Friday, January 9, 2026
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Gali Baharav‑Miara expected to block pardon for Netanyahu
The emerging legal opinion will argue that granting a pardon while legal proceedings are still ongoing does not comply with statutory requirements or existing case law.
‘Same Recklessness’: Meron Victim’s Brother Links Tragedy to Jerusalem Protest Death
A man whose brother was killed in Israel’s deadliest civilian disaster says the fatal bus incident at a Jerusalem ultra-Orthodox protest reflects the same pattern of recklessness that led to the 2021 Meron tragedy.
Speaking to Arutz 7 (Israel National News) hours after the deadly ramming at a protest against military conscription, Yisrael Diskind — whose brother Simcha Bunim Diskind died in the Meron crush — said the two tragedies are “directly connected” by what he called systemic irresponsibility among protest organizers and community power brokers.
The Jerusalem incident left 14-year-old Yosef Eizental dead and several others injured.
“This was an unnecessary death,” Diskind said. “A child should never return home in a coffin — not from Meron and not from a protest. When that happens, it’s because of the same reckless people who organize events without taking responsibility and then rush to blame the state and the police.”
‘The same pattern of failure’
Diskind said police had designated a safe area for the demonstration, but organizers failed to keep protesters within it, allowing chaos to spill into active traffic zones.
“The police are not babysitters,” he said. “They cannot chase every hot-headed young person through the streets. The organizers must take responsibility — not shift blame afterward.”
He urged protest leaders to publicly apologize to the Eizental family and to commit to ensuring that future demonstrations are conducted safely.
“They should go to the family’s home, repent, apologize and promise that no other parents will ever have to sit shiva because of their negligence,” Diskind said.
Warning over incitement
Diskind also said the tragedy comes amid what he described as dangerous public incitement against Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community.
“There is a climate where people feel it’s permissible to harm Haredim,” he said. “My own brother served more than 300 days in reserve duty, and still people shouted ‘parasite’ at him in the street. That kind of hatred poisons everything.”
He called on national leaders to separate legitimate debate over conscription from attacks on individuals.
“Nothing — no anger, no frustration — justifies hatred toward a person because he is Haredi,” Diskind said.
Call for accountability
Diskind placed responsibility not only on protest organizers but on what he called unelected power brokers within the ultra-Orthodox community who shape decisions behind the scenes.
“They dictate the tone in the street, pressure lawmakers and disappear when disaster strikes,” he said.
The death of Eizental has reopened painful wounds from the Meron disaster, where 45 people were killed in a crowd crush during a religious gathering in 2021.
“If we don’t learn from Meron,” Diskind told Arutz 7, “we will keep burying children.”
Mahmoud Haqiqat, the police chief who led the brutal crackdown on anti-regime protesters Assassinated
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
— Jews Fight Back 🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@JewsFightBack) January 7, 2026
Mahmoud Haqiqat, the police chief who led the brutal crackdown on anti-regime protesters, just got GOT.
Assassinated in broad daylight.
This is the man who hunted down freedom-seeking Iranians in cold blood.
And now? He’s gone.
The Islamic Republic is rotting… pic.twitter.com/RviniTfYVn
Thanks to the declassification of documents It is now 100% Proven that Hussain Obama attempted to overthrow the United States government in 2016..
“Now, nearly ten years later, thanks to the declassification of documents by the Director of National Intelligence, @DNIGabbard, the truth...
— Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (@TRobinsonNewEra) January 7, 2026
...Barack Hussein Obama attempted to overthrow the United States government in 2016..
pic.twitter.com/FtOZnO8F3u
Some are now blaming Rav Aharon Feldman for this horrific tragedy
As must have been the case for anyone who became aware of this tragedy, my first reaction was one of profound sadness. Yosef Eizental, a 14-year-old Charedi boy, was killed after being run down by a city bus in Jerusalem during a recent protest by members of his community against the draft. A frustrated bus driver drove through a large crowd that was blocking the street and struck and killed young Yosef. I cannot begin to imagine what his parents are feeling right now.
This young man was simply acting on the directives of his religious leaders. Many of whom have engaged in truly over-the-top and deeply disturbing exaggerations about the supposed ‘evils’ of the IDF.
My sadness, however, quickly gave way to anger. Anger at those who are ultimately to blame for this tragedy (beyond the bus driver himself).
