Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate challenging Gov. Kathy Hochul for the governorship of New York State, appeared on ShmueliCast, a mostly Yiddish-speaking podcast hosted by singer Shmueli Ungar that covers Jewish music, culture, community events, finance, geopolitics, and personal stories.

While the shows are conducted in Yiddish, the hosts switch to English depending on their guests.

They spoke to Blakeman in English, with Ungar opening the interview with a question on how to address his guest. When Blakeman told him he can call him Baruch, his Hebrew name, Ungar expressed astonishment, saying he hadn’t known Blakeman was Jewish.

“How about Yiddish?” the host asked.

“A bissel,” Blakeman responded.

Blakeman is a staunch supporter of Israel and admirer of the IDF. In September, he thanked the IDF in a social media statement for the elimination of Jihad Samih Mahmoud Ismail, a terrorist and member of Hamas’ elite Nukhba unit who participated in killing Nassau County resident and lone soldier Capt. Omer Neutra. Then he challenged Gov. Hochul and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani to do the same.

“Much appreciation to the State of Israel and the IDF for bringing justice to the Hamas terrorist that abducted the body of New Yorker Omer Neutra, who was killed on October 7,” he wrote, before inviting the governor of New York and the mayor of New York City to join him in thanking the IDF.

“I welcome Kathy Hochul and Zohran K. Mamdani to join me in thanking Israel for bringing Omer’s killer to justice,” he added. “Omer was an American from Nassau County, and his murder struck close to home for all of us.”

Blakeman is an attorney and politician serving as the 10th county executive of Nassau County. Elected to the office in 2021, he is the first Jewish executive of the county.

The IDF announced that it had sealed the homes of the two terrorists responsible for Friday’s attack that left two soldiers dead.

Demolition of the homes near the site of a terrorist attack near Hebron in Judea had already begun just hours after the shooting took place, fulfilling Prime Minister Netanyahu’s promise to “destroy” the attackers’ neighborhood and take “extensive action” in Judea and Samaria. These were not the homes of the attackers but installations that were deemed to be illegal.

Two Arab terrorists had approached a military checkpoint near Hebron, sparking a 20-minute gun battle that left two Israeli soldiers dead and three wounded. The slain soldiers were identified as Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, from Ashkelon, and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, from Hod Hasharon, both of whom served in the 775th “Ari” Battalion of the Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade.

The terrorists, who were both shot dead, have been identified as Mohammad Jaaba and Firas Jaaba. According to Israeli policy, the homes of terrorists are demolished following deadly attacks, and sealing the home is a measure the IDF takes before the demolition is set to take place, which can take several months as the case winds its way through the court system.

Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth approved the order to seal the homes, according to the IDF, and the military said it “intends to continue to advance the process of demolishing their homes.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews, which was founded in 1760, voted overwhelmingly, 118-1, to label the Green Party racist following the Green Party’s adoption of a resolution declaring that Zionism is racism and calling for one Palestinian state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

“By adopting an anti-Semitic platform, the Green Party of England and Wales has become a racist party. We will treat it accordingly,” said Phil Rosenberg, president of the board, in a statement.

“No political party has the right to tell Jews that a central part of our identity – rooted in thousands of years of history, faith and peoplehood – is racist,” he added. “The Green Party’s policy brands much of our community, including our synagogues and communal organisations, with that slur. It gives prejudice against Jews a political licence.”

“The Green Party’s leadership must now take responsibility for reversing this policy and confronting the anti-Semitism it has legitimised,” he declared.

The board’s motion called on other political parties not to cut deals with the Green Party unless it rejected its antisemitic policy on Zionism; otherwise, they would be “failing to take anti-Semitism with the requisite seriousness.”

“We recognise and commend those within the party who have opposed it, including Jewish members whose warnings were disregarded. They deserve to be heard and supported,” Rosenberg said.

“We call on democratic parties and wider civil society to apply the same standards to anti-Jewish racism that they would to any other form of racism,” he added.

The Green Party responded with a note of defiance.

“We reject the Board of Deputies’ characterisation of this motion and our party, which will not stop us from speaking out against the genocide in Gaza and pushing for stronger sanctions against the Israeli government and its leaders,” the party said in a statement.

New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, faces an opponent who has vowed to declare a state of emergency over antisemitism on her first day in office if elected.

“When I am attorney general, I will declare a state of emergency on antisemitism on day one,” Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor, told reporters, speaking at the site of the syringe stabbing Wednesday of a rabbi in New York City’s Diamond District.

“Every Jewish New Yorker is feeling the rise of hate in our city and in our state,” she said, pointing to the New York Police Department’s hate crime statistics that show that although Jews make up only about 11 percent of New York City, more than half of hate crimes target Jews.

Yousef Krish, the victim of one of the latest anti-Jewish attacks, was harassed by a Russian-speaking woman. He tried to evade her, but she followed him, stabbing him in the back with something sharp that later turned out to be a syringe. Krish was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition.

This image shows the woman stalking Yousef Krish before stabbing him with a syringe. (Credit: Manhattan Shomrim)

The Brooklyn resident was recently ordained as a rabbi and commutes from Crown Heights to Manhattan every day to impart religious instruction.

“I’m still shaken,” Krish told Chabad.org in an interview. “I never imagined I’d be stabbed simply for being Jewish, right here in New York City.”

“As I try to make sense of what happened, I keep thinking about my grandparents,” he added. “They survived the Holocaust, experienced the worst of hatred, and still went on to build a proud Jewish family. I know what they’d tell me now, don’t back down.”

Jews who are visibly Jewish are often confronted, sometimes violently, with a stabbing taking place in July that ignited a firestorm of protest against NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose anti-Israel rhetoric is seen as stoking the flames of antisemitic hatred.

“Even when we have the best police force in the world, and we do, they can arrest someone, but if there’s not follow-up through charging, prosecution, conviction, and sentencing, then it won’t work,” Komatireddy said.

“The stakes couldn’t be higher. Crime instills fear in communities. Crime intimidates. Crime makes people feel unwelcome.”

She also noted that the AG’s Hate Crimes Unit was currently “not staffed,” a circumstance she found “unacceptable” and which she also promised to change.

“I will staff the Hate Crimes Unit, and I will ensure that we prosecute hate crimes and all crime in New York,” Komatireddy added. “I’ll do it myself if I have to.”

Rioters in Italy stormed the iconic Colosseum in Rome, forcing panicked tourists to flee the mayhem.

The demonstrators waved Palestinian flags, protesting the war in Gaza and the Italian government, following similar demonstrations across Italy in cities such as Rome, Milan, and Turin protesting the cost of living and the conflict between Israel and Hamas, though the connection between the two issues remains unclear.

The protest is the latest in a string of riots that overwhelmed France and spread to Spain and Italy, beginning ostensibly with high school students’ discontent with poor conditions at school, such as leaky pipes and rat infestations, and then taking on a life of their own as huge numbers of young men were swept up in the fervor. Many took advantage of the chaos to set fires in the streets and loot stores. As one social media user wryly noted, “And then suddenly it dawned on us. Palestine would not be free until every student had a Louis Vuitton handbag.”

The site of the Colosseum had seen tourists running wild and clashing with police over the past month, leading security forces to label it a red zone and increase security around the historic site.

The Roman Colosseum, the largest standing amphitheater in the world, lies in the center of Rome. The stone theater was built between 72 and 80 CE, by Roman emperors Vespasian and Titus, just a few years after they had conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Second Temple.

The massive theater, featuring four stories of arches and columns and a complex underground network of tunnels called the hypogeum, could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators.

A video posted to TikTok last week by Jewish actor and influencer Zachary Sage Fox featured a Muslim woman standing in Times Square in Manhattan holding up a sign that said, “I am a Muslim who loves Israel. Ask me anything.”

Some of the bystanders were downright hostile, with one man saying, “Don’t tell us this s—.” Others were skeptical, questioning whether she was really a Muslim.

“When I saw the sign, I was a bit, like, surprised,” one bystander said. “Are you Muslim?” When she answered in the affirmative, he asked, “Can you recite something [from the Quran]?”

“You think I’m not a Muslim?” she countered.

“Recite. Prove to me,” he demanded.

When she did so, he said, evidently satisfied, “Okay, now we’re talking.”

One person challenged her on the children’s death toll, saying that Palestinian “kids’ lives matter.”

“If their lives matter, do you think Hamas could have put them in the safe tunnels? Who did they hide in the tunnel? Hostages, the Israelis,” she pointed out.

“Nothing in Islam, or nothing ever in the world that can justify” the terrible atrocity of Oct. 7, she told another bystander who attempted to justify the Hamas-led attack.

“I had heard that as Muslims we must hate Israel because Israel is an oppressor. So I go to Israel. Israel is a beautiful country, and what people don’t know is that there are 2 million Muslims there. People in Israel have been wanting to make peace with their neighbors,” she explained to the crowd.

In the end, people thanked her for her courage in coming forward so publicly, with one person saying, “You really changed my perspective. You’re a brave woman. You got my respect.”

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, issued a chilling threat on X Saturday.

“A single miscalculation is all it takes: the occupied lands rendered uninhabitable in under an hour,” he wrote.

Along with the message, which he posted in Hebrew, English, and Persian, he also posted a map marked with targets that comprised major desalination plants, critical bridges and choke points, and strategic energy and power plants, as well as the EAPC (Europe Asia Pipeline Company) oil pipeline route from Eilat to Ashkelon.

“Be aware that in the event of any action against our national security and interests, the de-population of the occupied territories would take less than one hour,” the high-ranking security official said.

The targets include the Dimona Nuclear Research Center in Israel’s south, Haifa’s oil refineries in the north, and 14 targets in between marked by name and location, such as the Chords Bridge in Jerusalem.

Israel views the post as yet another salvo in the psychological and asymmetric warfare emanating from Tehran. Meanwhile, Israel has put the country on high alert in the face of its upcoming elections and the expectation of an escalation of hostilities.

Israeli gymnast Artem Dolgopyat won the bronze in the floor exercise final at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Saturday in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Just two months ago, he took home the gold, winning the championship at the European Gymnastics Championships in Croatia. Before that win, he snagged two gold medals, one in April for floor gymnastics at the Osijek World Cup in Croatia and one in February at the FIG World Cup in Germany.

He is also the second Israeli to win an Olympic gold medal, taking the gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics before winning the silver at the 2024 Paris Games.

Artem Dolgopyat performs his floor routine at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships on Oct. 18 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. (Credit: Tim Clayton/Getty Images)

Dolgopyat earned Israel’s first gold medal in gymnastic at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Belgium on one of the country’s darkest days: Oct. 7, 2023. He stood at the podium with an Israeli flag marked with black tape as news of the massacre trickled in. Two months later, he auctioned off his gold medal and used the proceeds to help Israel’s Gaza border communities that had been destroyed in the attack, saying, “What is a world champion worth if my country is hurting? For me, the State of Israel is in first place.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry cheered Dolgopyat’s latest victory with a post on X.

“Another World Championship medal for Artem Dolgopyat!” the ministry posted. “Israeli gymnast Artem Dolgopyat claimed bronze in the floor exercise final at the World Gymnastics Championships, scoring an impressive 14.466 points!”

“Another incredible achievement for one of Israel’s greatest gymnasts. Proud of you, Artem!” the ministry said.

“Artem has once again proven his place at the top of the world with a bronze medal at the World Championships, which joins a long series of achievements throughout his impressive career,” said Avi Sagi, Israel Gymnastics Federation chairman.

Last year, the champion was prevented from competing in the World Championships when Indonesian authorities refused him entry, citing their disapproval of Israel’s prosecution of its war with Hamas.

The IDF announced that two senior terror operatives responsible for funneling millions of shekels from Iran and Turkey to Hamas’ military wing were eliminated in separate airstrikes in the Gaza Strip last week.

According to the military, Alaa Ibrahim Nimer Arshi, a cell commander in Hamas’ military wing, was killed Wednesday in Gaza City. A day earlier, Karam Riyad Hassan Abu Butaihan, an operative with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, was eliminated in Nuseirat in central Gaza.

Both terrorists played key roles in transferring millions of shekels to Hamas, providing critical funding for the terror organization’s efforts to rebuild its military capabilities and prepare new attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians.

The IDF said the financial transfers were part of Hamas’ systematic violations of the ceasefire, with the funds being used to restore its terrorist infrastructure and advance attacks against Israel.

The military said the two operatives were targeted to eliminate the threats they posed.

In a separate operation Thursday, the IDF struck and destroyed three Hamas weapons depots in central Gaza.

According to the military, the facilities contained an arsenal of weapons, including Kalashnikov assault rifles, rockets and a rocket launcher.

The strikes targeted both Hamas’ financial network and its weapons stockpiles as the terror organization continued efforts to rebuild its military capabilities despite the ceasefire.

Protesters harassed people waiting to enter a performance by Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld in Washington, D.C., Saturday and smashed photos of Seinfeld and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with their shoes.

Protesters shouted slogans such as “U.S. imperialist, number one terrorist,” “Image we will shatter, genocide ain’t a laughing matter,” “Shame on Jerry, shame,” and “Free, free Palestine,” while another protester told those standing in line, “We’re dying in a war that Israel started. Israelis have free healthcare, and yet we’re paying for their defense budget. Make sense of that. Americans are dying in a war that Israel started. Jerry Seinfeld is in the Epstein files. Dozens of times.”

“If you support that, sir, you are un-American. Jerry Seinfeld is un-American,” he said.

A man held up a photo of Seinfeld with his eyes crossed out in red while a protester struck the image with her shoe repeatedly until the paper was stripped away, revealing the cardboard it had been attached to. Then the man held up one of Netanyahu, his eyes also crossed out in red, for the next protester to smash.

One woman, speaking to the camera, said, “Jerry Seinfeld is part of the propaganda campaign to normalize the genocidal Zionist project in Israel, and for a long time, he has publicly supported Israel.”

“He supported the IDF. He supported Netanyahu. He supported the genocidal policies of the Zionist colonial state,” she added. “And so we are out here today, letting him know that shame on him for being a propagandist for the state, and shame on him for dating 17-year-olds, being a pedophile, and of course doing so while supporting the slaughter of Palestinians.”

Protesters have heckled Seinfeld at his shows, which he handled with his trademark humor.

One hundred people were arrested in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday evening during widespread looting and riots across the city.

The hordes of mostly young men, many of them minors, were answering a social media call to act “against the system.” According to social media posts, the riots were inspired by the social unrest gripping France, as the posts used the phrase “institut indignats,” translated from the French “lyceéns indignés,” the phrase used in France on social media to rally high school students and which means “indignant high school students.”

Núria Parlon, the interior minister for ​the Spanish region of Catalonia, said that about a quarter of those arrested were minors and that rioters set more than 30 fires and looted at least 14 stores. Some people were trapped inside stores after they were shuttered against the rioters.

Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni warned that those involved would face legal consequences, including parents of rioting minors.

Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin found herself in an aisle in a Whole Foods store declaiming about stolen Palestinian resources. The product? Dead Sea salts.

Benjamin, who is Jewish, is an antiwar activist who has denounced Israel and Israeli policies with such venom that she got herself and her organization banned from entry into Israel.

Benjamin should have taken the time to examine a map. The Dead Sea lies on the border between Israel and Jordan; both countries extract minerals from the famous body of water; and Israel’s activities there are completely above board and legal.

What’s more, the section of Judea that borders the Dead Sea is predominantly in Area C, which is under the total jurisdiction of Israel according to the Oslo Accords.

“What I found in Whole Foods, there’s these Dead Sea salts. One of them is their own product, 365, made in Israel, and the other is a terrible company, the Dead Sea Warehouse,” Benjamin said.

“So there’s two big, big problems with these products. One is that they’re made with stolen resources. The Dead Sea resources belong to the Palestinians, but the Israelis don’t even let the Palestinians into the Dead Sea area. So it’s all being exploited by Israel,” she declared.

Iraqi officials suspect Israel was behind airstrikes that destroyed two warehouses containing a large shipment of Chinese-made air defense systems recently transferred from Iran to Tehran-backed militias, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The suspected strikes reportedly took place shortly after the weapons arrived, amid a series of explosions at militia weapons depots in and around Baghdad since October 1. Several of the targeted facilities reportedly stored attack and reconnaissance drones.

Demolition of the homes near the site of a terrorist attack near Hebron in Judea began just hours after the shooting took place Friday, fulfilling Prime Minister Netanyahu’s promise to “destroy” the attackers’ neighborhood and take “extensive action” in Judea and Samaria.

Two Arab terrorists approached a military checkpoint near Hebron, sparking a 20-minute-long gun battle that left two Israeli soldiers dead and three wounded. The slain soldiers were identified as Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, from Ashkelon, and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, from Hod Hasharon, who served in the 775th “Ari” Battalion of the Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade.

The IDF said it believed the terrorists had planned to carry out a mass-casualty attack on civilians, but realizing they would not be able to reach the highway because of the checkpoint, they decided to attack the military installation instead.

An AFP photographer was on hand to photograph the gunfight, prompting questions about his knowledge of the attack. The photojournalist denied having any foreknowledge and insisted he was just passing by.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ordered the demolition to proceed, saying that it included illegal structures near the site of the incident.

“Following the attack, I have ordered the immediate demolition of a wide row of illegal Arab structures adjacent to the attack site,” he said.

Erin Foster, a Jewish convert and creator of “Nobody Wants This” with her sister Sara Foster, spoke out in a recent interview, taking the opposite position of the show’s star, who plays the “hot rabbi” Noah Roklov.

In an interview in September, Brody accused Israel of genocide.

The actor, who had never spoken publicly before about the Israel-Gaza conflict, was asked about his “stance on Israel-Gaza” in an interview with GQ.

“Put me down as thinking it’s a genocide,” he said. “Put me down as wanting a free Palestine.”

“It’s awful that it’s taken so much death and misery, but it does feel like it’s reaching a breaking point that it should have a while ago,” he added. “I’m hopeful that another administration can really do some good and correct some of these policies that are helping that situation be as awful as it is.”

Brody’s comments stand in stark contrast with those of the creators of the show he stars in, who have publicly expressed their support for Israel and Jewish communities there.

In an interview with “Not Skinny but Fat,” Erin explained her position, doubling down on her support for the Jewish people while saying that disagreement is OK.

“I think you know our work environment, our set, is very similar to dinner tables around the world where people are having debate and discussion and disagreeing,” she said. “And you know, while I love Adam, I also disagree with him, and that’s okay.”

“I think that as the creator of the show, all I can say is that I want our Jewish fans to know that I see you and I hear you, and I understand how you feel,” she added. “And the show has always been and always will be a love letter to Judaism. That is why I made this show.”

“It’s because of how beautiful of an experience I’ve had becoming Jewish and being a Jewish person, and sitting here right now at this time in the world where there is almost zero positive representation of Jewish people, I think it’s so important to have that, and that is what this show is intended to be, and so I want people to know that,” the producer said. “And that being said, everyone is entitled to a different opinion than me. I can just tell you what I created this show for and what the intention of the show is.”

Gunmen opened fire at a church in Jordan where a funeral was being held Friday, killing at least six people and wounding 28 others. The church is located in the Karak governorate, which hosts a significant Christian population.

