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Israeli President Yitzchok Herzog spoke today with Yigal, the Yerushalayim taxi driver who bravely rescued an 85-year-old woman from the scene of the terrorist attack in Ramot.

During their phone conversation, Herzog expressed admiration for Yigal’s actions, telling him: “I’m excited to speak with you, dear Yigal. You are truly a model of civic courage. I watched the video and said – get me Yigal! All the credit to you! You are a role model citizen. I want to say thank you. In this way you bring tremendous pride to the State of Israel, and I wish you good health, happiness and joy.”

Yigal, however, humbly rejected the label of hero. “I don’t see this as any act of bravery. I simply think that any taxi driver in such a situation must act this way. There was a passenger, an elderly woman about 85 years old, and I had to get her out of there,” he responded.

Footage from a dashcam shows the moment Yigal pulled the woman from the danger zone amid the chaos of the attack. His quick thinking and sense of responsibility have since drawn widespread public attention.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A worker in his 40s has died after being crushed by a vehicle at Sydney Airport’s Qantas International Freight Terminal in Mascot on Sunday; paramedics were unable to revive him, and Qantas said it would support those affected, extending condolences to the man’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Israeli Air Force tracks Yemeni drone with helicopters and fighter jets.

Police in north London are looking for a suspect seen on security cameras smearing an unknown substance on two shuls and on a walkway regularly used by mispallelim in Golders Green.

The incidents, which happened last Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, are being treated by the Metropolitan Police as religiously motivated acts of vandalism. Reports have indicated that the material involved was excrement.

Det Supt Tony Bellis condemned the behavior, saying: “This is a revolting and appalling act and we are urging the public to help us locate those responsible as soon as possible.”

CCTV footage of the offenses was collected by Shomrim, a volunteer neighborhood patrol organization that monitors Jewish areas in north-east London, and passed on to investigators.

A representative for Shomrim NW described the attacks as “a deliberate and disgraceful anti-Semitic act targeting places of worship and members of our community.”

The spokesperson continued: “It is utterly disgusting, and those responsible must be caught and brought to justice. Nobody should have to face such hatred when going to pray or at their own home.”

{Matzav.com}

The IDF says it struck a number of Hezbollah sites in the Bekaa Valley, including military training camps of the elite ‘Radwan Force’ where Hezbollah operatives were identified and weapons were stored.

WATCH: Footage captures the arrest of the father and brother of Mohammed Bassem Taha, one of the terrorists involved in this morning’s horrific terror attack.

Newsweek: “The shooting was carried out by two Palestinians FIGHTERS.” Sick and twisted.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu came at midday to the site of the gruesome terror attack at the Ramot junction in Yerushalayim, where six innocent Yidden were murdered.

Netanyahu declared, “We are at war with terror on several fronts. We will destroy Hamas and free our hostages, sadly we were unable to prevent this morning’s attack.”

Speaking about the heroic actions that took place, he said, “A soldier from the charedi Chashmonaim Brigade acted with amazing composure. Two charedi civilians who were armed assisted him. We must understand that we are all in this war — we must stand together.”

Netanyahu, who had been scheduled to appear in court today until the session was canceled due to the attack, turned his remarks toward the judicial system while at the scene. “Court — you are also in this war, you are also part of this war. We do not go easy on our enemies, we will strike them forcefully — and so you should act in the same way as well.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli President Herzog spoke with the taxi driver who helped an elderly woman escape this morning’s attack in Jerusalem. “You are truly an example of civic bravery,” the president said. “I don’t see it as bravery,” the driver replied. “I just had to rescue her from the scene.”

