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A right-wing demonstration outside the Herzliya residence of Yashar Party chairman Gadi Eisenkot turned ugly Sunday evening when protesters shouted accusations of treason and one demonstrator accused the former IDF chief of responsibility for the death of his son, who was killed fighting Hamas in Gaza.

Several dozen activists assembled near Eisenkot’s home to oppose the possibility of his forming a government dependent on the backing of Arab political parties. The protest came amid negotiations following Israel’s elections for the 26th Knesset, with Eisenkot emerging as a potential candidate to lead the next coalition.

Demonstrators carried placards condemning cooperation with Arab factions, including signs declaring “No leftist government with terrorists,” and “Treasonous leftists endanger Jews.”

The demonstration escalated when one participant directed particularly vicious remarks at Eisenkot’s wife, invoking the death of their son, Master Sergeant (Res.) Gal Eisenkot, who fell in combat in Gaza.

“Your husband is a traitor. He sold your son; he murdered your son. He murdered us and you, and his nephew. Traitor!” the protester shouted at Eisenkot’s wife. Other protesters joined in, chanting “traitor.”

The incident was captured on video, showing the demonstrator directing the accusations toward Eisenkot’s family as other participants continued shouting.

Gal Eisenkot was killed in December 2023 while serving in the Gaza Strip during Israel’s war against Hamas. His death drew widespread attention across Israel, particularly because his father, a former IDF chief of staff, was serving in the country’s emergency wartime government at the time.

The protest centered on the possibility that Eisenkot could seek to establish a governing majority with the parliamentary support of Arab parties. Right-wing activists have strongly opposed such an arrangement, arguing that parties they regard as anti-Zionist should have no role in determining Israel’s next government.

The confrontation followed several days of demonstrations outside Eisenkot’s residence, although earlier gatherings had pressed him to cooperate with Arab parties rather than oppose such an arrangement. On Thursday, approximately 200 demonstrators gathered there to demand a government supported by Jewish and Arab parties.

The election results have left Israel facing a difficult coalition battle. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while Eisenkot’s four-party alliance won 48. Arab parties captured a combined 19 seats, potentially giving Netanyahu’s opponents the parliamentary numbers needed to establish an alternative government.

However, Eisenkot had ruled out governing with Arab parties during the election campaign, and disagreements among the opposition factions have complicated efforts to assemble a majority. President Isaac Herzog is expected to consult with the newly elected parties before deciding which candidate should receive the mandate to form the next government.

{Matzav.com}

The BBC has acknowledged that it failed to conduct adequate background checks before featuring a guest who had previously posted inflammatory statements about Jews and appeared to celebrate Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel. The British broadcaster conceded that its screening procedures fell short of its own standards and said it would implement changes following the controversy.

Bushra Shaikh, a former contestant on the British reality television series The Apprentice, appeared on BBC One’s “Sunday Morning Live” last month to discuss whether women should be permitted to wear burkas in public. Her appearance subsequently drew criticism after attention turned to her history of social media comments concerning Jews, Israel, and the Hamas attacks.

According to The Telegraph, Shaikh had previously described Jews who moved to Israel from European countries as “lying scumbags” and “the biggest charlatans on this planet.”

On October 7, 2023, just hours after Hamas terrorists launched their deadly assault on southern Israel, Shaikh posted a message appearing to applaud the attack.

“Palestinians have done more in 5 minutes than Zelensky has done with 75bn. Humiliation is an understatement.”

Shaikh also attracted criticism for comments following the October 2025 terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue, where two people were murdered and three others suffered serious injuries. Rather than placing responsibility on the perpetrators, she directed blame toward Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

“He has Jewish blood on his hands,” she wrote on X.

In another controversial post in January, Shaikh responded to early reports about the number of Iranian demonstrators killed during the regime’s crackdown by invoking the Holocaust.

“The real number is 6 million.”

The Telegraph reported that the BBC subsequently admitted in correspondence with a member of Parliament that its staff had failed to properly examine Shaikh’s social media activity before inviting her onto the program. The broadcaster acknowledged that the vetting process had not met “the standards we expect” and indicated that corrective measures would follow.

Shaikh rejected allegations that her previous remarks were antisemitic.

The incident comes amid continuing scrutiny of the BBC’s coverage of Israel, Hamas, and antisemitism, with critics repeatedly questioning the broadcaster’s editorial decisions and its handling of sensitive issues involving the Jewish community.

In November 2023, the BBC issued an apology after broadcasting an inaccurate report suggesting that Israeli troops were targeting medical personnel during operations near Gaza’s Shifa Hospital.

The network also faced criticism over its reporting on an explosion at a Gaza hospital in October 2023. Initial coverage suggested Israeli responsibility before the IDF presented evidence that the blast had resulted from a failed rocket launched by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The BBC later acknowledged that “it was false to speculate” about the cause before the facts had been established.

Another major controversy erupted in 2025 over the BBC documentary “Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone,” after it emerged that the young narrator was the son of a senior Hamas official, a connection that had not been properly disclosed during production.

The broadcaster subsequently acknowledged “serious flaws” in its handling of the documentary.

Separately, The Telegraph reported last week that the BBC had agreed to pay £400,000 to an award-winning Jewish documentary filmmaker who alleged that she had experienced antisemitic harassment from colleagues and had been pushed out of the organization following the October 7 massacre.

The controversy prompted Labour MP David Taylor to write to BBC director general Matt Brittin, demanding an explanation of the checks conducted before Shaikh’s appearance. Daisy Scalchi, the BBC’s head of religion and ethics for television, responded that the program’s senior production team had been unaware of the offensive posts and that the independent company responsible for producing the show had been asked to investigate the failure.

Shaikh’s public activities had previously attracted attention beyond her comments about Israel. An investigation published in May found that she had participated in two press tours of Iran organized by the Iranian state broadcaster, during which she met senior Iranian officials and published favorable commentary about the regime.

The BBC also faced fresh criticism after Radio 4 interviewed Swedish academic Andreas Malm on October 30. Malm had previously characterized the October 7 Hamas attack as a liberation struggle, prompting additional questions about the broadcaster’s decisions concerning controversial guests.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump warned Sunday that the United States is prepared to unleash another devastating military strike against Iran if the ongoing conflict is not brought to a swift conclusion, declaring that his desire to prevent additional casualties is the principal reason Washington has not already taken more aggressive action.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Iowa ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections, Trump suggested that American forces have the capability to deliver a decisive blow but that he is deliberately exercising restraint.

“The only reason we are not finished with Iran is because I want to be nice. I want to try and save all those lives if I can. But at some point, we’re going to have to give them the hammer.”

Trump predicted that the fighting would end in the near future, although he stopped short of identifying a deadline or outlining the precise conditions that would bring hostilities to a close.

“It’s going to be over very soon. Very soon,” he said.