The gunmen reportedly arrived in a car, entered the church, and started shooting before fleeing the scene. They are still at large, and a manhunt is underway to find them. Security personnel have been deployed to the church, according to government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani, who called the attack “heinous.”

Khaled Burqan, who had been attending the funeral, told a local TV station that the church was crammed with dozens of mourners when the gunmen entered and began a shooting spree that lasted several minutes. Horrific footage shows bodies of the dead and wounded lying on the ground.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Christians in Jordan enjoy legally protected status, holding publicly elected positions and serving in parliament, as well as in the cabinet, military, and public sector. Nonetheless, they do face discrimination in employment, are monitored by the state, and are restricted in their ability to preach publicly and to proselytize.

However, Christians across the Middle East do face intense persecution, including violence, systemic discrimination, and social pressure. In Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Gaza, severe persecution has shrunk the Christian population by 50 to 90 percent.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished a happy birthday to one of Israel’s staunchest allies, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Thursday.

“Happy Birthday to my great friend, President Javier Milei,” he posted on X.

“Javier, you and I don’t just talk about changing history. We make history,” Netanyahu added. “Together, we have transformed Israel and Argentina’s relationship, opened our economies, stood firm against the enemies of freedom and launched the Isaac Accords.”

“And we’re just getting started! Happy Birthday!” the prime minister added, closing with, “¡Viva la libertad, carajo!” which is Spanish for “Long live freedom, damn it!”

In a comic video posted online, the Argentine leader celebrated with a birthday cake but had trouble blowing out the sparkler placed atop the cake.

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), the largest annual gathering of U.S. conservative activists, elected officials, and commentators, also wished Milei happy birthday in an online post.

“CPAC wishes a very happy birthday to a champion of freedom and a bold voice for liberty around the world,” the group wrote.

Credit: CPAC

“May the year ahead bring continued success in advancing freedom, prosperity, and opportunity for the people of Argentina,” it added.

Milei is considered by Israel to be one of its best friends. Netanyahu has called him a “real friend of Israel,” “one of the great leaders of our time,” and a “dearest friend,” while Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana went so far as to call him “the best friend ever to the State of Israel and the Jewish people” in Argentina’s history.

In April, the two leaders signed the historic Isaac Accords, strengthening ties between the two solid allies. Meetings took place between senior officials as well: Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar met with his Argentine counterpart, Pablo Quirno, to discuss ways to strengthen ties between the two nations.

Among the new developments, officials from both countries agreed on the following:

• The promised announcement of the launch of a direct flight between the two countries.
• The investment of $150 million in Israeli businesses in Argentina.
• The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on counterterrorism cooperation.
• The signing of an MOU on an AI partnership.

In a call Thursday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited the Indian leader and the heroic captain of flydubai Flight FZ1073, Smit Machchhar, to light a torch on Israel’s Independence Day next May.

“I spoke with my friend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and invited him to light the torch alongside a brave Indian pilot on Israel’s Independence Day,” Netanyahu posted on X.

“Modi thanked me for the invitation and said that on land and in the air, India and Israel are fighting terrorism together. He also commended the strong and decades-old ties between us,” he said.

Netanyahu had already extended the invitation to Machchhar when he spoke to him by phone while the pilot was recovering in a Saudi hospital after being attacked by the failed hijacker, Hamam al-Hammami, the Omani co-pilot who struck him with the emergency crash axe in an attempt to take control of the aircraft.

“Captain, I want to invite you and my dear friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a celebratory flame on our next Independence Day,” the Israeli premier told the captain at the time, calling him a “true hero” and wishing him “a very speedy and complete recovery.”

In their call Thursday, the two leaders also discussed developments in the Middle East and ties between their countries. Modi later posted about the exchange on X.

“Received a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We reviewed the sustained momentum in our bilateral ties and reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening our partnership,” he wrote.

“We also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region,” he added.

The IDF has cleared for publication the names of two soldiers killed in this morning’s shooting attack at Yehuda Junction.

Sgt. Yuval Shai Soilem, 20, from Hod Hasharon, served in the Ari Battalion (775) of the IDF Search and Rescue Brigade.

Sgt. First Class Ron Yonatan Reitman, 23, from Ashkelon, served as a squad commander in the same battalion.

Three additional IDF soldiers were lightly wounded in the attack and evacuated to a hospital for treatment.

Two young lives cut tragically short while serving their country.

May their memories forever be a blessing.

Newsweek’s “Best Smart Hospitals 2026” ranking put Israel’s Sheba Medical Center in sixth place, a jump from ninth place last year and the sixth consecutive year it placed in the top 10.

The hospital is in good company, with such institutions as the Mayo Clinic and Massachusetts General Hospital appearing alongside Sheba in the top 10.

The ranking is based on the extent to which hospitals incorporate technology in their practice, such as AI, robotics, telemedicine, digital imaging, and electronic medical records. The ranking is based on recommendations from health care experts, questionnaires on technology implementation, and Joint Commission International accreditation.

Sheba’s Accelerate, Redesign, Collaborate (ARC) innovation center is largely responsible for the hospital’s outstanding performance. A $27 million investment into the center boosts its ability to work with OpenAI and to conduct research combining AI and genomics with Mount Sinai and NVIDIA.

Israeli hospitals have made the news for incredible feats of medical prowess in recent months. Earlier this month, Soroka Medical Center, part of Clalit Health Services in Beersheba, released a documentary showing never-before-released footage of Oct. 7 victims streaming toward the hospital and being treated. That day, the medical center treated an astonishing 674 patients. The hospital, located in the largest city in Israel’s south, took the lead in treating the victims of the horrific massacre, treating hundreds of patients in one day, an unprecedented amount of care by any standards.

In April, Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva carried out four organ transplants, one after the other, in a single day, saving four young lives. A two-year-old received a kidney, a three-year-old received a heart, a nine-year-old received a liver, and an 18-year-old received a kidney.

Schneider Children’s Medical Center is one of the few hospitals in the world equipped to carry out multiple organ transplants in one day, an operation that requires a high level of coordination among various teams, such as the anesthesia unit, the nursing team, the transplant surgeons and others.

Five Israelis were reportedly wounded, including two seriously, in a deadly shooting attack near Judea Junction, close to Hebron, early Friday morning.

According to Israeli journalist Hallel Bitton Rosen, two terrorists reportedly affiliated with Hamas in Hebron arrived in a stolen vehicle displaying Israeli license plates.

Israeli security officials believe the attackers had intended to carry out a major terrorist attack against civilians deeper inside Israeli-controlled territory but unexpectedly encountered a temporary military checkpoint.

The gunmen exited their vehicle and opened fire on soldiers from the Home Front Command’s Ari Battalion, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire that reportedly lasted approximately 20 minutes.

Paratroopers from the IDF’s 101st Battalion, led by the battalion’s deputy commander, arrived and joined Home Front Command soldiers and civilian security personnel in confronting the attackers. Both terrorists were eliminated.

A substantial quantity of ammunition was reportedly discovered inside the terrorists’ vehicle, in addition to magazines carried with their weapons. The attackers were reportedly armed with M4-style rifles and a handgun.

The latest reported casualty count stands at five wounded, including two seriously and three with injuries ranging from light to moderate.

Israeli security officials believe the temporary checkpoint may have prevented a significantly larger terrorist attack targeting civilians. The Ari Battalion soldiers were reportedly conducting their first operational deployment.

Following the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly instructed the IDF chief of staff to impose a security cordon around Hebron and restrictions across Judea and Samaria, potentially lasting until after Israel’s upcoming elections.

Security forces also launched additional searches in the area amid concerns about possible further involvement.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly attempting to set fire to the Young Israel of West Hempstead, an Orthodox Jewish synagogue on Long Island, in a frightening overnight attack that has raised concerns about the safety of the Jewish community.

The suspect, identified as Azzm Khan of Lakeview, New York, allegedly attacked the synagogue’s glass entrance with a bat before attempting to ignite a fire outside the building.

The suspect, identified as Azzm Khan

According to a letter sent by synagogue leadership to congregants, a passing motorist witnessed the attack at approximately 1:00 a.m. Thursday and immediately called police, who arrested the suspect at the scene.

“An individual struck the glass at the entrance with a bat, but the glass held and the individual was unable to gain entry through the door,” the synagogue wrote.

Young Israel of West Hempstead

“The individual then brought a burning lawn sign to the entrance and attempted to start a fire near the building.”

Fortunately, the glass prevented the suspect from entering, and the flames extinguished themselves before spreading.

“The fire went out on its own,” synagogue leadership confirmed.

Police also reported that a bush outside the property was set ablaze during the incident.

The synagogue confirmed that its security team responded and that detectives obtained surveillance footage. Its Security Committee has been coordinating with Nassau County police and Homeland Security and plans to review existing security measures following the attempted attack.

Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks confirmed that she had personally contacted Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.

“I have been in direct contact with Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder,” Nicks said. “The Nassau County Police Department is working alongside other law enforcement agencies to protect the congregation and surrounding community.”

Despite the frightening incident, Rabbi Joshua Goller made clear that the congregation would not be intimidated or allow the attack to disrupt Jewish life.

“Our community remains strong, united and undaunted,” Goller said. “Our doors will remain open and our services and programs will continue as scheduled.”

Khan was charged with third-degree arson, fifth-degree arson and two counts of third-degree criminal mischief.

Police confirmed that he was arraigned Thursday, October 22, in First District Court in Hempstead.

The incident comes amid heightened concerns about antisemitism on Long Island. Just days earlier, swastikas were discovered carved into seats aboard a Long Island Rail Road train serving the West Hempstead area.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether antisemitism motivated the alleged attack. Khan’s religious affiliation has also not been independently verified.

The investigation remains ongoing. Nassau County police said there were no known active threats to the congregation or surrounding community as of their latest statement.

What could have ended in tragedy was prevented by a secure synagogue entrance, an alert passing motorist and a swift law enforcement response. For the congregation, the message is clear: Jewish life will continue, and the synagogue’s doors will remain open.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on his personal and political X account a campaign ad featuring President Donald Trump at Machane Yehuda, Jerusalem’s most famous and largest outdoor market.

In the ad, a woman asks the president in Hebrew who he’s voting for, and he answers in English that he is voting for “Bibi Netanyahu. He has my complete and total endorsement.” Then he asks where he can find a Krembo.

Trump had announced his endorsement of Netanyahu on Truth Social on Oct. 18, nine days before Israel’s Oct. 27 election.

“Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump posted.

“I have watched Bibi under the most trying of times. Normal men or women in such situations would have wilted under the pressure — But Bibi did not wilt, he actually got stronger, and maintains that same Strength today,” the president added. “This is the kind of Partner that the United States of America is demanding of Israel, a Country for which it has done so much. Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel. BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

Netanyahu thanked him the same day, saying in a video statement that “there’s never been a greater friend of Israel in the White House.”

“President Trump, my dear friend Donald, I’m so honored and humbled by your extraordinary endorsement. I could say — and that’s easy —there’s never been a greater friend of Israel in the White House,” the Israeli premier said.

“That’s an understatement, not by the longest shot, but I think America has been fortunate to have a leader of conviction, of clarity, of courage, who faces down this threat to America and to Israel,” he added, explaining that Trump understood that a murderous regime that has both Israel and the United States in its crosshairs is a threat that cannot be ignored and that Trump met the threat head-on without wavering in the face of internal criticism.

In a separate video statement, Netanyahu urged voters to heed Trump’s endorsement and head to the polls to cast a vote for him.

In a dramatic operation resembling a scene from an action movie, members of Israel’s elite YAMAM counterterrorism unit successfully rescued a woman threatening to jump from the 11th floor of a residential building in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv.

The incident unfolded after the woman reportedly barricaded herself inside her apartment and threatened to jump from a window, prompting a large emergency response.

Police negotiators spent more than 11 hours attempting to resolve the crisis peacefully. As the situation continued, authorities called in YAMAM, one of Israel’s most highly trained tactical units, to carry out a specialized rescue.

YAMAM, the Israel Police’s national counterterrorism unit operating under the Border Police, is internationally recognized for its expertise in hostage rescues, counterterrorism operations and high-risk tactical interventions.

Its operators routinely train for complex missions requiring extraordinary precision, speed and coordination.

This time, however, their mission was not to confront terrorists but to save the life of a woman in immediate danger.

Members of the unit’s specialized rappelling team, nicknamed the “Monkeys” for their exceptional climbing and rope-access capabilities, positioned themselves on the building’s rooftop.

Using ropes, the officers descended along the exterior of the high-rise toward the woman’s 11th-floor window.

In a carefully coordinated maneuver, the commandos reached the apartment, secured the woman and successfully brought her to safety.

Authorities reported that the rescue concluded without injuries.

The dramatic operation demonstrated how the same specialized capabilities developed to confront terrorism can also be used to protect civilians during life-threatening emergencies.

For YAMAM, whose missions frequently involve confronting armed terrorists and rescuing hostages, this operation offered a different kind of victory.

No terrorists neutralized. No shots fired. Just one precious life saved.

Israel has eliminated Ramadan Muhammad Ashahada Diab, the head of the Popular Resistance Committees terrorist organization in Khan Yunis, Gaza.

Diab led an Iranian-linked terrorist organization whose members participated in the October 7 massacre and carried out attacks against Israeli forces throughout the war.

According to the IDF, Diab had recently been planning further attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers while working to rebuild Ham*s’ military capabilities in violation of the ceasefire.

🔗 SEE ALL JBN LINKS: https://link.me/jbn

The New York Post published an interview with a teacher from Gaza who issued a chilling warning: Stop the radical indoctrination of Gaza’s children, or Oct. 7 will happen again.

The teacher, whose name was withheld for her safety, said that she sought a teaching position in an UNRWA school because she thought that the U.N. would protect children from Hamas indoctrination but quickly found out how very wrong she was.

“I was shocked to find the reality was far different from what I had imagined,” she said, explaining that teachers openly glorified violence and the killing of Jews.

Teachers blamed the suffering of Gazans on Jews, not Hamas, teaching that the purpose of Hamas was to help Gazans and end the suffering, and they encouraged students to continue Hamas’ mission, she said. The UNRWA teacher expressed concern that Gazan children are particularly susceptible because they truly are suffering. She said she sees the problem as one where Gazans hate the consequences of Oct. 7 but support the massacre, which means they have not learned their lesson and thus may end up repeating it.

“Today [the danger is] more intense than ever because the children are actually suffering” specifically from Israeli airstrikes, she said.

Raising the issue in school led to confrontations with other teachers and eventually to threats.

A school administrator confronted her with a pair of scissors and said, “We’ll make you wish for death, and if you don’t stop arguing, we will cut your tongue,” she said.

Fearing for her life and the lives of her loved ones, she stopped talking.

But after teaching for 15 years, she decided to speak out and to raise awareness in order to do what she can to disrupt the cycle of violence.

“As a teacher, it’s my duty to convey an accurate picture and call upon the world to save our children from these ideas,” she said. “My most important message is that we need to care about who is teaching our kids.”

An UNRWA classroom in Gaza City, Gaza, on Oct. 26, 2025. (Credit: Moiz Salhi/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The teacher said that since the war began, the problem of indoctrination has increased, with teachers who were extremists before the war returning to the classrooms.

The teacher “estimated that half or more of the teachers she encounters in Gaza believe violence against Jews is necessary to achieve Palestinian political goals,” the Post reported. “The teacher warned that many Palestinians condemn the devastation that followed Oct. 7, without rejecting the massacre itself.”

“’They hate the consequences of October 7. They hate the war that October 7 brought upon them. But they don’t hate October 7 itself,’ she said. Unless that mentality changes, the teacher said, she fears history will repeat itself.”

“If the upcoming generations in Gaza have the capabilities to make another attack, they will make it,” she said.

The teacher called for an overhaul of the school system and a major campaign of deradicalization, which she said is even more important than disarming Hamas, “because this can change the future.”

Having trouble keeping track of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-Minn.) names and marriages? Ashley Rindsberg, who investigates Wikipedia for its anti-Israel bias, created a helpful infographic.

Omar is featuring prominently in the news following a raid on her home by federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The predawn raid, which occurred at 6 a.m., lasted four to five hours, according to the congresswoman. Agents seized cell phones, a camera, Omar’s husband’s notebooks, and other items.

The investigation is probing immigration paperwork from the time that Omar arrived in the United States as a child with her family as refugees from Somalia. The investigation is searching for potential false statements and immigration fraud.

Credit: Ashley Rindsberg

The execution of the search of Omar’s house raised old speculation again about her previous relationships, including allegations that she at one time married her brother.

Rindsberg, the creator of the infographic, is the founder of NPOV Media, which has conducted extensive studies alleging that a small group of editors have hijacked the Israeli-Arab narrative on Wikipedia.

“In a matter of years since October 7, a handful of Wikipedia editors captured the entire Palestine-Israel Articles topic area,” he posted on X, alongside a link to his media company’s report on the topic.

“NPOV has published a series of reports on the six leaders of this group, revealing the tactics they used to undermine knowledge infrastructure on the most important geopolitical subject today,” he explained.

A man was charged in court Thursday after attempting to attack an Australian politician while armed with nunchucks, a martial arts weapon.

John Lawrence Smart, 56, was allegedly screaming when he broke into the office of Hannah Beazley, calling for her by name as he held a nunchuck over his head. Beazley, who serves as the minister for disability services of Western Australia, was absent that day, but two of her staff members were in the office. They barricaded themselves behind a security barrier, and neither of them was injured.

Smart appeared in a court in Perth Thursday, where he claimed that he was not carrying nunchucks but claves, which are wooden sticks that act as percussion instruments. The suspect has a history of schizophrenia, leading the magistrate, Heidi Watson, to order a medical assessment while he was in custody and to deny him bail on the grounds that he poses a danger to himself and others.

The attack follows another one earlier this week, in which Brendan Nugent rammed his car twice into Australian MP Helen Haines while she was unloading her car in front of her office. Haines had both legs amputated as a result of the attack. Prosecutors have not said that the two attacks are linked, but the incidents raised fears about the safety of female politicians, who are easily accessible to the public.

The European Union awarded the International Criminal Court the Sakharov Prize, its highest human rights award, in a move meant to undermine U.S. sanctions designed to cripple the court’s day-to-day operations.

The European Union vowed to protect the ICC’s independence and help it to continue working, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to dismantle it “brick by brick.” The Trump administration imposed the sanctions after Navi Pillay, an anti-Israel U.N. commissioner who authored a report accusing Israel of genocide, won the Nobel Peace Prize. The sanctions are also in retaliation for the arrest warrants issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a past investigation into U.S. troops who served in Afghanistan, a case that has since closed.

Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament. (Credit: Roberta Metsola)

Neither Israel nor the United States is a party to the Rome Statute, which means that the ICC has no jurisdiction over them.

“The European Union is built on respect for multilateralism and international institutions, and this prize recognizes the important work of the court in upholding international law and justice,” said European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, who announced the award.

ICC President Tomoko Akane thanked the EU for the award, saying that it comes “at a time when the Court and its officials face unprecedented challenges.”

“Against this backdrop, the Sakharov Prize carries particular significance, reaffirming the importance of independent judicial institutions and of those who work to uphold international law,” she added.

“I welcome the Sakharov Prize awarded to the International Criminal Court. For victims of the world’s gravest crimes, justice means a voice,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement after the prize was awarded. “The International Criminal Court must be free to pursue its mission, independently, and without pressure or intimidation.”

