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The Jewish world suffered a major loss with the untimely passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, the Executive Director of the Orthodox Union, this Shemini Atzeret. His sudden departure left the Baltimore Community, where he served as a Rabbi for 26 years, in absolute shock. But his loss was felt not only in Baltimore but throughout Jewish communities the world over. So vast and prodigious were his accomplishments that his absence will be felt for long after his petira. While I was a member of the Baltimore community during much of Rabbi Hauer’s tenure there, I was deeply involved in Congregation Shomrei Emunah and only rarely did I attend services in Congregation Bnei Jacob Shaarei Zion where Rabbi Hauer occupied the pulpit. Notwithstanding that fact, I was aware of his immense influence and outstanding Rabbinic leadership. He was a key Rabbi in the city and had great positive effect on Jewish life in Baltimore. When he was lured away from his congregation to serve the OU, there was a true sense of a letdown in the quality of Rabbinic leadership in the community. Sensing that his departure would be adversely felt by his congregants, Rabbi Hauer insisted on maintaining his residence in Baltimore, despite the fact that his office was in New York City. He did this in order that he could continue to mentor members and others in the community that might seek him out for guidance in personal issues. He also continued, his schedule for the OU permitting, to give Torah classes in his former Shul, where he served as Rabbi emeritus. Thus, despite his heavy workload for the OU, he remained connected to his beloved members. In order to not only keep his memory alive, but also to enable his life to be a lesson and model for us all to emulate, I thought to pen this eulogy and try and encapsulate those remarkable qualities that made him outstanding and unique. A True Manhig (leader) – What became known to the OU leadership was Rabbi Hauer’s leadership qualities. They chose him because they sensed that we would emerge as an articulate, effective spokesman who could and did speak to and on behalf of Am Yisrael. He addressed community issues as well as national and international issues that drew the attention of the mass media, and it was often that he would be quoted for the Torah perspective on a variety of subjects. But he did not just wait for the press to contact him, he submitted Op-Ed articles and brought the Torah point of view to the forefront. He was a Torah scholar who communicated G-d’s ways, mores and ethics to the masses. Rabbi Hauer garnered respect for Orthodoxy in the public forum where all too often some of our sages and rabbis are denigrated for their extreme and shrill views. He was a considered, erudite, uncompromising proponent of the Torah’s stance; a manhig in the finest sense of the word. A Talmid Chacham (a Torah Scholar) – One of the foremost talmidim of Rav Yaakov Weinberg TZ”L, Rabbi Hauer was steeped in Torah knowledge. He adopted many of the traits of his great Rebbi. He was passionate in his learning and was committed to his Torah studies, as well as to his students. He never left the […]

MK Avi Maoz, leader of the Noam party, voiced deep alarm over what he described as Israel’s faltering approach to Gaza, warning that the government is repeating the same mistakes made after the Oslo Accords.

“I am very concerned that we are sliding back into the ‘victims of peace’ concept post-Oslo,” Maoz told Arutz Sheva, referring to Hamas’ blatant violation of the ceasefire when it attacked Israeli soldiers. “The Prime Minister ordered the closure of the crossings, halting the entry of humanitarian aid trucks, and after a few hours, under American pressure, we reversed this and returned to the ceasefire.”

According to Maoz, such actions send the wrong message and embolden Israel’s enemies. He argued that after clear breaches of the agreement, the only responsible path forward is to resume full-scale military operations. “Here, Hamas is violating the agreement from the very first stage, namely from the stage of returning the slain hostages, and in addition, they are firing on our forces in a combined attack. We need to return to fighting and bring about Hamas’ defeat.”

Maoz dismissed comparisons between Gaza and the situation in southern Lebanon, asserting that the promises made to disarm Hamas must now be enforced. He said the terrorist group has violated the deal from the outset and must face decisive military consequences.

He also discussed his upcoming bill to apply Israeli sovereignty to the areas of Judea and Samaria. “The Ministerial Committee decided to forward the proposal to the coalition leadership. I do not know what the coalition leadership decided, but the Knesset passed a declarative decision calling for the application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria with a majority of 71, and I expect there will be a majority for my bill as well.”

