Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), whose vote proved pivotal in confirming Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense earlier this year, says he now regrets the decision, sharply criticizing Hegseth’s performance and calling him “out of his depth.” Speaking with CNN’s Jake Tapper on The Lead, Tillis delivered a blunt assessment of Hegseth’s tenure at the Pentagon, citing recent missteps and a broader lack of managerial competence. “With the passing of time, I think it’s clear he’s out of his depth as a manager of a large, complex organization,” Tillis said. Asked specifically about the so-called Signalgate controversy — in which Hegseth temporarily suspended secure communications between certain NATO-aligned commands — Tillis dismissed the episode as symptomatic of a larger problem.

A joyous chasunah took place last night (Wednesday) in the main Beis Medrash of Machnovka-Belz in Bnei Brak, celebrating the marriage of the grandson of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe. The chassan is the son of the Spinka-Monsey Rebbe, who is a son-in-law of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe, and the kallah is the granddaughter of the Ziditshov Rebbe of Bnei Brak. A distinguished group of Admorim participated in the simcha, which reached an emotional climax during the mitzvah tantz, as the Rebbe danced with fiery passion before the kallah. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Authorities have cleared for publication that the victim of Thursday’s deadly terror attack at the Rami Levi shopping complex near the Gush Etzion Junction was Shalev Zevuloni, 22, a resident of Kiryat Arba. Zevuloni was brutally attacked by two Palestinian terrorists who stabbed him multiple times and then fatally shot him—reportedly using his own handgun, which they had stolen during the assault. The terrorists were neutralized at the scene by an armed civilian and an IDF soldier. The attackers have been identified as Mohammed A’abed, 23, from Halhul, and Malik Salam, 23, from Bizzariya, near Shechem (Nablus). Both were reportedly members of the Palestinian Authority police force, raising immediate concerns over the role of PA security personnel in acts of terror.

Rumors spread on Thursday about the organization of a massive demonstration against the draft of Chareidim and a shaila about the matter was even posed to HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, Kikar H’Shabbat reported. The Chareidi sector is beside itself with anger and frustration over the failure to enact a draft law, and especially over the restrictions on lomdei Torah and the intention to harass and arrest them. One of the serious initiatives that arose was to hold a massive demonstration, like the one held in 2015 against the draft law, and in 2000 against the Supreme Court. Activists consulted with Rabbanim and a shaila on the matter was brought to HaRav Landau. HaRav Landau decided that there is no reason to hold such a demonstration at this time.

An unusual but inspiring event occurred last Friday in the city of Ofakim, when the city’s Eruv wires were torn in several locations—which could have led to the Eruv being invalidated. During a routine inspection of the Eruv close to the start of Shabbos, an employee of the Religious Council identified rips and tears that had occurred in various areas. In a normal situation, they would have been manually repaired, but the short time remaining until Shkiyah necessitated a particularly rapid solution. During a consultation in the office of the chairman of the Religious Council, Rav Binyamin Malka, an unusual decision was made: to operate an advanced technological drone to repair the wires—while fully adhering to halacha and the strict instructions of the city’s Rav, Rav Amram Ohayon.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has introduced an amendment to strip $500 million in military aid to Israel from the U.S. defense appropriations bill currently working its way through Congress. The firebrand congresswoman, who has previously faced accusations of heing an antisemite – announced her proposal in a Facebook post she described as “a sprinkle of a slight rant and sarcasm delivered on a bed of raw truth,” sparking immediate backlash for its tone and substance. The amendment wouldn’t just target Israel — Greene also called for slashing an additional $500 million earmarked for Taiwan, $500 million for Jordan, $118 million in overseas disaster relief, and $15 million in HIV prevention programs abroad.

The Sanzer Rebbe participated in the Vacht Nacht celebration held for the grandson of Harav Elimelech Biderman, son of his son-in-law Harav Moshe Dovid Motzen — son of the Gaavad of Kiryas HaBa’al Shem Tov and son-in-law of the Shefa Chaim of Sanz, zt”l.

A psak from HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein urging the preservation of cholent as a uniquely Shabbos dish sparked widespread discussion this week — especially among bochurim accustomed to Thursday night cholent. But in an important clarification released, Rav Zilberstein explained that his original words were intended for a specific context, and not meant as a blanket issur. Rav Chaim Malin, a grandson of Rav Zilberstein and a prominent talmid chacham in his own right, published the update in response to the many inquiries that followed the initial psak.

A hiking tour company based in Puerto Rico denied service to a Jewish tourist, sending a blunt email with the subject line “No thanks” and the message “Free Palestine!” — and later doubling down in a WhatsApp exchange that confirmed they refuse to serve “so called israelis.” Paradise Tours PR, which offers guided hikes and eco-tours throughout Puerto Rico, appears to have engaged in blatant antisemitism after a Jewish American woman reached out to inquire about a hike during her upcoming vacation. The only information provided on the contact form was her name, travel dates, and email address — no political content, no mention of Israel.

A man in his twenties was critically injured on Thursday afternoon in a stabbing attack at the Rami Levy complex at the Gush Etzion junction. His death was determined shortly later, at the scene. The two terrorists who carried out the attack were neutralized at the scene by security forces. An initial investigation reveals that the two terrorists arrived at the shopping area armed with knives and attacked an Israeli security guard. They stabbed him severely and managed to take his gun. MDA teams tried to save his life without success. Large forces from the Yehuda and Shomron district, together with IDF forces and emergency forces, are at the scene and are working to treat the wounded and search for additional suspects. This is a developing story. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)