President Joe Biden said Sunday that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is a “fundamental act of justice” after decades of repression, but it was “a moment of risk and uncertainty” for the Mideast. Biden spoke at the White House hours after after rebel groups completed a takeover of the country after more than a dozen years of violent civil war and decades of leadership by Assad and his family. Biden said the United States was unsure of Assad’s whereabouts, but was monitoring reports he was seeking refuge in Moscow. The outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump were working to make sense of new threats and opportunities across the Middle East. Biden credited action by the U.S.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a “historic day for the Middle East” during a visit to Mt. Bental on the Golan Heights, near the Syrian border, following the collapse of the Assad regime. He was joined by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Golan Heights Regional Council Chairman Uri Kellner. During the visit, Netanyahu received a briefing from Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin, Head of IDF Northern Command, and Brig.-Gen. Yair Peli, Commander of the 210th Division. The discussion centered on developments in Syria, the IDF’s increased presence along the border, and preparations for future security operations.

In a recent sermon delivered at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, Nihad Awad, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), urged American Muslims to actively “market Islam” to the broader public. Speaking to a congregation and a live YouTube audience, Awad outlined a strategic vision to reshape public perceptions of Islam in the United States. “No product in the United States can succeed without marketing,” Awad stated, asserting that Islam is often misrepresented by media, Hollywood, and academic institutions.

Israel is bracing for the possible collapse of the Syrian army as rebel forces, led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), continue to make rapid territorial gains. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a high-level security meeting Thursday night to address the escalating situation, which Israeli military officials describe as increasingly volatile. Reports from Israeli media suggest that the IDF now views the rebel offensive as a credible threat to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Channel 12 noted that Israel has been caught off guard by the Syrian army’s inability to stem the advance of jihadist fighters, who have recently captured key strategic cities.

The Adass Shul suffered extensive damage in an arson attack early Friday morning, an act Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denounced as antisemitic. As YWN reported, at approximately 4:10 a.m. local time, two individuals learning inside the shul heard banging at the door. Opening it to find out what the commotion was, two masked men stormed in, poured gasoline over the front of the shul and set it on fire. The fire prompted a massive response, with 60 firefighters and 17 trucks deployed to contain the blaze. Despite their efforts, the Shul sustained significant damage. So our readers understand, there are two Batei Midrashim in the Adass Shul. One is called the Ashkenaz Shul and the second is the Sefard Shul. The fire was in the Sefard Shul.

A video of an Iranian official warning about the military power of the IDF went viral, especially because the speaker, Madhi Afraaz, is a senior official at the Khomeini Policy Institute and is affiliated with the Iranian regime. His remarks spurred heated reactions on social media. “Our friends think that military action against Israel is a PlayStation game,” Afraaz began. “You have to understand that the military power of Israel is the military power of the West – it’s not a joke at all.” “Last year, one of our friends in Hezbollah told us: ‘You Iranians are ignorant about the power of Israel and you make a joke of it. And you see how Israel eliminates Hezbollah members before they even grasp what’s going on.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – A suspected arson attack at the renowned Adass Shul has left the Jewish community in shock. At approximately 4:10 a.m. local time, two individuals smashed windows, entered the Shul, and poured gasoline before setting it on fire. The shul, one of the most famous in Australia, is a central hub for the Orthodox Jewish community. Two people learning inside the shul at the time witnessed the incident but were bichasdei Hashem unharmed. Emergency services responded quickly, but the building and surrounding streets remain closed due to ongoing investigations. Baruch Hashem, no injuries have been reported. However, the status of the sifrei Torah remains unclear.

Tension boiled over between Rep. Pat Fallon and acting Service Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. during an otherwise cordial hearing on Thursday. The high-drama moment came as Fallon (R-Texas) used a photo of a 9/11 remembrance event to ask Rowe Jr. about his role at the event. Fallon accused him of putting other Secret Service agents out of their usual positions so he could be more visible at the event. He is visible in the photo standing near President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, JD Vance and congressional leaders. “Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes,” Rowe Jr. yelled. “You are out of line.” As Rowe Jr.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez hosted a magnificent pre-Chanukah celebration at Brooklyn Law School, attended by over 200 members of the Jewish community across New York City. NYPD Deputy Chief Richie Taylor introduced the DA, calling him a unifier, and a strong partner in fighting anti-Semitism and hate crimes. DA Gonzalez spoke about his appreciation to the community for their support and reiterated his perpetual commitment in protecting the Jewish community and all communities. DA Gonzalez awarded Rabbi Eli Mansour, Mark Treyger and Chief Richie Taylor with Proclamations, honoring each of them for their leadership and service.

In a provocative social experiment, two Israeli influencers, dressed to mimic a Hamas supporter and a Hamas terrorist, staged a performance that spotlighted campus tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. The influencers pretended to celebrate the graphic footage from the October 7th Hamas attacks, testing the reactions of anti-Israel students who have been vocal in their criticism of Israel. The influencers’ performance involved simulated joy at the harrowing scenes of the attack. However, their act quickly elicited squeamishness among the students. Despite their outspoken political stances, many of the students could not endure watching the disturbing footage for more than a few minutes.