Addressing Washington’s opposition to the sovereignty initiative, Maoz reminded that Israel is a sovereign nation that does not take orders from other governments. “Therefore, it is not the American president who will tell Israel when to fight and when to stop fighting, when to defeat Hamas and when to apply sovereignty.”

He clarified that he values America’s alliance but insisted that Israel’s national interests must come first. “I greatly respect the American president’s aspirations for peace, and I greatly respect the assistance America provides us. America does this for its own interests, and we must stick to our own interests. Our interests are to make it clear to Hamas and cut off all Palestinian hopes of establishing a state here. There will be no state between the Jordan River and the sea, except for Israel,” Maoz said, calling the sovereignty law an essential part of that effort.

Maoz concluded with a warning that aspects of the Trump peace framework could inadvertently legitimize Palestinian statehood and leave Hamas entrenched in Gaza. “The concern is very serious. The plan opens the door to a Palestinian state, it opens the door to leaving Hamas as a partner in governance in Gaza.” He reminded that both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority share the same ultimate goal — the elimination of Israel — and declared that Israel must make its stance unambiguous by asserting sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump has encouraged a retired Navy SEAL and unsuccessful legislative candidate to challenge Republican Rep. Thomas Massie in next year’s Kentucky primary, building up his choice as “A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN” in his latest social media barrage against the congressman, who has crossed him on high-profile issues. Trump’s choice, Ed Gallrein, has not entered the 4th District campaign but said he would reveal his plans soon while praising the president for “an amazing job” on securing the border and lowering taxes. Trump touted Gallrein in a Friday evening post on his social media platform: “RUN, ED, RUN.” Gallrein is a farmer and businessman who had a long military career and last year ran for a state Senate seat, narrowly losing in a three-way Republican primary. Massie, bracing for the toughest political fight of his career, last week reported his best-ever fundraising quarter to try to counter a super PAC launched by Trump aides that has run ads attacking him. The maverick congressman sounded unfazed by the emergence of a would-be rival backed by Trump. “After having been rejected by every elected official in the 4th District, Trump’s consultants clearly pushed the panic button with their choice of failed candidate and establishment hack Ed Gallrein. Ed’s been begging them to pick him for over three months now,” Massie said in a statement Friday night. Massie has drawn Trump’s wrath for opposing him on budget and foreign policy issues but is betting that Kentuckians will embrace his independent streak despite Trump’s popularity in the Bluegrass State. Asked Monday to handicap a potential May 2026 primary involving Massie and Gallrein, Republican consultant Tres Watson said: “This race is 100% about Thomas Massie vs. Donald Trump. I think it will be an interesting test of Trump’s influence on the base of the party. Because Thomas Massie also appeals to an important constituency in the base of the party.” Trump’s endorsement was seen as decisive in a recent open congressional primary in Tennessee. Matt Van Epps, who won the crowded Republican primary, said Trump’s endorsement “made the difference, and I will never forget it.” Van Epps will compete in December in a special election to replace a GOP congressman who left office this summer. Massie draws Trump’s ire Massie’s well-documented, up-and-down relationship with Trump took another plunge this year. The libertarian-leaning congressman opposed Trump’s massive tax breaks and spending cuts package, saying it will grow the national debt and hurt the economy, while Trump calls it “beautiful.” Massie also drew Trump’s ire for saying the president lacked authority to attack Iran’s nuclear sites without congressional approval. And Massie has been among a handful of House Republicans looking to force the public release of case files on the child trafficking probe into the late Jeffrey Epstein. The Republican president’s supporters want the government to release secret files about Epstein, who authorities say killed himself in his New York jail cell while awaiting trial. Trump has repeatedly denied prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and claimed he cut off their relationship long ago. Massie has been endorsed by Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, who joined the congressman on a two-day swing through the 4th District last month. After one event, Paul told reporters that based on the enthusiastic turnout they received, “it will be very hard to run against” Massie. Trump […]

A federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, blocking a lower court’s order that had prevented him from federalizing 200 guardsmen to protect an ICE facility in the city.

POTUS: “I am pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom…with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!”