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. (Credit: Ursula von der Leyen)

At the time that Rubio announced the sanctions, he said, “President Trump will never allow the International Criminal Court to prosecute Americans.”

“That is why, today, the United States is sanctioning the International Criminal Court. We will ban ⁠transactions with this rogue court, cutting off their resources and crippling its ability to operate,” he added.

However, the sanctions are structured to allow the court to correct course. To that end, the United States issued several exemptions that would permit some transactions for ICC telecommunications, software, and pension payments, as well as transactions linked to ICC detainees.

“Either the ICC ⁠will end ​its threats, or we will end the ICC. We expect our allies, many of whom are part of ​the ICC and that rely on American servicemembers for their defense, to rein in the court,” Rubio said.

The European Jewish Congress said it was “appalled” by the decision to award the prize to the ICC.

“The ICC’s actions against the State of Israel raise serious concerns about its impartiality and respect for due process,” the EJC said in a statement. “Awarding this prestigious distinction to an institution whose handling of such consequential proceedings remains the subject of serious legal controversy risks undermining the credibility of the prize and the principles it represents.”

The Jewish advocacy group called on the EU to reconsider.

“The EJC calls on the European Parliament to reflect on the implications of this decision and to reaffirm its commitment to the consistent application of international law, procedural fairness and the fundamental principles of justice,” the group said.

Authorities are searching for a woman whose image was captured on surveillance footage after a 26-year-old Orthodox Jewish man was followed and stabbed in the back during Wednesday evening’s rush hour in Manhattan’s Diamond District.

The disturbing footage, circulated by Manhattan Shomrim, shows the suspect closely following the visibly Jewish victim near Fifth Avenue and West 47th Street. The man appears to recognize the danger and attempts to evade her by walking around a parked vehicle.

Moments later, he felt a sharp puncture in his lower back. Investigators believe the weapon may have been a needle or syringe, although it remains unclear whether the object contained any substance.

The victim, a Lubavitcher Hasid from Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood, was treated by Hatzalah and transported to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

Screenshot

The suspect is described as a woman in her 30s, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, wearing blue jeans, white sneakers and a dark sweater tied around her waist. She reportedly fled west toward Sixth Avenue.

The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force is investigating whether the victim was deliberately targeted because of his Jewish appearance. According to reports, the woman passed other pedestrians before pursuing the Orthodox Jewish man.

The attack comes amid rising antisemitic violence in New York City, where Jewish residents accounted for more than half of reported hate crime incidents during the first nine months of 2026.

Manhattan Shomrim is asking the public to help identify and locate the suspect. Anyone who recognizes her or has relevant surveillance footage is urged to contact the NYPD.

The suspect has not been publicly identified, and no arrest was confirmed in the latest reports.

The IDF is hunting for suspects involved in the torching of a Jewish holy site in the Arab village of Awarta in Samaria near Shechem (Nablus).

A group of Arabs set the tomb, which is believed to be the grave of Eleazar the Priest (son of the biblical Aaron), on fire and posted a video of the site burning, along with songs of praise.

The IDF said that the suspects fled the scene before its arrival, adding that police and forensic investigators will examine the scene and collect evidence.

Just hours after the attack, Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, was on site to conduct repairs.

“We are here not as private individuals but as emissaries of the entire people of Israel,” he said. “The enemies have behaved like ISIS time and again. They choose darkness, they choose to burn—we choose light, we choose life. Light will always triumph over darkness. We will also make a great repair in the settlement.”

A video posted online shows Dagan and volunteers cleaning and repainting the shrine, fixing the damage caused by the arson.

Because of the Palestinian Authority’s inability or unwillingness to protect sites of historical and religious significance, Israel has moved to take over protection of these sites, with the Foreign Ministry stating as its reason the “Palestinian Authority’s own record of neglect and complicity, which has allowed the ancient ruins to suffer rampant vandalism, theft, and desecration.”

In the final debate between Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and his Republican opponent Mike Rogers, the latter said that Jewish Democrats are “afraid” of El-Sayed.

“We’re doing exceptionally well with Jewish Democrats who are literally afraid. I’ve talked to ones with tears in their eyes about the future of their kids and grandkids because of the anger and division that he is laying out on the street,” he said.

In his final statement, he also mentioned “Jewish Democrats who are afraid for their children when their daughters can’t wear their Star of David walking across Michigan’s campus.”

Earlier in the debate, the Republican candidate pointed out that other Democrats who also find El-Sayed too extreme are defecting to his side.

“There are so many Democrats who are coming out today and saying they can’t vote for Abdul El Sayed because he’s too extreme,” he said. “The former chairman of the Democrat Party has come out and said he can’t vote for El Sayed; he is too extreme. The finance chairman of Elissa Slotkin, our current senator, came out and said, ‘I can’t vote for El Sayed.'”

“If you start thinking about Democrats for Rogers and elected officials around the state saying ‘too extreme, can’t do it,’ this to me is exactly the kind of thing he does. He’s really good on his feet. He’s not so good when it comes to policy,” he added.

Rogers also accused El-Sayed about of a history of lying.

“Ask somebody, a new investigator, about how you figure out if somebody’s honest and willing to tell you the truth. You go through a series of questions. Did you lie on your resume? Yep, did. He lied about being a physician. Did he lie about his relationships with an organization that should give us all pause? Yep, he did. He lied about being an Egyptian dual citizen. He lied about some of his stances on these positions as he’s flipped again. This is a pattern that we need to understand for this to trust this candidate.”

An Australian politician lost both her legs after a car-ramming attack earlier this week.

Member of Parliament Helen Haines was unpacking the trunk of her car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia, on Oct. 19 when a Toyota Land Cruiser struck her, pinning her to her car. The driver did a U-turn and struck her again. Police have described the attack as targeted.

The suspect, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent of Tarrawingee, was arrested after being stopped by a neighbor. Ricky Jefferies, who owned a barbershop nearby, witnessed the attack and raced to stop the driver. Seeing that the attacker had a knife, Jefferies wrested it away and held him down until police arrived to detain him.

The suspect, Brendan Nugent, holds up a sign at an environmental rally. (Credit: Trisha Posner)

“I don’t consider myself a hero,” he said after the ordeal. “I consider myself a member of the community; I just had a role to play, and mine just happened to be the first story heard.”

Haines’ husband, Phil Haines, announced Wednesday that the 65-year-old MP had lost both legs, explaining that doctors amputated one of her legs Monday, then the second one Wednesday after attempting and failing to save it.

Ricky Jefferies intervened to stop the attack. (Credit: Arsen Ostrovsky)

“The good news in all this is that Helen is alive and she’s stable. That is the most important thing for our family,” he said.

Nugent has been charged with intentionally causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury, and causing harm to a federal official.

The suspect’s social media account shows a radical turn to anti-Israel ideology following Oct. 7. Haines, who is an independent, herself has also fiercely criticized Israel over its prosecution of the war in Gaza, but it’s unclear if the motive for the attack was related to this issue.

Police apprehend the suspect. (Credit: Trisha Posner)

Israel’s economy is heading toward an extraordinary period of expansion, with the Bank of Israel forecasting economic growth of 5.6% in 2026 and an impressive 7.5% in 2027, signaling a powerful recovery despite years of war, security challenges, and geopolitical uncertainty.

The latest projections paint an encouraging picture of Israel’s economic resilience, with growth expected to significantly outpace most developed economies. For comparison, the central bank expects advanced economies to grow by just 1.6% next year.

A man counts stacks of Israeli shekel and US dollar banknotes at an informal money exchange stall in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on July 2, 2024 amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by Bashar TALEB / AFP) (Photo by BASHAR TALEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Unemployment Falling, Inflation Under Control

The positive outlook extends to Israel’s labor market, where unemployment is expected to average just 3% in 2027, reflecting a recovery in employment and continued demand for workers.

Inflation has also moderated, reaching 1.6% in September. The Bank of Israel forecasts inflation of 1.5% for 2026 and 2.1% for 2027, comfortably within its target range.

The central bank has maintained its benchmark interest rate at 3.25%, while projecting a potential decline to approximately 3% over the coming year.

TOPSHOT – People walk over the tram tracks after the rain along Jaffa Street in Jerusalem on January 23, 2025. (Photo by John WESSELS / AFP) (Photo by JOHN WESSELS/AFP via Getty Images)

What’s Driving the Economic Surge?

The recovery is being supported by stronger consumer spending, renewed investment, and a rebound in construction as labor shortages ease.

However, the central bank emphasized that a significant portion of the projected growth reflects overseas production by Israeli companies. Excluding that activity, domestic economic growth is forecast at 3.4% in 2026 and 5.1% in 2027, still representing substantial expansion.

A view of Jerusalem’s Old City on a rainy day, taken in Jerusalem, Israel, on February 20, 2025. The Dome of the Rock, with its golden dome, dominates the scene, surrounded by the tightly packed buildings of the historic city. In the foreground, the ancient walls of the Old City and the adjacent cemetery are visible, while modern high-rises and construction cranes rise in the background. Dark clouds hover above, casting a somber atmosphere over the city. (Photo by Saeed Qaq/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A Strong Outlook Despite Continued Challenges

The optimistic forecasts come with important conditions. The central bank assumes that fighting will remain relatively limited, while warning that geopolitical tensions, defense spending, energy prices, and government budget pressures could affect economic performance.

Nevertheless, the projections underscore Israel’s remarkable economic strength and its potential for accelerated growth as the country continues recovering from prolonged conflict.

If realized, the forecasts would mark a significant economic milestone, highlighting the resilience of Israel’s businesses, workforce, and broader economy.

Jewish Democrats in Ohio have called on Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to disavow Jeff Tauring, a pastor he had campaigned with, because he called modern Judaism “fake.”

Tauring also called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “wicked” because he did not believe in Jesus and likened COVID-era restrictions to Nazi Germany, which critics say minimizes the Holocaust.

The Ohio Jewish Caucus, which is made up of Democrats, said that Ramaswamy appeared at the pastor’s church, Liberty Valley Church, twice.

“In 2021, members of Liberty Valley Church participated in a demonstration outside the home of then-State Representative Casey Weinstein, who is Jewish,” the caucus stated. “Taken together, this history makes Ramaswamy’s repeated appearances at the church and his decision to share a platform with Tauring deeply concerning. Vivek Ramaswamy should unequivocally reject Tauring’s comments disparaging modern Judaism and make clear that antisemitism has no place in Ohio. He should not remain silent when a pastor he has chosen to stand alongside publicly disparages the Jewish faith.”

“The Ohio Jewish Caucus will continue to stand against antisemitism, hate, and intimidation wherever they appear. Ohio’s Jewish community deserves leaders who will speak clearly and stand up when our faith and our community are targeted,” it added.

U.S. Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander was detained with other left-wing activists by Israeli security forces for unauthorized work at an olive harvest on a tourist visa, allegedly without prior coordination with the proper authorities. He was released later with a warning.

While he and the others were in detention, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) called for his immediate release.

“This year’s harvest has been marred by widespread violence against farmers and journalists,” he stated. “Those still detained must immediately be released and the Government of Israel must hold those responsible for violence accountable.”

The Israeli Foreign Ministry slammed the anti-Israel candidate from New York for his performative stunt, accusing him of seeking confrontation and now claiming to be the victim.

“This was not about harvesting olives. It was about harvesting headlines,” the ministry said in a statement. “Brad Lander’s latest stunt is nothing more than a calculated political provocation. Lander traveled to a foreign country, deliberately entered a restricted security area, and participated in an unauthorized activity without the required coordination.”

The ministry said that what compounds the outrage is that Lander’s team did initiate contact with Israeli authorities and was explicitly told that coordination was required, but Lander and his team ignored those instructions.

“At a time of heightened security tensions, Israeli security forces have a responsibility to protect lives, prevent dangerous incidents, and maintain public order,” the ministry said, adding that this “reckless” stunt endangered lives.

“Brad Lander came looking for a confrontation. Now he is pretending to be its victim,” the ministry declared.

Lander posted a video statement about the incident in which he declared that occupation is illegal under international law and asserted that he had not done anything illegal.

“Hey guys, so we’re on a bus,” he said. “We’ve been detained by the Israeli military for harvesting olives, and let’s be clear: Occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives is not a crime under any law.”

“But here we are with all these rabbis and Americans, and we’re told the Israelis are on a different bus,” he continued. “Again, we don’t know if we’re being arrested, but at least we’re being detained. We were just in a field harvesting olives. And now Israeli military has been called apparently by settler security.”

“[They] have detained us, put us on bus, and are taking us away for processing. So I will keep you posted as best we can,” he added. “We’ve got good lawyers through Rabbis for Human Rights and HRDF, and we sure didn’t do anything illegal.”

The candidate drew fire for pulling off this stunt during election season, when he should be campaigning on issues that New York voters care about.

“Why is someone running for the United States Congress, was just 2 weeks to go to the elections, 6,000 miles away from their district????” one social media user asked. “Brad Lander and so many others abandon the needs of their constituents in favor of the DSA anti Israel social media mob.”

“There are no countries or war zones where you can show up and start working unauthorized on a tourist visa,” another user posted. “Lander is lying and telling folks he was arrested for harvesting olives.”

“Some of [Lander’s] detractors have accused him of exploiting his Jewish identity and criticism of Israel for political attention, even labeling him a ‘self-hating Jew,'” ILTV reported.

Lander hit back, claiming that the Foreign Ministry lied about telling his team to coordinate with the relevant authorities.

“The Israeli Foreign Ministry is lying,” he posted on X.

“No coordination was required, and we were never told that it was. We were not in a restricted security area. We did not pass any checkpoints,” he added, explaining that the purpose of his visit was to show the world “the horrors of occupation.”

“The Israeli government is trying to foment violence between Jews and Palestinians, and to make it impossible for Palestinians to harvest their olive groves, drive on their roads, or live in their homes,” he said.

After the incident, Lander said that, if elected, he would co-sponsor the Stop the Settlements Act, a ban on trade with the settlements, which would be introduced by Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas).

Rep. Ilhan Omar has resurfaced on TikTok begging supporters for donations as federal investigators intensify their examination of her immigration history, following a dramatic predawn raid on her Washington residence.

The Minnesota Democrat, whose phone, passport and other personal belongings were reportedly seized during the October 12 search, appeared in a roughly one-minute video filmed inside a vehicle, thanking supporters and appealing for additional contributions.

Omar accused President Donald Trump of attempting to intimidate her ahead of November’s midterm elections, vowing to fight back and help Democrats regain control of Congress.

But her accusations come with a political irony: The investigation reportedly traces back to information obtained during the Biden administration, although the controversial raid itself was conducted under Trump.

Federal investigators are examining whether Omar or members of her family provided false information in immigration and naturalization documents. The search warrant reportedly identifies potential offenses involving immigration fraud, conspiracy and false statements.

Omar, who arrived in America from Somalia as a child and became a naturalized citizen in 2000, has categorically denied wrongdoing.

Omar and her husband, Tim Mynett, previously reported business interests valued at up to $30 million before substantially reducing those valuations in amended financial disclosures.

In another unusual twist, their wine business, eStCru, once marketed a Malbec bearing the name “The Devil’s Lie.”

The contrast has attracted attention as Omar appeals to everyday Americans for financial support while facing scrutiny over her immigration records and household wealth.

The stakes extend beyond her political career. Federal authorities are reportedly examining whether alleged misrepresentations could provide grounds for revoking her citizenship, potentially exposing her to deportation proceedings.

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Israel has eliminated a senior Hamas security operative accused of plotting attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers while working behind the scenes to rebuild the terrorist organization’s military capabilities despite the ceasefire.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) announced that Akram Bassam Shaaban Yassin, a senior figure in Hamas’s General Security Mechanism, was killed in a precision, intelligence-guided airstrike in Gaza City.

Yassin was no ordinary Hamas operative. According to Israeli intelligence, he held a senior position within a covert security apparatus responsible for protecting Hamas’s top leadership, moving senior officials between emergency facilities, gathering intelligence and helping coordinate operational decisions and terrorist attacks.

The unit effectively serves as part of the security infrastructure that allows Hamas leaders to operate, evade Israeli forces and maintain command over their organization.

Israeli officials say Yassin had recently been directly involved in advancing terrorist plots targeting Israeli troops and civilians while simultaneously attempting to restore Hamas’s battered military capabilities.

The IDF described those activities as systematic violations of the ceasefire, accusing Hamas of using the relative calm to regroup and prepare for renewed violence.

The elimination represents another blow to the security network surrounding Hamas’s surviving leadership.

While much of Israel’s military campaign has focused on eliminating commanders, destroying tunnels and dismantling weapons infrastructure, targeting the operatives who protect Hamas leaders and facilitate their movements strikes at the organization’s ability to function behind the scenes.

Israel’s message is clear: A ceasefire is not a free pass for Hamas to rebuild its terrorist infrastructure or prepare its next attack.

Source: IDF and Shin Bet statements. Allegations concerning Yassin’s activities are attributed to Israeli security officials.

Schneider Children’s Medical Center and Israeli tech volunteer organization Code for Israel have introduced an AI system that helps hospitalized children communicate without speaking. Its developers say it can create personalized, printable communication boards in under five minutes.

The boards give children a way to express pain, fear and everyday needs when a medical condition or treatment makes speech difficult or impossible. They can also help patients who have not learned to write or are too weak to do so.

For staff, the change is in the preparation. A board tailored to one patient could previously take hours to assemble. The new platform lets therapists build it in minutes, then update it, share it with colleagues and keep it in a library for future use.

The process begins with a speech-language therapist talking with the child and family. Details such as age, language, cultural background and medical condition shape the words and pictures the AI proposes. Clinicians can edit those suggestions and choose anything from a simple two-picture board to a version with 16 images and messages.

That flexibility matters because a seriously ill child may struggle to use a tablet or keyboard. The board’s content and complexity can be adjusted to the child’s condition and abilities, according to Dr. Oshrat Sella Weiss, who heads Schneider’s speech-language pathology service.

“The story is restoring children’s ability to communicate, express themselves, and participate actively in their care,” Sella Weiss said.

Picture boards are an established part of augmentative and alternative communication, which supports people with limited or absent speech. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association identifies both lasting communication difficulties and temporary situations, including intensive care, as settings in which this support can be used.

The initiative grew out of Schneider’s speech-language pathology team, working with the hospital’s innovation and research center. Code for Israel’s volunteers developed the technology, bringing Israeli expertise in software and design to a problem identified by clinicians.

Sella Weiss described one case involving a deaf girl whose family had misunderstood which food she wanted. Staff created a board showing foods she liked, and the child pointed to bourekas, clearing up a misunderstanding that had left her crying and refusing to eat.

British counterterrorism police have re-arrested two men on suspicion of assisting Iranian intelligence in an investigation into a suspected plot near RAF Fairford, the British airbase used by American bombers to strike Iran. Investigators say Iranian state involvement is highly likely.

The suspects are a 24-year-old British national and a 25-year-old British-Iranian dual national, both from Westminster in central London. They were detained under the National Security Act after previously being released on bail. The younger man was originally arrested near Fairford; the older suspect was arrested later in London.

“We consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement,” said Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Britain’s Counter Terrorism Policing. He said investigators were still examining the extent of that involvement and what the operation was intended to achieve.

