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[Video below.] A woman who was caught on surveillance footage deliberately pouring coffee over benches and furniture inside a shul in the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Motzkin was identified Motzoei Shabbos after the city’s mayor released video of the incident and appealed to residents for assistance.

The incident occurred Friday evening at approximately 8:10 p.m. inside a public bomb shelter at 1 Goshen Boulevard, which also serves as a shul for local residents.

According to Mayor Tziki Avisar, the woman entered the facility and intentionally spilled coffee across the benches used by mispallelim and other furnishings, leaving the premises damaged.

The shelter is regularly maintained by members of the shul, who use the space for davening. It had recently been made accessible beyond regular tefillah hours as part of the municipality’s preparations for a possible deterioration in Israel’s security situation.

Avisar had ordered what he described as a “quiet opening” of public shelters throughout the city, allowing residents to access the facilities in the event of an emergency without waiting for an official announcement.

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Following the discovery of the vandalism, the mayor released surveillance footage showing the woman’s actions and condemned the apparent abuse of a facility intended both for public safety and religious worship.

“Unfortunately, there is a small minority of individuals who choose to exploit our security preparedness,” Avisar wrote.

He said the woman had entered a facility intended to protect lives and, rather than respecting its purpose as an emergency shelter and its sanctity as a shul, “sowed destruction and deliberately poured coffee on the worshippers’ benches and the furniture inside.”

The mayor announced that municipal authorities would work to identify the individual and pursue appropriate action, emphasizing that damage to public property would not be tolerated, particularly at a location serving as both an emergency shelter and a place of tefillah.

Residents who recognized the woman were asked to contact the city’s municipal hotline with information that could assist in identifying her.

The appeal quickly generated responses from local residents, and later Motzoei Shabbos, Avisar announced that the woman had been located.

“The resident who vandalized the shelter at 1 Goshen Street has been identified!” the mayor announced.

“A big thank you to the dozens of alert residents who contacted us and helped. We will not allow damage to public property,” he added.

Municipal officials did not immediately disclose the woman’s identity or indicate whether criminal charges would be filed in connection with the incident.

Encouraging developments have emerged regarding the condition of the renowned mekubal Rav Dov Kook, who has been confined to his sickbed for approximately six months, with his son revealing that the rov has begun displaying emotional responses to those around him and is repeatedly attempting to speak.

In an interview with Rav Moshe Ben Lulu on Kol Chai Radio, Rav Gedalia Kook described the small but meaningful changes that his family has observed in recent weeks, while emphasizing that his father’s medical condition remains extremely serious.

“The rov is still lying in his sickbed, without movement, without motion, and without speech,” Rav Gedalia explained.

Nevertheless, he said, the family has begun witnessing reactions that suggest his father is responding emotionally to conversations, music, and other familiar experiences.

“The rov actually cries, almost once every day, or at most every two days,” Rav Gedalia related. “If someone tells him an emotional story, or plays sacred melodies for him, or speaks to him in learning about very, very deep matters.”

He added that his father has also reacted when family members share chiddushei Torah developed from his teachings or bring his newborn grandson to see him.

“He actually cries audibly,” Rav Gedalia said. “And he tries to speak at least five times a day, really attempting to produce a sound, although so far without success.”

The family views these developments as encouraging, although Rav Gedalia stressed that his father has not regained the ability to speak or move independently.

Rav Gedalia also used the interview to share an instruction his father had given following an earlier Israeli election, urging people not to become consumed by politics once they had fulfilled their responsibility to vote.

According to his son, Rav Dov Kook taught that after voting to protect the interests of Torah, a person should return his attention to learning rather than spend hours following election results, coalition negotiations and political commentary.

“He said that it diminishes one’s curiosity for Torah,” Rav Gedalia recalled, explaining that constant involvement in political developments can diminish the interest and concentration that should be directed toward Torah study.

In keeping with that teaching, Rav Gedalia announced a special initiative as a zechus for his father’s refuah sheleimah, encouraging members of the public to undertake seven days without unnecessary political discussions, commentary or news consumption.

Participants are being asked to devote the time saved to additional Torah learning, tefillah and greater care in shemiras halashon.

Rav Gedalia noted that a special kinus chizuk had already been held in Tiveria on election night, during the hours when much of the country was occupied with exit polls and election coverage.

He also recalled another teaching of his father concerning the importance of approaching Torah learning with genuine reverence. Even half an hour of learning each day, he explained, can have a profound spiritual impact when accompanied by proper respect for the sanctity of Torah, whereas many hours of study without that attitude may fail to produce the same results.

Rav Gedalia encouraged listeners to eliminate unnecessary distractions during learning and approach their sedorim with seriousness, enthusiasm and an appreciation of the privilege of studying Torah.

The family continues to ask Klal Yisroel to be mispallel for the complete recovery of Rav Chizkiyahu Dov ben Shoshana.

{Matzav.com}

The United States military has disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman after its crew allegedly disregarded repeated American warnings and attempted to violate the maritime blockade imposed on Iran, U.S. Central Command announced Saturday.

The vessel, identified as the M/V Huda, had recently docked at an Iranian port and was attempting to depart the area when American forces intervened. According to CENTCOM, the ship’s crew refused to comply with instructions issued by U.S. military personnel enforcing the blockade.

After several warnings went unheeded, American forces directed the crew to evacuate designated sections of the vessel. A U.S. military aircraft then launched a precision-guided munition at the ship’s stern, disabling it and preventing it from continuing its voyage.

The military released footage of the operation, which it described as part of an ongoing campaign to prevent unauthorized maritime traffic from entering or leaving Iranian-controlled waters.

The incident marks the latest enforcement action in a blockade that Washington has maintained against Iran since July, as American forces continue efforts to restrict Tehran’s maritime operations and disrupt commercial shipping linked to the Iranian regime.

According to figures released by CENTCOM, 147 commercial vessels have complied with American instructions in recent months, altering their routes after receiving warnings from U.S. military personnel.

Five merchant ships that refused to cooperate have been disabled through military action, including the latest incident involving the Huda.

American forces have also destroyed ten commercial oil tankers identified as belonging to the clandestine shipping network operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The vessels, reportedly worth billions of dollars collectively, were allegedly used to facilitate Iranian oil shipments and support the regime’s financial operations.

The network, commonly described as Iran’s shadow fleet, consists of commercial vessels used to transport Iranian petroleum and other cargo while attempting to evade international restrictions and monitoring.

CENTCOM has warned commercial shipping operators that vessels traveling near the Iranian coastline must comply with American military directives and should not attempt to circumvent the blockade.

The military’s latest announcement did not specify whether anyone aboard the Huda was injured during the strike or provide details about the vessel’s cargo.

The operation comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program and the possibility of renewed American military strikes. President Donald Trump warned earlier this week that the United States remains prepared to conduct additional operations against Iran if necessary.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced Motzoei Shabbos that he will formally assign Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot the task of forming Israel’s next government, giving the opposition leader his first opportunity to assemble a governing coalition following the recent Knesset elections.

Eisenkot has been summoned to the President’s Residence in Yerushalayim on Sunday at 5 p.m., when Herzog is scheduled to officially present him with the mandate. Under Israeli law, Eisenkot will initially have 28 days to form a government, with the possibility of an additional 14-day extension if necessary.

The announcement followed several days of consultations with Israel’s political parties, during which Eisenkot emerged with substantially more recommendations than Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

According to the President’s Office, parties representing 67 Knesset members recommended Eisenkot for the premiership, while factions holding 46 seats supported Netanyahu. United Torah Judaism, which controls seven seats, declined to recommend either candidate.

The decision came after Herzog announced Thursday that he would conduct additional discussions with political leaders over the weekend before determining which candidate should receive the first opportunity to establish a coalition.

“Over the past several days, the President has held in-depth talks with various figures across the political system, including meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and with Yashar! leader Gadi Eisenkot, to whom he conveyed his intention,” the President’s Office said.