The White House on Monday started tearing down part of the East Wing, the traditional base of operations for the first lady, to build President Donald Trump’s ballroom despite lacking approval for construction from the federal agency that oversees such projects. Dramatic photos of the demolition work showed a backhoe tearing into the East Wing façade and windows and other building parts in tatters on the ground. Some reporters watched from a park near the Treasury Department, which is next door to the East Wing. Trump announced the start of construction in a social media post and referenced the work while hosting 2025 college baseball champs Louisiana State University and LSU-Shreveport in the East Room. He noted the work was happening “right behind us.” “We have a lot of construction going on, which you might hear periodically,” he said, adding, “It just started today.” The White House has moved ahead with the massive construction project despite not yet having sign-off from the National Capital Planning Commission, which approves construction work and major renovations to government buildings in the Washington area. Its chairman, Will Scharf, who is also the White House staff secretary and one of Trump’s top aides, said at the commission’s September meeting that agency does not have jurisdiction over demolition or site preparation work for buildings on federal property. “What we deal with is essentially construction, vertical build,” Scharf said last month. It was unclear whether the White House had submitted the ballroom plans for the agency’s review and approval. The White House did not respond to a request for comment and the commission’s offices are closed because of the government shutdown. The Republican president had said in July when the project was announced that the ballroom would not interfere with the mansion itself. “It’ll be near it but not touching it and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,” he said of the White House. “It’s my favorite. It’s my favorite place. I love it.” The East Wing houses several offices, including the office of the first lady. It was constructed in 1902 and and has been renovated over the years, and a second story was added in 1942, according to the White House. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said those East Wing offices will be temporarily relocated during construction and that wing of the building will be modernized and renovated. “Nothing will be torn down,” Leavitt said when she announced the project in July. Trump insists that such a ballroom has been desired for 150 years and that he’s adding the massive 90,000-square-foot, glass-walled space because the East Room, which is the largest room in the White House with an approximately 200-person capacity, is too small. He also has said he does not like the idea of hosting kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers in pavilions on the South Lawn. The ballroom will be the biggest structural change to the Executive Mansion since the addition of the Truman Balcony overlooking the South Lawn in 1948, even dwarfing the building itself. At a dinner he hosted last week for some of the wealthy business executives who are donating money toward the $250 million construction cost, Trump said the project had grown in size and now will accommodate 999 people. […]

Egged, Israel’s largest public transportation company, rolled out a new mobile app this week that lets passengers digitally load and validate their travel cards — a major technological step forward for the company.

But shortly after its release, the human rights group B’Tsalmo discovered that the app refers to areas in Judea and Samaria as the “West Bank,” sparking outrage from the organization’s leadership.

Following the discovery, B’Tsalmo CEO Shai Glick sent a formal letter to Egged on Monday morning, demanding that the company immediately amend the terminology.

While expressing appreciation for Egged’s modernization efforts, Glick stressed that “the use of the term ‘West Bank’ instead of ‘Judea and Samaria’ is a fundamental error, both historically and in terms of public sentiment.” He went on to say that many Israelis regard towns such as Shiloh, Beit El, and Hebron as an inseparable part of the nation’s ancient and modern identity.

In his letter, Glick pointed out that “Judea and Samaria” is the term officially recognized in Israeli law and increasingly used in international discussions, including by U.S. officials. He also referenced a directive issued by incoming Shin Bet chief David Zini, who instructed his agency to use “Judea and Samaria” as the standard term.

Glick further emphasized that Egged has long operated in these regions and has supported their residents even during difficult times — sometimes at great cost, noting the deadly terror attack that targeted one of its buses in the city of Emanuel.

Egged has not issued a response to the complaint.

HopOn, the company that developed the app, explained: “The maps in the app are based on Google Maps services and are not created or maintained by us. The region names appear as defined in global systems. Our goal is to provide users with accurate and up-to-date for navigation and location purposes only.”