The president also addressed mounting concerns about energy costs, arguing that higher oil prices represent a relatively modest economic burden compared with the importance of protecting American interests and international security.

He said he had initially expected the conflict to produce a much sharper rise in energy prices and expressed confidence that oil prices would fall dramatically once the war ended.

“When that war is over, it’s going to come plunging,” Trump said. “It’s a very small price to pay for the security of this country and for the world.”

Trump again maintained that the American military offensive had succeeded in preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons, portraying the operation as a major achievement for U.S. national security.

Earlier Sunday, in an interview with RSBN before appearing at the Iowa rally, Trump indicated that the administration was prepared to resolve the confrontation through negotiations or further military operations.

“We’ve had such a victory and we’ll put it away very soon, one way or the other. Either they’ll make a deal or we’ll just end it, end it the, I guess you could say, maybe the easy way,” he said.

The comments followed remarks Saturday night in which Trump offered a cautiously positive assessment of negotiations with Iran, describing the discussions as “going fine” while emphasizing that he was not “in much of a hurry” to finalize an agreement.

Nevertheless, Trump expressed skepticism about whether Iranian officials would honor any commitments they made, saying they “are not very reliable. … They make a deal, and then they back out.”

The president also raised the possibility of striking additional Iranian nuclear infrastructure, specifically mentioning Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected underground nuclear facility.

“We can do that in 10 minutes. We have that planned. You can look at Pickaxe Mountain. We need to take care of that. We can do that very quickly,” he warned.

Meanwhile, diplomatic contacts between the United States and Iran have continued through Qatari intermediaries, with negotiators exploring possible arrangements involving Tehran’s nuclear activities, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and potential economic concessions.

Reports Saturday suggested that the sides had reached preliminary understandings on several issues, although no final agreement had been announced. An American delegation was reportedly preparing to travel to Doha for additional discussions with Iranian representatives.

Additional reporting indicates that Trump discussed the Iran situation with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during a telephone conversation Saturday, with the two leaders reportedly differing over how quickly Washington should resume military operations.

According to a report citing American and Israeli officials, Netanyahu urged Trump to authorize additional strikes immediately after Tuesday’s midterm elections, while Trump preferred to allow the ongoing diplomatic negotiations more time. One Israeli official characterized the conversation as “tough,” while an American official described it as “direct.”

Iranian representatives and Qatari mediators held a third consecutive day of negotiations in Doha on Sunday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said discussions were continuing over a proposal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days of an agreement, but acknowledged that no final deal had been reached.

Tehran has simultaneously warned against renewed American attacks, with Iranian military officials threatening a broader confrontation if the United States resumes strikes. Iran’s leadership has also ordered its armed forces to prepare for the possibility of additional military action.

{Matzav.com}

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A newly married chosson whose arrest by Israeli military police triggered widespread protests in Yerushalayim and Beit Shemesh has been released from military prison following intervention by senior officials and political leaders.

Yaari Lieberman, a talmid at Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim headed by Rav Reuven Elbaz, was freed from Military Prison 10 early Monday morning after initially receiving a 20-day prison sentence for failing to report for military service.

His release followed a conversation between a senior official and the head of the IDF Personnel Directorate, during which the unusual circumstances surrounding the arrest were explained. Attorney Shlomo Hadad also worked to secure Lieberman’s freedom, ultimately arranging for him to sign an undertaking to appear before military authorities on a future date to be determined.

The agreement resulted in a reduction of his punishment and his immediate release, allowing him to return home to his new wife. His family appealed to members of the public to respect their wishes and refrain from gathering outside the military prison.

The controversy erupted Sunday when Lieberman, who had married just last week, was traveling with his wife to a sheva brachos celebration. According to eyewitnesses, military police officers dressed in civilian clothing approached him immediately after he stepped off a bus and placed him under arrest.

Witnesses said the officers were not displaying identification badges, leaving Lieberman’s wife unaware of who was taking her husband away. In the confusion, the newlywed bride initially feared that her husband was being kidnapped.

Lieberman was subsequently transferred to military custody and sentenced to 20 days of imprisonment, prompting an immediate outcry throughout the chareidi community.

As news of the arrest spread, demonstrators took to the streets of Yerushalayim and Beit Shemesh, where protests continued into the night and escalated into confrontations with police.

Video footage circulated from the demonstrations appeared to show police officers deploying stun grenades against protesters, with some recordings reportedly showing the devices being thrown directly toward groups of demonstrators.

The arrest also generated an intense political response, with lawmakers from several parties becoming involved in efforts to secure the young man’s release.

Shas faction chairman MK Yinon Azulai initiated a petition demanding Lieberman’s freedom and gathered signatures from Knesset members across party lines, including representatives of Likud.

United Torah Judaism lawmakers also joined the effort, calling on Defense Minister Yisrael Katz to intervene immediately and arrange for the newlywed’s return to his family.

{Matzav.com}

A new halachic ruling concerning children’s dolls and decorative figurines has sparked discussion among rabbonim and families, after Rav Chaim Aharon Bleier, a prominent posek in the Minchas Yitzchok neighborhood of Yerushalayim, warned that certain human-shaped dolls may be prohibited under the halachos governing the creation and possession of human images.

In an article published in his weekly halachic publication, Chukei Chaim, Rav Bleier examined the longstanding prohibition against creating a complete three-dimensional representation of a human being, explaining that the issue extends beyond statues and decorative sculptures to include ordinary children’s toys.

Rav Bleier has devoted his recent publications to several halachic questions associated with the prohibition of avodah zarah, including the printing of images of the sun and other representations addressed by the poskim. His latest discussion focused specifically on the prohibition of fashioning human forms and the circumstances under which such objects may be kept in a Jewish home.

Citing the Shulchan Aruch and other halachic authorities, Rav Bleier explained that producing a complete human figure can violate the prohibition against making certain images, even when the object is not intended for worship.

He further noted that the prohibition cannot necessarily be avoided by having a non-Jew manufacture the object on behalf of a Jew. According to the ruling, commissioning such an item may itself present a halachic problem, and additional restrictions can apply to keeping the completed figure in one’s possession.

Addressing the common practice of purchasing dolls for children, Rav Bleier distinguished between toys that are routinely handled and discarded on the floor and ornamental figures that are carefully preserved and prominently displayed.

He wrote that a children’s doll made in the complete form of a human being is, in principle, subject to the halachic prohibition. Nevertheless, he cited authorities who permit retaining such dolls when they are used in a manner considered degrading or undignified, rather than treated as objects of importance.

For example, dolls that children regularly throw on the floor, leave scattered around the house and handle without special care may fall within this leniency, according to the opinions he cited.

Rav Bleier emphasized, however, that this allowance does not necessarily apply to every doll, and that the manner in which an item is used and displayed is an important consideration.

