NEW YORK NEWS
Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip has been chosen by Republicans to run in the special election replacing ousted former Rep. George Santos. Pilip, originally from Ethiopia, served as a paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces before moving to the U.S. The vacant congressional seat resulted from the House’s expulsion of Santos on December 1, following a House Ethics Committee report citing “substantial evidence” of repeated legal violations. Santos faced scrutiny and 13 federal charges, including wire fraud and money laundering. Pilip will compete against Democrat Tom Suozzi in the February 13, 2024, special election for New York’s 3rd congressional district. Suozzi, a former district representative, previously ran unsuccessfully in the 2022 Democratic primary for Governor Kathy Hochul.
Elisha Wiesel, son of the late writer and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, was reportedly asked by New York City police to put away an Israeli flag while counterprotesting a pro-Palestinian demonstration organized by the activist group Within Our Lifetime at Penn Station. The protest, which expressed support for a Hamas attack on Israel and advocated for using “whatever means necessary,” resulted in disruptions, arrests, and police intervention. Wiesel shared a video of himself draped in an Israeli flag arguing with a masked demonstrator, noting that the NYPD insisted on flag removal due to a potentially dangerous situation. The demonstration, part of a “global strike” on December 18, targeted transit hubs and caused disruptions along its route from Grand Central Station to Penn Station.
New York GOP Representatives Anthony D’Esposito and Elise Stefanik introduced a resolution criticizing Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul for the Clean Slate Act, signed into law last month. The act seals certain misdemeanor records after three years and some felony records after eight years post-prison release, provided there are no further offenses. D’Esposito, a retired NYPD detective, accused Hochul of prioritizing criminals over law-abiding citizens and law enforcement. The resolution, supported by all 10 House Republicans from New York, claims the Clean Slate Act will hinder comprehensive background checks, endangering employers and landlords. Hochul defended the law, stating it helps the economy and provides second chances for individuals who have served their sentences and remained offense-free for an extended period. The act excludes certain serious felonies from eligibility for record sealing, allowing law enforcement and courts continued access.
Crews in Brooklyn worked overnight to restore power in parts of New York City after an explosion at a Con Edison substation in the Dumbo section caused a momentary outage just before midnight on Thursday. Lights flickered, a subway line was disrupted, and elevators and escalators briefly stopped running. Con Edison’s president explained that a piece of equipment at the substation short-circuited, triggering a protective system that isolated the failure and led to a brief voltage dip. Over 1,000 customers reported power loss, with some witnesses describing it as an explosion accompanied by black smoke. Approximately 10 people were rescued from stalled elevators, and subway service between Grand Central Terminal and Wall Street was halted. Although inconvenient, the incident is minor compared to historical New York City outages, such as the 1977 blackout and the power loss during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
US NEWS
The GOP-led House voted 221-212 to formally authorize a corruption-focused impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden, aiming to give more legal weight to enforce subpoenas. All Republicans, including Rep. Ken Buck, supported the resolution, while one Democrat, Rep. Brad Schneider, did not vote due to a family death. Three committees—Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means—have been leading the impeachment probe into allegations of corruption involving Biden’s family business practices and the Department of Justice’s handling of a criminal probe into Hunter Biden. President Biden dismissed the claims as “a bunch of lies,” while GOP lawmakers argue he lied about his knowledge of his family’s dealings. Democrats in the House consider the impeachment inquiry a “sham.” Hunter Biden’s refusal to attend a scheduled deposition led Oversight Chairman James Comer and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings. The vote is seen as strengthening the legal case amid White House obstruction.
Eric Fingerhut, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), recently announced that its post-Oct. 7 fundraising has exceeded $700 million, with $242 million allocated to around 300 partnering organizations, including the Jewish Agency for Israel, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, ZAKA, and Chabad. The focus areas of the funds include food security, support for Bedouin Israelis, individuals with disabilities, and rabbinic services. Fingerhut emphasized the power of community to do good and discussed the rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses and Israel’s efforts to protect civilians in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, noting that Israel’s actions demonstrate its commitment to minimizing harm to innocent lives despite having the capability for more destructive measures.
