzvi Succot of Religious Zionism took to social media to demand accountability, tweeting, “In a country where security was increased at the time for the Military Advocate-General when she ordered Force 100 arrested and the investigation of the Prime Minister’s associates for leaking, someone needs to explain how there was at least no close surveillance on her.”

Other coalition lawmakers echoed similar sentiments, urging authorities to detain Tomer-Yerushalmi and other prosecution officials “for her safety and to ensure that the truth can be investigated.”

Tensions escalated further when protest leader Shkama Bresler posted a false report claiming that Tomer-Yerushalmi had died, accusing the Netanyahu government of driving her to suicide and adding “R.I.P.” to her message. Police Commissioner Levi has ordered an investigation into Bresler’s post.

Opposition leaders called for restraint. Blue and White chief Benny Gantz reacted to the news with a message of reflection, tweeting, “This is a wake-up call for all of us – we all need to stop for introspection.”

Meanwhile, MK Simcha Rothman, chair of the Constitution Committee, and MK Boaz Bismuth, head of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, announced that their joint session scheduled for Monday — focused on potential conflicts of interest in the Force 100 investigation — would be postponed in light of the day’s developments.

The Generation of Victory reservists’ organization also issued a statement saying it would cancel a planned protest outside Tomer-Yerushalmi’s residence out of respect for the ongoing situation.

By evening’s end, what began as a desperate search had turned into a wave of relief — and renewed political turmoil — as one of Israel’s most controversial figures was found alive amid a storm still far from over.

{Matzav.com}

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The Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe, Rav Shmuel Yaakov Kohn, lost consciousness on Sunday following a dialysis treatment and is currently hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem in Yerushalayim.

His condition has since been stabilized, but doctors and chassidim alike are urging heartfelt tefillos for his recovery.

According to reports received by Matzav.com, the Rebbe lost consciousness for about a minute at the end of the dialysis session, prompting immediate concern and an emergency response by medical staff. Thankfully, physicians were able to restore his condition to a stable state.

The Rebbe recently underwent a cardiac catheterization during Chol HaMoed Sukkos. Since Yom Tov, he has suffered severe pain, leading to multiple hospitalizations at both Assuta Medical Center and Hadassah Ein Kerem.

The public is requested to continue to daven for Shmuel Yaakov ben Yenta.

{Matzav.com}

Iran said that although it is prepared to engage in talks about its nuclear ambitions, its missile program is not up for discussion.

“We are ready to talk to address concerns about our nuclear program. We emphasize the peaceful nature of our nuclear program. It is possible to reach a fair agreement, but Washington has set impossible and unacceptable preconditions,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera.

He added, “There will be no negotiations on our missile program. It would be foolish if one hands over his weapons.”

The top diplomat moreover stated that his country is “prepared for any scenario” in the wake of its 12-day war with Israel in June. Tehran expects “hostile behavior from the Zionist regime. We are at the apex of preparedness at all levels. Israel will suffer another defeat in any future war,” he said.

“We have gained a lot of experience from the recent war and tested our missiles in a real battle,” Araghchi continued. “If the Zionist regime launches an attack, it will come with dire consequences for it.”

The 10-year nuclear deal between Iran and world powers expired on Oct. 18, with Tehran announcing it is no longer bound by the 2015 agreement.

Under the deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), financial sanctions on Iran were lifted in return for promised limitations on its nuclear program.

Since the war’s conclusion, which also saw the involvement of the U.S. in bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities of Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan on June 21, Tehran has refused to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nation’s nuclear watchdog.

This prompted the United Nations, led by Britain, France and Germany, to on Sept. 27 reimpose international sanctions on Iran under the “snapback” mechanism built into the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal. The mechanism restored restrictions on arms transfers, missile technology and sensitive financial dealings.

Araghchi told Al Jazeera that “The activation of the snapback mechanism by the Europeans is illegal and there is no international consensus on sanctions against us. Our priority is to strengthen relations with neighboring countries and we are ready to engage with the West without any dictates.”