A more stringent ruling applies to decorative silver figurines depicting complete human beings, particularly those placed in display cabinets or vitrines as household ornaments.

Because such figures are maintained in a place of honor and are not treated casually or disrespectfully, Rav Bleier ruled that they may not be kept in the home, even if they were originally manufactured by a non-Jew.

The distinction means that an ordinary child’s doll and a silver human figurine may be subject to different practical rulings, despite both depicting the human form.

Rav Bleier also addressed the circumstances under which the objects were manufactured, explaining that a separate halachic concern arises when a Jew produces a prohibited figure or specifically commissions a non-Jew to make one.

In such cases, he wrote, the initial production of the object may have involved a prohibition, raising an additional question about purchasing it.

According to his ruling, even if the finished doll will subsequently be used by children in a manner that would ordinarily qualify for the leniency concerning degrading treatment, purchasing an item produced through a prohibited act may raise concerns involving the prohibition of lifnei iver, which forbids facilitating another person’s transgression.

The posek therefore cautioned against assuming that the permissibility of keeping a doll already in the home automatically means that purchasing a newly manufactured doll is permitted under all circumstances.

For parents who have already purchased human-shaped dolls for their children, Rav Bleier offered a more lenient practical approach.

He ruled that, after the fact, families may rely on the opinions permitting the possession of dolls that are used in an undignified manner, particularly where removing the toys would create difficulty.

At the same time, he recommended a straightforward solution for those wishing to avoid the halachic concern entirely: removing or altering a portion of the doll’s face so that the human form is no longer complete.

Such a modification, he explained, can eliminate the issue associated with possessing a complete human figure.

The recommendation provides an alternative for parents who wish to retain their children’s toys while adhering to the more stringent halachic approach.

Rav Bleier also called on toy manufacturers to take the issue into consideration during the design and production process, suggesting that dolls should be manufactured in a form that is permissible from the outset.

He urged manufacturers to consult qualified rabbonim and obtain appropriate halachic guidance before producing such items, thereby preventing consumers from encountering questions about whether the toys may be purchased or kept in their homes.

{Matzav.com}

United Torah Judaism is considering the extraordinary possibility of recommending Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel’s next government, a move that could represent a dramatic break with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and potentially reshape the country’s political alliances following last week’s elections.

According to a report Sunday evening by Emess, the possibility of formally endorsing Eisenkot was raised during a meeting of senior United Torah Judaism lawmakers, although no decision was reached. For now, the party is reportedly leaning toward declining to recommend any candidate when President Isaac Herzog begins consultations with the Knesset factions on Wednesday, November 4.

The discussions mark a significant development for a party that has spent years aligned with Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc. With Netanyahu unable to secure a clear parliamentary majority, United Torah Judaism is examining whether alternative political arrangements could better serve the interests of the chareidi community, particularly regarding military conscription and the status of yeshiva students.

The meeting brought together United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher, Agudas Yisroel chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf and MK Meir Porush. The three reviewed the election results and discussed the options available to their party as negotiations begin over the formation of Israel’s next government.

Among the scenarios considered was an active recommendation that Herzog assign Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, the task of forming a coalition.

However, the participants reportedly expressed concern that such a move could ultimately fail to produce a viable government and lead to another round of elections. They also discussed the possibility of a backlash among chareidi voters, many of whom identify politically with Israel’s right-wing camp and would strongly oppose an alliance with parties traditionally associated with the left.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the lawmakers agreed that each would consult his respective rabbinic leadership before any final decision is made.

The three are expected to reconvene toward the end of the week, after receiving instructions from the gedolei Torah and admorim who guide the party’s political decisions.

The discussions follow reports that Rav Dov Landau instructed Degel HaTorah representatives to explore possible negotiations with the opposition bloc, emphasizing that the party’s primary responsibility is to protect the interests of the Torah world rather than remain permanently attached to a particular political alliance.

Goldknopf also made clear Sunday that United Torah Judaism is not automatically committed to Netanyahu or any other candidate.

“We are not in anyone’s bloc; we demand a draft law without sanctions or quotas. That is the demand of the rabbonim, and we will not compromise on it. That is the condition for any negotiations with any bloc,” Goldknopf told Kikar HaShabbat, in remarks translated from Hebrew.

The possibility of cooperation with Eisenkot has generated considerable controversy because of the opposition bloc’s longstanding support for expanding military conscription among the chareidi population.

For United Torah Judaism, securing legislation that would protect yeshiva students from military service has become the central condition for participating in any future coalition.

The party’s willingness to consider other political partners reflects growing frustration over the failure to resolve the draft issue during Netanyahu’s tenure, despite years of cooperation between the prime minister and the chareidi factions.

Likud responded Sunday night with a sharply worded statement attacking Eisenkot and his political allies, accusing them of abandoning their previous commitments in their pursuit of power.

“Eisenkot and his partners are trampling on the trust of Israeli citizens. They are violating all their promises regarding cooperation with parties that support terrorism, and are working to establish a government with them,” Likud declared, in a statement translated from Hebrew.

The party went on to accuse Eisenkot’s bloc of reversing its position on chareidi military conscription after years of harsh criticism directed at the chareidi community.

“And in the height of contempt, after four years of unrestrained attacks against the chareidi public, they are abandoning the conscription of chareidim out of a lust for power. This must not be allowed to happen,” the Likud statement continued.

The response reflects mounting concern within Netanyahu’s party that United Torah Judaism could become a decisive factor in determining whether the next government is led by Netanyahu or Eisenkot.

Although the chareidi party has not committed to joining an alternative coalition, even a decision to withhold its recommendation from Netanyahu could complicate his efforts to secure the presidential mandate.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders have been conducting a series of meetings in an effort to establish a common strategy following the elections.

Eisenkot has reportedly held discussions with Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman, while other opposition figures have been examining possible parliamentary arrangements involving additional factions.

The negotiations also include efforts to secure control of the Knesset speakership, a position that could provide the opposition with significant influence over legislation and parliamentary proceedings even before a new government is formed.

For the chareidi parties, however, the overriding issue remains whether a prospective prime minister can deliver an acceptable arrangement concerning the military draft.

United Torah Judaism’s leaders have indicated that their final position will be determined by the instructions of their rabbinic leadership, rather than by commitments to Netanyahu or Eisenkot.

President Herzog is scheduled to begin consultations with the newly elected Knesset factions on Wednesday, November 4, when party representatives will be asked to recommend a candidate to form the government.

With United Torah Judaism still weighing its options, the possibility of an Eisenkot endorsement has introduced a new element of uncertainty into Israel’s coalition negotiations, while Likud has made clear that it intends to fight any political realignment that could deprive Netanyahu of another term as prime minister.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Moshe Maya, the senior member of Shas’s Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, issued a furious denial Sunday night of reports claiming that he was prepared to support coalition negotiations with Gadi Eisenkot, declaring that he had not spoken to anyone about the formation of Israel’s next government since Tuesday’s elections and accusing those responsible for the reports of fabricating statements in his name.