An armoured vehicle (C) patrols the interior at RAF Fairford base in Fairford, south-west England on September 28, 2026, a day after British counter-terrorism police were probing “a major” incident near the base. Armed officers detained a group of five men in the early hours after a call to emergency services about three “suspicious vehicles which appeared to be travelling towards the air base”, London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images)

Seven men have been arrested during the investigation. The other five remain on bail, and no one has yet been charged.

The case began last month after reports of three suspicious vehicles traveling toward Fairford brought armed officers to nearby Whelford in Gloucestershire. Five men were arrested, a security cordon was established and around 85 households were evacuated as a precaution while Army bomb-disposal specialists examined the vehicles.

Police subsequently confirmed that gasoline had been recovered, but no improvised explosive devices were found. The initial arrests were on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing a terrorist act. Authorities stressed that releasing the men on strict bail conditions did not end the investigation.

American B-1 bombers were withdrawn from Fairford after the incident. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the activity near the base was likely coordinated in Iran. Iran’s ambassador to Britain has denied Tehran’s involvement.

FAIRFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Armed police maintain road blocks and security checks around RAF Fairford on September 28, 2026 in Fairford, England. Police declared a major incident on Sunday following the arrest of five men on suspicion of committing offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act near RAF Fairford, a military base that hosts U.S. Air Force bombers involved in the Iran conflict. Eighty-five homes were evacuated from Whelford, a village about one mile from RAF Fairford, as the Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team investigated vehicles in the area. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

The re-arrests follow a wider warning from MI5 Director General Ken McCallum, who said Iran-linked operations had led to more than 50 arrests in Britain over the previous year. In his latest threat assessment, he described Tehran’s continued use of criminal proxies against Iranian opposition figures, media organizations and Israeli sites, with much of its aggression aimed at British Jewish communities.

McCallum also attributed a wave of arson and sabotage attacks against Jewish targets in Britain and elsewhere in Europe to a front group backed by members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Those targets included synagogues, ambulances and businesses. Alongside those threats, he warned that Iran was increasingly seeking to strike harder targets, including military installations.

The IDF and Shin Bet announced that Tamer Mohammad Ibrahim Al-Zabaq, a Hamas terrorist identified as a ringleader in the abduction of Shani Louk during the October 7 massacre, was eliminated Monday in an Israeli airstrike in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza.

Al-Zabaq was also identified in reports as the terrorist who sat on Shani’s lifeless body as Hamas terrorists drove through Gaza, publicly parading her corpse in the back of a pickup truck.

Shani Louk, 22, was a German-Israeli tattoo artist who grew up in Moshav Srigim, near Jerusalem, and later lived in Tel Aviv.

She was attending the Nova Music Festival near Re’im on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists launched their deadly assault.

Shani was murdered, and horrifying footage of terrorists parading her body through the streets of Gaza became one of the most recognizable images of the October 7 atrocities.

For weeks, her family desperately hoped she might still be alive. Her death was confirmed later that month, and Israeli forces recovered her remains from Gaza in May 2024.

More than three years after the massacre, Israel continues pursuing those responsible for the atrocities.

May Shani’s memory forever be a blessing.

In a historic milestone for the IDF, the first group of ultra-Orthodox soldiers from the Hasmonean Brigade has completed officer training.

Fifteen cadets successfully finished the eight-month course and are set to receive their officer ranks at a ceremony near the Western Wall this evening.

The graduates include soldiers who began their military careers in the Hasmonean Brigade, alongside Haredi servicemen who transferred from other units to take on leadership positions.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir met with the graduates today, praising them for “making history and breaking new ground.”

He described the new officers as leaders helping fulfill a vision for the Jewish people, emphasizing that the Haredi community is an integral part of Israeli society and that their success is significant for both the military and the nation.

The training maintained the full professional standards of the IDF’s Bahad 1 officers’ school while accommodating ultra-Orthodox religious practices, including strict kosher dietary requirements, scheduled prayer and Torah study, and a gender-segregated environment.

The historic graduation marks another step in the IDF’s efforts to integrate Haredi soldiers into combat and command roles amid ongoing military personnel shortages.

A second officers’ course for the Hasmonean Brigade is scheduled to begin in November.

Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s longtime Iranian-British journalist whose family roots trace back to Iran, is among the first high-profile figures to announce her departure following the network’s takeover by David Ellison’s Skydance, backed by his father, billionaire Larry Ellison, a prominent supporter of Israel.

After 43 years at CNN, Amanpour is preparing to leave amid questions about the network’s future editorial direction.

According to sources speaking to Jewish Breaking News (JBN), Amanpour was given a choice: resign or be fired. The allegation has not been independently verified, and CNN has not confirmed she was forced out.

JBN Commentary:

Amanpour, who grew up in Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has faced years of criticism over reporting that critics argue downplayed Palestinian terrorism and amplified anti-Israel narratives.

Lucy Dee and her daughters, Rina and Maia

One particularly disgraceful example came in 2023, when she described Lucy Dee and her daughters, Rina and Maia, as having been “killed in a shootout.”

A shootout? By that logic, President John F. Kennedy was killed in a shootout, too.

The Dee family was not exchanging gunfire. Palestinian terrorists attacked their vehicle, murdering Rina and Maia. Their mother, Lucy, died from her wounds days later. Amanpour eventually apologized.

In 2025, she suggested Israeli hostages were treated better by Hamas than civilians in Gaza, prompting another apology.

And in 2020, Amanpour sparked outrage when she invoked Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom against Jews, while criticizing Donald Trump’s presidency and his attacks on truth and democratic institutions. Israeli officials condemned the comparison as an inappropriate use of Holocaust history. Amanpour later acknowledged the criticism and apologized.

For someone with 43 years of journalism experience, these were not minor mistakes. Words matter, especially when describing terrorism and invoking the Holocaust.

Whether Amanpour’s departure signals a broader editorial shakeup at CNN remains to be seen. But for critics of the network’s Israel coverage, her exit raises an important question:

Is CNN finally turning the page on decades of reporting that critics say treated Israel and its enemies by different standards?

In an interview with ABC News Monday, Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed explained why he believes Israel is not an ally.

Asked if he considers Israel an ally, El-Sayed said, “An ally that takes your money to push you into wars you shouldn’t be fighting is not an ally. It’s, like, I mean, do you have kids?”

“And if your kid has a friend who keeps bumming off their money and then talks about them behind their back, and then gets them into fights with other friends, what would you tell your kid to do with that friend?” the Democratic candidate continued. “You probably tell them maybe it’s not actually your friend. I think it’s time for us to realize that, like, Israel is not actually our friend.”

The Republican Jewish Coalition has called El-Sayed the “most antisemitic Senate candidate in America,” and long-time Jewish Democrats in Michigan have said they are prepared to cross the aisle to vote for his opponent, former Republican congressman Mike Rogers.

With the last U.S. Senate race in Michigan decided by 19,006 votes, and with 100,000 to 130,000 Jewish residents in Michigan, the Jewish vote could prove to be decisive. Jews have traditionally voted for the Democratic Party, seeing that as part of their identity, but many told Fox News in August that concern over El-Sayed’s anti-Israel positions and his ties to antisemites like Hasan Piker was strong enough to persuade them to cast their votes for the Republican.

A social media user with the handle FactsForPeace posted a music video of a song that hilariously illustrates the grift that is the “Free Palestine” movement.

The singer, dressed in grubby clothes, explains that he couldn’t make it as a singer; no one would buy his music, and he “couldn’t sell out a bar.” Then he discovered the two little words that miraculously changed his fortunes: “Free Palestine.” Once he added those two magical words to his lyrics, his life was transformed, and he sings the rest of his little ditty dressed as a wealthy rapper.

The full lyrics follow:

Free Palestine,
And now the whole world heard,
I was washed up, couldn’t sell out a bar,
Two little words, and I’m a superstar, yeah.

Last time I tried,
And nobody pressed play,
Label called me up,
Like, we’re going a different way.

X took the Prius, and the dog in the dog bed,
Tour got canceled; I was sleeping at my mom’s instead,
3 a.m. scrolling, saw the thing that’s hot,
Watermelon emoji, but that’s my new plot.

Didn’t read the history, didn’t need the facts,
Threw a keffiyeh on, and now my bookings are back,
Now I’m on the late shows, now I’m on the news,
Sold out three nights; merch line, brand new shoes.

Hoodie with the slogan, 120 bucks a pop.
Charity, I am the charity; don’t stop the drop,
Interviewer asked me, “Free it from what?”
I said, “From the river to the sea.”

She said, “Which river?”
“Next question.”

I was washed up, couldn’t sell out a bar,
Two little words, and I’m a superstar.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel, Axios reported, citing two sources familiar with the meeting. The Pentagon and Israeli Embassy declined comment, while Netanyahu’s office had not immediately responded. The report disclosed no meeting agenda or decisions.

The visit comes just over a week before Israel’s election and follows President Donald Trump’s public endorsement of Netanyahu. Trump praised the Israeli leader’s partnership in the campaign against Iran, while Netanyahu thanked him and promised to complete their shared mission.

JERUSALEM – OCTOBER 13: US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee (L) speaks to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on October 13, 2025 in Jerusalem. President Trump is visiting the country hours after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023, part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. (Photo by Saul Loeb – Pool/Getty Images)

Iran remains at the center of a contested account of recent U.S.-Israeli consultations. Axios reported last week that Trump and Netanyahu had discussed a potential joint operation against Iranian military and nuclear targets. An Israeli official told the outlet that Netanyahu raised intelligence concerns about Iran rebuilding its nuclear program.

The White House disputed that report, saying the leaders had not discussed restarting the war and that Trump would not attack Iran before the U.S. midterm elections.

Meanwhile, the IDF has announced concrete steps to strengthen readiness ahead of Israel’s vote. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered restrictions on soldiers leaving bases beginning Thursday, increased senior commanders’ presence in command centers and directed reinforcements across multiple fronts.

The Paratroopers Brigade headquarters will reinforce Central Command between Samaria and Binyamin. Zamir said the military was on its highest alert and stressed that its mission was to ensure elections take place safely and on schedule. The announcement did not connect those measures to Hegseth’s visit.

Netanyahu also delivered a warning from an Israeli Air Force base in a statement released by his office. He said Israel had the readiness, determination and ability to strike its enemies whenever necessary, warning that they would face heavier blows than those already inflicted.

As France grapples with violent unrest, widespread looting and attacks on police, a remarkable warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he delivered to French President Emmanuel Macron on October 7, 2023, is drawing renewed attention.

According to Netanyahu, Macron called him on the very day Hamas terrorists massacred approximately 1,200 people in Israel, urging an immediate ceasefire and a diplomatic solution.

But Netanyahu rejected the proposal, warning Macron that Hamas was no different from ISIS and that failing to defeat the terrorist organization would eventually bring the same threat to Europe’s streets.

“Macron called me on October 7. He said, ‘You know, we have to work for an immediate ceasefire and to solve this by diplomacy.’

“And I said, ‘No, no, Emmanuel. It’s not going to be solved by diplomacy. These are monsters. These are neo-Nazis.’

“I said, ‘You know, Hamas is like ISIS. In fact, it’s worse in some respects than ISIS, even worse than ISIS.’

“And let me tell you, if we don’t stop Hamas here, you’ll see them on the streets of Paris.”

The exchange, as recounted by Netanyahu, highlights the stark contrast between the two leaders’ approaches in the immediate aftermath of the October 7 massacre.

While Macron reportedly pressed for diplomacy, Netanyahu argued that Hamas represented a threat extending far beyond Israel and warned that European countries could eventually face the consequences of allowing Islamist extremism to flourish.

Three years later, as France confronts scenes of violence and disorder, Netanyahu’s warning has resurfaced with renewed relevance.

Although the current unrest has not been established as Hamas-directed, Netanyahu’s broader warning about the spread of Islamist extremism continues to resonate.

His message to Macron on October 7 was unmistakable: If Hamas is not stopped in Israel, Europe could eventually face the same threat.

The IDF dropped a bombshell Sunday with its revelation that seized Hamas internal documents revealed the terror group’s plans to plant explosives in and around displaced persons camps.

The plans from April 2024 show that Hamas planned to detonate the bombs as the IDF approached to sow confusion and panic, creating a diversion that would give their operatives cover to escape. The military said that this illustrates Hamas’ exploitation of the civilian population to further its own ends.

An excerpt from the documents shows that Hamas displayed not only careless disregard for the lives of its own people, but also deliberate intent to cause harm to serve Hamas’ own purposes.

In the excerpt, the document provides the following list of instructions; the translated part begins with the third instruction.

“3. Placing roadside explosive devices (IEDs) around displaced persons camps and detonating them directly against enemy vehicles to disrupt the enemy’s attack plans.

“4. Preparing explosive devices around displaced persons camps and detonating them in the air as the enemy approaches the targeted area, in order to create smoke screens, distract the enemy, and divert their focus and efforts away from the primary objective.

“5. Isolating homes that are expected to be occupied by the enemy near displaced persons camps that overlook and control entry and exit points.

“6. Planting explosive devices along anticipated routes that the enemy is expected to use for rapid advances toward displaced persons camps, to provide early warning to the relevant parties, delay the enemy’s advance, and thwart their plans from the outset as much as possible.”

The IDF condemned these tactics in a statement.

“The document shows that Hamas’ engineering department proposed planting explosive devices around displaced persons camps and detonating them as IDF troops approached, placing the civilian population in the camps at risk, in order to create panic as a smokescreen for the escape of its operatives,” the military said.

“This was part of Hamas’ preparations to protect its leadership and operatives, while endangering and exploiting the civilian population in the area, fully aware that these actions were likely to cause direct harm to civilians,” it added.

A bank in New York City was vandalized, with its windows smashed and antisemitic graffiti painted in red.

The Capital One branch on the Upper East Side was found with the words “Drop Elbit” and “Pal Action” spray-painted in red on its doors Monday. The incident occurred between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. at East 86th Street near Second Avenue.

Palestine Action is a U.K.-based pro-Hamas group that has been proscribed by the United Kingdom. In August 2024, the anti-Israel group broke into Elbit Systems, an Israeli-owned defense contractor and inflicted a lifelong disability on a security guard by smashing her back with a sledgehammer. The group has engaged in attacks against military installations and weapons manufacturers in the United Kingdom, destroying property during the course of its attacks.

The New York Police Department has launched a probe into Monday’s vandalism, which it is investigating as criminal mischief and a possible bias incident.

Speaker of the New York City Council Julie Menin, who is Jewish, condemned the incident in a statement and said it might be an act of antisemitism.

“The vandalism and destruction at the Capital One branch on 86th Street is deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” she said. “I have been in contact with the NYPD regarding this incident and have urged an immediate investigation, including whether this is a potential antisemitic hate crime.”

“There is no place for hate, intimidation or violence in New York City,” she added.

A bank in New York City was vandalized, with its windows smashed and antisemitic graffiti painted in red.

The Capital One branch on the Upper East Side was found with the words “Drop Elbit” and “Pal Action” spray-painted in red on its doors Monday. The incident occurred between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. at East 86th Street near Second Avenue.

Palestine Action is a U.K.-based pro-Hamas group that has been proscribed by the United Kingdom. In August 2024, the anti-Israel group broke into Elbit Systems, an Israeli-owned defense contractor and inflicted a lifelong disability on a security guard by smashing her back with a sledgehammer. The group has engaged in attacks against military installations and weapons manufacturers in the United Kingdom, destroying property during the course of its attacks.

The New York Police Department has launched a probe into Monday’s vandalism, which it is investigating as criminal mischief and a possible bias incident.

Speaker of the New York City Council Julie Menin, who is Jewish, condemned the incident in a statement and said it might be an act of antisemitism.

“The vandalism and destruction at the Capital One branch on 86th Street is deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” she said. “I have been in contact with the NYPD regarding this incident and have urged an immediate investigation, including whether this is a potential antisemitic hate crime.”

“There is no place for hate, intimidation or violence in New York City,” she added.

Calgary Opera Fires Singer After Palestinian Flag Stunt During Tosca Curtain Call

Calgary Opera has fired bass-baritone Gabriel Sanchez-Ortega from its production of Tosca after he displayed a Palestinian flag during the curtain call, turning the closing moments of the performance into a political statement.

Ironically, Tosca is set in Rome in 1800, an era when Jews faced severe discrimination, were confined to the Roman Ghetto, and were legally barred from owning property.

Yet rather than acknowledge Europe’s own dark history of antisemitism, the performer chose to use the stage for a Palestinian political demonstration.

There is a difference between legitimate political expression and hijacking an artistic performance to promote a cause without acknowledging the suffering inflicted by Hamas on Israelis and Palestinians alike.

The opera house’s decision raises a broader question: Should performers be allowed to turn a production audiences paid to see into a platform for their personal political activism?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed their close alliance in a conversation following Trump’s public endorsement of Netanyahu for another term as Israel’s prime minister.

“Donald, we have a job to finish. You said it, and we’ll finish it together,” Netanyahu declared.

“We’ll finish it, and no one else will do it. Our alliance has proved that we can do amazing things together. We still have a job to finish.”

Trump responded with strong praise for the Israeli leader.

“You are a warrior, and we will prove that,” Trump told Netanyahu.

“I think you’re terrific, Bibi. So I was always gonna do it,” Trump added, referring to his endorsement. “I think you’re gonna have a tremendous victory, actually.”

Just one day earlier, Trump had posted a lengthy endorsement on Truth Social, addressing the Israeli public directly and describing Netanyahu as a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and an even greater partner in confronting Iran.

To the Great People of Israel:

Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its 51 year old chant, “Death to Israel, Death to America! We will destroy the Little Satan and the Big… pic.twitter.com/4FhQneM6cU

— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 18, 2026

Trump warned that despite Iran’s military and financial setbacks, further action could be necessary unless Tehran changes course.

“If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so,” Trump wrote.

He praised Netanyahu as “Strong, Brave, and Brilliant,” arguing that the Israeli leader had grown stronger under extraordinary pressure.

Trump concluded with an unequivocal endorsement:

“Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel.”

“BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

The back-to-back statements underscore Trump’s extraordinary public support for Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s upcoming elections and signal the two leaders’ shared determination to continue confronting Iran.

A middle-aged man punched a visibly Orthodox woman in the face on Clapton Common in London Monday. According to Shomrim, their volunteers showed up within 30 seconds, when they saw him punch a second woman in the face twice, leaving significant bruising. It is believed that there are more victims.

Shomrim detained the suspect until police showed up and took him into custody. He is being charged with “racially and religiously aggravated grievous bodily harm.”

Shomrim posted the following on its X account, ending with an appeal for victims to come forward:

🚨 Hate Crime; Jewish ladies viciously assaulted

🎥 CCTV shows 2nd attack

📞 Shomrim received a call from a visibly Jewish lady, reported being punched in the face by a middle-aged male on Clapton Common, E5.

👊 Shomrim volunteers arrived on scene 30 seconds later to witness a 2nd vicious assault on another Jewish lady. She was punched twice in the face, leaving significant bruising.

🚔 @MPSHackney arrested the male for racially & religiously aggravated GBH, as well as for outstanding warrants

✡️ The victims told Shomrim that they believe they were assaulted because they were Jewish, as the offender only targeted Jewish ladies.

