On Tuesday night, Yerushalayim Affairs Minister Meir Porush of United Torah Judaism took aim at what he described as a judicial double standard, responding to the recent passage of a law that strips terrorists of National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) benefits.
During his remarks in the Knesset plenum, Porush expressed disbelief over the situation. “I don’t understand what country I’m in, and what year I’m in. As far as I know, I am in the year 2024, in the same country I was in two years ago. In today’s country, there is no problem deciding that the family of a person who didn’t become a soldier should not be eligible for daycare [discounts].”

The chief executive of Delta Air Lines says the incoming Trump administration will be a “breath of fresh air” for airlines after what he called government “overreach” under President Joe Biden. The airline industry has chafed under consumer-protection regulations imposed by the Biden administration. And Delta is facing a federal investigation into its slow recovery from a global technology outage this summer. Delta CEO Ed Bastian made the comment as he and fellow Delta executives prepared to host Wall Street analysts at an investor day Wednesday in Atlanta. Bastian noted that President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on a pledge to reform the federal government and reduce its size.

Israel’s Tzav 9 (“Order 9”) protest group that opposes humanitarian aid going to Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip announced on Wednesday the resumption of its activities after a five-month hiatus.
“Tomorrow, Thursday, 411 days since the start of the war, we will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the [Kibbutz] Urim gas station,” the movement announced. “We will continue to fight until the 101 hostages are returned home.”
“Whoever controls the aid controls the Strip. Stop strengthening Hamas, and make sure that the aid will not get to them,” Tzav 9 stated.
“We will go to the field for the same purpose for which we established Tzav 9. The purpose of blocking the trucks was to demand the most elementary thing—stop strengthening Hamas!” it vowed.

The IDF confirmed on Wednesday night the tragic loss of Sergeant First Class (res.) Eitan Ben Ami, a 22-year-old from Yerushalayim, who was killed in action in southern Lebanon when a building collapsed during combat operations.
Ben Ami served as a member of the Commando Brigade’s Maglan Reservist Unit, where his courage and commitment were widely recognized.
Reflecting on his character, MK Yitzchak Kroizer (Otzma Yehudit) shared: “Eitan was a determined and dedicated soldier who stood out with his bravery and contributing spirit which led him in every step. He was loved by his friends and appreciated by his commanders, he projected strength and calm even in the toughest times. I sent my deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

Finnish authorities said Wednesday they have opened an investigation into the rupture of a data cable under the Baltic Sea, adding to a Swedish probe into the possible sabotage of that link and another cable. The C-Lion1 cable, which runs between Finland and Germany was damaged on Monday, the day after similar damage to a cable that crosses the Baltic between Lithuania and Sweden, with the incidents occurring off the Swedish islands of Oland and Gotland respectively. Germany’s defense minister said Tuesday that the damage appeared to have been caused by sabotage, though there is no proof at present.

Israel Defense Forces Maj. (res.) Ze’ev Erlich, 71, a renowned scholar of the Land of Israel, was killed by Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, the Binyamin Regional Council announced on Wednesday evening.
“Jabo Erlich, 71, a reservist, joined IDF forces operating in Southern Lebanon. He was a prominent researcher in the field of research into the Land of Israel and its settlement,” the council confirmed in a statement.
“We are shocked by Jabo’s departure,” said council head Israel Ganz, describing Erlich as “a man whose name was a symbol of knowledge and love of the land” and one of the founders of the community of Ofra in the Binyamin region.
(JNS)

SACRAMENTO, Calif.

A promotional video for a rebrand of British luxury car brand Jaguar is being criticized online for showing models in brightly colored outfits — and no car. The rebrand, which includes a new logo, is slated to launch Dec. 2 during the Miami Art Week, when the company will unveil a new electric GT model. But Jaguar Land Rover, a unit of India’s Tata Motors Ltd., has been promoting it online. The Jaguar brand is in the middle of a transition to going all-electric. “Copy Nothing,” marketing materials read. “We’re here to delete the ordinary. To go bold. To copy nothing.” The promotional video, posted on X and Instagram, shows models dressed in futuristic brightly colored outfits walking in an alien-like landscape. “Break Moulds,” copy reads.