The sharp denial comes amid growing speculation that Israel’s chareidi parties may reconsider their longstanding alliance with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu following the election results, with United Torah Judaism already signaling that it is not automatically committed to supporting him for another term.

Speaking to members of his family, Rav Maya categorically rejected reports suggesting that he had endorsed opening discussions with Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, or had expressed any position concerning a possible coalition agreement with the opposition bloc.

“Not a single person spoke to me about Gadi Eisenkot. I have not spoken to anyone about the government since the results were announced on Tuesday. They are inventing things in my name and publishing lies. I strongly object to anyone writing things in my name. This is an outright lie. There has never been anything like this, where people fabricate lies in my name,” Rav Maya declared, in remarks translated from Hebrew.

His comments were prompted by reports in certain Israeli media outlets claiming that the senior Shas rabbinic leader had expressed openness to coalition negotiations with Eisenkot.

The reports attributed to Rav Maya the statement, “There is no reason to rule out holding coalition negotiations with Eisenkot.”

That purported position attracted considerable attention because it suggested that a leading member of Shas’s rabbinic leadership was prepared to consider political cooperation with parties outside Netanyahu’s traditional right-wing and religious coalition.

Rav Maya’s response, however, left no ambiguity about his rejection of the statements attributed to him. He insisted that he had neither discussed Eisenkot nor participated in any conversations about the next government since the election results became known.

The controversy erupted as Shas and United Torah Judaism face significant decisions concerning their political future following an election in which Netanyahu failed to secure a clear 61-seat majority.

United Torah Judaism officials have already begun exploring whether cooperation with alternative political blocs could produce a more favorable arrangement regarding the status of yeshiva students and military conscription.

Rav Dov Landau reportedly instructed Degel HaTorah representatives to examine the possibility of discussions with the opposition bloc, while Agudas Yisroel chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf declared that his party does not belong to any particular political camp.

Shas, meanwhile, has not publicly announced a comparable change in its political alignment, and its leadership has yet to clarify whether it intends to recommend Netanyahu during the upcoming consultations with President Isaac Herzog.

The party is also dealing with the consequences of its disappointing election performance, with reports suggesting that chairman Aryeh Deri is considering changes within the party’s parliamentary leadership.

At the center of the coalition discussions is the unresolved military draft issue, which has dominated chareidi political negotiations and created considerable friction between the religious parties and Netanyahu’s government.

The inability to secure legislation protecting the status of yeshiva students has prompted some chareidi political figures to question whether their parties should continue supporting Netanyahu without obtaining firm commitments on the issue.

{Matzav.com}

The rebbi of the newlywed chosson arrested by Israeli military police during his Sheva Brachos has revealed disturbing details about the efforts to apprehend his talmid, including a late-night raid involving approximately 12 military police officers and an alleged attempt to lure the young man out of hiding with a message about a package awaiting him.

Rav Dovid Salti, who has guided the arrested chosson, Yaari (Aryeh) Lieberman, for the past six years, described the arrest as a devastating blow to the young couple and condemned the military authorities for taking the chosson into custody during what should have been one of the happiest weeks of his life.

Speaking to Avi Mimran on Kol Chai radio’s central news broadcast Sunday evening, Rav Salti called the arrest a violation of every acceptable boundary and described the emotional toll of watching a young man he had personally guided through his return to Yiddishkeit, his years in yeshiva and his preparations for marriage being taken away during his wedding celebrations.

“I have been accompanying the chosson, Aryeh, closely for six years, from the moment he began his journey of returning to religious observance, through the preparatory Torah program, his transition to Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim under Rav Reuven Elbaz, and all the way to the guidance leading up to his wedding and shidduch,” Rav Salti said.

“This is a bochur who is connected to me on a daily basis, on Shabbos and Yom Tov. To see him taken into custody in the middle of his Sheva Brachos is crossing every red line and is an enormous source of pain.”

The arrest has ignited outrage across segments of Israel’s Torah community, with rabbonim, askanim and yeshiva students mobilizing in protest over the military’s treatment of a newly married ben Torah.

Rav Salti revealed that the arrest was the culmination of a series of attempts to locate and detain Aryeh in the weeks leading up to his wedding.

“Already two and a half weeks ago, late at night, approximately 12 military police officers entered the family’s home,” Rav Salti recounted.

“At that time, the family was already in a state of anxiety because of the grandfather’s serious medical condition, and the arrival of the forces caused tremendous panic.”

According to Rav Salti, news of the military police operation quickly spread through the neighborhood, prompting an immediate public response.

“That night, a spontaneous protest involving hundreds of people formed in the neighborhood, and the arrest was prevented,” he said.

But the failed operation did not bring an end to the military’s efforts to apprehend the chosson. Instead, Rav Salti said, Aryeh found himself unable to return home in the days before his wedding, fearing that military police would again attempt to arrest him.

“From that incident until his wedding, Aryeh could not return home and was forced to live in exile, learning in yeshiva while constantly afraid,” Rav Salti explained.

The rebbi also alleged that military authorities attempted to employ deceptive tactics to draw Aryeh out of his place of refuge.

“Later, they even tried to lure him outside through a trick involving a notification about a package waiting for him,” he said.

Despite those earlier attempts, Aryeh proceeded with his wedding, only to be arrested during the subsequent days of Sheva Brachos.

The circumstances of the arrest have provoked particular anger because of the disruption to the newlyweds’ first days of marriage.

According to earlier reports, the chosson was detained in the presence of his kallah, who was left deeply shaken by the incident. Her mother subsequently described the young woman’s distress, saying that she had been unable to stop crying.

The military authorities have reportedly sentenced the chosson to 20 days in military detention over his failure to report for military service.

{Matzav.com}

Shas MK Yinon Azulai unleashed a blistering attack on the Israeli military Sunday over the arrest of a newlywed yeshiva bochur during his Sheva Brachos, accusing military authorities of deliberately humiliating the young couple and questioning whether the arrest was motivated by political considerations rather than legitimate military needs.

Speaking to Avi Mimran on Kol Chai radio’s central news broadcast, Azulai demanded to know why military police could not have waited several days before arresting the chosson, who was detained in front of his new wife as the couple traveled to a Sheva Brachos celebration.

“Here you have a chosson, in the middle of his Sheva Brachos. They wait for him as he gets off the bus, they pounce on him, and he was still holding his belongings,” Azulai said.

“If you’re following him, then follow him for another two days, another three days. What are you trying to prove? Are you trying to show off your ego?”

The arrest, which resulted in a 20-day military detention sentence, has generated widespread anger in the chareidi community and prompted efforts by Shas and United Torah Judaism lawmakers to secure the chosson’s immediate release.