📢 Appeal: Further assaults have been reported to Shomrim, with additional victims yet to come forward. Shomrim are appealing for any witnesses or indeed any further victims to come forward.

☎️ Contact @Shomrim or @MetCC quoting CAD 3400 19/10/26.

A man filmed himself walking through an airport with a T-shirt that said, “Israel kills children.”

He expressed surprise over being asked to change his T-shirt, saying he was told that the Israeli pilots would be offended. However, he added that since it was not mandatory, just a request for civility, he refused.

“Well, that was at first,” he said into the camera. “After the flight, [I] got pulled over by the flight attendant, or actually the captain, and he said he’s got some Israeli pilot from the next one. So now we’re flying from Amsterdam to Panama, and they feel uncomfortable, and that I should change my shirt. I go, ‘well, is it mandatory?'”

“‘No,’ [the captain said]. I said, “‘Well, I respectfully will continue to wear it because not choosing sides is choosing sides when there’s kids being killed by Israel.'”

Critics have said that accusing Israel of “killing kids” echoes the ancient blood libel that began in Norwich, England, in 1144 and touched off about 800 years of accusations against Jews across Europe and even the Middle East that Jews kill Christian children to use their blood to bake their Passover matzos. Often the accusations were used as a pretext to torture Jews to obtain confessions, which were in turn used as a pretext to massacre or expel them.

Incredibly, the last blood libel occurred as late as 1946.

Returning to Poland after the war, Polish Jews were massacred in the 1946 Kielce pogrom, when a non-Jewish child who had gone missing falsely claimed that he had been held in the basement of the local Jewish committee building to avoid getting into trouble. During the police investigation, the child’s story began to fall apart, including the fact that the Jewish committee building had no basement. Unfortunately, that did not stop the pogrom, in which 42 Jews were killed, convincing many of the survivors that Poland held no future for them.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned the harassment of Klodya Medina Halfon, a Turkish-born Israeli woman, at a mall in Istanbul, Turkey.

The ministry blamed Turkey’s extension of a safe haven for Hamas terrorists and its increasing hostility to Israel for creating an atmosphere in which such intense harassment can take place.

“Turkey rolls out the red carpet for Hamas terrorists. Now an Israeli-Turkish citizen is harassed and screamed at in an Istanbul mall,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a social media statement.

“When a government gives terrorists a safe haven, it should come as no surprise when their hatred is echoed on its streets,” it added. “Disgraceful and unacceptable.”

Klodya Medina Halfon, who works as a medical tourism guide bringing Israelis to Turkey for cosmetic surgery, was walking through the mall when pro-Hamas activists started following her and screaming “Child killer” and “I don’t want Zionists in my country.”

Pro-Hamas activists who monitored her social media spotted her and put out a call for a “face-to-face protest,” urging all Palestine activists to join them.

Soon Halfon was surrounded by a screaming and grasping mob until she was rescued by mall security. Turkey is investigating the incident.

This incident comes amid increasing tensions between Turkey and Israel. In August, Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek requested that an Interpol “red notice” be issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 35 other Israeli officials for genocide and crimes against humanity connected to the detention of Gaza flotilla activists, leading to a war of words with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In July, Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, said that Israel seeks a new enemy in order to rehabilitate its image in the world’s eyes. He failed to name this new enemy or to explain how fighting a new enemy is supposed to help Israel’s image.

He concluded his strange remarks by saying that “Everyone knows it. Everyone feels it. They whisper about it behind closed doors, and from time to time they even speak about it openly. But this is humanity’s shared problem. I mean, this needs to be named for what it is. These people have become a burden that humanity can no longer bear, with these policies and this mindset. Humanity cannot bear this.”

This led to another war of words from his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar hit back hard Monday at British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband’s latest statement on E1 sanctions.

Sa’ar scolded the British government for its boundless obsession with Israel, said Israel would not take threats lying down, and advised Miliband to clean up his own house first.

“The obsession of the British Labour Government with Israel seemingly knows no bounds,” the foreign minister said. “The days when Israel would quietly accept threats, sanctions and attempts to dictate its policies are over.”

“Judea and Samaria are not foreign lands to the Jewish people. Our historical rights are not subject to approval from London,” he declared.

Ma’ale Adumim. (Credit: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)

“The British Labour Government would do better to address the serious challenges facing its own country rather than pursue its relentless campaign against the Jewish state,” he advised. “Israel will not be intimidated by threats. We will defend our rights and our national interests.”

Miliband had issued a statement earlier in the day denouncing the proposed settlements in Section E1, an undeveloped area of land belonging to Ma’ale Adumim next to Jerusalem. The Israeli government is planning to build 1,234 units on the undeveloped land, and bidding for contractors has begun. Miliband warned that any contractors and companies involved would be sanctioned and urged Israeli companies not to bid.

The plot of land lies in Area C, which is under complete Israeli jurisdiction according to the Oslo Accords.

“I want to be very clear with those considering engaging in the tendering process: we have created new powers allowing us to sanction individuals and companies involved in the construction of illegal settlements such as E1,” Miliband said in his Oct. 19 statement.

“We urge businesses and individuals not to proceed with bids for E1 construction tenders. They should be aware of legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of involving themselves in serious breaches of international law.”

After criticizing the move as an impediment to a two-state solution and slamming settler violence, Miliband closed by saying, “We will not be bystanders in the destruction of the two-state solution.”

Former Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum narrowly escaped serious injury after Palestinian stone-throwers attacked her vehicle in the Binyamin region of Judea and Samaria, shattering a window and injuring another passenger.

Hassan-Nahoum, an Israeli public diplomacy activist and candidate for Amcha Yisrael, the political party led by former senior IDF officer Ofer Winter, was speaking on camera about security threats facing Israelis when the attack occurred.

Dramatic footage captures the moment a large stone crashes through the vehicle’s window, interrupting her remarks and sending shattered glass into the car.

Following the attack, Hassan-Nahoum held up the stone responsible for the damage and warned about the potentially deadly consequences of rock-throwing attacks.

“This is the ‘innocent 12-year-olds and 13-year-olds,’” she said. “This kills. It’s not just throwing stones; this kills.”

One passenger was reportedly injured. Israeli police confirmed they were collecting evidence and working to identify those responsible.

Despite the frightening encounter, Hassan-Nahoum, who works to promote Israel’s case on the international stage, made clear that the attack would not intimidate her or interfere with her advocacy.

“Palestinian terrorism will not deter us. I will continue to fight for Israel’s name around the world,” Hassan-Nahoum declared.

Winter condemned the attack and questioned how much longer Israeli civilians would be forced to live under the constant threat of violence.

“How long must Israeli citizens have to live in fear?” Winter asked, criticizing repeated security operations that he argued have failed to produce lasting results.

Binyamin Regional Council Chairman Israel Ganz also denounced the attack, accusing the international community of applying a double standard when responding to violence involving Israelis and Palestinians.

“When the perpetrator is Jewish, the world is up in arms. When the victim is Jewish, or a supporter of Israel, the world loses its voice,” Ganz said.

Ganz called on Israeli security forces to apprehend the attackers and bring them to justice before another stone-throwing incident claims a life.

Hassan-Nahoum, who previously served as Jerusalem’s deputy mayor, has been an outspoken advocate for Israel internationally. Her candidacy with Amcha Yisrael marks her latest effort to influence Israeli public policy and national security.

Left to right: Michael Rapaport (back row), Shmuli Volkov (JBN Chief Israel Correspondent), Aviva Klompas, Stefan Tompson (Founder of Visegrád24), and Eddie Hammer (JBN Editor-at-Large) at Israel Leaders in PR/Hasbara event at Sheraton Grand Tel Aviv

The attack highlights the potentially lethal consequences of stones hurled at moving vehicles, which can shatter windshields, cause drivers to lose control, and result in serious injuries or fatalities.

Israeli police have not announced any arrests in connection with the incident.

Talk about a fire sale gone wrong!

Amid widespread rioting, looting, and arson across France, one troublemaker in Paris reportedly found himself in a rather embarrassing situation when an attempt to set a fire in the street backfired spectacularly.

Viral footage circulating on social media appears to show the man attempting to ignite flammable material before the flames suddenly spread to his own trousers.

Within seconds, the would-be arsonist is seen desperately scrambling to extinguish the flames, turning what was supposed to be an act of destruction into an unexpected comedy of errors.

The incident comes amid reports of violent unrest across France, where businesses have been vandalized, storefronts smashed, and luxury retailers targeted by looters.

But while some rioters were apparently looking for luxury merchandise, this particular monsieur seems to have misunderstood the meaning of a fire sale.

In Paris, the fashion capital of the world, getting caught with your pants down has apparently taken on an entirely new meaning.

The exact date and location of the incident within Paris have not been verified by JBN.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has ordered a series of heightened military readiness measures ahead of Israel’s October 27 elections, including a military-wide restriction on soldiers leaving their bases and the deployment of additional forces across multiple fronts.

The orders followed a high-level, multi-front security assessment held this morning with Israel’s top military commanders, including the heads of Military Intelligence and Operations and the commanders of the Northern, Central, Southern, and Home Front Commands.

The IDF announced four major measures:

1. Military leave restricted: Soldiers across IDF units will be subject to a leave restriction beginning Thursday, subject to ongoing security assessments.
2. Senior commanders deployed: Additional senior officers will be stationed at command centers, headquarters, and military units to ensure operational readiness.
3. West Bank reinforcements: The Paratroopers Brigade headquarters and additional forces will reinforce Central Command, establishing a dedicated operational headquarters covering the area between Samaria and Binyamin.
4. Nationwide military buildup: Additional air, naval, and ground forces will be allocated to other fronts according to operational requirements.

Zamir emphasized that the IDF is operating at its highest level of alert and will maintain heightened vigilance and readiness across all sectors.

“The IDF’s mission is to ensure that democratic elections take place on schedule and safely,” the chief of staff stressed.

The sweeping measures come as Israel prepares for elections amid a sensitive regional security environment, with the military taking additional precautions to ensure it can respond rapidly to developments on multiple fronts.

Disturbing images emerging from the French capital show an elderly couple in their 80s left partially undressed in the street amid violent unrest that has seen businesses looted, property destroyed, and civilians caught in the chaos.

The couple was allegedly robbed of their personal belongings and clothing as violence spread through the city, with luxury retailers targeted, businesses ransacked, and police confronting rioters.

While some media outlets have described participants in the unrest as “student protesters,” footage circulating online shows individuals engaging in looting and destruction of property.

It remains unclear why individuals described as “student protesters” would allegedly strip an elderly couple in their 80s of their clothing, in addition to stealing their personal possessions.

Although the photographs document the couple’s partially undressed condition, the identities of those responsible and the circumstances of the alleged robbery have not been independently established.

The images have intensified concerns about public safety and the ability of French authorities to protect vulnerable residents amid the escalating unrest.

Unverified footage on social media Sunday appears to show rioters in Paris breaking into private homes.

Nick Sortor, an independent journalist who posted the video online, wrote, “Looters are now BREAKING INTO HOMES in Paris — and it was only a matter of time.”

“Absolutely NOBODY is coming to help the Parisians either,” he added. “This is why you NEVER give up your guns. The government will NOT be there for you.”

The protests exploded against a backdrop of violence that has erupted across France, with no signs of abating over the course of a month, as the historic town hall in Limoges was burned down Saturday.

The protests, which began in mid-September over education, swept across the country in cities such as Marseille, Nantes, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Lyon, Rennes, and Paris, with protesters holding signs that said “The state has killed national education.”

At times, the protests turned violent, as protesters lit fires in the streets and police used tear gas, batons, and nonlethal grenades to disperse the crowds, leading to more than 6,000 arrests, as well as injuries among more than 700 police officers.

Congregants of a Paris synagogue discovered Sunday morning that their synagogue had been vandalized, with books and religious items strewn across the floor, while the Torah scrolls remained untouched and nothing appeared to be stolen. It’s unclear if the vandalism is related to the riots or is a separate incident.

A French Jewish leader urged French President Emmanuel Macron to declare a state of emergency in the face of ongoing riots that have spiraled out of control since last month and that show no signs of abating.

Bruno Benjamin, the president of the Marseille-Provence branch of the umbrella group of French Jewish institutions known as CRIF (Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions), told an Israel-based outlet, “I believe we need to declare a state of emergency in France, send in the army, massively increase law enforcement personnel, and arrest these rioters and vandals by every means.”

Scenes of chaos shared on social media prompted snarky or angry comments from social media users.

“The cycle of violence in France must stop. Israel is calling on BOTH sides to show restraint, and engage in negotiations for a two-state solution,” one user snarked.

“We will all soon know what it feels like to be Jewish. In France, they already do. It will be our just deserts for having abandoned the Jews, ignored their warnings, turned against them, and even marched alongside their oppressors,” another user remonstrated.

A Turkish-born Israeli tour guide found herself surrounded by a mob in a mall in Turkey.

Klodya Medina Halfon, who works as a medical tourism guide bringing Israelis to Turkey for cosmetic surgery, was walking through the mall when pro-Hamas activists started following her and screaming “Child killer” and “I don’t want Zionists in my country.”

Pro-Hamas activists had monitored her social media and spotted a video of her shopping at Sephora.

Hammad Numman, who describes himself as a “Zionist hunter” and “October 7th movement spokesperson,” then issued a public call to mobilize fellow activists against her.

Screenshot

In his video Numman identified her location, accused her of wanting to fight in Gaza, and called for a “face-to-face protest,” urging all Palestine activists to join him.

İsrail askerlerine hizmet sağlayan hiçbir siyonist alçak ülkemizde rahat rahat gezemeyecek! Yasal ve hukuki tüm haklarımızı sonuna kadar kullanarak Bu alçaklarla mücadele edeceğiz! https://t.co/j18pqxNMve

— Hammad Numan (@hammadnuman0) October 18, 2026

He demanded that Turkish authorities immediately initiate legal proceedings against her, declaring:

“While hospitals in Gaza are being bombed, no Israeli terrorist will receive healthcare on our homeland’s soil and wander around freely!”

He ended his message with “Long live Free Palestine.”

Halfon was rescued by mall security when a female guard clamped an arm around her shoulder and hustled her away while other guards attempted to break up the crowd.

🔴 SON DAKİKA: İsrail ordusunda görev yapan askerleri Türkiye'ye getirerek sağlık hizmeti verdiği ifşa edilen ve çocukları da orduda görev yapan çifte vatandaş Klodya Medina, İstanbul'da bir AVM'de protesto edildi pic.twitter.com/lXebhyADsI

— Daily Islamist (@dailyislamist) October 18, 2026

This story comes amid increasing news reports of attacks on Israelis touring exotic locations. In August, an Israeli woman and her daughter were beaten so severely in Thailand by a French passport holder after he found out they were from Israel that they both required surgery for their injuries. An Israeli tourist had ordered a meal at a Bangkok restaurant when she noticed a sign that said “No Israel [sic] tourist.” Canceling her order turned into a tense and frightening confrontation. Israeli tourists were attacked in Thailand after being overheard speaking Hebrew by French tourists in February. A parent was body slammed after telling a ticket seller at a zoo that the family was from Israel. The family was forced to leave with their children, who witnessed the incident.

Antisemitic incidents in Greece and Cyprus, destination hotspots for Israeli tourists, have also been particularly violent. Recently, protests during an organized “Day of Rage” across the country saw Jews and Israelis shoved and abused. Young tourists cowered in their hotel rooms as Muslims armed with rifles and axes invaded the hotel, hunting them down. Groups of men wearing black T-shirts emblazoned with the Palestinian flag roamed a Jewish neighborhood in Thessaloniki, harassing and intimidating Jews. In another incident, tourists were harassed in Cyprus after being heard speaking Hebrew, with one of the aggressors knocked unconscious by one of the Israelis. Tourists vacationing in Greece who were harassed by passersby chanted “El, el Yisrael” to drown out the shouting.

Incidents are on the rise all over the world.

In July, a man filmed himself calling a group of Israelis vacationing in Montenegro “baby killers” and accusing them of genocide. In June of last year, an Israeli tourist was violently attacked by a mob after he was heard speaking his native language. A family of Israeli tourists who were heard speaking Hebrew in Thessaloniki in July 2025 were attacked, with assailants following them to their car after the Israeli family was told by staff to leave a restaurant.

The situation has worsened to the point that the Israeli National Security Council has been warning Israeli tourists not to speak Hebrew when traveling abroad. It has also advised removing all external signs of Jewishness, such as Stars of David, before going out in public, to keep silent about their military service, and to avoid unsecured, unmonitored sites.

Israeli chess players who were banned from the World Amateur Chess Championship in Malaysia argued that the word “world” should be stripped from the title since Israel was barred.

Lior Aizenberg, one of the excluded chess players, and other Israeli chess players have called on the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to intervene and urged the international community to also get involved.

“The championship in Malaysia should be canceled and moved to another country, or held in Israel,” they said in a statement.

“If the tournament proceeds in Malaysia despite the ban, the word ‘world’ must be stripped from its official title. It cannot be considered a true World Championship if representatives from Israel are barred from participating,” they added.

Lior Aizenberg. (Credit: Lior Aizenberg)

The chess representatives also insisted that international sporting standards be enforced as they had in the past, citing a case from 2019 when Malaysia lost the right to host after barring Israeli players.

“With less than three weeks remaining until the event, it is unacceptable that governing bodies have not issued a clear ultimatum to the Malaysian hosts. A direct precedent exists: in 2019, Malaysia was stripped of its hosting rights for the World Para Swimming Championships after refusing to allow Israeli athletes to compete,” they said.

Aizenberg slammed the Malaysian authorities for their indifference toward Israel.

“Participating with an Israeli passport or even a foreign passport, which doesn’t even require an entry visa to the country, makes no difference to them,” he said. “The Malaysian authorities are simply unwilling to allow Israelis to represent Israel at a World Championship. As far as they are concerned, Israel does not exist. After 78 years of statehood, and especially following October 7, we as Israelis cannot allow such a situation to stand.”

According to FIDE, “all FIDE member federations and all eligible players are invited to participate” in the world championship. However, Malaysia has implemented restrictions that ban Israelis from joining the games.

Aizenberg said that he had attempted to contact the tournament organizers to try to resolve the issue.

“I contacted the tournament organizer with an innocent question about participating, and immediately received a message saying he was sorry, but Israelis would not be able to play because of Malaysia’s immigration policy,” Aizenberg said. “Right afterward, he deleted the message and added another saying they would get back to me. A place that does not accept Israelis or players from any other country should not be allowed to host a world championship.”

In a Fox News interview that aired Saturday, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the only way to end the Iranian threat was to topple the regime.

“Let’s complete the job and have the people of Iran seize their own future,” he said. “The only way you can deal with it is to basically get rid of this regime.”

He also praised President Donald Trump for applying both military and economic pressure on Iran but added that success requires a lengthy campaign of economic and military pressure.

The Israeli premier expressed optimism that the Arab Gulf states were moving closer toward normalization with Israel and to joining the Abraham Accords.

“Many more are waiting in the wings precisely because they saw our strength and power and fortitude,” he said.

More interview highlights include Netanyahu’s relationship with Donald Trump, his affirmation of the Jewish people’s ancient connection to the land, and his searing denunciation of European leaders who kowtow to the Islamists despite knowing better.