Although Eisenkot received the support of 67 lawmakers during the presidential consultations, that figure does not guarantee him a parliamentary majority. Several parties that recommended him have significant disagreements over the composition of a future government, particularly regarding cooperation with Arab factions and the military draft issue.

Israeli media reports indicate that Eisenkot’s immediate challenge will be persuading the parties that recommended him to agree on a workable coalition. The principal dispute concerns whether a government can rely on support from Arab parties or whether the opposition bloc must instead seek an agreement with the chareidi factions.

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman has rejected Eisenkot’s proposal for a 48-seat minority government dependent on Arab parliamentary support. Instead, Lieberman is exploring an arrangement that would bring United Torah Judaism and Shas into a 61-seat coalition, even if that requires concessions on the contentious draft legislation.

According to a report published Motzoei Shabbos by Ynet, Lieberman is pursuing that possibility separately from Eisenkot’s preferred approach. Political figures have suggested that Yerushalayim Mayor Moshe Lion, who maintains relationships with Lieberman and chareidi leaders, has been involved in mediation. Lion denied participating in such discussions, saying he was abroad.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu issued a public appeal Motzoei Shabbos for the establishment of a unity government, proposing cooperation between his political camp and Zionist parties from the opposition. His initiative came as disagreements within Eisenkot’s bloc became increasingly apparent.

Eisenkot has warned that political leaders who obstruct the formation of a government for personal rather than substantive reasons will bear responsibility for the consequences.

The formal presentation of the mandate Sunday will begin a period of intensive coalition negotiations. Eisenkot’s initial deadline is expected to fall on December 6, with a possible extension through December 20 if Herzog grants the additional two weeks.

United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher responded Friday to the growing willingness of Israeli opposition politicians to compromise on legislation governing the military draft of yeshiva bochurim, welcoming their sudden flexibility while making clear that the chareidi parties have not agreed to join any coalition headed by the anti-Netanyahu bloc.

Asher’s remarks followed statements by Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman and other opposition figures indicating that they would consider concessions on the draft issue to facilitate the establishment of a government without Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

“It is encouraging to discover the flexibility of all the political players on the draft issue,” Asher said, reacting to the apparent change in position among politicians who have spent years opposing the chareidi parties’ demands.

However, Asher also questioned why the same willingness to compromise had been absent throughout the prolonged political battles over the status of yeshiva students.

“It is painful to think how much incitement and hatred between brothers could have been avoided had that same flexibility been demonstrated in recent years,” he said.

The United Torah Judaism chairman then addressed mounting speculation that the chareidi parties might be prepared to enter a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, particularly if an acceptable draft law could be negotiated.

Drawing on this week’s parsha, Chayei Sarah, Asher offered a pointed response to those already discussing a possible political partnership.

“In this week’s parsha, when the shidduch between Yitzchok and Rivka is being arranged, the posuk says: ‘Let us call the girl and ask her opinion,'” Asher observed.

“It would be appropriate to remember that when discussing political shidduchim that have not yet been proposed to one of the parties,” he added.

His comments were directed at the increasingly public discussion of a possible coalition agreement with the chareidi parties, despite the absence of any formal proposal or approval from their leadership.

Asher further emphasized that even if coalition negotiations eventually produce an offer acceptable to United Torah Judaism’s political representatives, the final decision will rest with the Gedolei Yisroel.

“And of course, every proposal will first be brought for the decision of the ‘mechutanim’ — the Gedolei Hador, shlita,” he said.

The remarks come amid a significant shift in Lieberman’s position. The Yisrael Beiteinu chairman has indicated that he is prepared to abandon his longstanding refusal to negotiate with the chareidi parties, provided the resulting government excludes Netanyahu and does not depend on parliamentary support from Ra’am or the Joint List.

Lieberman has also called for the formation of a 61-seat coalition without the Arab parties, suggesting that additional Likud lawmakers might eventually join such a government. His willingness to compromise on the draft has opened the possibility of negotiations that would have been politically unthinkable only weeks ago.

The change has already drawn criticism from Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists Party, who accused Lieberman of abandoning his commitments to military reservists in pursuit of political power.

Meanwhile, Democrats Party chairman Yair Golan reported progress in coalition discussions, saying negotiating teams from his party and Eisenkot’s Yashar faction had met several times during the week.

For now, however, Asher’s remarks leave the question of chareidi participation unresolved. Although he did not reject negotiations with the anti-Netanyahu bloc, he made clear that no coalition proposal has yet been presented to United Torah Judaism and that any eventual agreement would require the approval of the Gedolei Hador.

{Matzav.com}

A dramatic shift in Israel’s coalition negotiations emerged Friday after Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman announced his willingness to compromise on the military draft issue, prompting senior figures in United Torah Judaism to openly consider joining a government headed by Gadi Eisenkot. The development could potentially bring Shas into the emerging coalition as well, although significant political and ideological obstacles remain.

A source within United Torah Judaism told Kikar HaShabbat that the party is seriously examining the possibility of entering a government led by the anti-Netanyahu bloc, provided an acceptable agreement can be reached guaranteeing the status of yeshiva bochurim.

“We’re not particularly surprised. We’ve been hearing these discussions since the elections. We’ve spoken with people in the change bloc, and we understood where things were heading,” the source said.

The official made clear that securing draft legislation remains the party’s overriding priority and could determine its willingness to cooperate with politicians who have long opposed the chareidi position.

“If they give us a draft law, we’ll go with them. Absolutely. That’s the most important thing right now. Once that is resolved, the budgets will also be released. We’re in politics, and in politics you do what needs to be done,” the source declared.

Lieberman’s unexpected flexibility represents a significant development given his years of opposition to military service exemptions for yeshiva students. On Friday morning, he announced that although he remains firmly opposed to establishing a minority government dependent on the abstention of the Joint List and Ra’am, he is prepared to make concessions on other contentious issues to prevent another election and keep Binyamin Netanyahu out of power.

“On all other issues, it is permissible and desirable to be flexible and compromise, and to understand that if you try to grab too much, you end up with nothing. That includes the issue of the draft law,” Lieberman wrote.

“I find it painful, and I know many others do as well. But in light of the many challenges we face today, the national interest of the State of Israel and the Jewish people must take precedence over every other consideration,” he added.

Conversations with Yisrael Beiteinu lawmakers and candidates indicate that party officials believe a draft compromise could be politically viable if advanced by the anti-Netanyahu bloc. Asked how such a concession could be reconciled with their election promises, party representatives argued that the alternatives would be a government dependent on Arab parties, renewed cooperation with Netanyahu, or another national election, none of which Lieberman considers acceptable.

United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher responded to Lieberman’s announcement with pointed criticism of the years of political confrontation surrounding the draft.

“It’s encouraging to discover the flexibility of all the political players on the draft issue,” Asher remarked. “It’s painful to think how much incitement and hatred between brothers could have been avoided had that same flexibility been demonstrated in recent years.”

Asher also emphasized that the party’s elected representatives would not independently decide whether to enter a coalition or accept proposed legislation. Any arrangement would first require the approval of the Gedolei Yisroel.

“Of course, every proposal will first be brought before the ‘mechutanim’ — the Gedolei Hador, shlita — for their decision,” he stated.

Despite the apparent opening, United Torah Judaism officials acknowledge that negotiations with Eisenkot could prove extremely difficult. Lieberman’s willingness to compromise does not necessarily mean that the parties can agree on the substance of a draft law, particularly regarding enlistment quotas and financial or legal penalties for yeshivos and their students.

Political observers believe the chareidi parties would be unlikely to support legislation containing substantial sanctions or rigid recruitment requirements. Any agreement capable of securing their participation would therefore likely require a considerably softer framework than proposals previously advanced by Lieberman and other opposition figures.

The central difficulty for Eisenkot is the parliamentary arithmetic. His bloc currently holds 48 seats, while United Torah Judaism controls seven. Even if the two sides reach an agreement, their combined strength would be only 55 seats, six short of the 61 required to form a majority government.