The young man, a baal teshuvah who became a dedicated yeshiva student after returning to religious observance, was apprehended by military police shortly after stepping off a bus with his kallah. The couple had been traveling to a Sheva Brachos scheduled for that evening.

Azulai said the military’s decision to arrest the young man at that particular moment demonstrated an extraordinary lack of judgment and sensitivity.

“Where is your judgment? What do you want? To be part of the political game?” he demanded.

“Do you want to create even more division and discord?”

The Shas lawmaker stressed that the chosson was a genuine ben Torah whose commitment to learning was beyond question.

“This is a real bochur, sitting and learning, not stories,” Azulai said, rejecting any suggestion that the young man’s yeshiva status was merely a pretext for avoiding military service.

Azulai revealed that chareidi lawmakers were circulating a petition among their Knesset colleagues addressed to Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, demanding that the newlywed be released immediately.

He said the effort was being pursued through multiple channels, including direct contacts with the family and discussions with relevant officials.

“We are making efforts behind the scenes, publicly, wherever possible, and we are also in contact with the family,” Azulai explained.

“It is inconceivable that a chosson, during his Sheva Brachos, should simply be taken away like this.”

The lawmaker indicated that the campaign to secure the chosson’s freedom could also involve President Isaac Herzog.

He said an appeal to the president had been considered, although he argued that Herzog should recognize the seriousness of the situation without waiting for a formal request.

“I hope that when the president hears about something like this, he himself should get up and take action,” Azulai said.

The arrest was reportedly preceded by earlier attempts to apprehend the young man, including an operation at his family’s home that was thwarted after large numbers of neighborhood residents gathered in protest.

According to accounts from individuals close to the chosson, the earlier efforts forced him to remain away from home in the weeks leading up to his wedding, fearing that military police would arrest him before the marriage could take place.

The latest arrest occurred during the Sheva Brachos celebrations, when military police intercepted the couple as they traveled together.

The circumstances have intensified public anger, particularly following reports that the kallah was left deeply distressed by the incident.

Plans have since been announced for a mass gathering outside the military prison, including a public Sheva Brachos celebration intended to demonstrate solidarity with the newlyweds and protest the detention.

Asked whether he would personally attend the planned gathering, Azulai said he would follow the instructions of the gedolei Yisroel.

“Once the gedolei Yisroel decide on this, who are we to decide otherwise?” he responded.

Azulai also directed sharp criticism at the military’s handling of the case, accusing officials of contributing to an already bitter divide between the chareidi community and the state over the issue of military conscription.

The arrest comes as Israel’s political parties begin negotiations following last week’s elections, with the military draft issue remaining one of the most contentious questions facing the next government.

Chareidi representatives have repeatedly demanded legislation protecting the status of yeshiva students, while legal and military authorities have continued efforts to enforce existing conscription requirements.

Azulai suggested that the timing and manner of the arrest raised serious questions about whether the military authorities were acting with appropriate discretion.

In the closing portion of the interview, he was asked whether the arrest represented an early post-election test by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara for the chareidi political parties.

“She is still in election campaign mode,” Azulai replied.

He then delivered an especially harsh condemnation of the attorney general.

“Ultimately, the people reject her and are sickened by her. The people do not want her,” he declared.

{Matzav.com}

It is with sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein zt”l, a distinguished talmid of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin, a mechaber of seforim, and a longtime resident of Boro Park.

Reb Aharon was a son of Rabbi and Mrs. Mordechai Lichtenstein.

He was privileged to learn at Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin in Brooklyn, where he studied under the rosh yeshiva, Rav Yitzchok Hutner zt”l, whose profound approach to Torah learning and avodas Hashem influenced him greatly.

Throughout his life, Reb Aharon maintained a deep attachment to Torah learning, devoting himself to the study of Torah and the writing of seforim. Among his works was Sheva Mitzvos Bnei Noach. He also authored peirushim on Chamishah Chumshei Torah and seforim of Tanach.

For many years, Reb Aharon lived in Boro Park, where he davened at the Agudas Yisroel shul on 16th Avenue. He was a familiar and beloved presence among those who knew him, remembered not only for his learning and his seforim, but for the warmth and sincerity with which he treated others.

Those who encountered Reb Aharon recall an unusually sweet and gentle individual, someone who invariably had a kind word for another person and whose pleasant disposition made people feel comfortable and appreciated. His kindness was expressed in the simple, everyday interactions that reveal a person’s true character. He greeted others warmly, spoke with sensitivity, and treated people with genuine respect.

Reb Aharon never merited establishing a home of his own through marriage. Nevertheless, he lived a life of connection to Torah, family, and the people around him, leaving behind the seforim he authored and the memories of the kindness he extended to others.

Rav Aharon was a first cousin of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein zt”l, the rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion in Gush Etzion.

He is survived by his sister, Mrs. Rivka Wunder, as well as nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many friends and acquaintances who will remember his gentle nature, his devotion to Torah, and the kindness that characterized his dealings with others. His sister is sitting shivah at 13 Rechov Pnei Meiros in Yerushalayim.

The levayah was held today at the Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel in Lakewood, NJ, with kevurah to follow in the Eretz Hachaim Bais Olam in Beit Shemesh in Eretz Yisroel.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}

In the aftermath of Israel’s contentious elections, Rav Don Segal delivered a powerful message to yeshiva bochurim in Yerushalayim, telling them that a person can transform his entire life in a single moment and revealing what he hopes to answer when questioned in the Heavenly Court about the guidance he offered young talmidim.

The renowned mashgiach delivered his remarks during a special visit to Yeshivas Binas HaTorah in the Ramot neighborhood of Yerushalayim, where bochurim had undertaken a renewed commitment to intensive Torah learning following the distractions and tensions of the election period.

The yeshiva, headed by Rav Yisroel Ezra, with Rav Yoson Eber serving as mashgiach, had recently witnessed a significant awakening among its talmidim, who resolved to return to their learning with greater dedication and distance themselves from the commotion surrounding the political developments.

Rav Segal, who had traveled to the neighborhood to participate as sandek at a bris, learned of the bochurim’s special commitment and decided to make a personal visit to the yeshiva to encourage them.

During his address, the mashgiach spoke about the extraordinary spiritual potential of a ben Torah and the importance of guarding one’s eyes and thoughts, particularly during periods when political events and public controversies can easily distract a person from his learning and personal growth.

He praised the bochurim for their determination to put the tumultuous election period behind them and immerse themselves once again in Torah, emphasizing the tremendous value of their decision to strengthen their commitment to learning.

One of the most memorable moments of the visit came when Rav Segal spoke about the message he would want to be remembered for and what he would say if asked in the Heavenly Court to summarize the guidance he had given yeshiva bochurim.