Over 400 Jewish facilities across the U.S. have received false bomb threats via email since Saturday, as reported by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The ADL believes one person or a small group is behind the threats, which have similarities in the nature of the alleged threats and variations in the name of the purported responsible group. While deemed hoaxes, the threats are taken seriously by the Jewish community. The Secure Community Network reported over 200 bomb threats and “swatting calls” targeting Jewish institutions in several states. The FBI is aware of the hoaxes, emphasizing no current credible threat but taking them seriously. The incidents come amid a documented spike in threats against the Jewish community since October, with a 541% increase this year compared to 2022, according to the Secure Community Network.
A 33-year-old man, Brent Wood, allegedly sprayed an unknown substance while yelling “Gas the Jews” in front of the Kesher Israel Congregation in Washington, DC. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m., and although no injuries were reported, it is unclear if the victims were connected to the synagogue. Wood, from Toledo, Ohio, was taken into custody and charged with simple assault and resisting arrest. The car he was driving was examined, but no hazardous materials were found. The incident is being investigated as a possible hate or bias crime, with authorities noting that the classification may change as more information is gathered. The attack comes amid a rise in antisemitic incidents and Islamophobia in the nation linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The driver of a car that collided with an SUV in President Joe Biden’s motorcade has been charged with DUI, according to Wilmington Police in Delaware. The incident, determined to be an accidental collision, occurred as Biden was leaving his campaign headquarters. The 46-year-old Wilmington man was charged with Driving a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol and Inattentive Driving. The Secret Service confirmed the vehicle in the motorcade was hit by another car as Biden entered his car, and there was no intentional threat. The crash, which caused damage to both vehicles, happened during heavy rain in Wilmington. The Bidens were visiting the president’s 2024 campaign headquarters at the time, marking Biden’s first visit since staffers began working there over the summer.
Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill making it a state misdemeanor to illegally enter Texas, granting local police authority in immigration enforcement. The law, signed amid the ongoing illegal immigration crisis at the Texas-Mexico border, enables the deportation of individuals crossing into Texas back to Mexico, challenging the Biden administration’s catch-and-release policy. Abbott, critical of President Biden’s immigration policies, stated that Texas is left to fend for itself due to federal inaction. The law creates a criminal offense for illegal entry, penalizing repeated attempts with up to 20 years in prison. It also provides civil immunity for officials enforcing the provisions. Democrats argue the measure is unconstitutional, while Republicans claim federal negligence necessitates state action. Two additional bills signed by Abbott include funding over $1 billion for border security, including barriers, and increased penalties for human trafficking.
The murder case of Samantha Woll, a prominent leader in Detroit’s Jewish community and president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, has taken a significant turn as charges were announced against the suspected killer, Michael Manuel Jackson-Bolanos. Woll was found stabbed outside her home in October, and while tensions were high due to the Israel-Hamas war, police do not believe it was a hate crime. The suspect was taken into custody on November 8 but was later released without charges. Jackson-Bolanos now faces charges of homicide felony murder, home invasion, and lying to a peace officer. Despite maintaining his innocence, if convicted, he could face life in prison. Woll is remembered for her leadership and community involvement, with a probable cause conference scheduled for December 27.
Israel NEWS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation following the accidental killing of three Israeli hostages, Yotam Haim, Samer Talalka, and Alon Shamriz, who were taken by Hamas during an attack on Kibbutz Kfar Aza in October. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged that it had mistakenly identified the hostages as a threat and expressed deep remorse for the tragedy. Netanyahu mourned the deaths and emphasized the importance of military pressure against Hamas for both achieving victory and securing the release of hostages. Despite international pressure, he affirmed the continuation of the military campaign against Hamas, stating that it was crucial for achieving national goals and safeguarding the lives of soldiers.
In the aftermath of the IDF mistakenly killing three of its own hostages, IDF Chief of the General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi guided troops on rules of engagement for similar situations. Halevi emphasized caution, instructing troops not to mistake unarmed individuals with raised hands, including those without shirts. He explicitly stated that even if Gazans come with a white flag to surrender, they should not be attacked. This guidance follows the tragic incident where IDF identified the hostages as threats. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the deaths, emphasizing the continuation of the ground operation against Hamas until victory, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant took responsibility for the “tragic, accidental killing.”
The IDF has initiated the destruction of Hamas’ extensive underground tunnel network by flooding them with water from the Mediterranean Sea, according to U.S. officials familiar with IDF operations. This flooding is part of Israel’s efforts to force terrorists to the surface, and it began after installing pumps and conducting initial testing. The tunnel network, funded in part by foreign aid to Hamas, has been estimated to cover hundreds of miles. The flooding is expected to last several weeks and is focused on areas in northern Gaza and beneath Khan Younis, a Hamas stronghold. As large numbers of Hamas terrorists surrender, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant suggests that Hamas is on the verge of collapse in certain areas due to dwindling supplies.