I don’t know whether any specific Charedi religious leader or group of leaders explicitly called for this protest. But it would not surprise me if they did since they have done so in the past. But even if they did not directly call for it, they certainly inspired it through their constant and vile anti-IDF and anti-government rhetoric.
One thing seems certain: they did not urge restraint, nor did they call for the protest to be halted once it began. They likely took pride in the fact that so many of their young protégés participated in what they viewed as a ‘just’ cause. Even though many non-Charedi religious leaders believe that cause is anything but just.
That said, they are certainly entitled to their opinion. As religious leaders – publicly addressing what they view as a religious issue is surely seen as an obligation to speak out forcefully on a matter they feel so strongly about, especially given the immense influence they wield.
But with the power to motivate tens of thousands of young students to act - comes responsibility. Responsibility that must be shared when the consequences turn tragic. And that is clearly the case here.
Of course, the primary fault lies with the bus driver, who panicked as a chaotic crowd began attacking his bus while fires were being set in the street around his bus. He is rightly being charged with manslaughter. There is no excuse for driving at an unsafe speed through a street packed with people. He had to know that someone would almost certainly be hurt or killed.
But the responsibility does not rest with him alone. It must be shared by the religious leaders who either told their young students to protest or inspired them to do so. And who failed to stop them.
Responsibility is even greater for those leaders whose opposition is uncompromisingly hardcore. Like those who oppose IDF service even in units specifically designed for Charedim who do not study Torah full-time—an option currently under consideration by the Knesset.
Although details are still being negotiated, that legislation has become more or less acceptable to key Charedi religious leaders. According to one estimate I saw this legislation could eventually result in approximately 23,000 Charedi recruits as the IDF expands specialized Charedi units like the Chashmonaim Brigades.
If that is the case, then this protest was clearly not endorsed by the Charedi leaders currently negotiating the legislation. They are, however, surely endorsed or at least encouraged by religious hardliners who reject even these units - citing anecdotal reports that the promises made to Charedi recruits have not been fully honored.
When Rav Aharon Feldman, a member of the Agudah Moetzes, opposes even these units based on unsubstantiated anecdotal claims, he wields enormous influence—at least over American students who are drawn into protests like the one in which Yosef was killed.
In my view, that places a measure of responsibility on him as well. Of course, he had nothing directly to do with this specific protest, and most of the protesters were likely Israeli. But Rav Feldman was echoing and reinforcing the rhetoric of Israeli religious leaders who inspired it. Instead of speaking out against such protests, he likely supported them - seeing them as a matter of kavod haTorah.
Except that in this case, a young innocent boy, inspired by that rhetoric, lost his life.
I am certain that Rav Feldman feels genuine regret over what happened and has surely expressed sympathy to the family. I have no doubt about that. But the real question is whether he and his counterparts in Israel - will take any responsibility at all. More importantly, will they engage in a cheshbon hanefesh, the soul-searching that a tragedy like this demands? And will that soul-searching lead them to put an end to the kind of harsh rhetoric that could inspire future mass protests like this and put even more young lives in danger?
I sure hope so.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Beit Shemesh Hits New Aliyah Record
Beit Shemesh Municipality's Absorption Committee met and reviewed the activities of 2025 and presented the goals for the coming year.
2025 was another record year for the city's immigration intake, with 870 new immigrants being absorbed in Beit Shemesh during the year. In total, since 1989, approximately 30,000 immigrants have made their home in the city, a figure that positions Beit Shemesh as one of the leading cities in Israel in immigration intake. Community Division Director Moran Yitzhak noted that new immigrants are attracted by the city's supportive community and vibrant mix of cultures.
Mayor Shmuel Greenberg intends to set up a new branch of "Beit HaOleh" in Ramat Beit Shemesh A. The move is intended to provide a response to the accelerated urban development and make the services of the absorption department accessible to the neighborhood's residents, while continuing the activity in the existing building.
In addition, it was decided to create a community representatives forum, which will consist of representatives from the city's immigrant communities and will serve as a permanent channel for conveying needs, initiatives and challenges from the field. The forum is expected to convene for quarterly work meetings, and the first meeting is scheduled for February 2026.
City Council member and head of the absorption portfolio, Yona Kaufman, said "We focus absorption activity on in-depth programs in the areas of education, service and connection to the community. Successful absorption does not end with initial service, but rather in creating true acclimatization and a long-term sense of belonging in the city."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)