Bringing Shas into the coalition would solve that problem, with its six seats producing an exact 61-seat majority. However, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri has maintained his political alliance with Netanyahu, and his party formally recommended the prime minister during consultations with President Isaac Herzog.

Some figures in United Torah Judaism believe that joining an Eisenkot government could eventually make it easier for Shas to follow. Under that scenario, Deri might argue that his party was joining an arrangement already established by other chareidi representatives. The difficulty is that Eisenkot would still lack the necessary majority to establish such a government without Shas or support from elsewhere.

The coalition negotiations have also exposed growing divisions within the anti-Netanyahu camp. Eisenkot has considered establishing an emergency minority government supported indirectly by the Arab parties, but Lieberman has firmly rejected any arrangement dependent on Ra’am or the Joint List.

Other parties within the bloc have expressed similar reservations, leaving Eisenkot without a clear route to power despite receiving recommendations from 67 Knesset members during President Herzog’s consultations. Those recommendations included 19 Arab lawmakers whose support does not necessarily translate into participation in a governing coalition.

Naftali Bennett has not yet publicly clarified his position on the emerging proposals, although political assessments suggest he would also oppose a government dependent on Arab parliamentary support.

Meanwhile, Avraham Justman, Agudas Yisroel’s representative on the Central Elections Committee, said Friday that United Torah Judaism remains willing to negotiate with any prospective prime minister who can deliver a satisfactory legislative arrangement concerning yeshiva students. He stressed that general promises would not suffice and that the details would need to be incorporated into law.

President Herzog is expected to announce Sunday which candidate will receive the first opportunity to form a government. Eisenkot is widely considered the leading candidate for that mandate, but securing it would mark only the beginning of negotiations among parties whose positions on the draft, Netanyahu and the Arab factions remain sharply divided.

{Matzav.com}

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri reportedly acknowledged in a private conversation several months ago that Israel’s left-wing parties would be willing to meet virtually all of the chareidi parties’ demands, including legislation protecting yeshiva bochurim from military conscription, if doing so would enable them to establish a government.

The previously undisclosed remarks, reported Friday by BeHadrei Chareidim based on an account of a conversation with one of Deri’s acquaintances, have taken on new significance as negotiations intensify over the formation of Israel’s next government and the possibility of chareidi participation in a coalition led by Gadi Eisenkot.

According to the account, Deri expressed confidence that the political parties currently opposing the chareidi position on the draft would quickly abandon their objections if they needed chareidi support to secure a governing majority.

“If we go with the left, we’ll get everything we want. Everything they say is a bluff designed to bring down the right. We could get a draft law if we went with the other side, but we have a responsibility to the Jewish people, and that’s why we go with the right,” Deri reportedly said.

The account comes as United Torah Judaism has declined to recommend either Eisenkot or Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for the premiership, leaving open questions about the party’s position in the emerging coalition negotiations.

It also follows comments by Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman indicating that he would be prepared to consider compromises on the military draft issue, despite his longstanding opposition to broad exemptions for yeshiva students.

An editorial published by BeHadrei Chareidim has meanwhile urged the chareidi parties to consider joining an Eisenkot-led government if an agreement can be reached to legally secure the status of yeshiva bochurim.

The individual who recounted the conversation with Deri said he initially challenged the Shas chairman’s assessment, expressing disbelief that left-wing politicians would reverse their positions on such a contentious issue.

Deri reportedly responded by pointing to his extensive experience dealing with leaders of the Israeli left.

“What are you talking about? You’re naive. These people used to be my friends. I know the leftists. They’ll sell everything when they need to,” Deri said, according to the account.

The acquaintance then raised another objection, arguing that even if political leaders were willing to compromise, their voters would not tolerate concessions on the draft after years of campaigning against exemptions for chareidi yeshiva students.

Deri reportedly dismissed that argument as well.

“You’re wrong and naive,” he replied.

The reported conversation has emerged as members of the anti-Netanyahu bloc explore the possibility of forming a government with United Torah Judaism, potentially using a framework based on the military conscription proposal advanced by Lieberman in 2018.

Although discussions about such an arrangement are underway, no agreement has been reached, and significant differences remain between the parties over the terms of any future draft legislation.

The account of Deri’s remarks has not been independently confirmed, and the report does not indicate that he has changed his position regarding cooperation with Netanyahu’s political opponents.

A 24-year-old chareidi man from Yerushalayim spent four months in an Israeli military prison while his seriously ill mother lay dying, with repeated requests to allow him to visit her reportedly rejected by military authorities. By the time he was finally released, his mother had passed away, leaving him unable to see her or say goodbye during her final days.

The disturbing account concerns Moshe Levy, a resident of the Neve Yaakov neighborhood, who was imprisoned after attempting to resolve his military service status and obtain an exemption on medical grounds.

According to the report, Levy traveled to the Tel Hashomer military induction center on the advice of his attorney, bringing psychiatric documentation intended to support his request for an exemption. Instead of receiving the exemption he had sought, he was taken into custody and transferred to a military detention facility.

At the time of his arrest, Levy’s mother, Mazal Levy a”h, was already suffering from a serious illness. His family initially hoped he would be permitted to return home for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but those requests were unsuccessful.

As the weeks passed, his mother’s condition deteriorated further. She was eventually hospitalized, and her health declined to the point that doctors considered her condition critical.

According to Levy’s account, his mother repeatedly asked about him even as she became increasingly weak and struggled to speak. She wanted to know where her son was and why he had not come to see her.

Of her seven sons, six were able to remain at her side during her final illness. Moshe was the only one absent, confined to military prison.

The family continued appealing to military officials, submitting medical records and special requests seeking permission for Levy to leave the facility temporarily, even for a brief visit to his mother’s hospital bedside.

Those appeals were reportedly denied, including when her condition became life-threatening. As a result, Levy remained in custody throughout the final stages of his mother’s illness.

The tragedy reached its devastating conclusion on the day of her petirah. At approximately noon, one of Levy’s commanding officers approached him and indicated that something was wrong at home, instructing him to contact his brother.

Rather than informing Levy directly that his mother had died, the officer left him to learn the news from his family.

When Levy called his brother, he discovered that his mother had already passed away and that the family was preparing to leave for the levayah within minutes.

Only then, after four months of imprisonment and the death of the mother he had repeatedly asked to visit, did military authorities inform Levy that he could leave the prison and return home.

Initially, Levy was told that his release would last only through the shivah and that he would be required to report back to military prison afterward.

His attorney objected, arguing that there was no justification for forcing the grieving son to resume his imprisonment following his mother’s death. After further intervention by the lawyer, Levy was released without a requirement to return immediately after the mourning period.

However, his difficulties with the military authorities have not ended. Levy says his military status remains unresolved and that he continues to be classified as a draft evader. According to information he received from military officials, another arrest could expose him to more severe punishment.

Additional reporting by JDN indicates that the family had also sought assistance from hospital personnel and that requests for special leave were reportedly submitted by officers within the detention facility. Those efforts, according to the accounts, were likewise unsuccessful.

The case has attracted attention in the Israeli chareidi media amid the continuing controversy surrounding the arrest and imprisonment of yeshiva students over military conscription.

The family’s allegations concerning the repeated refusal to grant humanitarian leave have been reported by several Israeli outlets. An official military explanation for the denials was not available in the reports reviewed.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump declared Friday that Israel and the wider Middle East would have faced destruction had his administration not intervened militarily to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, delivering the dramatic assessment as Washington continued weighing the possibility of additional strikes against Tehran.

“Israel and, in fact, the entire Middle East, WOULD NOT EXIST TODAY if I did not stop Iran from having a Nuclear Weapon,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

“Nobody wants to say that, but everybody knows it’s true!” he added.

Trump’s remarks came one day after he issued another warning to Iran, making clear that American military forces remain prepared to resume attacks if Tehran fails to address Washington’s concerns over its nuclear activities.

During an exchange with reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump indicated that he would prefer to avoid another round of military operations but suggested that further action could become unavoidable.

“I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I’ll have to. You will know soon enough.”

