Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, a senior UAE official, attended the shiva in Kfar Chabad for Rabbi Zvi Kogan HY’D, the Chabad Shliach killed in a suspected terror attack in the UAE last week. Speaking to Kogan’s family, Al Nuaimi reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to “openness and peace” and pledged to uphold the rabbi’s legacy. Rabbi Kogan, a longtime resident of the UAE and a leader in the local Jewish community, was reported missing Thursday, with his body discovered Sunday. While the motive remains unclear, Israeli officials have condemned the killing as a terror attack, and Israeli agencies are assisting in the investigation. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A terrorist opened fire on an Israeli bus near the West Bank settlement of Ariel on Friday, injuring 8 people before being shot dead by security forces, According to the Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service, four of the victims sustained gunshot injuries, with three in serious condition and one moderately injured. Another four individuals were lightly wounded by shattered glass. Images from the scene show the terrorist armed with an assault rifle, identified as an M-16, used in the attack. The incident began when the terrorist drove from a village in the Nablus area, traveling from the Tapuach Junction to the Gitai Avisar Junction along a route with no internal checkpoints, according to an initial investigation by the IDF.

Mia Schem, a former hostage released from Hamas captivity one year ago, has announced her engagement to Yinon Hasson, who she began dating over the past year. The two, who were childhood friends, reconnected and became a couple following her release. Schem gained international attention when she was freed as part of the first hostage deal with Hamas, which took place exactly one year ago. Since her return, she has openly spoken about how her emunah grew during her time in captivity. “I have always been a person of faith and a very, very spiritual person,” Schem said. “In captivity, my faith grew like crazy.” Earlier this month, Schem participated in an event at the Israeli consulate in New York, where she recounted the harsh conditions she endured while being held hostage.

The IDF announced plans to establish the first company of the new Chashmonai Brigade, an initiative designed to cater exclusively to Charedi soldiers, by the time Chanukah begins in late December. The brigade’s name is intended to underscore its symbolic alignment with the Chanukah story, as the Chashmonean Dynasty emerged from the successful revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire, better known in Charedi circles as the Yevanim. The IDF hopes to channel this legacy to inspire Charedi participation in the military. According to reports, 30 young men have already passed initial screenings, and dozens more have expressed interest in joining.

The U.S. House of Representatives introduced bipartisan legislation on Tuesday that could strip federal student aid from universities and colleges that participate in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. The proposed legislation, titled the Protect Economic Freedom Act (H.R. 10257), would make institutions of higher education that engage in nonexpressive commercial boycotts of Israel ineligible for federal funding under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. This includes essential financial aid programs for students. Rep.

Several BBC journalists have resigned from the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) after receiving instructions to wear the colors of the Palestinian flag during a workplace initiative, according to a report by Jewish News. The directive, part of a Day of Action for Palestine organized by the NUJ and the Trades Union Congress (TUC), encouraged staff to “wear something red, green, black, or a Palestinian keffiyeh” to advocate for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The request sparked outrage among BBC staff, with one journalist calling it “hypocritical and antisemitic” and a violation of the BBC’s impartiality guidelines.

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.

The Palestinian Authority announced on Wednesday that Rawhi Fattouh, 75, will temporarily assume leadership in the event of Mahmoud Abbas’s death. The decision comes just two weeks after Abbas marked his 89th birthday, raising questions about the future of the P.A.’s leadership. The PA’s official Wafa news agency reported that Abbas signed a declaration naming Fattouh as the organization’s interim leader “pending the holding of presidential elections as per the Palestinian Elections Law.” Abbas said that the decision aimed to “maintain stability” during a challenging period for the P.A. Fattouh, a longtime Abbas confidant and current leader of the Palestinian National Council, briefly served as interim leader of the P.A. following Yasser Arafat’s death in 2004.

A confidential provision in the U.S.-Israel side agreement to the recently brokered Lebanon ceasefire focuses on curbing Iranian influence in the region, Israeli media reported on Wednesday. Referred to as the “Iranian clause” by Israeli officials, the provision is part of a classified two-and-a-half-page letter whose full details remain undisclosed, according to Channel 12 News. The clause reportedly states: “The U.S. commits to working with Israel to prevent Iran from destabilizing the region, establishing a foothold in Lebanon, or undermining the principles of the agreement—either directly or through its proxies.” The agreement further stipulates that if Israel determines military action is necessary, it must notify Washington as soon as possible. The U.S.

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.