On his relationship with Trump: “Our rapport not only comes from knowing each other for so many years; it’s also from understanding that we face a common danger and that we have to protect our common future. And that’s really it. Aside from the fact [that] it’s fun being with him, I mean, I don’t know. Most people don’t know that he has a wicked sense of humor. I mean, he can be very funny and very warm, and so I, you know, I treasure this relationship, and I always recognize he’s the president of the United States. He does what he thinks is good for the United States, and that’s exactly what he does. I do the same for Israel.”

On his defense of the Jewish connection to the land: “We’re not on stolen land. This is our historical homeland. We’re the indigenous people here. We’re not the Dutch in Indonesia. We’re not the Belgians in the Congo. We’re Jews from Judea. That’s where we come from. Judea. We’re sitting right now in Judea, Jerusalem, the capital of Judea and Samaria. Well, they split into two kingdoms after a while, but the people of Israel, the Jews, came from Judea. So this is our homeland. We’ve been attached to it for thousands of years. We’re not a colonialist enterprise; we’re the original owners of our land. This is our land. We’re not trying to drive anyone out … The Arab residents are perfectly free to stay here.”

On his criticism of European states: “We’re now forging relations. I mean, I’m not going to name names, but Mark, you wouldn’t believe the number of Arab states that are coming to us now, the number of Muslim states that are coming to us now, the number of European states. I say Europe, you know, because Europe, these are the same countries, you know, who are smashing us at the UN, vilifying us. You lost the moral high ground. You stole the land, and then they come to me. Hey, listen, can we do something about this? You know, can you help us with this anti-terrorist effort? And can you help us with this or help us with that? So, and by the way, I really get, I can say, I really get pissed off with them. You know, you don’t have to bend to the, you know, to the winds of fashion of Islamist constituencies and and the lunatic left in your body. Stand up, be a leader. Be a leader. President Trump is a leader. Be a leader. They’re not leaders. They’re so weak and passive, and they’re basically try to appease the worst, the worst fanatics in their realm. That’s not leadership.”

Israel thumbed its nose at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) with Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Arieh King’s announcement Sunday that work had begun on its Jerusalem headquarters to convert the building to an IDF recruitment center and museum.

“Our promise, of the ‘United’ faction in the city of Jerusalem to evict UNRWA from Jerusalem, continues to be fulfilled. This morning, the work began to prepare the former UNRWA headquarters in Ma’alot Dafna, for use by the IDF as a recruitment office and IDF museum,” the deputy mayor posted alongside a video.

Despite pressure from the international community, including the United States, Israel moved to ban UNRWA two years ago from operating in Israel after the discovery that UNRWA employees had participated in the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack against Israel that left about 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage.

The bill passed the Knesset on Oct. 28, 2024, with huge majorities and took effect on Jan. 30 the next year, followed by the closure of UNRWA’s main offices in the Ma’alot Dafna and Kafr Aqab neighborhoods of Jerusalem.

The UNRWA center in Kafr Aqab will be converted into a complex serving Arab residents that will include a boys’ high school, a mosque, and sports and health care facilities. The project is expected to cost about $13 million.

The Israel Defense Forces warned Gazans Sunday not to approach the Yellow Line, the line demarcating Israeli-controlled territory in Gaza from Hamas-controlled territory.

The military noted that Hamas has recently increased its activity near the Yellow Line, posing a direct threat to its troops, which the IDF said would be met with “decisive action.”

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Ella Waweya, who speaks fluent Arabic, released a video statement along with a written one warning Gazans that the military would treat any activity near the Yellow Line as a threat.

The full statement online contained the following bulleted list:

Residents of GazaStrip, take heed to ensure your safety: Refrain from approaching or crossing the yellow line.

• Forces of the Israel Defense Forces are deployed in the yellow line area, where they are working to thwart threats and terrorist activities. Approaching the yellow line or being in its vicinity may put your lives at risk due to military activity in the area.
• In recent times, the Israel Defense Forces have observed an escalation in hostile activities carried out by the terrorist Hamas movement in the yellow line area, alongside an increase in attempts by the movement’s elements and its agents to approach it. The terrorist movement operates among the civilian population and in their vicinity, thereby endangering their lives.
• The Israel Defense Forces clarify: The Israel Defense Forces will act against threats and attempts to carry out terrorist activity in the area, in accordance with international law, with the aim of protecting its forces and maintaining the security of the State of Israel and its residents.
• Any attempt to attack Israel Defense Forces troops in the yellow line area will be met with a determined response to thwart the threat.
• Residents of the Gaza Strip, to ensure your safety, take care not to approach or cross the yellow line.

A French Jewish leader urged French President Emmanuel Macron to declare a state of emergency in the face of ongoing riots that have spiraled out of control since last month and that show no signs of abating.

Bruno Benjamin, the president of the Marseille-Provence branch of the umbrella group of French Jewish institutions known as CRIF (Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions), told an Israel-based outlet, “I believe we need to declare a state of emergency in France, send in the army, massively increase law enforcement personnel, and arrest these rioters and vandals by every means.”

Congregants of a Paris synagogue discovered Sunday morning that the synagogue had been vandalized, with books and religious items strewn across the floor, while the Torah scrolls remained untouched and nothing appeared to be stolen. It’s unclear if the vandalism is related to the riots or is a separate incident.

The protests exploded against a backdrop of violence that has erupted across France, with no signs of abating over the course of a month, as the historic town hall in Limoges was burned down Saturday.

The protests, which began in mid-September over education, swept across the country in cities such as Marseille, Nantes, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Lyon, Rennes, and Paris, with protesters holding signs that said “The state has killed national education.”

At times, the protests turned violent, as protesters lit fires in the streets and police used tear gas, batons, and non-lethal grenades to disperse the crowds, leading to more than 6,000 arrests, as well as injuries among more than 700 police officers.

Scenes of chaos shared on social media prompted snarky or angry comments from social media users.

“The cycle of violence in France must stop. Israel is calling on BOTH sides to show restraint, and engage in negotiations for a two-state solution,” one user snarked.

“We will all soon know what it feels like to be Jewish. In France, they already do. It will be our just deserts for having abandoned the Jews, ignored their warnings, turned against them, and even marched alongside their oppressors,” another user remonstrated.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Donald Trump for his endorsement ahead of the Israeli elections scheduled for Oct. 27, saying that “there’s never been a greater friend of Israel in the White House.”

“President Trump, my dear friend Donald, I’m so honored and humbled by your extraordinary endorsement. I could say — and that’s easy —there’s never been a greater friend of Israel in the White House,” the Israeli premier said in a video statement.

“That’s an understatement, not by the longest shot, but I think America has been fortunate to have a leader of conviction, of clarity, of courage, who faces down this threat to America and to Israel,” he added, explaining that Trump understood that a murderous regime that has both Israel and the United States in its crosshairs is a threat that cannot be ignored and that Trump met the threat head-on without wavering in the face of internal criticism.

“You’re focused, laser focused, on the task of removing this threat from this current generation of Americans, from all future generations. You’ve shown remarkable consistency and remarkable leadership,” Netanyahu said.

Addressing the American people directly, the prime minister said that high gas prices will become irrelevant if Iran obtains a nuclear weapon, which he vowed that he, with the president’s help, “will never allow.” He also expressed the belief that only Trump could eliminate the Iranian threat.

“The world has been fortunate, America has been fortunate, America’s allies have been fortunate, Israel has been fortunate, and the Jewish people have been fortunate to have a leader of such clarity, consistency, conviction, and courage as Donald J. Trump,” Netanyahu concluded. “Donald, thank you. Thank you for your enduring support. Thank you for your unbelievable leadership. Thank you, friend.”

In a separate video statement, Netanyahu urged voters to heed Trump’s endorsement and head to the polls to cast a vote for him.

“Trump said we did wonderful things together. We crushed Iran, we crushed the Iranian axis, and we pushed back the immediate threat of nuclear weapons against us,” Netanyahu said.

Arguing that the issue of Iran constituted the main issue during this election season, since for Israel the threat from the tyrannical regime is existential, he said, “The president says he will do it, and that he will do it only if the two of us do it together. Therefore, I ask you: Listen to him, consider his words and vote for me.”

Books and religious items were found strewn across a synagogue on Rue Burnouf in Paris’ 19th arrondissement. Footage circulated alongside claims that rioters had attacked the synagogue during France’s nationwide unrest. No injuries have been reported. 

However, the Ohalei Yaakov congregation’s committee suspects attempted theft, reporting nothing stolen or vandalized and no signs of forced entry. Torah scrolls were untouched, according to IsraJ’s reporting from the community.

Israel’s new-home sales jumped nearly 25% from a year earlier, yet developers are still carrying almost 86,000 unsold homes. Behind the impressive increase, the latest figures show a housing market whose recovery remains uneven.

About 10,110 new homes were sold between June and August, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. At the end of August, 85,680 remained for sale, equivalent to 26.7 months of supply at the sales pace used by the bureau.

Calcalist’s analysis points to two major reasons for the jump: comparison with last year’s war-disrupted market and an unusually large number of purchases through government-subsidized housing programs.

Only about 2,000 new homes were sold in June last year, when Israel was fighting Iran. That depressed starting point makes this year’s increase look stronger, even without a dramatic improvement in underlying demand.

Meanwhile, roughly 3,600 purchases during the three-month period came through subsidized programs, accounting for more than a third of new-home sales. Calcalist reported that discounts of around NIS 500,000 help drive demand for those properties. Excluding subsidized transactions, sales rose by approximately 13%, roughly half the headline growth rate.

The comparison with the preceding three months offers another reason for caution. After adjusting for seasonal patterns, new-home sales fell 5.5% from March–May, while transactions across new and secondhand homes declined 2.9%. The bureau’s longer-term trend figures nevertheless show new-home sales gradually recovering since the beginning of the year.

The inventory figure also covers homes at different stages of development. The bureau counts permitted housing intended for sale for which no sale has been reported, including units whose construction has yet to begin. The backlog therefore extends beyond completed apartments available for immediate occupancy.

Newer price data add to the evidence of a subdued market. Israel’s home-price index fell 0.6% in July–August compared with June–July and was down 1.8% from a year earlier. Prices of new homes excluding subsidized transactions fell 0.8% over the same overlapping two-month comparison.

Developers are also facing rising construction expenses. Residential building costs increased 3.6% over the past year, with construction wages up 5.3%, putting pressure on builders as selling prices soften.

The summer sales figures predate the Bank of Israel’s September decision to lower its benchmark interest rate to 3.25%. Future releases will help show whether the latest reduction supports stronger demand. The central bank’s next rate decision is scheduled for Wednesday.

Riots broke out in Milan, Italy, Saturday, following protests that began as peaceful demonstrations against wars and the high cost of living.

The violence caused the Piazza del Duomo and a luxury shopping arcade to empty out at a time when they would normally be teeming with shoppers as rioters set fires, clashed with police, and looted stores.

The violence spiraled out of control with demonstrators hurling paving blocks at police and setting barricades on fire. Police dispersed the rioters using water cannons and tear gas. Police arrested about 50 rioters, including minors, and two police officers were injured.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denounced the violence in a social media statement.

“Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not,” she wrote, slamming “hooligans who exploit demonstrations to sow chaos, attack those responsible for ensuring security and hold entire cities hostage.”

“The reasons for the protests were understandable. The violence against law enforcement and serious damage to the city are not justifiable,” said Milan’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala.

“Smoke bombs are being thrown at rooftop bars. Shops are locked down,” wrote Gauci Reports, an independent journalist. “A cost of living protest just became a riot in the heart of the city. Police are firing tear gas. Dozens have already been arrested. British tourists say they’ve never felt less safe and they’re rushing for the first flight home.”

The protests exploded against a backdrop of violence that has erupted across neighboring France, with no signs of abating over the course of a month, as the historic town hall in Limoges was burned down Saturday.

The FBI arrested a Los Angeles resident earlier this month who had been planning a “mass incident” at a Jewish kindergarten, according to prosecutors, The New York Post reported Saturday.

On Oct. 2, the FBI raided the home of 51-year-old Steven Duenas, which he shared with his mother, Maria Duenas, for making threats against Jews online and for the possession of parts intended to create a Molotov cocktail.

In an X post from Sept. 19, using the screen name StockSwinger, he displayed what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail against a background with a TV screen showing the World Trade Center on fire. The label bears the words “Goy de Ley Cocktail.”

“1st batch- ‘Goy De Ley’ cocktail. Don’t simply watch the war, participate by enjoying a Goy De Let cocktail,” he wrote. Another post from that day displayed a photo of a glass bottle along with the message, “Second cocktail of the night 271K max cocktail.” He also posted a video showing Molotov cocktail parts and wrote, “It’s the end of Los Feliz as you know it, and I feel fine. I love my homies… The Houthis.”

In other posts, he wrote, “Not enough synagogues have been burned down” and “I just acquired some Tomahawks from Facebook Marketplace, might bomb Jems later.”

Jems is the name of the preschool the Los Feliz resident had in his crosshairs.

“Duenas appeared in court shortly after his arrest, shackled and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, tears streaming down his face,” the Post reported. “At one point the judge asked whether he wanted to postpone the proceedings until he could regain his composure. Duenas said he was ready to continue.”

“As he left the bail hearing, he mouthed the words ‘I love you’ to his Mom, Maria Duenas, who was sitting in the gallery and was handcuffed alongside her son when the FBI raided the residence they share at 4:30 a.m.,” the Post reported.

In an exclusive interview with the Post, the suspect’s mother shared details of her son’s life.

“He was sweet, kind, he went to a good school, he was always smiling. I made sure he dressed well, he attended mass and was an altar boy,” she said.

Following the loss of his job and a divorce, his life spiraled downward as he began abusing drugs and alcohol, the mother said, adding that after his arrest, she found “barrels of alcohol, he had been drinking and taking hundreds of bottles of meds, he was out of his mind.” She also said that he was bipolar, schizophrenic, and suffered from “deep depression.”

Asked about her son’s anti-Jewish animus, Maria said, “Steven has always been respectful of others, he was not brought up that way. We pray and we help, that’s my motto.”

“I know that he is sorry, he wasn’t himself. I’d like him to go to a clinic and clean up, to truly repent and find peace,” she added.

Duenas’ next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 10.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has challenged allegations that Israeli settlers attacked European diplomats in Judea & Samaria, saying there is no compelling evidence establishing their responsibility.

The incident occurred near Taybeh, where European representatives reported being assaulted during a visit. Several European governments condemned the incident and demanded accountability.

The Prime Minister's Office:

ALLEGED ATTACK ON EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS: SERIOUS ACCUSATIONS REQUIRE SERIOUS EVIDENCE.

We urge caution before drawing conclusions from today's reports that European diplomats were attacked by masked Israelis in Judea and Samaria. Any violence against…

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 17, 2026

Netanyahu’s office stressed that the available footage does not establish the full sequence of events or identify those responsible, warning against drawing conclusions before the facts are verified.

While the IDF and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the violence, Israeli authorities launched an investigation to determine what happened and identify those involved.

Netanyahu’s response emphasizes the distinction between investigating allegations of violence and assigning collective blame to Jewish communities in Judea & Samaria before individual responsibility has been established.

Katie Zacharia’s tenure as President Donald Trump’s White House Press Secretary has come to an abrupt end after just five days, making it one of the shortest stints in the history of the high-profile position.

Zacharia, who replaced longtime Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, made her debut behind the White House briefing room podium on Tuesday, October 13. Her first and only briefing lasted approximately 14 minutes, during which she took questions from just three reporters.

Her appointment had initially attracted attention because of her close ties to Trump’s political operation. Zacharia previously worked in communications for Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, and served in a communications role at the Department of Homeland Security.

However, her brief tenure quickly became overshadowed by questions about her qualifications and her performance before the White House press corps.

White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia holds first press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Tuesday, October 13, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

Among the controversies was her legal background. Although Trump had introduced Zacharia as an attorney, she subsequently acknowledged that she had not passed the bar examination and was not licensed to practice law in the United States, despite graduating from Pepperdine University School of Law.

By Friday, October 16, Trump was publicly questioning whether she should remain in the position.

Speaking to reporters, the president suggested that the intense scrutiny surrounding the job might make it unsuitable for Zacharia, while defending her against what he characterized as unfair treatment by the media.

“Maybe it’s not for her,” Trump remarked.

A senior White House official subsequently confirmed that Zacharia was transitioning out of the role, just days after taking over one of the administration’s most visible communications positions.

The rapid departure leaves the White House facing another leadership change in its press operation at a time when the administration continues to navigate major domestic and international developments.

Zacharia’s five-day tenure was even shorter than Anthony Scaramucci’s famously brief 10-day stint as White House communications director in 2017, although the two held different positions.

Anthony Scaramucci

The White House has not yet announced a permanent replacement.

For a position that requires defending the president, managing an often-confrontational press corps, and communicating administration policy to the world, Zacharia’s brief appointment underscores the intense pressure that comes with serving as the public face of the White House.

Just five days, one press briefing, and a sudden departure.

Johannes Kongsnes Natland was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a London court Friday for a murder plot linked to Iran.

The 19-year-old was arrested in March 2025 in Britain, where he had arrived to find and kill his intended target for 25,000 euros. The troubled teen, who admitted to a daily drug habit, was recruited by another teenager, a 17-year-old who went by the moniker “Generalen” and who is serving a 14-year sentence for his involvement in the plot.

Both teenagers were serving the Foxtrot network, an organized crime network that is backed by Iran and that targets Jews and Israelis.

Shortly after he turned 18, Natland flew to Manchester Airport, where he was guided by a messaging app to a stash of cash, firearms, and a stolen car. In the meantime, Norwegian police arrested the teen who recruited him and discovered the plot in his phone messages. Police in England raced to stop the would-be hit man before he found his intended target, who remains unidentified.

Natland admitted to possessing the firearms and to the plot but said that he did not want to follow through.

Nevertheless, the judge in the case, Bobbie Cheema-Grubb, said he had “numerous opportunities to extricate” himself.

“You agreed to be the enforcer and pursued it, despite numerous opportunities to extricate yourself,” she said at his sentencing hearing in Woolwich Crown Court in southeast London.

“Although the fact that no one was shot dead or physically harmed is important, I am sure had the intervention of the police not prevented the plan from proceeding, you would have done what you had agreed to,” she added.

A 16-year-old who participated in the plot is awaiting trial in Norway.

Last year, the U.K. imposed sanctions on the Foxtrot Network “due to their involvement in violence against Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe on behalf of the Iranian regime.”

At the 81st annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner Thursday, New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch roasted NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s allies, while the mayor was sitting right there.

The Al Smith Dinner, as it is known, is an event to raise funds for Catholic charities and vulnerable women and children in the Archdiocese of New York. The gala is a white-tie affair held in New York City once a year.

“Things have got a little hot for me this week. Just in case, anyone hiring?” she joked, referring to calls earlier in the week for her ouster by democratic socialists such as Darializa Avila Chevalier, the congressional candidate who won her primary with the mayor’s support.

“There’s a lot of talk these days that the mayor’s friends don’t like like me. That is simply not true. President Trump and I get along great,” she added, prompting laughter from those in attendance, including the mayor.

When asked about the calls for Tisch’s resignation following the shooting of a man in New York City by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, Mamdani backed the police commissioner unequivocally, saying Tuesday that he had no plans to fire her.