The minister also talked about Iran’s stock of enriched uranium, whose fate was the object of much speculation in the wake of the war.

“Nuclear materials remain buried under the rubble of bombed nuclear facilities and have not been moved elsewhere,” Araghchi said. “Our nuclear buildings and equipment are damaged, but our technology remains intact,” he added. JNS

{Matzav.com}

Authorities launched a comprehensive search today for Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, Israel’s chief military prosecutor, after she failed to make contact from her home early in the day.

The Israel Defense Forces has been pressed into service under orders from the Chief of Staff, who directed the Operations Directorate to deploy every available resource — including helicopters, boats and flares — to locate her as quickly as possible.

Investigators are focusing on the area around HaTzuk Beach in Tel Aviv, where her running vehicle was discovered abandoned near the shoreline. Search teams also say they uncovered what appears to be a suicide note on site.

In the days ahead, Tomer-Yerushalmi was scheduled to face an investigation into allegations of obstructing justice, improperly removing classified documents and offering false testimony.

At Sunday’s cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu described Tomer-Yerushalmi as responsible for “the greatest public diplomacy disaster ever,” citing the leakage of footage that allegedly showed abuse of detainees at the Sde Teiman military base. He said: “The incident in Sde Teiman caused immense damage to the image of the State of Israel and the IDF, to our soldiers. This is perhaps the most severe public relations attack that the State of Israel has experienced since its establishment. I do not recall one so focused with such intensity. This demands an independent, impartial investigation, and I expect such an investigation to be carried out.”

Tomer-Yerushalmi acknowledged responsibility for the leak in her resignation letter, a move that triggered significant public outcry.

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

In an unusual new decree, Hamas authorities in Gaza have announced a ban on restaurants serving shawarma, claiming that such establishments are monopolizing the local chicken supply.

The move, reported by Channel 12 News, comes as part of a wider campaign by the terror group to reassert its grip on the Strip after months of instability and internal chaos.

According to the report, Hamas enforcement units have forbidden the opening of new shawarma eateries and cleared out makeshift stalls along Salah al-Din Street. The ban, officials said, was motivated by the restaurants’ “control over the chicken market,” which the group claims has disrupted fair trade.

In parallel, Hamas operatives have begun arresting traders on Gaza’s black market under the guise of “price supervision.” The stated aim of these actions, according to local reports, is to restore a sense of order and remind residents who controls the territory.

Channel 12 also reported that Hamas announced a new crackdown on gas vendors operating outside the group’s legal framework. The organization vowed to act “forcefully” against those selling gas illegally or at inflated prices. All unauthorized distribution points, the statement said, would be shut down, and anyone caught violating official price limits would be arrested.

At the same time, Hamas has ordered increased oversight at officially sanctioned gas stations, portraying the campaign as an effort to “protect the ordinary citizen” and curb the alleged “greed” of private merchants.

{Matzav.com}

At the opening of Sunday’s cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed the uproar surrounding the Sdei Teiman incident – in relation to the leak of footage allegedly showing the abuse of detained terrorists at the Sdei Teiman military base – calling it “a massive blow to Israel’s image and to the IDF, perhaps the most severe public relations disaster since the founding of the state.” He emphasized the need for transparency, declaring, “This event requires an independent and impartial investigation, and I expect one to be conducted.”

Netanyahu went on to focus on Israel’s ongoing confrontation with “the Iranian axis,” warning that although Iran and its proxies have taken significant hits, “it is licking its wounds and attempting to recover — and we will continue to deny it that ability.”

Discussing the situation in Gaza, Netanyahu stated that “Hamas has taken crushing blows and is a shadow of what it once was. But we continue operating in four main arenas — first and foremost, the return of the hostages. Hamas’s attempts to deceive Israel, the United States, and the world are pathetic. We will gradually bring all our captives home.”