The president followed that statement with an additional warning about the readiness of American forces.

“If we have to do the rest of the Iran thing, we’re very much locked and loaded,” Trump stressed.

The renewed threats come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to determine whether Washington and Tehran can reach an agreement over Iran’s nuclear program without another military confrontation.

The New York Times reported Thursday that Iranian officials were reviewing proposals presented by international intermediaries concerning the country’s nuclear activities, raising the possibility that negotiations with the United States could resume.

Later Thursday, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran had transmitted a nuclear proposal to Washington through Qatar. However, the official said Iran would not enter negotiations unless the United States first accepted seven conditions established by the Iranian government.

Among Tehran’s demands are the removal of American economic sanctions, the release of Iranian assets frozen overseas, and compensation for damage sustained during the war.

Washington has taken a different position, insisting that Iran’s nuclear activities must be addressed from the outset of any negotiations rather than postponed until after other Iranian demands are satisfied.

Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei reinforced Tehran’s position Thursday during a visit to Russia, saying the country would neither reopen the Strait of Hormuz nor participate in negotiations until its conditions were fulfilled. The waterway remains a major point of contention in efforts to prevent renewed fighting.

The latest diplomatic initiative follows the American and Israeli military campaign launched against Iran on February 28, which triggered Iranian retaliation against Israel and Gulf countries hosting American military installations. The conflict subsequently expanded to Lebanon and Yemen, with Iranian-backed groups becoming involved in the fighting.

Trump has repeatedly argued that Iran would have used nuclear weapons against Israel had American forces not intervened. In previous interviews, he has pointed to the American B-2 bomber strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as decisive in preventing Tehran from acquiring such weapons.

Despite the renewed diplomatic activity, the two governments remain divided over the conditions for formal negotiations. American officials are reviewing the proposal delivered through Qatar, but no agreement has been announced on when talks might begin or whether Iran will abandon its preconditions.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump announced Friday that Stephen Miller will take over as White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles in a major leadership change following the Republican Party’s sweeping losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

The president said Miller, currently his deputy chief of staff for policy and one of his closest advisers, will assume the position Monday, November 9. Wiles, who helped engineer Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign, will move into a senior role overseeing his political operation.

“I am pleased to announce that Mr. Stephen Miller, the current Deputy Chief of Staff of the Trump Administration, and one of my most trusted advisors, will become the Chief of Staff starting Monday, November 9, 2026,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Susie Wiles, who has done an outstanding job, will be moving over to the Trump Political Operation. I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — She has done a great job!”

The announcement represents one of the most significant personnel changes of Trump’s second term, coming just days after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress and delivered a major electoral setback to the president’s party.

Wiles, 69, has been widely credited with imposing greater discipline on White House operations and maintaining coordination among senior administration officials. She served as Trump’s chief of staff for approximately 21 months after managing his successful return to the presidency in 2024. During her tenure, she was also diagnosed with breast cancer.

Miller, 41, has been among the administration’s most influential policymakers, working closely with federal departments and agencies to implement the president’s priorities. His responsibilities have included advancing Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda and coordinating the release of previously classified government documents concerning unidentified flying objects.

His elevation is widely viewed as a signal that Trump intends to adopt a more confrontational strategy as Democrats prepare to use their newly won congressional majorities to investigate the administration and challenge its policies.

A White House official, speaking to the New York Post before the personnel announcement, suggested that administration officials were preparing for an intensified political battle.

“There are still many who are gearing up for the challenge. It’s time to fight even harder,” the official said.

Wiles, meanwhile, expressed appreciation for her time at the White House and emphasized that her departure from the chief of staff position would not diminish her loyalty to the president.

“Serving President Trump in the White House has been the honor of a lifetime,” Wiles said on Friday. “I’m so proud to have been a part of what we’ve accomplished together from securing our border and cutting taxes to strengthening our economy and putting America First.

“More than anything, I’m grateful for the extraordinary people I’ve had the privilege of working alongside. While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will,” she added.

The personnel change follows several weeks of speculation about Wiles’ future. In mid-October, Trump publicly rejected reports that he was considering replacing her, insisting there was “zero chance” of such a move and praising her loyalty and performance.

Wiles also made history as the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff. Her departure comes after she completed treatment for breast cancer and announced in September that she was cancer-free.

Miller has been part of Trump’s political circle since the 2016 presidential campaign and is considered one of the principal architects of his administration’s strict immigration policies. His appointment places a longtime ideological ally in charge of coordinating White House operations as the president prepares for two years of divided government.

The New York Post also reported that additional administration officials could face scrutiny over the Republican election losses, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, whose leadership roles during the Iran war have attracted political criticism.

No decisions regarding their positions have been announced.

{Matzav.com}

Special gatherings of Torah learning and tefillah have been announced in the Gerer and Vizhnitzer chassidic communities in Eretz Yisroel as chassidim continue to daven for the health and recovery of their respective Rebbes, both of whom have been experiencing medical difficulties.

In Ger, a special hour of Torah learning will take place this Motzoei Shabbos, Parshas Chayei Sarah, in all Gerer shtieblach and yeshivos, with chassidim of all ages gathering to learn as a zechus for the complete refuah of the Gerer Rebbe.

The initiative was announced Friday by R’ Itche Meir Tauman in a recorded message distributed throughout the chassidus. He called upon chassidim, young and old, to assemble following Maariv for a collective hour of Torah learning, invoking the words of davening, “Ki heim chayeinu v’orech yameinu,” emphasizing the merit of Torah study as a source of life and blessing.

According to information obtained by BeHadrei Chareidim, the gathering was arranged in response to the Gerer Rebbe’s medical condition and the desire of his family to increase zechuyos for his recovery.

The Rebbe’s son, Rav Nechemia Alter, reportedly proposed that the entire chassidus participate in a coordinated hour of learning, bringing together chassidim in every Gerer shtiebel and yeshiva to daven through the merit of Torah for the Rebbe’s complete recovery and renewed strength.

Meanwhile, the Vizhnitzer chassidus announced Friday that thousands of chassidim will participate in special tefillos on Sunday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Kislev, as the Vizhnitzer Rebbe continues to experience weakness while undergoing medical treatments.

The gathering will include the recitation of the fourth book of Tehillim, comprising chapters 90 through 106, as chassidim unite in tefillah for the Rebbe’s health.

The Vizhnitzer leadership announced that the communal Tehillim gathering will take place Sunday evening following public Torah shiurim.

An additional gathering for tefillah is scheduled for Monday afternoon at the tzion of the Vizhnitzer Rebbes, where chassidim will daven for the Rebbe’s recovery in the merit of his holy ancestors.

The public is asked to continue davening for the complete refuah of the Gerer Rebbe, Rav Yaakov Aryeh ben Yuta Henna, and the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, Rav Yisroel ben Leah Esther, b’soch she’ar cholei Yisroel.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands of Yidden from across Eretz Yisroel and around the world began arriving in Chevron on Friday for Shabbos Parshas Chayei Sarah, joining the annual gathering at the Me’aras Hamachpeilah as hundreds of police officers and security personnel were deployed throughout the city to protect the crowds.

Shabbos Chayei Sarah draws thousands of visitors to Chevron each year, as the parsha recounts Avrohom Avinu’s purchase of the Me’aras Hamachpeilah from Efron Hachiti as a burial place for Sarah Imeinu. The site is the kever of the Avos and Imahos, including Avrohom and Sarah, Yitzchok and Rivkah, and Yaakov and Leah. According to Chazal, Adam Harishon and Chava are also buried there.

The annual Shabbos has become a major occasion for Yidden seeking to spend time in the city of the Avos, daven at the Me’aras Hamachpeilah, and demonstrate their support for Chevron’s Jewish community.

With particularly large crowds expected throughout Shabbos, the Israel Police launched an extensive security operation involving hundreds of officers from the Yehuda and Shomron District, together with additional security forces.

Police personnel were stationed around the Me’aras Hamachpeilah and throughout Chevron’s Jewish neighborhoods, with the goal of maintaining security and allowing the large-scale Shabbos gatherings to proceed safely.