{Matzav.com}

French investigators have enlisted an Israeli security firm led by a former Shin Bet chief to help unravel one of the most daring art thefts in recent memory — the jewel heist at the Louvre, according to the firm. CGI Group, headed by Yaakov Peri, Israel’s former domestic intelligence director, says it was brought in to assist authorities amid growing signs the theft may have been orchestrated by a professional criminal network. The company previously helped solve the 2019 Dresden Green Vault burglary in Germany, which saw €113 million in jewels stolen. The Louvre theft unfolded Sunday morning, when four masked men used a construction crane to smash into the museum’s Galerie d’Apollon, home to France’s royal jewels. Armed with angle grinders but no firearms, the robbers threatened guards, stole nine pieces — escaping with eight — and fled Paris on motorcycles. Among the stolen items was a crown once owned by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. It was dropped during the thieves’ escape and later recovered. Investigators said the suspects bypassed the Regent diamond, worth more than $60 million, raising questions about their motives. Officials found a reflective vest and evidence the robbers tried to torch the crane before fleeing. Culture Minister Rachida Dati acknowledged that the heist exposed “serious security gaps,” while President Emmanuel Macron condemned the robbery as “an attack on our shared heritage,” vowing the treasures would be recovered. However, the Louvre denies it asked CGI Group to help solve the crime. “The Louvre management denies it,” it said in a statement to AFP. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump slammed China’s “unfair trade practices” during a White House briefing, accusing Beijing of exploiting past U.S. administrations and warning of a 100% tariff hike if no deal is reached by November 1.

Trump vowed to protect American industries and farmers, declaring, “We’ll thrive together — or not at all.”

WATCH:

Rudy Giuliani, the onetime New York City mayor, threw his full support behind Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in the city’s mayoral race, delivering a fiery endorsement that simultaneously blasted both front-runner Zohran Mamdani and independent contender Andrew Cuomo.

“Here’s my choice: 100% Curtis Sliwa,” Giuliani, 81, announced during his America’s Mayor Live podcast, where Sliwa appeared as a guest.

The program, which also streams on Newsmax2, gave Giuliani a platform to rally conservatives and law-and-order voters while taking aim at his political adversaries.

Giuliani’s endorsement comes as a potential game-changer in a tightly contested race. The nod is expected to pull right-leaning and centrist voters away from Cuomo, who has been attempting to appeal to those blocs after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani, the Democratic Socialists of America assemblyman from Queens.

With Election Day set for November 4, the endorsement injected fresh energy into Sliwa’s campaign. Giuliani, who governed New York from 1994 to 2001 and later served as President Donald Trump’s attorney, described Sliwa as a “fighter for law and order” while skewering Cuomo as a leader who had failed his constituents.

“Cuomo ran a terrible campaign. He lost to a 33-year-old socialist, and let’s not forget — this is a governor who resigned in disgrace,” Giuliani said, referencing Cuomo’s 2021 resignation following harassment accusations, which Cuomo has denied.

Giuliani also reignited outrage over Cuomo’s COVID-era nursing home directive from March 2020 that required facilities to admit COVID-positive patients.

“That policy led to the deaths of many, many elderly people who were put in nursing homes and didn’t belong there,” Giuliani charged. “He’s tried to blame others, but blame it on him.”

He further criticized Cuomo for approving criminal justice reforms that he said endangered public safety.

“The guy who passed these laws is Andrew Cuomo,” Giuliani said. “He’s made this city and state less safe.”

Giuliani then turned his attention to Mamdani, unleashing his most heated rhetoric of the night. He called the Queens assemblyman an “avowed communist” and claimed that Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America “stand for everything evil.”

He accused Mamdani of showing sympathy toward “Islamic extremism” and harboring “hatred for America.”

Giuliani said Mamdani’s repeated denunciations of the NYPD as “racist” crossed a line.
“You better get on your knees and apologize for calling them racists! You bum,” Giuliani fumed. “He doesn’t belong in America — even if he’s a citizen.”

Despite urging from some Republican strategists to rally behind Cuomo as the only candidate who could stop Mamdani, Giuliani said he refused to compromise his beliefs.
“I’ve been told, ‘Support Cuomo, he’s the only one who can beat Mamdani.’ But I’m not going to betray my principles,” he said.

The endorsement gives Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder and longtime Republican activist, a much-needed boost in a city where GOP candidates face steep odds. Giuliani’s enduring influence among older and conservative voters could lend critical momentum to Sliwa’s campaign and complicate Cuomo’s attempt to court the same demographic.

Sliwa celebrated the endorsement with gratitude and admiration, calling Giuliani “New York’s greatest mayor” and promising to emulate his approach.
“Rudy built this city back from chaos,” Sliwa said. “I’m honored to have his support and to continue his mission of law, order, and common sense.”

The development further highlights the bitter divides defining this year’s race. While President Trump has not endorsed Sliwa — reportedly dismissing him as “not exactly prime time” — Giuliani’s stamp of approval gives Sliwa a powerful ally with deep roots in New York’s political landscape.