Chevalier had stated at the time, “The NYPD’s Strategic Response Unit must be dismantled as quickly as possible, and Commissioner Tisch must resign.”

“Jessica Tisch is the police commissioner. I have no plans to change that,” the mayor told reporters.

Mamdani defended Tisch’s record, citing that as the reason he kept her on as commissioner in the first place upon his assumption of the mayoralty and noting record reductions in crime since the beginning of his tenure.

“The reason that I made the decision to have Jessica Tisch as the police commissioner was because of her record of uprooting corruption from the upper echelons of the NYPD while lowering crime across our city,” he explained. “And over the last 10 months that we’ve worked together, we have delivered the lowest recorded number of murders in our city’s history, the lowest recorded number of shootings, as well as shooting victims.”

The mayor and the commissioner hold opposing views on Israel. Mamdani has made his stridently anti-Israel position clear, while Tisch has remained staunchly pro-Israel.

For example, after Mamdani famously refused to join the Israel Day Parade, Tisch said, when asked about the matter, “It’s the mayor’s decision not to march and it’s my decision to march proudly.”

Fans of the Croatian soccer team playing against the Dutch soccer team Ajax chanted Nazi slogans at a rally in Split, Croatia, ahead of the match Thursday.

The Croatian fans, some of whom refer to the opposing team as Jews, chanted “Crush, crush, crush the Jews,” as well as “Auschwitz, Auschwitz,” “Rise up, Hitler,” “Fire up the ovens,” and “Come on, come on, Ustaše.”

The Ustaše were a Nazi-supporting group in Croatia that participated in the genocide of the Jews, Roma, and Serbs during the Holocaust.

The Croatian government posted a statement strongly condemning the fans’ behavior.

“We strongly condemn the unacceptable chants glorifying the Nazi regime that were recorded among a portion of fans in the stands before today’s match in Split. The police are conducting a criminal investigation to identify and prosecute those who shouted punishable chants in the stands. Such shameful behavior constitutes a negation of the sport and the democratic values that modern Croatia cherishes,” the government stated.

The Israeli Embassy in Zagreb expressed shock over the incident but thanked the Government of the Republic of Croatia for its swift response.

“The Embassy of Israel in Zagreb is deeply shocked by the severe antisemitic incident that occurred yesterday in Split and condemns it in the strongest possible terms. Such incidents must be unequivocally and decisively condemned by all competent authorities at all levels,” the embassy said in a statement.

“We are deeply grateful to Vlada Republike Hrvatske [the Government of the Republic of Croatia] and the Prime Minister’s special advisor on Holocaust issues Sara Lustig for their swift reaction and clear condemnation of this event, and we are confident that the competent authorities will act swiftly and decisively on this matter,” it said.

A journalist confronted Lubna Speitan, the British-Palestinian community organizer and activist who proposed the resolution adopted by the Green Party stating that Zionism is racism and calling for one Palestinian state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, effectively calling for the eradication of the Jewish state.

In the footage, Speitan is seen flanked on her right by Ahmed Alnaouq, a member of Hamas whose brother, Ayman Alnaouq, was a Hamas terrorist killed by Israeli security forces in 2014 and whom Alnaouq referred to as a resistance fighter. Hamas posted a martyr photo of Ayman in which he is pictured wearing the green Hamas headband and holding a rifle.

“I came to understand that resistance fighters are nothing more than young people who loved life and loved their homeland, but left their comfortable lives and joined the resistance to confront the Israeli occupation and defend their homeland and land that had been taken from them since the Nakba of the Palestinian people in 1948,” Alnaouq told an Arab media outlet in 2017.

Another acquaintance of Alnaouq is Yuval Abraham, one of the creators of “NAZA,” an anti-Israel documentary that alleges, among other things, that the IDF deliberately plans strikes to maximize civilian casualties. Abraham has had a longstanding relationship with the Hamas member, considering him a close friend and colleague.

To Speitan’s left is another activist, Amro Tabari, “who screeched ‘Zionist scum’ at Jews in Brighton,” according to Heidi Bachram, an ally of the Jewish people who posted the video.

Speitan refused to engage with the reporter.

In the video, he asked, “How do you risk not alienating Jewish people and making your motion feel like they’re antisemitic? What does your motion mean for the Jewish community? Is this going to affect millions of Jews? Are you effectively branding them racist? Are you effectively branding Jewish people racist? Don’t Jews have rights as well?”

“Not taking questions,” Speitan answered.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) pushed back Friday against Hamas propaganda that Israel Israel is obstructing food aid into Gaza, releasing a video showing restaurants and grocery stores overflowing with food.

“Despite Hamas’s ongoing attempts to spread false narratives about alleged shortages in the Gaza Strip, particularly following protests by private-sector merchants against Hamas, the facts on the ground tell a different story: Gaza is flooded with humanitarian aid and food supplies,” COGAT said in a statement.

“Since the October 2025 ceasefire, over 2.2 million tons of food have entered Gaza,” the organization added. This means Israel facilitated the entry of about one ton of food into Gaza per person in just one year, which is about five pounds of food per person per day.

COGAT also said that about 600 trucks enter Gaza daily, 70 to 80 percent of them carrying food. That amounts to 420 to 480 food trucks a day, which is hundreds more food trucks per day than prewar levels, when about 70 food trucks entered Gaza per day.

The government organization cited other evidence of food abundance, such as the 83-percent drop in food prices, the operation of 41 bakeries and 100 kitchens, and the production of 3 million pitas a day. COGAT said that there is so much food that in fact many boxes remain uncollected.

“Despite Hamas’s attempts to falsely portray Israel as obstructing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, COGAT will continue facilitating its entry, ensuring a steady flow of food and essential supplies,” COGAT vowed.

The mayor of Reggio Emilia in northern Italy walked back a requirement for teachers joining the International Study Group on the Reggio Emilia Approach hosted by Reggio Children to sign a document on human rights that says they condemn genocide.

Sixty-eight Jewish educators canceled the trip, citing concerns about antisemitism, especially after pro-Palestinian groups started scrutinizing their social media accounts. These groups protested the teachers’ participation, claiming that the schools they represented had ties to Israel.

Reggio Children President Maddalena Tedeschi had discussed asking visitors to sign a statement denouncing “the occupation of territories and genocide.” Reggio Children spokesperson Francesca Severini said that discussions on the matter ultimately did not result in an officially adopted statement, contradicting earlier claims by the organization itself about the statement and Reggio Emilia’s mayor’s reference to the commitment in a press release.

The U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, said Wednesday that the mayor had retracted the requirement, stating on X, “We welcome Reggio Emilia Mayor Marco Massari’s reaffirmation that American Jewish educators are welcome in his city, regardless of their identity or beliefs and his expressed desire to resume the educational exchange. We appreciate the strong cooperation with local law enforcement to help ensure visiting educators can participate safely, free from intimidation or political pressure.”

“I thank our embassy and consulate for working with my office to address this issue,” he added.

Tesla’s long-delayed Roadster has finally left the ground. At a Texas unveiling, the redesigned electric sports car drove upside down, rotated in midair and landed using thrusters developed with SpaceX, delivering a demonstration far beyond a conventional supercar launch.

The technology combines two systems: fans beneath the car create suction to hold it against a surface, while thrusters fed by highly pressurized air provide additional force. At SpaceX’s McGregor test facility, a prototype climbed a towering curved ramp before launching off it and using its thrusters to control its descent.

Tesla says the thruster-equipped Roadster can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than a second, exceed 230 mph and travel more than 300 miles on a charge. Those are company claims, not independently verified production-car results. Production is now targeted for 2028.

Tesla is dividing the Roadster into three configurations rather than giving every buyer the full flying package. Performance is described as a road-focused, two-seat model with active aerodynamics and a suction system. Thrust adds acceleration thrusters and is positioned for racing. The invitation-only Rocket version has just one seat and adds what Tesla describes as a full flight system.

Reservations require substantial money upfront: $50,000 for Performance and $250,000 for Thrust, according to the U.S. reservation details reported by Reuters. Those figures are deposits, not purchase prices. Tesla did not announce final pricing at the unveiling.

The spectacle follows years of missed deadlines. Tesla first presented its next-generation Roadster in 2017 and promised production in 2020. Subsequent production and demonstration targets slipped repeatedly, leaving early reservation holders waiting while the project evolved.

The car also arrives at an unusual moment for Tesla. As the company increasingly emphasizes autonomous vehicles and robotics, Musk is positioning the Roadster as a showcase for human-driven performance rather than a major source of revenue. Its importance is as much about restoring Tesla’s reputation for ambitious engineering as selling sports cars.

Whether customers will be able to use its most dramatic capabilities remains a separate question. Musk acknowledged that the vehicle might not be legal in every jurisdiction. A successful demonstration establishes what a prototype can do, not where owners will be permitted to do it.

A clip has surfaced of Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s sister, Eman Abdelhadi, reading a passage from a book she co-authored with M.E. O’Brien in which she imagines the “final intifada,” when Israel falls in an Oct. 7-like assault. The book was published in January 2024, a few months after the worst tragedy to befall the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

In a fictional interview set in 2067, Abdelhadi imagined herself speaking with a man who had participated in the attack as a young man about 30 years before.

Speaking about the book, the Michigan candidate’s sister explained that each chapter is an interview presenting an oral history from a fictional character. In the chapter under discussion, she imagined herself interviewing a man named Hassan “about their participation in the final intifada and the liberation of Palestine, and they say it was a mass insurrection that started in the early 30s and ended with the liberation of Palestine in 38.”

“In the 20s, you had massive boycotts of Israel by individuals, companies, universities, and industries all over the world,” her character said. “The state couldn’t afford to keep up the luxuries they gave to working-class and middle-class Jews because the global economy was faltering.”

“They say, ‘What were you plotting?’ They say, ‘Resistance, like you know, guerrilla ops, mostly targeting the border to Gaza,'” the character Hassan said.

“It took a year of intense planning and coordinating with resistance fighters across Palestine,” the character Hassan said. “But eventually, the border between Gaza and the rest of Palestine fell. The IDF couldn’t hold out between the mass defections, the international condemnations, the weapons and supplies drying up.”

Critics are focusing on what appears next to be a reference to a future Oct. 7.

“I say, tell me about the day the border fell, and Hassan pauses for a long time,” Abdelhadi said.

“It was the most beautiful day of my life, bombing the borders, blowing up military outposts, and all that,” she had him respond. “But most people were just organizers. Those of us that were armed started shooting at them. Some people made Molotov cocktails.”

Left out of the clip is how Abdelhadi projects intifada-like behavior onto the Israelis. Her character describes an incident in which Israelis shoot up a school bus full of children, an echo of Palestinian suicide bombings that blew up buses during the Second Intifada. The character adds that this sparked a million-person march over the border that eventually overwhelmed the Israelis, leading to the success of the “final intifada.”

For a course at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa., called Intellectual History, a professor assigned several passages from Abdelhadi’s book, including this one, for her students to choose from for a writing assignment.

Writing instructions included such directions as the following:

“Find a passage that illustrates a way that the person whose story is being recorded challenges dominant expectations of whose view of history we should listen to, and talk about how they challenge these expectations.”

Latin America is on a roll! With Paraguay’s announcement Thursday of its intention to join the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), Paraguay became the eighth Latin American country to adopt the alliance’s working definition of antisemitism and the third to request full membership.

Argentina is currently the only state in the region to have attained full member status in IHRA. Uruguay has observer status, and Costa Rica is reportedly pursuing membership.

The process for becoming a full member begins with observer status, which has now been conferred on Paraguay. From observer status, it will graduate to a liaison for IHRA before becoming a full member.

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña (Credit: Santiago Peña)

Paraguay made the announcement at the Argentine Embassy in Washington, D.C. In attendance were Argentine President Javier Milei, the foreign ministers of Argentina and Paraguay, the Argentine ambassador to the United States, and U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun.

Working together, the United States and Argentina, whose president is one of the most pro-Israel leaders in the world, have been pushing Latin American countries to adopt the IHRA definition. The initiative to bring countries into the alliance has been named the IHRA Accords.

IHRA is an alliance of governments that work together to spread Holocaust education and remembrance, as well as to advance research. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, the alliance has 35 member governments along with countries that serve as liaisons or have observer status. It is most famous for its working definition of antisemitism.

“We equip leaders with what they need to craft international policies that support democratic and inclusive societies to help prevent genocide in the future,” the alliance says.

The Argentine Embassy issued a statement about the historic moment, reaffirming its commitment to maintain strong action against antisemitism.

“In a significant diplomatic milestone, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic announced their intention to join the IHRA, reflecting Argentina’s regional leadership and marking an important step toward expanding the Alliance’s presence in Latin America,” the embassy said.

“Today’s gathering reaffirmed that Holocaust remembrance must translate into concrete commitments, stronger partnerships, and collective action against antisemitism across our hemisphere,” it added.

“Argentina will continue to stand firmly alongside those who defend freedom, democracy, and human dignity. In the face of antisemitism and hatred, there can be no room for silence, indifference, or neutrality,” the embassy concluded.

The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday that it had withdrawn from The Hague Group, a coalition of countries founded in The Hague, the Netherlands, in January 2025 “to isolate and attack Israel.”

“Colombia officially requested its withdrawal from the Hague Group, a group created to isolate and attack Israel. We reject that approach,” said Foreign Minister Omar Bula.

A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry listed the following countries as founding members of The Hague Group: Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal, and South Africa, adding that Bolivia and Honduras had already withdrawn.

Colombian President de la Espriella (left) meets with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

The purpose of the group was to single out Israel and devise legal and diplomatic measures to hold it accountable for its actions in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Upon assuming office in August, Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, who views Israel positively, promised better relations with the Jewish state than those maintained under the previous anti-Israel president, Gustavo Petro, one of whose last acts in office was to post “Heil Hitler” on his official social media account. One of de la Espriella’s first acts in office was to announce a resumption of full diplomatic ties between Colombia and Israel, promise to move the Colombian Embassy to Jerusalem, and recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Shortly after de la Espriella took office, a massive earthquake tore Colombia asunder, and Israel answered the call immediately, sending a Home Front Command rescue team, called the “Alliance of Brothers,” to the country. The team located and rescued every missing person at the sites where they were deployed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed Thursday that he had spoken directly to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on July 16 regarding the massacre of Druze civilians in Suweida.

The full exchange, as published by i24NEWS, was as follows:

Netanyahu: I want to be brief. Apparently the message via the mediators didn’t get through properly. A genocide is being committed against the Druze. By 10 p.m. your forces must withdraw from Suweida.

Al-Sharaa: I had hoped our conversation would go differently.

Netanyahu: I’m calling on you to withdraw your forces, or we will intensify our strikes.

Al-Sharaa: I need 48 hours.

Netanyahu: That’s unacceptable. Withdraw the forces first.

Indeed, later that same day, the Israeli Air Force struck the headquarters of the Syrian Defense Ministry and the area near the Syrian presidential palace. These strikes followed others that the Israeli military had conducted since July 13 in support of the Druze community in Syria that was under attack by Syrian forces.

An unnamed State Department official said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun Thursday regarding the seizure of hundreds of kilograms of explosives believed to belong to Hezbollah. According to the official, Rubio urged the president not to return the confiscated explosives to the Iran-backed terror group.

“He urged President Aoun to hold accountable all those who ordered, financed, and directed the shipment, and underscored that returning explosives to Hezbollah should be out of the question,” the official said.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced Monday that Lebanese forces confiscated the materials from a truck that was traveling to Beirut. He said that the truck held “hundreds of kilograms of explosives.” While not identifying Hezbollah, he vowed that the government would pursue “truth and accountability” in its investigation.

More explosives were seized in a second operation later the same day at the Syrian border.

Salam noted that C-4 had been used in “several of the infamous political assassinations in modern Lebanese history.”

According to Reuters, a Hezbollah terrorist claimed ownership of the materials on Hezbollah’s behalf and said that the group had intended to use the explosives against Israel.

According to the U.S. official, Rubio also urged Aoun to allow the Lebanese and Israeli militaries to communicate, despite a 1995 Lebanese boycott law barring Lebanese citizens from speaking to Israelis.

The official quoted Rubio as saying that the law “is routinely used for politicized prosecutions that deter steps towards peace,” adding that the secretary of state “emphasized that the law is impractical and urged direct military-to-military communication between Lebanese and Israeli forces for deconfliction, which would help to reduce miscalculation and to advance sequenced implementation of the Trilateral Framework.”

Former NBA superstar and Israeli basketball champion Amar’e Stoudemire has added another unexpected achievement to his extraordinary life story. The six-time NBA All-Star, who embraced Orthodox Judaism after his basketball career, has officially graduated from a Florida police academy at age 43.

Stoudemire completed his training at Miami Dade College’s School of Justice on Wednesday, October 14, and is preparing to serve with the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department. He also received the Harry “Coach” Everett Award in recognition of his contributions throughout the academy program.

For many Jewish and Israeli basketball fans, Stoudemire’s journey carries special significance.

After building an NBA career with the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat, the 6-foot-10 basketball star took his talents to Israel, where he played professionally, developed a deep connection to Jewish life and ultimately converted to Judaism.

He adopted an Orthodox Jewish lifestyle, immersed himself in Torah study and became one of the most recognizable Jewish figures to emerge from professional basketball.

His latest career move, however, has little to do with basketball or religion. According to Stoudemire, becoming a police officer was a dream long before he ever imagined playing in the NBA.

Growing up in Florida, he was surrounded by relatives who worked in law enforcement, including an uncle and cousin who became police captains. Those early influences stayed with him even as basketball brought international fame and financial success.

Despite earning more than $167 million during his NBA career, Stoudemire returned to the classroom and underwent approximately 848 hours of law enforcement training, including physical conditioning, emergency response, criminal law and practical police procedures.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, he acknowledged that certain aspects of police academy training were actually more physically demanding than his NBA workouts, particularly the long-distance running.

Stoudemire, who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year, said his motivation now centers on protecting his community and becoming a positive influence on young people.

His next step will involve additional departmental and field training before independently carrying out police duties.

From NBA arenas to Israeli basketball courts, from embracing Orthodox Judaism to wearing a police uniform in South Florida, Stoudemire continues to demonstrate that a successful first career doesn’t have to define the rest of one’s life.

And at 6 feet 10 inches tall, he may soon be one of the most recognizable officers patrolling Miami-Dade County’s schools.

Reporting based on Miami Dade College’s announcement and interviews published by Sports Illustrated, Local 10 and other outlets.

Otzma Yehudit chairman presents his plan for the Defense Ministry, putting Jewish values and victory over Israel’s enemies at the heart of “The Spirit of the IDF”

Otzma Yehudit chairman and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has presented a sweeping rewrite today of the IDF’s code of ethics, known as “The Spirit of the IDF.” The changes are part of his Defense Ministry plan and aim to strengthen the army’s Jewish identity and restore the value of victory in battle.

Under the plan, the IDF’s purpose is redefined first and foremost as achieving victory over, and the decisive defeat of, the enemies of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. That emphasis runs throughout the new text.

“Righteousness of Arms” replaces “Purity of Arms”

The most prominent change concerns the long-standing “Purity of Arms” (Tohar HaNeshek) clause, which the new text abolishes and replaces with “Righteousness of Arms” (Tzidkat HaNeshek).