The operation is being directed by Chevron District Commander Chief Superintendent Eliyahu Zeitoun, whose officers began their preparations and deployments early Friday morning.

Later Friday, Yehuda and Shomron District Commander Major General Moshe Pinchi conducted an operational assessment, visiting police positions and reviewing the security arrangements ahead of Shabbos.

During his inspection, Pinchi commended the officers for their preparations and directed commanders to increase traffic-control efforts during the busiest arrival periods before shkiah.

He also instructed police to maintain close coordination with other security agencies throughout Shabbos, with particular attention to public safety, crowd management, and maintaining order in areas expected to attract the largest numbers of visitors.

Organizers have been preparing for an exceptionally busy weekend. Chabad of Chevron, led by Rabbi Danny Cohen and his wife, Batsheva, is arranging Shabbos meals for more than 7,500 guests, while overall attendance estimates range from approximately 20,000 to 45,000 visitors. Many are staying with local families, in nearby Kiryat Arba, or in temporary accommodations set up for the occasion.

The security preparations have also included joint exercises involving the IDF, Israel Police, Border Police, and Shin Bet. Forces practiced responding to multiple simultaneous emergencies in Chevron, Kiryat Arba, and the surrounding area amid heightened security concerns following a recent deadly shooting attack.

The Me’aras Hamachpeilah is also opening its full prayer complex to Jewish visitors for Shabbos Chayei Sarah, one of the limited occasions during the year when the entire site, including the Yitzchok and Rivkah Hall, is available for Jewish tefillos.

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk’s business empire has suffered a staggering decline in market value following Tuesday’s midterm elections, with Tesla and SpaceX losing approximately $456 billion combined by Thursday’s close as investors reacted to Democratic victories in Congress and the possibility of tougher government oversight of the billionaire’s companies.

The selloff intensified Thursday, when SpaceX shares fell approximately 9% and Tesla dropped roughly 11% during afternoon trading. The declines came amid a broader retreat in technology stocks, but analysts pointed to the election results as an additional source of concern for investors in Musk’s businesses.

Democrats captured both the House and Senate, giving them new opportunities to investigate Musk’s companies, examine their government contracts, and pursue legislation imposing additional restrictions on their operations.

Musk had invested heavily in preventing that outcome. According to figures first reported by the Financial Times, he contributed more than $470 million to Republican candidates and political organizations during the election cycle, making him the party’s largest financial supporter. Despite that spending, many of the candidates he backed were defeated.

The Democratic gains extended into Texas, the home state of both Tesla and SpaceX, where two prominent Republican allies of Musk lost major races.

Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate contest, while Gina Hinojosa unseated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. The results created additional uncertainty for Musk’s extensive business operations in the state.

Analysts at Deutsche Bank warned Wednesday that the changing political environment could create obstacles for SpaceX as it pursues major expansion projects.

“While policy is naturally hard to predict, we could envision SpaceX facing some incremental headwinds in this type of backdrop,” the analysts wrote.

One particular concern involves the construction of massive data centers, which have become increasingly important to Musk’s artificial intelligence ambitions.

During her gubernatorial campaign, Hinojosa advocated temporarily suspending approvals for new data centers until Texas adopts stronger safeguards governing water consumption, electricity prices, local decision-making, and financial incentives. She also challenged the tax advantages offered to large computing facilities.

Those proposals could directly affect expansion plans being pursued by Tesla and SpaceX.

The companies are developing additional artificial intelligence infrastructure in Texas, including a proposed project known as Terafab in Grimes County. The sprawling complex is expected to incorporate both a data center and a semiconductor manufacturing facility.

SpaceX is also planning a “supercomputer” at its Starbase launch complex and company town, according to employment advertisements posted by the company.

Deutsche Bank analysts cautioned that tighter requirements for constructing data centers could slow the Starbase computing project and force SpaceX to spend more money meeting new regulatory standards.

Another potential source of trouble involves SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service and its role in Ukraine’s war against Russia.

According to CNN, Musk and SpaceX have been directed to retain documents relating to restrictions placed on a military version of Starlink used by Ukrainian forces. The limitations reportedly interfered with Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian attacks, and the records could become relevant to congressional inquiries.

The Democratic victories could also create difficulties for a possible combination of Tesla and SpaceX. Musk has publicly discussed merging the two businesses but acknowledged that any transaction would require shareholder approval. Increased regulatory scrutiny could make such a deal considerably more complicated.

The election fallout has also taken a substantial toll on Musk’s personal wealth. His fortune, which exceeded $1 trillion following SpaceX’s initial public offering in June, has fallen below $800 billion, according to Forbes, including a decline of approximately $90 billion over the past week.

Additional financial reporting indicates that the two companies lost approximately $456 billion in market capitalization over just two trading sessions, with Tesla closing Thursday at $343.69 and SpaceX at $123.62. The figures represent losses in stock market valuation rather than money directly spent or lost by the companies.

Despite the steep declines, Musk remains the wealthiest person in the world, according to Forbes.

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot appears positioned to receive the mandate to form Israel’s next government after securing recommendations from 67 Knesset members, including 18 representatives of Arab parties whose positions on Hamas have drawn sharp criticism.

The latest development came Thursday evening when Eisenkot’s Yashar! party formally recommended him during consultations at President Isaac Herzog’s residence, bringing the total number of lawmakers backing his candidacy to 67.

The recommendations place Eisenkot in a strong position to receive the first opportunity to assemble a governing coalition, although questions remain about whether he can translate that support into a stable parliamentary majority.

The participation of the Arab parties has become a central point of controversy. According to the report, the 18 Arab lawmakers supporting Eisenkot have refused to explicitly designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, raising concerns among critics about the political foundations of a potential Eisenkot-led government.

Representing Yashar! at the presidential consultations was Yoram Cohen, the former director of the Shin Bet, who described Israel as facing an urgent national crisis requiring an immediate change in leadership.

“We are in a critical emergency because of the results of the elections in the United States and Israel’s international standing. Some of the war’s objectives have not been achieved, security threats still exist, and unfortunately, there are efforts to dismantle democracy in Israel, delegitimize the election results, and wage battles between the branches of government,” Cohen said.

Cohen urged the president to move quickly toward establishing a new administration, arguing that Israel cannot afford prolonged political uncertainty.

“We must establish a national emergency government quickly in order to return Israel to safe shores and stability,” he declared.

He emphasized that the recommendations for Eisenkot represented a broad rejection of the outgoing government and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

“Israel is at a crossroads. A new, stable, and responsible government is an existential necessity. Sixty-seven Knesset members are expressing their lack of confidence in the outgoing government and Binyamin Netanyahu and are demanding new leadership for Israel,” Cohen said.

Cohen also outlined the immediate parliamentary objectives of the emerging political bloc, indicating that replacing the current Knesset speaker would be among its first priorities.

“We want to take steps to replace the Knesset speaker and pass several laws,” he explained.

According to Cohen, Eisenkot intends to begin coalition negotiations with parties that already share his political positions, seeking to establish an agreed framework before approaching additional potential partners.

“We will be able to reach common ground with them very quickly, and that will also serve as the basis for anyone joining us from any party that wants to move forward with us,” Cohen said.

He added that participation in the proposed government would depend on acceptance of a common set of governing principles.

The coalition would be established “on the principles we have set and the basic guidelines that all four parties will formulate together,” Cohen said.

The final tally following the presidential consultations showed 67 MKs recommending Eisenkot, compared with 46 supporting Netanyahu. The seven members of United Torah Judaism declined to recommend either candidate, amid continuing disagreements over legislation protecting yeshiva students from military conscription.

Six parties ultimately backed Eisenkot: Yashar!, Beyachad, Yisrael Beiteinu, the Democrats, Ra’am, and the Joint Arab List. Netanyahu received recommendations from Likud, Shas, Religious Zionism, Otzma Yehudit, and Zehut.