“I know this city,” Giuliani said. “Curtis Sliwa is the only candidate who will protect New Yorkers, restore safety, and bring pride back to City Hall.”

{Matzav.com}

Old online comments made by a U.S. Senate candidate in Maine in which the candidate appeared to endorse political violence, dismiss assaults on women in the military and criticize both police officers and rural America were wrong but not disqualifying from office, the chair of the Democratic Party said. Graham Platner is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Maine that has been held by Republican Susan Collins since 1997. He faces a crowded field for the nomination that also includes Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who announced her candidacy last week. CNN first reported last week on old Reddit posts made by Platner that he had deleted since entering the Senate race, and several media outlets followed, revealing separate controversial posts. The posts were made between 2013 to 2021. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said during a Sunday appearance on CNN that he does not think the posts were “disqualifying” but did say they were “not right” and “offensive” and he was glad Platner apologized for them. “I don’t think they’re disqualifying, but certainly they’re not right,” said Martin to CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday. “And I’m glad that he apologized for them. They’re indefensible, they’re hurtful, and they’re offensive.” Platner has apologized for the comments in a video he posted on social media on Friday. He said in his apology video that the posts were made after leaving the Army in 2012, saying that he “still had the crude humor, the dark, dark feelings, the offensive language that really was a hallmark of the infantry when I was in it.” He also said that he was struggling with PTSD and depression. “I’m sorry for this. Just know that it’s not reflective at all of who I am. I don’t want you to judge me on the dumbest thing I ever wrote on the internet. I would prefer if people could judge me on the person I am today,” Platner said. In the days since his apology, Platner has posted more of his old Reddit posts, highlighting that he spent a lot of time online encouraging other veterans to get help. He also posted additional Reddit posts showing him criticizing homophobia and misogyny in the military. One post he shared Monday stated that he was disillusioned by “rampant misogyny and weirdness” in the Marines, which he also served in. Platner is an oyster farmer making his first attempt at public office who is running a progressive campaign with an aggressive social media presence. He has the backing of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has described Platner as a stronger candidate for the seat than Mills. The Mills campaign did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. The Collins campaign said in a Friday statement that Platner’s old posts “disparaged everyone from people living in rural areas, to the police, to people with” disabilities. The campaign also said in the statement that the controversy over the posts illustrated rifts between the Democratic Party’s different factions. But some Democratic leaders in the state said they are continuing to support Platner in the wake of the revelations about his online postings. “I think it’s about Graham’s authenticity and that’s what is going to come through,” said Karen Heck, former mayor of Waterville. Meanwhile, Platner’s political director resigned […]

Hagaon HaRav Elya Brudny, Hagaon HaRav Malkiel Kotler, the Novaminsker Rebbe from Lakewood, and Hagaon HaRav Chaim Yehoshua Hoberman (Rosh Yeshiva Long Beach) at the Kosel tonight.

NOW: Vice President JD Vance, wife Usha, depart for Israel as Gaza peace deal hangs in the balance.

BREAKING: Mass shooting averted at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world’s busiest.

U.S. Peace Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s senior advisor and son-in-law, recounted an unexpected moment of connection with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya during an interview that aired Sunday night on CBS News’ “60 Minutes.”

Witkoff described how, while meeting in Egypt as part of the ongoing peace efforts, he and the Hamas figure found themselves sharing a deeply personal exchange about loss. Witkoff’s son had tragically died at 22 from an opioid overdose, while al-Hayya’s son was killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted him in Doha, Qatar.

“We expressed our condolences to him for the loss of his son. He mentioned it. And I told him that I had lost a son, and that we were both members of a really bad club, parents who have buried children,” said Witkoff.

Kushner, reflecting on that encounter, said it offered a rare glimpse of humanity in a setting otherwise defined by hostility and grief. “What I saw at that moment was very interesting. You had– we go into a room and you have the Qataris, the Turks, and the Egyptians. And then we meet the four representatives of Hamas, which is a terrorist organization. And I’m looking at these guys and I’m thinking these are hardened guys who have been through two years of war. They’ve obviously, you know — they — they green-lit an assault that raped and murdered and did some of the most barbaric things. They’ve been holding hostages while Gaza’s been, you know, bombed. And they’ve withstood all the suffering.”

