In the latest disturbing display of antisemitic academic bias, the Oxford Union voted overwhelmingly in favor of the inflammatory motion that “Israel is an apartheid state responsible for the genocide of Palestinians.” With a vote tally of 278 to 59, the result not only raises serious questions about the integrity of the debate but also reflects a growing trend of anti-Israel sentiment cloaked in the veneer of intellectual discourse. The debate featured prominent defenders of Israel, including journalist Jonathan Sacerdoti, Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad, and former Hamas member turned Israeli spy Mosab Hassan Yousef. Opposing them were activists like Norman Finkelstein and Mohammed El-Kurd, figures well-known for their strident, often incendiary, anti-Israel rhetoric.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returned home Saturday after his meeting with Donald Trump without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks “productive” but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States.

Passengers on El Al Flight LY10 departing John F. Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday experienced an extraordinary in-flight celebration when the flight transformed into an impromptu Sheva Brachos for a newlywed couple traveling to Eretz Yisroel. The flight was well underway when word of the couple’s presence began to spread among the passengers. By the time night fell, the festive spirit had taken over, and a large group of travelers gathered to celebrate the joyous occasion. A flight attendant provided complimentary wine for the brachos. Passengers joined together in heartfelt singing, creating an atmosphere of unity and joy, as the newlyweds embarked on their lifelong journey together.

Anti-Israel protesters with “Free Palestine” signs and banners disrupted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Thursday, prompting swift action from the NYPD to remove demonstrators blocking the parade route. Protesters carrying Palestinian flags and a large banner reading, “Don’t celebrate genocide!” positioned themselves on Sixth Avenue near West 55th Street as the parade, led by the Ronald McDonald balloon, approached. The disruption drew boos from the large crowd gathered to enjoy the annual event. Police officers quickly intervened, removing protesters from the street to allow the parade to continue. Photos and videos from the scene show some protesters being escorted away while others who refused to leave were taken to the ground and handcuffed.

A remarkable Asifah for Brooklyn Mesivta Bochurim took place on Tuesday afternoon at Ateres Chynka Hall, drawing a large crowd of eager participants seeking inspiration and guidance. The Asifah featured stirring words of chizuk from two of the generation’s Torah giants: HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch the Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, who is in the United States fundraising, and HaRav Elya Brudny, Rosh Yeshiva of the Mir in Flatbush. The atmosphere was electric as the Gedolei Ha’Dor delivered powerful addresses, instilling timeless values and addressing the challenges facing today’s Torah youth. The Asifah served as a unifying moment, strengthening the resolve of Mesivta Bochurim to grow in their learning and dedication to Avodas Hashem.

Yeshivas Mir in Yerushalayim held a momentous event on Tuesday evening, marking 55 Siyumei Shas at the heichel yeshivah in Beis Yisrael. Despite his weakness, HaGaon HaRav Meir Tzvi Bergman, the Rosh Yeshivah of Rashbi Yeshivah in Bnei Brak, traveled to Yerushalayim to deliver the main sichah at the event. The Rosh Yeshivah cried out: “Due to our many sins, also in our generation, we’re in a situation in which Jews from Klal Yisrael want to burn the Torah HaKedoshah, they’re waging a war against the Torah. The Torah is being publicly trampled by Jews.” “Therefore, the event we’re at is so important, a maamad that it is entirely likvod haTorah and is being held in a place that its kavod haTorah is the largest in the world.

Vice President Kamala Harris sparked widespread ridicule on social media Tuesday after releasing her first video addressing supporters following her election defeat. The clip, shared by the Democratic Party’s official account on X, aimed to rally disheartened followers but instead left many questioning her tone and presentation. In the video, Harris delivered a message to those discouraged by the outcome of the election: “I just have to remind you, don’t let anybody take your power from you. You have the same power that you did before Nov. 5, and you have the same purpose that you did. And you have the same ability to engage and inspire. So don’t ever let anybody or any circumstance take your power from you.” However, rather than inspiring, the video ignited a wave of criticism.

On Tuesday, Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Kamenetzky shlit”a, the zkan roshei yeshiva of America, and the esteemed Rosh Yeshiva of the Philadelphia Yeshiva, made a special visit to the Skverer Rebbe in New Square. The Rosh Yeshiva, who was in Monsey to attend a family simcha, took the opportunity to travel to New Square to meet with the Rebbe. During the visit, the Skverer Rebbe conveyed warm wishes to Rav Kamenetzky, who recently celebrated his monumental 100th birthday. The Rebbe expressed heartfelt brachos for the Rosh Yeshiva to continue his avodas hakodesh with good health and strength, inspiring and teaching Torah to Jews around the globe for many more years. Since suffering a stroke in May 2023, the Rosh Yeshiva has not made many public appearances. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Hours before the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on Tuesday, the IDF launched a major airstrike targeting Hezbollah’s largest precision-guided missile production facility in the Janta area of the Bekaa Valley near the Syrian border. Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, operating under the direction of the Intelligence Directorate, struck the sprawling underground complex, which spanned 1.4 kilometers. The facility was a key site for producing surface-to-surface missiles, manufacturing weapons components, and storing precision-guided weaponry intended for attacks on Israel. The facility’s location near the Syrian border made it a critical hub for smuggling weapons and personnel between Syria and Lebanon.

Emergency responders were battling a residential structure fire at 29 Kaser Terrace, near Phyllis Terrace, in Monsey, on Wednesday morning. The Monsey Fire Department arrived on the scene, and promptly requested mutual aid from neighboring departments, due to the large fire. Amidst the chaos, Chaverim of Rockland displayed extraordinary heroism, ensuring all occupants of the home were safely evacuated. Chaverim also successfully removed a Sefer Torah from a neighboring residence, safeguarding it from harm, as there was fear that the fire was spreading No injuries were reported. The fire, which has been escalated to a second alarm, has drawn a robust response from multiple fire departments, including Hillcrest, Suffern, Tallman, South Spring Valley, Spring Valley, and New City.