The Arab parties’ support does not necessarily mean they will participate in an Eisenkot government. Mansour Abbas, the leader of Ra’am, has called for the rapid establishment of a new administration while indicating that his party does not seek control over its security policies. Representatives of the Joint Arab List have likewise acknowledged substantial disagreements with Eisenkot, describing their recommendation primarily as an effort to prevent Netanyahu from returning to power.

Herzog must now determine which candidate has the best prospect of assembling a government capable of securing the confidence of at least 61 Knesset members. The president’s decision will mark the beginning of coalition negotiations that could prove considerably more difficult than obtaining the initial recommendations.

Two elevator technicians were injured early Friday morning in a workplace accident at a high-rise building on Masada Street in Bnei Brak, after one worker fell into an elevator shaft and his colleague was hurt while attempting to prevent the fall.

The more seriously injured worker, approximately 30 years old, sustained injuries to his head, neck, and legs and was listed in moderate condition. His 23-year-old coworker suffered light injuries. Both were transported to Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah.

According to initial reports, the two technicians were carrying out repairs while standing on a ladder inside the elevator shaft. At some point, one of the workers lost his balance and fell. His colleague attempted to grab him but was unable to stop the fall and was injured during the incident.

Emergency responders from Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, and United Hatzalah were dispatched to the building to assist the injured workers.

Hatzalah operations officer Menachem Indig, together with EMTs Eli Bitton and Moishy Indig, reported that the 30-year-old technician had suffered multiple injuries after elevator cables fell on him from a considerable height.

“When we arrived at the scene, we found an elevator technician, a man approximately 30 years old, suffering from injuries to his head, neck, and lower extremities after being struck by elevator cables that fell on him from a great height. Together with Hatzalah and MDA EMTs and paramedics, we provided initial medical treatment, including immobilization and bandaging. He was evacuated in moderate condition in an MDA intensive care ambulance staffed by Hatzalah volunteers for further treatment in the trauma room at Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah,” the responders said.

United Hatzalah EMTs Yaakov Yisroel Malka, Aharon Lehrer, and Moishy Kreutzer also treated the victims at the scene.

“We were told that the worker was repairing an elevator when he slipped from a ladder into the shaft, suffering moderate injuries to his head and limbs. A United Hatzalah ambulance crew provided medical treatment and transported another worker, a 23-year-old man who sustained light injuries, to Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah. United Hatzalah’s resilience teams also operated at the scene due to the nature of the incident,” they said.

The accident prompted an additional response from United Hatzalah’s psychological support personnel, who assisted at the scene following the frightening incident.

The circumstances surrounding the fall have not yet been fully established. Initial accounts indicate that the worker lost his footing while performing repairs inside the shaft, while Hatzalah responders also reported that falling elevator cables struck him.

A separate local emergency report described the second injured worker as 29 years old, rather than 23. Both accounts agreed that one technician sustained moderate injuries and the other was lightly injured.

The incident follows other serious workplace accidents involving elevator equipment in Israel. In May, an elevator technician was killed in nearby Givat Shmuel after becoming trapped beneath a freight elevator during maintenance work at a commercial center.

Israel’s occupational safety authorities have repeatedly emphasized the importance of protective equipment, secure working platforms, and strict safety procedures when technicians perform repairs at heights or inside elevator shafts.

Israel is facing growing uncertainty over the future of its relationship with the United States following the Democratic takeover of Congress and President Donald Trump’s announcement that American military assistance to Israel will end by the close of 2026. The developments have raised serious concerns in Yerushalayim about the durability of American support, particularly as Israel confronts ongoing conflicts involving Iran, Lebanon, and Gaza.

A Wall Street Journal analysis describes a potentially historic turning point in relations between Washington and Yerushalayim, with growing criticism of Israel among Democrats now accompanied by increasing frustration within Republican circles, including among figures close to Trump.

The diplomatic uncertainty comes at a particularly difficult moment for Israel. Last month’s elections failed to produce a decisive parliamentary majority, leaving Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot competing to assemble the country’s next governing coalition.

Netanyahu had emphasized his close relationship with Trump throughout the election campaign, portraying his access to the American president as a major diplomatic advantage. But the political upheaval in Washington has complicated that argument, raising questions about whether even Netanyahu’s longstanding personal ties to Trump can protect Israel from a broader shift in American policy.

Josh Krasna, a former Israeli diplomat and senior researcher at the Moshe Dayan Center, described the atmosphere in Israel as one of extraordinary alarm.

“There is unimaginable panic in Israel,” Krasna said. “Israelis were raised to believe that the Americans would always be our friends, and in a sense, this was a wake-up call.”

Although Israel continues to enjoy substantial support on Capitol Hill, the Democratic victories have increased the number of lawmakers likely to demand restrictions on military assistance, impose conditions on weapons transfers, or challenge Israeli military operations.

Danny Citrinowicz, a senior researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, warned that future American assistance packages could face significantly tougher congressional scrutiny.

“Future financial assistance could face strict limitations, and Congress will demand much closer oversight of the use of American weapons, particularly regarding Israeli policy toward the Palestinians,” Citrinowicz said.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Citrinowicz suggested that the consequences could extend well beyond financial assistance. Future American administrations, he warned, might become less willing to veto resolutions critical of Israel at the United Nations and could draw a sharper distinction between defending Israel against attacks and supporting Israeli-initiated military campaigns.

The changing political atmosphere was also evident in a public exchange involving Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, who proposed traveling to the United States to rebuild support for Israel.

Brad Lander, the newly elected Democratic congressman from New York, responded sharply to the suggestion.

“We are not thirsty for campaign tours and performances. We are hungry to see respect for international law and human rights.”

The growing divide reflects years of deteriorating relations between Netanyahu and significant portions of the Democratic Party. Critics of the prime minister have long argued that his close identification with Republican leaders came at the expense of Israel’s traditionally bipartisan standing in Washington.

Democratic opposition to Israeli policies intensified during the Gaza war, but the latest developments suggest that Israel’s difficulties are no longer confined to one political party.

On Election Day, Trump reportedly surprised Israeli officials by announcing during a Fox News interview that American military assistance to Israel would be discontinued “by the end of this year.”

The president presented the decision as an effort to neutralize a central campaign issue used by Democratic candidates who had called for ending American assistance to Israel.

Among those candidates was Abdul El-Sayed, who won Michigan’s Senate race after campaigning on a platform that included opposition to continued military aid.

Following the Republican defeats, Vice President JD Vance reportedly pointed to voter dissatisfaction with the Iran war and American relations with Israel as contributing factors in the election results.

Dan Shapiro, who previously served in senior American diplomatic and national security positions, offered a particularly stark assessment of Netanyahu’s political standing in Washington.

“Netanyahu has become toxic to almost every Democrat and also to many Republicans who associate the war with their defeat. This is an emergency for Israel. If it wants to preserve this relationship, it cannot happen with Netanyahu.”

The tensions have prompted comparisons with the 1956 Suez Crisis, when President Dwight Eisenhower’s administration threatened sanctions against Israel following its military operation in the Sinai Peninsula.

Iranian officials have also invoked the historical comparison, with a spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps drawing parallels between the current American position in the Strait of Hormuz and the diplomatic difficulties faced by Britain and France during the Suez confrontation.

Despite the severity of that earlier crisis, Israel and the United States eventually rebuilt their relationship, which subsequently developed into one of America’s most significant strategic partnerships.

The immediate focus in Israel is now shifting to President Isaac Herzog, who must decide whether to give Netanyahu or Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a government. Neither political camp emerged from the election with a clear majority, and both face difficult coalition negotiations.

Eisenkot has pledged to make repairing Israel’s relationship with Washington a central priority if he becomes prime minister.

“Under my leadership, we will renew and deepen the partnership, strengthen its bipartisan foundations, and work toward a Middle East defined not only by the absence of conflict, but by opportunities and cooperation,” Eisenkot said.