“But when Steve and him spoke about their sons, it turned from a negotiation with a terrorist group to seeing two human beings kind of showing a vulnerability with each other,” Kushner added.

The conversation, though brief, underscored the rare moments of empathy that can emerge even in the midst of relentless conflict and pain.

{Matzav.com}

White nationalist influencer Nick Fuentes, once one of Donald Trump’s most vocal online supporters, unleashed a profanity-laced tirade against the president last week — accusing him of declining mentally and calling him “a weird guy” who’s “not right in the head.” During a livestream of his online show America First, Fuentes responded to a viewer comment suggesting Trump had grown out of touch and disinterested in governing. The viewer wrote that Trump “just wants to play golf, fly on Air Force One, have fancy dinner parties, [and] sign Oval Office EOs,” referencing claims that Trump’s current worldview is shaped by old footage of Black Lives Matter riots. Fuentes agreed, blasting Trump’s mental sharpness and personality. “Something is wrong with him, man,” Fuentes said. “He’s a weird guy… He’s not right in the head. Anyone who’s been around him will tell you that. He’s not sharp… He’s just slow and monotonous and repeats himself and seems to really not know what’s going on.” Fuentes added that while Trump was “a lot more sharp” a decade ago, he now appears “confused” and “out of it.” The far-right figure’s comments mark a further rupture with Trump after years of public alignment. Fuentes, who gained notoriety for his extremist and antisemitic rhetoric, has repeatedly lashed out at the former president in recent months — including over Trump’s handling of the Epstein files controversy and what Fuentes called a “Jewish” influence in Trump’s inner circle. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Donald Trump engaged in an awkward exchange with an Australian ambassador at the White House during a meeting with the country’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

After a reporter asked Trump about previous comments that the ambassador had made, Trump asked if he was still working for Albanese. The Australian Prime Minister then pointed out that the ambassador was sitting at the table in the room, before Trump spoke directly to him.

“I don’t like you, either. I don’t, and I probably never will,” the president said.

WATCH:

President Donald Trump issued a stern warning Monday to Hamas, saying the group must “be good” or face total destruction, as his administration works to preserve the fragile ceasefire he brokered between Israel and the terrorist organization.

“They’re violent people. Hamas has been very violent, but they don’t have the backing of Iran anymore,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

“They don’t have the backing of really anybody anymore. They have to be good, and if they’re not good, they’ll be eradicated.”

Trump’s comments came as his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and senior advisor Jared Kushner continued high-level talks in Israel with regional leaders aimed at keeping the president’s 20-point peace framework intact.

Witkoff and Kushner met Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, whose government halted movement into the region the previous day after two Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza.

Following the deadly attack, Israel’s military carried out airstrikes in response, with Hamas claiming 26 people were killed.

Trump’s envoys are racing to maintain stability following the unexpected diplomatic breakthrough orchestrated by Witkoff and Kushner earlier this month, which ended weeks of bloodshed.

Vice President JD Vance is set to arrive in Israel on Tuesday to reinforce the administration’s message and bolster the momentum behind Trump’s peace initiative.

Just one week ago, Hamas released the final 20 living Israeli hostages as part of the ceasefire deal, prompting Trump to visit both Israel and Egypt to mark what he called a “historic achievement.”

Since then, Washington has sought to hold the peace together—Trump through his blunt warnings to Hamas, and his envoys through quiet diplomacy and efforts to resolve accusations of ceasefire breaches.

As tensions rose over Hamas’s delay in returning the bodies of fallen hostages, U.S. officials announced a plan for Turkish disaster recovery teams to work alongside Israeli intelligence to help locate and recover remains. Speaking at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Witkoff said he was “confident” that every body would eventually be recovered.

Witkoff and Kushner have continued to portray the peace agreement as a monumental win for Israel, arguing it could dramatically expand on the Abraham Accords—Trump’s earlier diplomatic success that brought four Arab nations into normalization with the Jewish state.

Still, major questions remain unresolved, including when and how Hamas will disarm, and which entity will assume authority under a proposed interim Palestinian government.

According to U.S. officials, several nations—among them Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and Indonesia—have volunteered troops for a potential stabilization force, with others such as Azerbaijan signaling interest in joining.