He noted that the IDF is continuing “to eliminate the remaining Hamas pockets in Rafah and Khan Younis,” and made clear that “if there is any attempt to harm our forces, we strike back at the terrorists and their organizations. We report to the Americans, but we do not ask permission — Israel’s ultimate security responsibility remains in our hands.”

The prime minister reiterated Israel’s commitment to completely dismantling Hamas’s arsenal and demilitarizing Gaza. “The disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip — this is the principle on which President Trump and I agree. If it cannot be achieved one way, it will be achieved another,” he said.

On the northern front, Netanyahu commented that “Hezbollah has taken hits but is trying to recover. We expect the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, but we will exercise our right to self-defense.” Regarding the Houthis in Yemen, he added, “This is not a minor threat — it is a fanatical movement with the ability to produce ballistic missiles. We will do whatever is necessary to remove that threat as well.”

Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu announced a major domestic investment in healthcare infrastructure: “The government has decided to invest over one billion shekels in expanding Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva. We are adding 360 million shekels for the construction of a fortified inpatient tower, in partnership with Clalit Health Services and our friend of Israel, Sylvan Adams.”

Adams, who donated $100 million toward the project, said at the meeting, “It is a great honor for me to contribute to the rebuilding and expansion of Soroka Hospital, which will become a leader in the Middle East. Thank you to the prime minister for your leadership during the most difficult time since the establishment of the state. Am Yisrael Chai.”

The Bloomberg Billionaire Index reveals that six of the world’s ten wealthiest people are Jewish, a striking reflection of their influence across the tech and business landscape. The newest addition to the elite list is Michael Dell, head of Dell Technologies, who climbed into tenth place.

Dell’s fortune, now estimated at $164 billion, secured his entry into the exclusive top ten. Leading the global rankings is Elon Musk, whose wealth is valued at $469 billion.

Just behind Musk sits Oracle founder Larry Ellison, the highest-ranking Jewish billionaire on the list, with an estimated $323 billion to his name. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos follows in third place.

Next come three Jewish innovators in a row: Alphabet co-founder Larry Page, holding $244 billion; Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, worth $229 billion; and Sergey Brin, also of Alphabet fame, with $228 billion.

Rounding out the Jewish representation among the top ten are Steve Ballmer, the former Microsoft CEO, valued at $178 billion in eighth place, and Michael Dell, whose recent surge in wealth has propelled him to number ten.

{Matzav.com}

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Two Arab diplomats revealed that Washington has circulated a proposal for rebuilding Gaza that centers on creating new residential zones in the eastern half of the Strip, an area that remains under Israeli control, Jacob Magid reports for The Times of Israel.

The plan, described by the diplomats to The Times of Israel, envisions the construction of roughly six residential districts—part of what US officials have reportedly dubbed “new Gaza.”

According to the diplomats, the term refers to the stretch of territory east of the “Yellow Line,” the provisional boundary drawn after Israel pulled back at the start of the October 10 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The partial withdrawal left Israel overseeing about 53 percent of Gaza, though the Trump administration’s framework calls for a gradual pullout that would eventually see the IDF leave the Strip altogether.

That step, however, is conditioned on two major developments: the successful formation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to manage Gaza’s postwar security and the complete disarmament of Hamas. Since Hamas has made no indication of surrendering its weapons, both prerequisites remain elusive.

The Times of Israel reports that despite those challenges, Trump’s senior adviser Jared Kushner reportedly told Gulf diplomats that Washington intends to begin reconstruction without delay, focusing first on Israeli-controlled territory east of the Yellow Line and on Rafah in Gaza’s south.

The initiative foresees as many as one million Palestinians—roughly half of Gaza’s population—relocating to these new residential areas within two years. But the diplomats who were briefed on the plan called that projection wildly unrealistic. “Palestinians may not want to live under the rule of Hamas, but the idea that they’ll be willing to move to live under Israeli occupation and be under control of the party they also see as responsible for killing 70,000 of their brethren is fantastical,” one Arab diplomat said, referencing figures from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

While the White House has not issued any public statement, one US official told reporters that Washington has not finalized any particular blueprint for Gaza’s future governance. The official emphasized that “lots of ideas are being discussed” and that the process remains in its early stages.