The new clause states that soldiers shall use their weapons to defeat the enemy, and that the fundamental Jewish moral principle guiding every soldier in carrying out the mission is the Talmudic rule: “If someone comes to kill you, rise early and kill him first.” The clause also states that each soldier shall preserve his humanity (tzelem enosh) even in combat.

At the same time, wording that restricted IDF soldiers to acting “only to the extent necessary” is removed, as are the provisions specifically prohibiting harm to “uninvolved persons” and prisoners. The reference to “universal moral values” that appeared in the previous version has been deleted entirely.

Jewish sources at the foundation

The new code broadens the army’s sources of values, placing Jewish moral values first: the values of the Tanakh, Jewish ethics, Hebrew law, and the tradition of the Jewish people throughout the generations. These are followed by the values of human dignity, the IDF’s own tradition and combat heritage, and the tradition of the State of Israel with its Jewish and democratic principles, laws and institutions.

The State is defined as a Jewish national home, and the IDF as “the army of the people, a Jewish national army.”

The new core values

• The IDF’s purpose: victory over and the decisive defeat of the enemies of the State of Israel and the Jewish people, and safeguarding the security of the State, its citizens and its residents.
• Love of the People of Israel and the Land of Israel, and loyalty to the State: service in the IDF rests on love of the Jewish people and the homeland, and devotion to the State of Israel as a Jewish state and a democratic national home for the Jewish people.
• Human dignity: every person has worth that is not conditional on origin, religion, nationality, gender, status, or position.
• Mamlachtiyut (Statehood): the IDF is a Jewish national army subject to the authority of the law and the government, and its soldiers act with only the mission, the IDF’s values, and the security of the State before their eyes.

The code goes on to list the values expected of every soldier, including tenacity of purpose and striving for victory, responsibility, credibility, personal example, the value of human life, Righteousness of Arms, professionalism, discipline, comradeship and a sense of mission. It also keeps the duty to give only lawful orders and to refuse manifestly unlawful ones. Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party is running in Israel’s Knesset elections on October 27.

Memos were sent to congressional staffers Thursday notifying them that the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Capitol Police had launched a probe into letters containing a suspicious powdery substance that were sent to election and congressional offices throughout the country.

One of the letters arrived at the office of Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) in Hartford, his spokesperson confirmed.

Election offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma were evacuated after parcels containing the mysterious substance were delivered, but the U.S. Postal Service intercepted others heading to Ohio, Maryland, Mississippi, and South Dakota.

One of the letters bore the acronym “DSA” and a return address associated with the Democratic Socialists of America.

“The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including Secretary of State offices and their related election offices,” an FBI spokesperson said.

“Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident. We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters,” the spokesperson added. “This FBI will continue to safeguard the public and secure elections for American citizens.”

The Labour Party has cut ties with the Green Party over its motion earlier this month adopting a resolution that stated that Zionism is racism and that called for a democratic Palestinian state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, effectively calling for the eradication of the State of Israel.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, leader of the Labour Party, announced Thursday that all power-sharing agreements with the Green Party would end unless its representatives reject the resolution within seven days.

Addressing Parliament Wednesday, he said, “Mr. Speaker, can I condemn the motion that was passed unequivocally? It is wrong. It is antisemitic, and this side of the House will have nothing to do with it. And we will always take the right response when it comes to any partnerships we have with other parties. We cannot support a partnership with a party that holds a position that has recently been adopted.”

The controversy erupted on Oct. 4 when the Green Party voted on the resolution, which passed by 1,022 votes to 813. The resolution stated that “Zionism should be treated as any other form of racism” and called for the “establishment of a single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.” The resolution also supported the “right of the Palestinian people to resistance and liberation from Israeli occupation” and the right of “oppressed colonial peoples to defend themselves against foreign oppression.”

Even Green Party leaders opposed the motion, with four of the five party MPs signaling their opposition. One Green Party MP said that they would support Jewish members who believed they were targeted as a result of the resolution, since an amendment saying that the motion should not be used to “pressure, proscribe or discipline members based on affiliation with Jewish community institutions” was voted down.

The Green Party motion ignited intense backlash across the political spectrum, with Israel’s Foreign Ministry barring Zack Polanski, the Greens’ Jewish leader, from entry into Israel.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, issued a stern warning to Iran and the Hezbollah terrorist organization against attempting to exploit Israel’s upcoming elections.

“Do not attempt to exploit Israel’s election period. Anyone who dares to attack us will face a devastating response,” Danon declared.

The warning comes as Israeli diplomats serving overseas, including Danon and his staff, cast their ballots early today, October 15, ahead of Israel’s general election on October 27.

Ambassador Danon votes early in NY today

According to Israel’s Central Elections Committee and Foreign Ministry, approximately 4,800 eligible Israeli voters across 99 diplomatic missions worldwide can participate in early voting, including qualifying diplomatic personnel, government representatives, and their spouses.

Jewish Breaking News was on the ground at United Nations Headquarters in New York, covering the ambassador’s remarks and the start of overseas voting firsthand.

🎥Stay tuned for JBN’s exclusive, wide-ranging sit-down interview with Ambassador Danon, covering everything from Zohran Mamdani and the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre to the growing threats facing Israel and the UN’s selection of a new Secretary-General to succeed António Guterres, whose term ends December 31, 2026.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, issued a stern warning to Iran and the Hezbollah terrorist organization against attempting to exploit Israel’s upcoming elections.

“Do not attempt to exploit Israel’s election period. Anyone who dares to attack us will face a devastating response,” Danon declared.

The warning comes as Israeli diplomats serving overseas, including Danon and his staff, cast their ballots early today, October 15, ahead of Israel’s general election on October 27.

Ambassador Danon votes early in NY today

According to Israel’s Central Elections Committee and Foreign Ministry, approximately 4,800 eligible Israeli voters across 99 diplomatic missions worldwide can participate in early voting, including qualifying diplomatic personnel, government representatives, and their spouses.

Jewish Breaking News was on the ground at United Nations Headquarters in New York, covering the ambassador’s remarks and the start of overseas voting firsthand.

🎥Stay tuned for JBN’s exclusive, wide-ranging sit-down interview with Ambassador Danon, covering everything from Zohran Mamdani and the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre to the growing threats facing Israel and the UN’s selection of a new Secretary-General to succeed António Guterres, whose term ends December 31, 2026.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee rejected rumors that President Donald Trump is pushing for a unity government in Israel between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and Lt. Gen. (res.) Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party.

Huckabee reposted a news blurb from Clash Report making the allegation. It said, “The Trump administration is reportedly pushing for a broad Israeli unity government in which Netanyahu would remain prime minister for up to two years before retiring from politics.”

“The proposed coalition, involving Netanyahu’s Likud and Gadi Eisenkot’s party, would seek to end regional wars and secure peace agreements, particularly with Saudi Arabia,” the report continued.

“Eisenkot’s bloc would reportedly demand Netanyahu’s guaranteed retirement, the reversal of judicial reforms, and an inquiry into October 7,” the report concluded, citing Israel Hayom as its source.

Huckabee flatly denied the news report.

“This is absolutely NOT true. Not in the least,” he posted. “The US government is NOT trying to manipulate Israel’s election or telling the Israeli prime minister what to do. Period. Full stop.”

The ambassador called for Clash Report to correct the record, adding, “I hope Clash Report retracts this fake news story.”

Israel’s election is underway, with the first ballots cast at diplomatic missions worldwide ahead of the national vote on Oct. 27. Roughly 4,800 eligible voters can participate at 101 polling stations across 99 missions, in an operation coordinated by the Foreign Ministry and Central Elections Committee.

Voting opened first in Wellington, New Zealand, followed by Fiji, and is moving west across time zones over approximately 30 hours. Los Angeles and San Francisco will be the last to close. New York hosts the largest overseas polling station, with more than 700 eligible voters.

But the opening of embassy polling stations does not mean every Israeli abroad can vote there. Eligibility is restricted to qualifying official personnel and their families; most Israelis overseas must return home to vote. Ballots cast at the missions will be flown to Israel and transferred to the Knesset for counting.

At Israel’s embassy in Baku, President Isaac Herzog marked the opening alongside Ambassador Ronen Kraus, describing the election as a “celebration of democracy.”

The next phase will take ballot boxes to soldiers. Early military voting begins on the evening of Oct. 20, with approximately 850 polling stations planned across IDF units and operational sectors, including beyond Israel’s borders. Around a quarter will be mobile, reaching active-duty troops and reservists at remote positions while military operations continue.

Those mobile stations will travel with armed security, their ballot boxes locked between stops. Soldiers will use double envelopes so officials can check against civilian voting records and prevent duplicate votes. The military says its election operation will remain strictly nonpartisan, allowing troops to exercise their rights without compromising their duties.

Iran has reportedly ordered Hezbollah to significantly raise its military readiness as Tehran prepares for a possible regional war involving Israel and the United States. Lebanese security and military sources told the UAE-based outlet Erem News that Iran believes a wider confrontation could be approaching and has instructed the terrorist organization to prepare for an escalation.

According to the report, Hezbollah has begun summoning all its full-time, salaried operatives and issuing secret instructions directing personnel to new deployment locations. The mobilization reportedly goes beyond routine military preparations, with Hezbollah implementing a new operational framework designed for a potentially imminent conflict.

One of the most significant developments is Hezbollah’s restructuring of its military command. The terrorist organization is reportedly granting field units greater independence, allowing them to continue launching operations even if Israeli strikes eliminate senior commanders or sever communications with central leadership. The changes reflect Hezbollah’s efforts to adapt to the extensive damage Israeli operations have inflicted on its command structure.

The preparations are reportedly being coordinated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other Iranian-backed terrorist organizations across the Middle East. The planning includes the possibility of simultaneous military responses across multiple fronts should renewed large-scale fighting erupt.

The developments come amid mounting regional tensions. Israeli security officials are also warning of possible surprise attacks by Iran and its proxies, while Israel considers extending its special home-front emergency measures amid concerns about escalation before the elections. Separately, Hezbollah acknowledged ownership of explosives recently seized by Lebanese authorities, claiming they were intended for attacks against Israeli forces.

However, Lebanese sources emphasized that Hezbollah’s heightened readiness does not mean a final decision to enter a new war has been made. The reported Iranian instructions represent preparations for a possible near-term confrontation rather than confirmation that an attack has been ordered.

An attendee rushed the Orthodox Jewish council president at a Jackson Township, N.J., council meeting Tuesday evening after accusing him of fascism and supporting genocide, prompting police intervention.

“I thought the mayor and council would at least try to help us, but quickly realized that if you didn’t feel bad about directly contributing to a genocide and abusing your own residents’ trust to make money off of them, then you probably won’t care about a missing person in your own town or lying to us, promising a donation and never donating, using a missing person as a way to generate votes while never actually doing anything at all,” the attendee, a young man wearing an olive-green T-shirt, said.

“[Unintelligible] and Mordechai Burnstein are fascists, and they are unfit to hold positions of power anywhere. How can you justify this?” he added.

Council President Mordechai Burnstein said he found the remarks offensive.

“I’m going to take offense. I don’t think anyone up here is a fascist, and I don’t think anyone here supports genocide,” Burnstein replied. “And the victims of Oct. 7 were victims of terror, and I’m just going to say that, and I’m going to continue to say that.”

“And if you disagree, you’re welcome to disagree. It’s America, and we’re allowed to disagree,” he continued. “But I’m, that’s, you know what I’m going to say when it comes, when it comes to that,” he continued.

At this point, the young man moved threateningly toward the Jewish leader.

“Now, order. Step back. Step back from me,” Burnstein said.

Police immediately converged on the young man, and an officer could be heard shouting, “Do not touch him. He’s talking. Do not intimidate him. Back up. That’s intimidation. 18 U.S.C. § 242, 18 U.S.C. § 241.”

The statutes 18 U.S.C. § 242 and 18 U.S.C. § 241 are federal criminal statutes related to depriving people of their constitutional rights.

When the man refused to comply and became more aggressive, police officers hustled him away.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke at a State Department event Wednesday commemorating the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack on Israel, attended by American families of victims of the massacre.

Rubio was reportedly directly involved in planning the event, which was supposed to take place on Sept. 30 but was postponed until Oct. 14. At least 46 American citizens were murdered on Oct. 7 or were taken into captivity in Gaza.

In his remarks, Rubio stressed the barbarity of the terrorists, saying that the word “terrorism” fails to convey the depth of their cruelty adequately.

“These terrorists, and terrorist almost doesn’t feel like that’s a strong enough term to describe who we’re talking about here,” he said. “But these barbaric terrorists, this was not a military operation. These were not warriors. They tried to cast themselves as [if] they had some sort of military operation.”

“This was not an attack on military posts,” he continued. “This was, these gunmen went in house to house, and they hunted families in their kitchens, in their bedrooms. They went into towns. They went into neighborhoods. They went to a music festival filled with young people in the prime of their lives, and they murdered, and they butchered.”

“They murdered parents besides their children. They carried away the elderly and the young, and they turned ordinary homes into scenes of unspeakable slaughter. What the world witnessed that day was frankly an evil that is even now difficult to describe. No language known to man can capture such bottomless darkness,” Rubio said.

Family members of the victims also addressed those in attendance, demanding justice for their slain relatives.

Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, who was killed during the massacre, spoke at the event.

Chen said that his son chose to join the IDF instead of going to college.

“He enlisted in the IDF, because he believed that some things are worth standing guard over. He became a tank soldier and on Oct 7 was protecting the Gaza border,” the bereaved father said.

“This recognition, here in Washington, in the shadow of Oct. 7, tells our families something we needed to hear: Your loved ones were Americans. The United States remembers them,” he told the families in attendance.

“This must be a beginning, and not an end,” Chen declared. “The families of Americans killed by Hamas deserve justice, accountability, and the continued support of their government.”

“It is time for the United States Congress to create its own investigation committee,” he said, adding that anyone who contributed financially to the Oct. 7 attack “must be brought to the United States to stand trial for their crimes against American citizens.”

At a State Department commemoration Wednesday of the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, families of American victims of the massacre demanded justice for their slain relatives.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was reportedly directly involved in planning the event, which was supposed to take place on Sept. 30 but was postponed until Oct. 14. At least 46 American citizens were murdered on Oct. 7 or were taken into captivity in Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and head of U.S. Central Command Adm. Brad Cooper attended the event.

The cousin of Carmela Dan, who was killed on Oct. 7 alongside her granddaughter Noya, addressed the attendees.

Itay Chen, a 19-year-old staff sergeant, fell while defending a kibbutz on Oct. 7. (Credit: IDF)

“October 7 was not only a tragedy for Israel,” said Abbey Onn. “Nearly 50 American citizens were murdered, and dozens more were injured. These were our loved ones, people with families who loved them and futures that were stolen from them. We are here to make sure their stories are heard, their memories are honored, and those responsible for their murders are brought to justice.”

Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, who was killed during the massacre, also spoke at the event. He had previously said that he had pushed the administration to commemorate Oct. 7.

Chen said that his son chose to join the IDF instead of going to college.

“He enlisted in the IDF, because he believed that some things are worth standing guard over. He became a tank soldier and on Oct 7 was protecting the Gaza border,” the bereaved father said.

“This recognition, here in Washington, in the shadow of October 7, tells our families something we needed to hear: Your loved ones were Americans. The United States remembers them,” he told the families in attendance.

“This must be a beginning, and not an end,” Chen declared. “The families of Americans killed by Hamas deserve justice, accountability, and the continued support of their government.”

“It is time for the United States Congress to create its own investigation committee,” he said, adding that anyone who helped finance the Oct. 7 attack “must be brought to the United States to stand trial for their crimes against American citizens.”

Gabby El-Baba, a Palestinian American who lives in Houston, Texas, posted a video of herself in a Jewish market making derogatory and antisemitic comments about Orthodox Jews.

JBN has tentatively identified the market as Harova Market.

El-Baba self-published two books of poetry and, according to her LinkedIn profile, works as a quality/recovery manager for the homeless in Houston and is a social media content creator. StopAntisemitism, which posted the video, said that she is employed by Curtis and Associates Counseling Services.

LANGUAGE WARNING

In her Amazon author biography, El-Baba describes her struggles trying to reconcile her queerness with her Palestinian roots, ultimately “embracing her sexuality and love for her culture.”

In her video, which she titled “My Palestinian A— accidentally walking into a Jewish market,” the woman said sarcastically, “They’re not all the same,” adding, “Shut the f— up. Yes, they are.” Finding hummus being sold in the store, she accused Jews of cultural appropriation.

“You see, they stole all our food. Nazareth, real hummus. Jerusalem, classic hummus. Holy hummus. I have to get out of here, otherwise I’m gonna end up in jail,” she said.

Harova Market in Houston, Texas, where the video was likely recorded.

Then she described an exchange in which someone she described as the owner asked her if she had seen anyone shoplifting, and she fired back, “Karma’s a b—.”

She concluded the video by shouting at the store after she exited, “F— Israel.”

Since this took place apparently in Houston and the customers in the store are Jewish, not necessarily Israeli, critics say that this proves that the anti-Israel movement isn’t about hating Israel; it’s about hating Jews.

In an interview with AFP, Navi Pillay, who won the Nobel Peace Prize last week, lashed out at President Donald Trump for sanctioning the International Criminal Court, predicted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be arrested, and hit back at the comparison between her and Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels.

The former commissioner of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry faced harsh criticism from the United States and Israel over the commission’s report a year ago that Israel committed genocide. The report stripped Israel’s actions of all context, not even mentioning the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 attack against Israel.

Pillay accused the president of imposing unprecedented sanctions on the ICC in retaliation for her winning the prize, which he had believed was his due. The new sanctions, unlike previous sanctions that affected individuals with ties to the ICC such as judges and prosecutors, target the ICC itself, with the likely effect of disrupting the criminal court’s day-to-day operations.

The former ICC judge said that the sanctions were illegal, and the timing, just hours after she received the Nobel Peace Prize, could only mean that Trump was playing the sore loser.

Directing her words at Trump, she said, “Call in your legal advisers to explain to you what international law is and why you must not interfere in the affairs of an independent international court.”

The South African also said that Netanyahu would eventually be arrested and would face the court, despite the fact that that seems extremely unlikely now.

“Throughout my life, I have seen people overcome obstacles, and that is why I am convinced it will eventually happen,” she said.

Pillay also slammed the comparison between her and Goebbels, which the Israeli Foreign Ministry put forward after she won the Nobel Peace Prize, denouncing her in a harsh statement for her anti-Israel bias and antisemitism.

“If there were an award for lies, hatred, and blood libels, Navi Pillay wouldn’t just be a contender. She’d be a frontrunner,” the ministry posted on X.

“Her role in the relentless, politically motivated demonization of Israel and promotion of the genoLIE speaks volumes,” it continued.

“Awarding Pillay the Nobel Peace Prize isn’t a recognition of justice. It’s the grotesque weaponization of an award to legitimize anti-Israel hatred and prejudice,” the ministry declared.

“Now that the Nobel commission has rewarded the biggest lie of the 21st century, Joseph Goebbels is certainly applauding from hell,” it concluded.

“I find these remarks deeply hurtful and offensive,” Pillay said. “Goebbels had blood on his hands. He was responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. Not just Jews, but also people whose skin color is like mine.”