The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s announcement is particularly significant because the existing American-Israeli security assistance agreement provides approximately $3.8 billion annually through 2028. The president has not explained how the proposed termination at the end of 2026 would affect those commitments or outstanding weapons purchases.

Trump has nevertheless emphasized that Israel would remain free to purchase American military equipment even after direct assistance ends. He has also said that Netanyahu himself raised the possibility of eliminating the aid, arguing that Israel has developed sufficient economic strength to finance more of its defense requirements independently.

The financial complications extend beyond the current assistance agreement. A State Department document reviewed by the Wall Street Journal indicated that Israel had approximately $10 billion in outstanding American weapons orders, as of April, that would require financing beyond 2028.

Avner Golov, a former senior Israeli National Security Council official, suggested that the present crisis should force Israeli policymakers to reconsider longstanding assumptions about the country’s closest ally.

“On October 7, we learned a hard lesson that we need to listen to our enemies. Now we have learned that we need to do exactly the same thing with our friends.”

The Palestinian delegation to the United Nations is preparing a series of resolutions condemning Israel’s presence and construction activities in Yehuda and Shomron, eastern Yerushalayim, and the Golan Heights, with votes expected in the UN General Assembly before the end of November.

The diplomatic initiative comes as Israel’s political leadership is occupied with efforts to form a new government following the recent elections. Palestinian officials are seeking to take advantage of the political transition to increase international pressure on Israel and secure broader opposition to its policies.

According to a report published Friday morning, the proposed resolutions address several issues, including assistance for Palestinian refugees, protection of their property, and condemnation of Israeli construction in areas claimed by the Palestinians.

Particular attention is being directed toward the E1 area near Maale Adumim, where Israeli plans to advance construction tenders have generated international opposition. Palestinian officials are pressing for language explicitly criticizing development in the strategically sensitive area.

One of the most consequential proposals would call on the United Nations to formally declare that it does not recognize Israel’s presence in Yehuda and Shomron.

The Palestinians are also seeking international endorsement of policies that distinguish between Israeli territory within the pre-1967 lines and communities and activities in Yehuda and Shomron. The objective is to strengthen the diplomatic framework for treating the two areas differently in international agreements and government policies.

Intensive negotiations over the wording of the proposed resolutions have been taking place in recent days, with Palestinian representatives focusing particularly on securing support from European Union member states.

However, consultations among the EU’s 27 members this week exposed significant disagreements over the proposals. European representatives have reportedly been unable to reach a unified position on any of the resolutions under discussion.

Despite the lack of European consensus, diplomatic officials believe the Palestinian delegation intends to proceed with the General Assembly votes rather than delay the initiative in hopes of securing unanimous European backing.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, is meanwhile leading a diplomatic effort to counter the Palestinian campaign.

Israeli representatives have been holding discussions with foreign delegations in an attempt to soften the language of the resolutions, persuade countries to oppose them, and prevent the Palestinians from securing the broad international support they are seeking.

The Palestinian initiative comes amid an already tense international dispute over construction in E1. In October, the European Union publicly urged Israel to reverse settlement expansion in the area and warned businesses against participating in construction projects there.

European governments have repeatedly expressed support for a Palestinian state alongside Israel and opposition to Israeli construction beyond the pre-1967 lines. Nevertheless, those shared positions have not translated into agreement among all 27 EU members over the specific wording of the latest Palestinian resolutions.

The proposed measures would be voted on by the General Assembly, where resolutions generally carry political and diplomatic weight rather than the binding enforcement authority associated with certain Security Council decisions.

Congressional Democrats are preparing to challenge President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion military budget when they take control of the House and Senate in January, setting up a major confrontation over defense spending, the administration’s military campaign in Iran, and the leadership of War Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Following their victories in Tuesday’s midterm elections, Democratic lawmakers are signaling that they intend to use their new congressional majorities to block additional military expenditures, investigate Pentagon operations, and demand greater accountability from senior defense officials.

Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the leading Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, outlined the party’s priorities in remarks reported Thursday by The Center Square, arguing that the administration’s military spending plans are excessive and would come at the expense of domestic programs.

“We must push for the development of a more realistic and sustainable approach to our national security, one that does not require a defense budget in excess of $1 trillion or one paid for with draconian cuts to critical domestic programs,” Smith said in a statement.

Smith also indicated that Democrats would pursue extensive oversight of Pentagon finances, including examinations of how military funding is allocated and whether existing resources are being managed efficiently.

The White House and Hegseth have defended the administration’s request, maintaining that a substantial increase in military spending is necessary to restore American military capabilities, rebuild depleted weapons inventories, and strengthen the country’s ability to deter hostile nations.

During a July 21 hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hegseth warned lawmakers that approving anything less than the full amount would jeopardize the nation’s security.

“Not funding this department at 1.5 trillion, I believe, is the greatest threat that our nation faces,” Hegseth told lawmakers.

The war secretary argued that years of insufficient investment had weakened military readiness and that the proposed funding would help prepare American forces for future threats.

“We know the best way to create peace is to prepare for war, to deter it,” he told the committee.

Trump previously promoted the proposal in a January 7 Truth Social message, saying the increased funding would allow the United States to develop a “Dream Military” capable of keeping Americans “SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe.”

Administration officials say the additional resources would support expanded weapons manufacturing, improvements in military technology, greater operational readiness, and the replacement of munitions consumed during the conflict with Iran.

The Pentagon’s financial management is also expected to receive increased attention. Although the department accounts for approximately 17% of annual federal spending, it has never successfully completed a comprehensive financial audit, according to The Center Square.

Congress has not yet completed work on the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, which sets military policy and authorizes expenditures, or the separate appropriations legislation that provides the actual funding.

The House and Senate versions of the authorization legislation each provide approximately $1.15 trillion, while the defense appropriations proposal would allocate roughly $1.07 trillion.

Republican leaders had intended to satisfy an additional $350 billion requested by the administration through budget reconciliation, a procedure that can allow qualifying legislation to pass the Senate without overcoming the usual 60-vote filibuster threshold.

But the Republican-controlled Congress has only about eight weeks remaining before Democrats assume power, leaving limited time to finalize the legislation during the lame-duck session.

If lawmakers instead approve a temporary extension of existing spending levels and postpone the major funding decisions until January, the incoming Democratic majorities could prevent the administration from securing the additional $350 billion.

Democrats would face greater legal and political obstacles in attempting to stop Trump’s military operations in Iran directly. Legislation ordering the president to end the campaign could be vetoed, and overriding that veto would require two-thirds support in both chambers.

Congressional Democrats could nevertheless exert considerable influence by refusing to approve new funding for the conflict, although previously appropriated military resources could remain available for continued operations.

Trump could respond by vetoing broader defense spending legislation containing restrictions on Iran, potentially creating a confrontation over the Pentagon’s budget.

Smith has identified the military campaign as one of his foremost oversight priorities.

“The list of potential oversight topics is long, but the illegal war against Iran is top of mind for me and the American people,” Smith said, according to The Center Square.

He also intends to increase demands for public testimony from senior Pentagon officials, arguing that Congress needs more information about military operations, spending decisions, and the administration’s national security strategy.

The Pentagon’s budget dispute is unfolding as Hegseth faces mounting political pressure following Republican losses in the midterms. Questions about his leadership and the administration’s handling of the Iran war have fueled speculation about his future in the Cabinet.

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth in September and is preparing to renew his effort when the House returns next week. The allegations include violations of congressional war powers and improper conduct involving American military operations overseas.

Hegseth has rejected demands that he resign and has vowed to continue defending the administration’s military policies.

“Just like the president, we don’t back down. And that especially applies now,” Hegseth said in a video message outside the Pentagon.

Trump, meanwhile, defended Hegseth during an interview with ABC News on Thursday, saying he has “every intention” of retaining him as war secretary.

“I get these calls, you know, about him. I don’t understand why,” Trump said, referring to complaints about Hegseth.

Smith has also indicated that his committee’s investigations could extend to military contracts, alleged favoritism in Pentagon spending, American strikes in the Caribbean and Latin America, and the deployment of military personnel to American cities.