National Guard troops patrolling the streets of U.S. cities. Weapons of war deployed against international gangs suspected of drug trafficking. Military bases and resources redirected to mass immigration enforcement operations. President Donald Trump is swiftly implementing his vision of the military as an all-powerful tool for his policy goals. It’s ground that presidents have hardly ever crossed outside of times of war, and experts say it’s remaking the role of the most powerful military in the world and its relationship with the American public. Yet as Trump has dramatically stepped up his use of military force, fellow Republicans in Congress — where authorization for such actions is supposed to originate — have done little but cheer him on. That’s giving the president significant leeway as he raises plans to send troops next to Chicago, Baltimore and New Orleans. “If I were one of those mayors, I’d be glad to have the help,” said Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, speaking from a Capitol building where National Guard troops were patrolling the surrounding city. “I think the big city Democrats are really making a mistake. I think they’re being tone deaf.” Lawmakers from Louisiana — a red state that surrounds politically blue New Orleans — said it was a great idea for National Guard troops to go there next. “New Orleans, like most Democrat-run cities, has a high crime rate, so it would be helpful,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, told The Associated Press. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., agreed: “We need all the help we can get. I’m delighted to bring in the National Guard.” Republicans have in recent years found political success focusing on the issue of crime. The vast majority of Americans, 81%, see crime as a “major problem” in large cities, according to recent polling from the The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That includes nearly all Republicans, roughly three-quarters of independents and nearly 7 in 10 Democrats. However, statistics show overall crime is down across the nation, with some cities reporting 30-year lows. How Trump’s use of the National Guard is unique In the past, the use of National Guard troops on American soil was reserved for extraordinary circumstances such as natural disasters or when local officials became overwhelmed by civil unrest or disorder. Rarely have presidents used the troops for law enforcement purposes. Notable examples include the 1894 Pullman strike in Chicago, during the Civil Rights era to enforce desegregation in the South, and in 1992 during deadly rioting after police officers brutally beat motorist Rodney King and were acquitted on state charges. Experts say that Trump’s crime mission stands out because he’s not responding to a particular crisis. Instead, Trump is using the military to implement his domestic policies, whether that means using military aircraft for deportation flights, beefing up military at the U.S.-Mexico border or ordering National Guard troops to be ready for law enforcement duties. “All of these things indicate an administration that is making a broad, concerted effort to insert the military into civilian law enforcement in a way and on a scale that has no precedent in American history,” said Joseph Nunn, an attorney at the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program. Trump says he has the “right” to send National Guard troops to the cities, even over the objections of state governors. “I’m the president of the United States. If […]

The Chashmonaim Brigade squad commander who neutralized the Jerusalem terrorists speaks following his heroic actions

The US State Department says it is monitoring the situation following this morning’s “cruel” terror attack in Jerusalem, reaffirming that it “stands alongside our friend Israel.”

This is how Reuters covered this morning’s deadly shooting in Jerusalem, saying simply that “police described [it] as a ‘terrorist attack'”. Sickening.

A resident of Yatta, previously released in the recent hostage deal, was arrested by police and the IDF for continuing to incite terrorism and encourage attacks on security forces through social media. During a search of her home, authorities seized her mobile phone and two computers suspected of being used to spread the incitement, and she was transferred for interrogation.

FACES OF EVIL: The terrorists who carried out this morning’s shooting attack at the Ramot Junction have been identified as Methna Naji Amro and Mohammed Bassem Taha. Both were killed at the scene.

The IDF has demolished yet another high rise building in Gaza used by Hamas terrorists.

Reb Levi Yitzchok Pash Hy”d, who served faithfully for many years as a maintenance worker in Yeshivas Kol Torah in Yerushalayim, was tragically killed this morning in the devastating terror attack that took place at the Ramat junction in Yerushalayim.

He had been standing at the bus stop together with another staff member from the yeshiva when a driver stopped and kindly offered to take them to the yeshiva. Both of them accepted the offer and entered the vehicle.

Just then, another person approached, explaining that he needed urgent transportation to the hospital for medical care. Reb Levi Yitzchok, who had already settled into the car, immediately stepped out to allow the man to take his place. Only a few minutes later, the dreadful shooting attack broke out, and in that terrible moment, Reb Levi Yitzchok was murdered al kiddush Hashem.

At 57 years old, Reb Levi Yitzchok lived in Tel Tzion and was known throughout the Bayit Vegan neighborhood as the longtime, dedicated worker at Kol Torah. Those who worked with him describe him as a warm, caring individual who was beloved by everyone and always carried himself with a generous spirit.

Just last night, he had been celebrating together with family at a chasunah on his wife’s side in Beitar Illit. His relatives recall that he was known as someone who lived to give, always extending a helping hand to anyone who turned to him for assistance.

The levayah is scheduled to take place today at 4:30 p.m. from Shamgar in Yerushalayim, proceeding to Har Hamenuchos, where he will be laid to rest.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Following this mornings deadly shooting attack in Yerushalayim, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered increased forces in the West Bank and the encirclement of villages linked to the attackers, while stressing that Gaza remains the military’s main focus; he also postponed a ceremony for outstanding soldiers due to the attack and other operational developments.

YWN regrets to inform you of the tragic petira of Yisroel Mordechai Goldstone ben HaRav Yitzchak, z”l, at the young age of 34. R’ Yisroel Mordechai tragically drowned on Sunday evening in Puerto Rico, where he lived most of the year together with his wife, Sarah Medina Goldstone, as part of the growing frum community. He was very close to the local Chabad Shliach, Rabbi Mendel Zarchi. The Niftar was born in Chicago and moved to Far Rockaway, where he grew up with his 12 siblings. He was the grandson of Rav Moshe and Chana Goldstone and Rav Marvin and Phyllis Needle. Known as a tremendous baal chesed, he was constantly helping others — often quietly covering financial crises for those in need, never seeking recognition or repayment. His last act of kindness was done literally minutes before he Petirah, when he was asked to be Mashlim a minyan even though he had already Davened earlier. Arrangements are being made by the Achiezer organization to have the niftar flown to New York for the levaya and kevura. Boruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)