“When I ascend to the Heavenly Court and they ask me what I told the bochurim ‘while standing on one foot,’ I will answer them: I told the bochurim that it is possible to change while standing on one foot! I have known quite a few bochurim who changed their entire lives in a single moment, simply because of one good word,” Rav Segal declared, in remarks translated from Hebrew.

The mashgiach’s message emphasized that genuine personal transformation does not necessarily require a lengthy process before meaningful change can begin. A single encouraging word, a moment of inspiration or a sincere decision to improve can sometimes become the turning point in a person’s life.

His remarks carried particular significance for the talmidim, who had already demonstrated their desire to make a fresh beginning following the election period. Rav Segal encouraged them to build upon that commitment and recognize the tremendous opportunities available to someone who approaches his learning with renewed determination.

The visit was especially meaningful because it had not been part of a previously arranged program. Rav Segal had come to Ramot for the bris and chose to enter the yeshiva after hearing about the bochurim’s efforts to strengthen their Torah learning.

At the conclusion of the gathering, the roshei yeshiva expressed their deep appreciation to Rav Segal for taking the time to visit and deliver words of chizuk.

They said the visit had made a profound impression on the bochurim and expressed hope that the mashgiach’s message about the possibility of immediate and lasting change would continue to inspire them in their learning and avodas Hashem.

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

הגר”ד סגל בישיבת בינת התורה (צילום: דוד ארזני )

{Matzav.com}

[Video below.] Maran Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, personally spoke with the newlywed kallah whose husband was arrested by Israeli military police during their week of Sheva Brachos, offering words of encouragement and reassurance as efforts continue to secure the young chosson’s release.

Rav Hirsch, who is currently in London on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah, contacted the kallah following the arrest of her husband, Yaari Lieberman, a talmid of Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim headed by Rav Reuven Elbaz.

During the conversation, Rav Hirsch acknowledged the tremendous difficulty of the young couple’s circumstances and sought to strengthen the kallah as she faces the prospect of spending the remainder of her Sheva Brachos without her husband.

“This is a very difficult situation. Hakadosh Baruch Hu gives people challenges. From this difficult challenge, you will have blessing, success, and a happy life together with your chosson,” Rav Hirsch told her in Hebrew.

The conversation came shortly after a military court sentenced Lieberman to 20 days in military prison following his arrest Sunday morning.

Lieberman was detained by military police while walking alongside his new wife after the couple had gotten off a bus on their way to a Sheva Brachos celebration.

According to eyewitness accounts, the officers who carried out the arrest were dressed in civilian clothing and did not display visible identification. The kallah, reportedly unaware that the men taking her husband away were military police officers, initially feared that he was being abducted.

Lieberman was subsequently transferred to Military Prison 10 at Beit Lid, where he was ordered to serve a 20-day sentence for failing to comply with military draft requirements.

The circumstances of the arrest, particularly its timing during the couple’s first week of marriage, have generated widespread outrage in the chareidi community and prompted demonstrations in Yerushalayim and Beit Shemesh.

Chareidi political representatives have also intervened, calling on Defense Minister Yisrael Katz to secure Lieberman’s release and allow him to return to his wife.

Despite the military court’s ruling, organizations assisting the family are continuing their efforts to have the sentence overturned or shortened, with the immediate goal of enabling the young couple to celebrate at least part of their remaining Sheva Brachos together.

{Matzav.com}

United Torah Judaism is signaling a potentially dramatic shift in Israel’s political landscape, refusing to commit to supporting Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in the formation of the next government and leaving open the possibility of negotiating with Gadi Eisenkot and other leaders of the opposition bloc.

With consultations at President Isaac Herzog’s residence scheduled for Wednesday, the Ashkenazi chareidi party is considering whether to recommend Netanyahu, support another candidate or decline to endorse anyone for prime minister. The discussions come after the recent elections left Netanyahu without a 61-seat Knesset majority, raising questions about the future of his longstanding political alliance with the chareidi parties.

Agudas Yisroel chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf made clear in comments to Kikar HaShabbat that United Torah Judaism does not consider itself obligated to either of Israel’s competing political blocs.

“We are not in anyone’s bloc; we demand a draft law without sanctions or quotas. That is the demand of the rabbonim, and we will not compromise on it. That is the condition for any negotiations with any bloc,” Goldknopf said, in remarks translated from Hebrew.

His statement reflects a growing willingness within United Torah Judaism to reconsider its political alliances in pursuit of legislation protecting the status of yeshiva students.

The possibility of negotiations with the opposition follows instructions reportedly issued Friday by Rav Dov Landau, who directed Degel HaTorah representatives to explore discussions with the bloc seeking to replace Netanyahu.

According to Kikar HaShabbat political commentator Yishai Cohen, Rav Landau instructed the party’s lawmakers to make every possible effort to secure an arrangement addressing the status of yeshiva bochurim and avreichim.

The rosh yeshiva reportedly emphasized that United Torah Judaism does not belong to any particular political camp but rather represents the interests of the Torah world.

The development has prompted intense speculation about whether the chareidi party could help Eisenkot assemble an alternative coalition, or at least withhold the support Netanyahu would need to form another government.

Avi Grinzeig, a spokesman for Rav Landau’s household, told Channel 12 that no final decision had been reached and cautioned against interpreting the reports as evidence of an agreement with another political bloc.

“I don’t want to address one report or another, because right now there is simply nothing. I can say only one thing: Whatever the rabbonim decide, when it becomes relevant, is what will happen,” he said, in remarks translated from Hebrew.

Senior United Torah Judaism officials met Sunday evening in Bnei Brak to discuss their next steps ahead of Wednesday’s presidential consultations.

Degel HaTorah chairman MK Yaakov Asher met with Agudas Yisroel representatives MK Yitzchok Goldknopf and MK Meir Porush in an effort to formulate a common position for the party.

Among the possibilities reportedly under consideration is refusing to recommend any candidate for prime minister, a move that would allow United Torah Judaism to avoid committing itself to Netanyahu while negotiations continue.

Porush, however, appeared to express skepticism about the prospect of joining forces with Eisenkot. As he entered the meeting, he remarked, “Gadi Eisenkot will not call us,” according to the report.

The central issue driving the discussions remains the military draft law, which has become a major source of tension between the chareidi parties and Netanyahu’s government.

United Torah Judaism is seeking legislation that would protect yeshiva students from military conscription while avoiding sanctions and recruitment quotas that its rabbinic leadership considers unacceptable.

Party officials recognize that Eisenkot and his political allies may be unwilling to support the legislation United Torah Judaism has demanded. Nevertheless, discussions are reportedly underway about whether an alternative arrangement, potentially involving more stringent provisions, could provide a workable solution.

Budgetary commitments and funding for Torah institutions are also expected to feature prominently in any negotiations with a prospective coalition.

Some United Torah Judaism officials have become increasingly critical of their longstanding relationship with Netanyahu, arguing that the alliance has failed to deliver the legislative protections the party considers essential.