He has proposed restoring a dedicated oversight and investigations subcommittee to examine those issues and said he intends to hold public hearings on the Iran war, regardless of whether the conflict is still underway when Democrats assume control of Congress.

President Donald Trump blamed Democrats’ sweeping midterm election victories for Thursday’s sharp stock market selloff, accusing the party of triggering massive losses on Wall Street just two days after winning control of both chambers of Congress.

The president argued that the election results had shaken investor confidence and damaged retirement accounts, even as he predicted that the American economy would eventually recover and reach new heights.

“The Stock Market suffered one of the Worst Days in History based on the results of the Election,” Trump wrote Thursday in a post on Truth Social. “Such a sad thing to watch! It took so much work to get us to a level that no one has ever seen before, and then this.

“Your 401(k)s have, therefore, dropped. Remember, it wasn’t Republicans, it was Dumocrats,” Trump added. “Do not fear, however, we will soon, one way or the other, be BIGGER AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Wall Street suffered substantial losses during Thursday’s session, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbling 1,833.06 points. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite plunged 5.52%, pushing it more than 10% below its record high from the previous month, while the S&P 500 declined 4.36%.

Technology companies, particularly those tied to artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, and data center construction, were among the hardest hit as investors reassessed the potential consequences of the Democratic takeover of Congress.

According to CNBC, market participants have grown concerned that Democratic lawmakers could introduce policies that slow the expansion of AI infrastructure, an industry that has helped drive economic growth and stock market gains in recent years.

Semiconductor giants Broadcom and Nvidia suffered especially severe declines, with their shares falling approximately 10% and 9%, respectively. Qualcomm and Oracle also recorded significant losses as the technology sector endured a second consecutive day of selling.

Tim Holland, chief investment officer at Orion, said investors appeared reluctant to maintain their exposure to AI-related companies until the implications of the election became clearer.

Investors are “stepping away until they get a better sense of the implications of the midterms around the AI capex cycle in particular, which is the biggest economic tailwind we’ve had going for us for the last, call it, three years,” Holland told CNBC.

“It’s about tone and tenor from the party that did really well, incredibly well, at the federal level and at the state level,” Holland added.

The sharp decline followed a very different market reaction Wednesday, when stocks surged in the first trading session after the midterm elections. The Dow gained more than 1,500 points that day, recording its strongest performance since April 2025, when Trump announced a temporary suspension of reciprocal tariffs.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also finished Wednesday higher, although their gains were considerably smaller than the Dow’s.

Tuesday’s elections delivered major victories for Democrats, who recaptured both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The party flipped at least 39 House seats and at least seven Senate seats, giving it control of the legislative branch for the final two years of Trump’s presidency.

Additional market reporting showed that Thursday’s selloff wiped out roughly $5.4 trillion in combined market value from companies in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, while the Nasdaq recorded its worst single-day performance in approximately 18 months.

The selloff was particularly severe among companies involved in building artificial intelligence infrastructure. Investors were weighing the possibility that newly elected Democratic officials could impose restrictions on data center construction, including in states where the industry has been expanding rapidly.

The downturn also reflected broader concerns about the enormous sums being invested in artificial intelligence and whether those expenditures would produce sufficient returns. Losses spread beyond technology stocks as the trading session progressed.

Despite Thursday’s steep decline, the major indexes remained higher for the year, with the S&P 500 up approximately 7.4%, the Dow up 7.2%, and the Nasdaq up 4.6% since the beginning of 2026.

Democrats are preparing an aggressive legislative and investigative campaign against President Donald Trump when they assume control of both chambers of Congress in January, with plans to challenge his healthcare policies, tariffs, and military operations in Iran during their first 100 hours in power. But despite their midterm election victories, the party faces a major obstacle: Trump retains the authority to veto legislation, and Democrats do not have the votes to override him without significant Republican support.

The incoming Democratic majorities are developing a rapid-fire legislative agenda intended to demonstrate their priorities immediately after taking office. Their proposals could encounter resistance not only from the White House but also from Senate procedural rules that generally require 60 votes to advance legislation over a filibuster.

Overturning a presidential veto requires approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate, a threshold Democrats cannot reach independently. Consequently, even legislation approved by both chambers could be rejected by Trump unless enough Republicans break with the president.

Trump has already warned Democrats that winning congressional majorities does not give them unrestricted power to implement their agenda.

“They are in control, but they’re really not in control,” Trump told Fox News following Tuesday’s elections. “They can send over 50 different, great bills that they’re all excited about, and I send them back with a nice stamp veto.”

According to a Thursday report in the New York Post, Democratic leaders intend to move quickly when the new Congress convenes, potentially bringing major proposals directly to the House floor rather than allowing them to spend weeks or months moving through the traditional committee process.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who is positioned to become speaker, has identified healthcare affordability and Trump’s trade policies as central targets of the initial legislative push.

Among the proposals being considered are reinstating enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, reversing nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid spending reductions, and rolling back tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

Jeffries has pledged “bold, dramatic change” following the elections, portraying the Democratic victories as a mandate to confront the administration’s policies.

“Fighting for an affordable America, that’s what unites Democrats all across the country,” Jeffries said while describing the party’s agenda ahead of the election.

Democratic leaders are hoping that swift congressional action will put pressure on Trump to either negotiate or publicly reject legislation addressing issues such as healthcare costs and consumer prices.

However, the party’s own ideological divisions could complicate those efforts. Progressive lawmakers are advocating broader changes than some moderate Democrats are prepared to support, creating potential disagreements over which proposals should receive priority.

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and other progressive figures are promoting measures that would lower the Medicare eligibility age to 55, broaden federal benefits, and establish stronger restrictions on artificial intelligence development.

While Democrats may struggle to enact legislation over Trump’s objections, their control of Congress will provide substantial authority in areas that do not require the president’s signature.

Congressional committees will be able to conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, and summon administration officials for hearings. A Democratic Senate could also delay or reject Trump’s judicial nominees, potentially complicating his efforts to fill vacancies on the federal bench.

Among the subjects expected to attract scrutiny are financial dealings involving Trump family businesses, federal immigration enforcement practices, and the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Rep. Robert Garcia of California, who is expected to lead the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, signaled the confrontational approach Democrats may adopt with a brief warning on election night.

“Lawyer up.”

The party could also initiate impeachment proceedings against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, whose handling of military operations has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans. Even if the House voted to impeach him, however, conviction and removal would require a two-thirds majority in the Senate.

Democrats are also considering congressional war powers measures intended to restrict Trump’s military campaign against Iran. Such legislation could face a presidential veto, requiring substantial bipartisan backing to become law.

Despite the anticipated confrontation, Jeffries has indicated that Democrats would remain open to negotiating with the White House on issues where common ground can be found.

Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont has also urged his colleagues to avoid allowing investigations and political disputes to consume the party’s agenda at the expense of the economic issues that helped propel Democrats to victory.

“We can’t turn this into just a vengeance tour,” Welch said.

Democratic leaders have also spent months preparing for the transition. Jeffries established five policy working groups addressing healthcare, housing, groceries and consumer goods, energy and utility costs, and caregiving. Each group pairs moderate and progressive lawmakers in an effort to develop proposals capable of winning support across the Democratic caucus.

The planned investigations are expected to extend beyond the issues already identified. Democratic lawmakers are examining possible inquiries into cryptocurrency ventures associated with Trump’s family, federal contracting decisions, government spending, and the activities of the Department of Government Efficiency.

Republicans and White House officials have rejected allegations of wrongdoing and warned that Democratic investigations could become politically motivated efforts to undermine the administration.

The incoming majority will also have to settle internal disagreements over how aggressively to pursue impeachment and other confrontational measures. Some Democrats favor an expansive oversight campaign, while others are urging the party to concentrate on healthcare, inflation, and other economic concerns that dominated the election.

For now, Democratic leaders are preparing legislation and committee investigations simultaneously, setting up an immediate confrontation with the White House when Congress reconvenes in January.

{Matzav.com}