Among those floated ideas was a proposal developed at the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat. It suggested establishing a “humanitarian belt” along the Yellow Line, containing about 16 distribution hubs similar to those once run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Two people familiar with the discussions said humanitarian agencies strongly objected, preventing the plan from moving forward.

The diplomats said the US now hopes to deploy the ISF on the Hamas-controlled side of the Yellow Line, but key regional partners like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have pushed back. Washington had been counting on both nations to fund much of the project.

Although Trump has claimed that multiple countries are eager to participate in the disarmament of Hamas, the diplomats insisted that enthusiasm is lacking. Nations such as Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Egypt have reportedly signaled conditional willingness to contribute troops—only if a UN mandate is in place or Hamas agrees to hand over at least part of its arsenal.

One of the diplomats added that the US might find greater cooperation if the ISF initially deployed on the Israeli-held side of the Yellow Line, replacing the IDF there, in tandem with an agreement for Hamas to begin disarming.

Still, both envoys said it remains uncertain whether Kushner and other US officials managing the Gaza portfolio are taking regional feedback seriously. As one diplomat put it, Arab governments are attempting to balance opposition to core aspects of Washington’s proposal with the desire to remain on good terms with Trump, whose backing they rely on in other policy areas.

That diplomat also noted that American officials have indicated an intention to bring a UN Security Council resolution later this month to formally establish the ISF—potentially before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s November 18 visit to the White House, a meeting viewed in Washington as pivotal to the Gaza rebuilding push.

{Matzav.com}

Former President Barack Hussein Obama privately spoke with New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani in a call yesterday, offering personal encouragement and pledged to remain “a sounding board” if Mamdani takes City Hall next week, according to a report from the New York Times.

Two sources familiar with the roughly half-hour exchange said Obama commended Mamdani for the strength of his campaign and discussed the next steps if he wins. “Your campaign has been impressive to watch,” Obama told Mamdani, those sources said. The conversation reportedly included talk of staffing a future administration and carrying out Mamdani’s affordability plan.

The former president has steered clear of officially endorsing Mamdani, consistent with his pattern of avoiding city-level contests. Nonetheless, this marks Obama’s second time reaching out since Mamdani defeated Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, signaling quiet approval.

According to the New York Times, Mamdani expressed gratitude to Obama for the call and shared that he had drawn inspiration from Obama’s landmark speech on race when crafting his own remarks about Islamophobia.

Obama’s spokeswoman declined to comment on the conversation. Mamdani’s campaign, however, released a short statement saying the candidate appreciated Obama’s encouragement and his commitment to “a new kind of politics.”

The call comes amid intense backlash over Mamdani’s record of far-left positions and his hostility toward Israel. He drew outrage for condemning Israel on October 8, 2023—just one day after the Hamas atrocities in southern Israel—and for refusing to denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada.”

Mamdani also recently declared that his administration would abandon the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, a move condemned by Jewish groups.

He has repeatedly accused Israel of committing war crimes during its fight against Hamas in Gaza and has even pledged to order the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit New York, citing the International Criminal Court’s warrant—despite the fact that the United States is not a member of the ICC.

Criticism also intensified after Mamdani appeared publicly with Brooklyn Imam Siraj Wahhaj, a controversial figure who was identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

Polling shows a divided electorate as Election Day approaches. A Fox News survey released Thursday found Mamdani leading the race with 47% support, holding a 16-point advantage over Cuomo at 31%, while Republican Curtis Sliwa registered 15%.

However, a Quinnipiac University poll released a day earlier painted a starkly different picture among Jewish voters. That survey found Cuomo commanding 60% support from Jewish respondents, compared to just 16% for Mamdani and 12% for Sliwa. The remainder of Jewish voters were undecided or preferred other candidates.