One party source told Channel 12 that Netanyahu’s inability to secure a parliamentary majority has created an opportunity for United Torah Judaism to reassess its position.

“We won’t get anything from Netanyahu. Our alliance with him has run its course. Our interest is to return to being a decisive force in the Knesset,” the source said, in remarks translated from Hebrew.

At the same time, party officials are not united around the idea of joining an alternative government. Some are concerned that a national unity coalition could leave United Torah Judaism outside the government altogether.

One party official, responding to that possibility, said, “That is not why we were elected.”

Meanwhile, leaders of the opposition bloc have intensified private discussions as they explore possible combinations for forming the next government and securing control of key parliamentary positions.

Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, reportedly held an undisclosed meeting Saturday night with Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman. Neither party issued a public announcement about the meeting, and details of their discussion have not been released.

Lieberman subsequently met Sunday with Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid.

The meetings follow a series of consultations among opposition leaders since the elections. Eisenkot has held discussions with Naftali Bennett and Lapid, while Lapid has met with Democrats chairman Yair Golan. Golan has also spoken with Ra’am chairman Mansour Abbas.

Beyond negotiations over the premiership, opposition parties are examining how to secure control of the Knesset speakership, a position that could provide substantial influence over the legislative agenda even before a new government is established.

Working alongside the chairman of the Knesset’s Arrangements Committee, a speaker backed by the opposition could help determine which legislative proposals advance and how quickly parliamentary business proceeds.

Among the initiatives being discussed are legislation establishing a commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks and a proposal limiting the tenure of Israeli prime ministers.

Lieberman’s name was reportedly raised as a possible candidate for Knesset speaker, but he rejected the suggestion.

Another potential candidate is Yisrael Beiteinu MK Oded Forer, although Arab parties have indicated that they would not support his appointment, complicating efforts to assemble the necessary parliamentary majority.

The political maneuvering is unfolding as Shas, which suffered significant losses in the elections, has yet to publicly clarify its position regarding support for Netanyahu or participation in an alternative coalition.

United Torah Judaism’s ultimate decision will depend on the instructions of its rabbinic leadership and the commitments it can obtain from prospective coalition partners.

For now, the party’s refusal to pledge its support to Netanyahu has introduced a significant new element into coalition negotiations, with Wednesday’s consultations at the President’s Residence approaching and neither political bloc assured of the support needed to form Israel’s next government.

{Matzav.com}

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[Photos below.] Maran Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, delivered an impassioned appeal Sunday evening to thousands of Yidden gathered in London’s Golders Green neighborhood, calling upon Jews throughout the world to come to the aid of Torah learning in Eretz Yisroel and emphasizing the personal responsibility of every parent to raise children with a deep appreciation for Torah.

Speaking in Yiddish at a large reception held for Keren Olam Torah, Rav Landau urged those assembled to recognize that the preservation of Torah is not merely the responsibility of roshei yeshiva, rabbonim or communal leaders, but an obligation shared by every Jew, regardless of his circumstances.

“Save the Torah of Eretz Yisroel!” the rosh yeshiva declared at the beginning of his address, setting the tone for a message centered on the enduring importance of Torah and the responsibility to ensure its transmission to future generations.

“You must know that the Torah is eternal,” Rav Landau continued, in remarks translated from the Hebrew report of his Yiddish address. “Every individual has the privilege and the obligation to be connected to Torah — through learning Torah, honoring Torah, and living according to Torah.”

The appearance drew a large crowd of local residents who came to hear his words of chizuk at a time when the Torah community in Eretz Yisroel is facing serious financial and political challenges.

In his address, Rav Landau stressed that the relationship between a Jew and the Torah must extend beyond the beis medrash and become the defining principle of everyday life.

He emphasized that Torah must occupy a position of genuine importance in a person’s home, influencing not only his own conduct but also the values and aspirations of his children.

Turning to the responsibility of parents, the rosh yeshiva spoke about the obligation to raise children who are devoted to Torah, yiras Shomayim and good middos.

He explained that children absorb their parents’ priorities and develop their own understanding of what matters most by observing what their fathers genuinely respect and cherish.

When children see that Torah occupies the highest place in their father’s estimation, Rav Landau explained, that appreciation becomes deeply ingrained in their hearts and can remain with them throughout their lives.

His remarks highlighted the importance of creating a home in which Torah learning is not simply encouraged as an activity, but is regarded as the greatest source of honor and accomplishment.

The message carried particular significance for the London audience, whose community has long maintained close ties with the yeshivos and kollelim of Eretz Yisroel.

Rav Landau’s appeal comes against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to secure financial assistance for Torah institutions in Eretz Yisroel, many of which have faced increasing difficulties amid reductions in government support and the continuing controversy surrounding the military draft of yeshiva students.

The rosh yeshiva’s central message, however, extended beyond the immediate challenges facing the institutions. He emphasized that every Jew can play a role in strengthening the future of Torah, whether through personal learning, supporting those who learn, honoring talmidei chachomim or instilling a love of Torah in the next generation.

Concluding his address, Rav Landau offered a heartfelt tefillah for the continuity of Torah among Klal Yisroel.

“May it be His will that the Torah never depart from our mouths, or from the mouths of our children and our children’s children, forever, and may we merit the complete redemption speedily in our days, amen,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

A major disagreement has emerged within the leadership of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency over an investigation into suspected foreign interference in the country’s elections, with agency director David Zini reportedly seeking to expand the inquiry despite opposition from three senior officials who believe the evidence uncovered so far does not justify more aggressive investigative measures.

According to a report by Kan News, the dispute surfaced during an internal meeting convened by Zini to discuss the ongoing investigation. The Shin Bet chief advocated broadening the inquiry and employing additional investigative capabilities available to the domestic intelligence agency, but several senior members of his leadership team challenged the proposal.

Among those opposing the expansion was the head of a Shin Bet division directly involved in investigating the suspected interference. Two other senior officials joined him in expressing reservations about deploying more intrusive investigative methods at the current stage of the case.

The three officials reportedly argued that the suspicions established thus far were insufficient to warrant the additional measures sought by Zini. Their objections created an unusual division between the agency’s director and senior personnel responsible for evaluating and investigating the allegations.

The disagreement also involves significant legal considerations. According to the report, one senior Shin Bet official who discussed the matter with law enforcement authorities raised questions about whether the proposed investigative measures could receive the necessary legal authorization.

The official reportedly expressed doubt that approval would be granted, given the nature and extent of the evidence currently available to investigators.

Certain investigative capabilities employed by the Shin Bet require special legal authorization because of their potential implications for privacy and civil liberties. The reported dispute therefore concerns not only the direction of the investigation but also whether the available intelligence meets the legal threshold for deploying additional security tools.