The IDF have uncovered the largest-ever Hamas tunnel inside Gaza, located just a few hundred yards from the Erez Humanitarian Crossing. The tunnel, spanning over four kilometers and led by Muhammad Sinwar, brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, was constructed with reinforced concrete and equipped with electricity, ventilation, sewage systems, communication networks, and rails. The IDF released footage recorded by Hamas during the tunnel’s construction. The discovery highlights Hamas’ substantial investment in tunnel infrastructure for the purpose of attacking Israel, posing a threat to communities near the Gazan border.
Israel’s Supreme Court, acting as the High Court of Justice, ruled that the state must fund circumcisions for converts through Reform and Conservative Judaism, expanding coverage beyond Orthodox converts. The decision, prompted by a petition filed in 2009 by Reform Judaism’s Religious Action Center and the Masorti Movement for Conservative Jewish activity, stated that if the state chooses to finance circumcision, it must do so equally and respect religious freedom. Circumcision in Israel can cost thousands of shekels. The court ordered the Ministry of Religious Services to contribute 30,000 shekels ($8,100) toward the petitioners’ legal expenses. Ultra-Orthodox politicians criticized the ruling, expressing concerns about the privatization of citizenship processes and its impact on Jewish identity.
Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes on several Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon in response to attacks on the border. The Israel Defense Forces IDF targeted rocket launchers, a military building, and other Hezbollah infrastructure. In turn, Hezbollah launched projectiles from Lebanon towards northern Israel, triggering sirens in several towns. The IDF intercepted a “suspicious aerial target” entering Israeli airspace from Lebanon. While the IDF shelled the launch sites with artillery, there were no reported injuries.
WORLD NEWS
Denmark has detained two individuals, with four others under investigation in a terrorism probe, while in Germany, three Hamas members were arrested for plotting attacks on Jews in Europe. The Danish arrests have links to criminal gangs and concern the banned immigrant gang Loyal to Familia, with a focus on Jewish institutions. In Germany, the three suspects were identified as members of Hamas, involved in preparing attacks against Jews in Europe. The Netherlands arrested a Dutch man based on a German request, raising its threat alert. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office lauded the arrests, attributing them to Danish police, highlighting concerns about terrorist threats in Europe amid the Israel-Hamas conflict fallout.
Several senior Hamas members, including Saleh al-Arouri, have reportedly left Lebanon for an unknown destination, possibly Algeria or Turkey. At least three senior Hamas figures, along with their managers and drivers, recently left Qatar amid concerns for their security. Qatari authorities, citing threats from Israeli security services, informed Hamas that they could no longer ensure their safety. Meanwhile, Israel’s Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar, pledged to eliminate Hamas members wherever they are located, mentioning Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Turkey, Qatar, and other places. The departure of Hamas leaders from Lebanon follows the heightened security environment and increased Israeli scrutiny.
Aminor was arrested in Ottawa for allegedly plotting a terrorist attack against Jews. The suspect was charged with facilitation of a terrorist activity related to an explosive substance and instructing, directly or indirectly, a person to carry out a terrorist activity against Jewish individuals. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) made the arrest, highlighting concerns about the radicalization of young people online. This incident follows a pattern of similar arrests involving minors on terrorism charges. In a separate case, seven people, including suspected Hamas terrorists, were arrested in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands for allegedly planning terrorist attacks against Jewish institutions in Europe. The RCMP’s actions were praised by Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, emphasizing the need to address rising antisemitism.
Argentina, facing economic challenges, announced significant measures, including a 50% devaluation of its currency, the Argentine peso, from 400 pesos to the U.S. dollar to 800 pesos to the dollar. President Javier Milei, who recently took office, declared the need for “emergency” measures, acknowledging the country’s severe economic conditions with 143% annual inflation, a plunging currency, high poverty rates, a fiscal deficit, a $43 billion trade deficit, and substantial debt, including $45 billion owed to the International Monetary Fund. Economy Minister Luis Caputo outlined additional steps, including canceling public works tenders, reducing state jobs, and cutting energy and transportation subsidies. The IMF welcomed the measures as a foundation for further debt discussions, emphasizing the importance of stabilizing the economy and promoting sustainable growth.