According to the same poll, three-quarters of Jewish voters view Mamdani unfavorably, with only 15% expressing a positive opinion. Cuomo fared somewhat better, earning a 39% favorable rating but still facing a 50% unfavorable view among Jews.

{Matzav.com}

Millions of Americans who depend on food assistance are set to feel the impact of both a government shutdown and sweeping new restrictions on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as the updated rules took effect — the same day benefits stop ped flowing without federal funding.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website bluntly warns that “the well has run dry” for issuing benefits. In a message at the top of the site, the agency places blame squarely on Democrats in the Senate for blocking continued funding.

“Senate Democrats have now voted 13 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” the notice states. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”

Even as benefits are suspended, new regulations under President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act will simultaneously take hold. The law, which cuts an estimated $186 billion in federal spending over the next decade, adds stricter eligibility and work requirements that will remove some participants from the program.

Among the most significant revisions are those targeting able-bodied adults without dependents, known as ABAWDs. They must now prove they work at least 80 hours a month, attend school, or participate in job training to stay eligible. Anyone who fails to meet these standards will be limited to a total of three months of benefits.

The work requirement expansion also affects all able-bodied adults under 65, though parents with children under 14 are newly exempt — previously, the exemption covered parents of children under 18. Veterans, young adults, and homeless individuals are now required to meet the same work standards to continue receiving more than three months of assistance.

Another policy shift concerns immigrants’ access to SNAP, with new “non-citizen eligibility” rules impacting lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, non-citizen U.S. nationals, and undocumented individuals. According to the USDA, state agencies must review “household circumstances to take appropriate action” before informing applicants that they are no longer eligible for benefits.

In addition, a memo from Oregon’s Department of Human Services reveals that even refugees who have been granted asylum and survivors of human trafficking will lose their SNAP benefits under the new federal guidelines.

A central point of contention remains whether the USDA can dip into its contingency fund to keep SNAP payments going through November. On Friday, U.S. District Judge John McConnell temporarily blocked the administration from halting benefits altogether, rejecting the government’s claim that emergency funding was limited to natural disasters.

“SNAP benefits have never, until now, been terminated,” McConnell said during the hearing. “And the United States has, in fact, admitted that the contingency funds are appropriately used during a shutdown and that occurred in 2019.”

Currently, about $5.25 billion is available in the USDA’s reserve fund — far short of the $9.2 billion needed to cover a full month’s worth of food assistance. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins maintained that Democrats are misrepresenting how those funds can be spent.

“If today, say for example Democrats say, ‘Oh, never mind, sorry, we’ll reopen the government,’ and SNAP flows, Hurricane Melissa or one of the hurricanes hits, that’s the contingency fund that we would use to send more money into the vulnerable communities that are harmed by a specific event like a hurricane,” Rollins said.

“But it is a contingency fund that can only flow if the underlying appropriation is approved,” she added. “And listen, even if it could flow, it doesn’t even cover half of the month of November. So here we are again, in two weeks having the exact same conversation.”

Late Friday, President Trump addressed the matter directly, pledging to restore benefits as soon as legal questions are resolved.

“Our Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two Courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT,” he continued. “Therefore, I have instructed our lawyers to ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible.”

{Matzav.com}

Hamas officials said Sunday that they had located the bodies of three Israeli hostages killed during the war, according to statements made to Al-Hadath.

Earlier that day, reports indicated that members of Hamas’s military wing accompanied Red Cross personnel into the Shuja’iyya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City. They were joined by engineering vehicles as they searched through the ruins for the remains of the captives.

The day before, Israel’s Institute of Forensic Medicine completed its analysis of the bodies that Hamas had previously transferred to Israel. Experts determined that the remains did not match any of the identified hostages.

Meanwhile, the IDF has asserted that Hamas is in possession of at least two Israeli bodies that could be handed over without delay. Military officials also believe the terror group has lost track of several others, estimating that between three and five hostages’ bodies remain unaccounted for.

{Matzav.com}