Trump has said that energy-rich Arab states are prepared to fund the reconstruction of Gaza, describing them as eager partners in rebuilding the coastal enclave of two million people.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump said Monday that while he thinks it is possible that Ukraine can defeat Russia, he’s now doubtful it will happen. The comments from Trump added a fresh layer of skepticism toward Kyiv as he plans to meet again in the coming weeks with Russian President Vladimir Putin for face-to-face talks in Budapest, Hungary, on ending the war. “They could still win it. I don’t think they will, but they could still win it,” Trump told reporters on Monday at the start of a White House meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Trump last month reversed his long-held position that Ukraine would have to concede land and could win back all the territory it has lost to Russia. But after a lengthy call with Putin last week followed by a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump made another reversal and called on Kyiv and Moscow to “stop where they are” and end their brutal war. Asked on Monday about his whiplashing opinion on Kyiv’s position, Trump offered the dour assessment about Ukraine’s chances. He added, “I never said they would win it. I said they could. Anything can happen. You know war is a very strange thing.” Earlier Monday, Zelenskyy said that during the White House meeting Trump informed him that Putin’s maximalist demand — that Ukraine cede the entirety of its eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions — was unchanged. Still, Zelenskyy described the meeting as “positive,” even though Trump also rebuffed his request for long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. In public comments in the weeks leading up to his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump had appeared to warm to the possibility of sending the Tomahawks, which would allow Ukrainian forces to strike deeper into Russian territory. But the U.S. leader’s tone changed after his latest call with Putin and he made clear that he was reluctant to send Ukraine the missile system, at least for the time-being. “In my opinion, he does not want an escalation with the Russians until he meets with them,” Zelenskyy told reporters on Sunday. His comments were embargoed until Monday morning. Zelenskyy also expressed skepticism about Putin’s proposal to swap some territory it holds in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions if Ukraine surrenders Donetsk and Luhansk, saying the proposal was unclear. The Donetsk and Luhansk regions make up the Donbas. Ukraine’s leader said Trump ultimately supported a freeze along the current front line. “We share President Trump’s positive outlook if it leads to the end of the war,” Zelenskyy said, citing “many rounds of discussion over more than two hours with him and his team.” Zelenskyy was diplomatic about his meeting with Trump despite reports that he faced pressure to accept Putin’s demands. The meeting followed the disastrous Oval Office spat on Feb. 28 when the Ukrainian president was scolded on live television for not being grateful for U.S. support. Zelenskyy said he hopes that Trump’s meeting in the coming weeks with Putin in Hungary — which does not support Ukraine — will pave the way for a peace deal. Zelenskyy said he has not been invited to attend but would consider it if the format for talks were fair to Kyiv. He also took a shot at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, saying he does not believe that a prime minister […]

Join hundreds of women who have transformed themselves, their homes, and their relationships with their children. Topics: Discipline, boundaries, building a positive and healthy relationship – even with the very challenging child, your child’s emotional needs, maintaining a positive home, dealing with out-of-control behavior, handling fights and arguments, the spiritual routine & the emotional spirituality atmosphere in the home, siblings dynamics and safety. Geared for ages 3-12 Beginner/ Fundamental Course: Dates  (11 sessions)Nov 10, 17, 24Dec 1, 8, 23, 24Jan 4, 13Feb 4, 13 Time: 8:30-9:30 Price: $475 Location: Lakewood, or via zoom/ teleconference   Mrs. Hirschfeld has been teaching/coaching mothers for 15 years. Her down-to-earth,approachable, and clear instruction has helped hundreds of mothers transform their homes and improve their relationships with their children.  Mrs. Hirscheld is trained, endorsed and supervised directly by Rebitzen Sima Spetner, with whom she maintains a close personal relationship. Course attendees are eligible to attend Rebitzen Spetner’s alumni courses/ teen courses at a later date.  Join from the comfort of your home! Courses available via zoom/ teleconference For information or to register: (call/ text) 718-578-2128, or email: ehparenting@gmail.com Inquire about private consultations with Mrs. Hirschfeld.   Back by popular demand! Chinuch va’d for Men by Rabbi Eli Hirschfeld: Get on the same pagewith your husband. Rabbi Eli Hirschfeld call/text 718.344.7589