Zini’s position, as described in the report, reflects his desire to pursue the suspicions more extensively and determine whether foreign actors attempted to influence the electoral process. The three dissenting officials, however, reportedly maintain that the investigation should remain proportionate to the evidence gathered.

The identities of the three officials were not disclosed, nor did the report specify which additional investigative methods Zini wanted to authorize.

Responding to the report, the Shin Bet defended the agency’s internal decision-making process while declining to discuss the substance of confidential deliberations.

“Shin Bet and its director conduct professional discussions within the organization, allowing a broad range of different and diverse opinions to be presented during meetings. At the same time, we clarify that we do not comment on statements made in closed discussions,” the agency said in a statement translated from Hebrew.

The controversy comes as Israeli authorities continue examining allegations of foreign involvement in the elections, including questions about the origin of funds allegedly connected to the suspected activity, the identities of individuals involved and whether any criminal offenses were committed.

Investigators have not publicly established the full scope of the suspected interference, and the existence of an investigation does not itself establish that foreign actors successfully influenced voters or altered election results.

Meanwhile, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, chairman of the Central Elections Committee, addressed the allegations and emphasized that even if suspicions of foreign interference are ultimately substantiated, that finding alone would not automatically justify changing the election results.

His remarks drew a distinction between investigating possible unlawful activity surrounding an election and determining whether there is a legal basis for altering its outcome.

{Matzav.com}

A massive Sheva Brachos celebration and protest is being organized for Monday afternoon outside the gates of Israel’s Military Prison 10, where a newly married yeshiva bochur is being held after military police arrested him in front of his kallah during their week of wedding celebrations.

The unusual demonstration, expected to feature music, dancing and a festive meal, is being arranged in response to the arrest of Yaari Lieberman, who was taken into custody on Sunday while traveling with his new wife to a Sheva Brachos celebration in their honor. Lieberman has reportedly been sentenced to 20 days in military prison for failing to comply with military draft requirements.

Organizers announced plans to hold the public celebration outside Prison 10 at Beit Lid, turning what would ordinarily be a private family simcha into a demonstration against the arrest and imprisonment of bnei yeshivos. The event is expected to draw participants protesting the military’s treatment of Torah learners. An exact starting time has not yet been announced.

The controversy erupted Sunday when military police officers wearing civilian clothing reportedly approached Lieberman as he and his wife stepped off a bus on their way to a Sheva Brachos. According to accounts circulated by chareidi organizations, the officers were not wearing identification badges and took Lieberman into custody without initially explaining their identities to his wife.

The kallah, reportedly unaware that the men were military police officers, feared that her husband had been abducted and contacted police for assistance. Reports also alleged that military authorities had located Lieberman by tracking his cellphone, although that detail has not been independently confirmed. The IDF confirmed the arrest and identified Lieberman as a military draft evader.

The arrest was particularly controversial because Lieberman had been the subject of an earlier attempted detention in Modi’in approximately a month ago. At that time, military police arrived at his residence, prompting hundreds of chareidi protesters to converge on the area. Following confrontations and negotiations, the officers withdrew without taking him into custody.

Sunday’s arrest, coming just days after Lieberman’s wedding, immediately triggered an outcry across the chareidi community, with rabbonim, activists and elected officials demanding his release.

The Badatz of the Eidah HaChareidis convened Sunday evening and decided to launch a broader public campaign against the arrest. Demonstrations began in Yerushalayim, with protesters gathering near the Satmar bais medrash on Rechov Yoel before proceeding into the streets.

Hundreds of demonstrators subsequently gathered in Yerushalayim, where protesters blocked sections of the light rail route and clashed with police. Israeli police deployed water cannons and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators after declaring the gathering unlawful. Additional protests were reported in Beit Shemesh.

The arrest has also generated significant political pressure on Defense Minister Yisrael Katz.

United Torah Judaism lawmaker Yaakov Asher contacted Katz to demand Lieberman’s immediate release, condemning the decision to arrest a newlywed during his wedding celebrations.

“This is not a totalitarian state, nor is it a police state. Arresting a groom in the midst of his wedding celebrations is an act of insensitivity that knows no bounds,” Asher declared.

Shas faction chairman MK Yinon Azulai has meanwhile begun circulating a petition among Knesset members calling for Lieberman’s immediate release. The initiative has reportedly attracted signatures from lawmakers outside the chareidi parties, including coalition chairman Ofir Katz, Minister Shlomo Karhi and several other coalition legislators.

Agudas Yisroel chairman MK Yitzchok Goldknopf and MK Meir Porush have also demanded that authorities return Lieberman to his family, with Goldknopf directing criticism at Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu over the government’s failure to resolve the military draft crisis through legislation.

Monday’s planned gathering outside Prison 10 is expected to become a focal point of the growing protests. By staging a Sheva Brachos celebration directly outside the military facility, organizers intend to draw attention to the fact that Lieberman is spending what should be the happiest days of his newly married life behind bars.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu took an unusual break from politics to face off against young Israeli YouTuber Roei Cohen in a ping-pong match, turning a lighthearted sporting encounter into an unexpected conversation about Iran, President Donald Trump and the challenges facing Israel.

The encounter, featured in a video released on October 31, began when Cohen received a surprise invitation from one of Netanyahu’s aides to play table tennis with the prime minister. There was just one complication: Cohen had only an hour to prepare.

Cohen quickly began making arrangements, including securing a ping-pong table and arranging for its delivery to the meeting location. He documented the preparations as part of a video for his YouTube channel, which has approximately 225,000 subscribers.

Upon arriving at the compound, Cohen underwent security screening involving Israel’s Shin Bet security service and Unit 730, the unit responsible for protecting senior Israeli officials.

Netanyahu eventually entered the room, where the two prepared for their match. The prime minister acknowledged that he does not play table tennis regularly, indicating that he picks up a paddle only about once every five years.

Following a brief warm-up, the two began a short contest played to three points, with an on-screen scoreboard tracking their progress.

Cohen, apparently surprised by Netanyahu’s abilities, jokingly questioned others in the room about why they had told him the prime minister was such a good player.

But the encounter soon moved beyond table tennis.

As the two exchanged shots, Cohen began asking Netanyahu questions about Israel’s security situation, including whether the Jewish state continues to face an existential threat.

Netanyahu responded that Iran remains a fundamental danger to Israel and that eliminating the Iranian threat is essential to the country’s long-term security.

The prime minister also discussed Israel’s cooperation with President Trump, emphasizing the importance of confronting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The conversation then shifted to Netanyahu’s personal routine, with Cohen asking how much sleep the prime minister requires while managing the demands of his position.

Netanyahu said he needs approximately seven hours of sleep each night, rejecting the notion that he can function properly on only four hours.

At the conclusion of the encounter, Netanyahu signed Cohen’s ping-pong paddle and posed for a photograph with the young content creator. The prime minister also complimented Cohen on his playing ability.

{Matzav.com}