United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed disapproval on Thursday regarding Israel’s military actions in Syria.
In a statement, Guterres’ spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, conveyed the Secretary-General’s concerns over what he described as “significant breaches” of Syrian sovereignty due to Israeli airstrikes.
Guterres “is deeply concerned by the recent and extensive violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Secretary-General is particularly concerned over the hundreds of Israeli air strikes on several locations in Syria,” Dujarric stated.
Additionally, Dujarric noted that Guterres emphasized “the urgent need to de-escalate violence on all fronts, throughout Syria.”

A recent survey conducted by the Midgam Institute on behalf of Channel 12 News indicates that Likud would retain its status as the largest party in the Knesset, even if Naftali Bennett decides to enter the next elections.
The results reveal that in a scenario where Bennett runs, Likud would garner 23 seats, while a newly established party under Bennett’s leadership would secure 22 seats. The National Unity Party and Yesh Atid would each claim 11 seats, followed by the Democrats with 10. Shas would obtain 9 seats, while Yisrael Beytenu, Otzma Yehudit, and United Torah Judaism would each receive 8 seats. Additionally, both Hadash-Ta’al and Ra’am would secure 5 seats apiece.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams and senior NYPD officials embarked on an overnight tour of New York City’s subway system, confronting the stark reality of homelessness that has turned parts of the transit network into makeshift encampments. The visit provided a sobering view of the challenges posed by the ongoing crisis.
With reporters from The NY Post accompanying them, Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch joined a multi-agency outreach team at the 34th Street/Herald Square station. During their rounds, the group encountered 96 individuals experiencing homelessness, many of whom were grappling with mental health challenges.

White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby emphasized on Thursday that the recent downfall of the Assad regime in Syria should serve as a clear message to Hamas about the urgency of progressing with a hostage release agreement.
Speaking to reporters during a briefing, Kirby addressed comments made earlier by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who, during his visit to Israel, suggested that a ceasefire deal could soon be finalized.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., added his voice on Thursday to the growing demand for action against the drones that have been spotted in New Jersey and across the northeastern United States. He suggested that the drones might need to be “shot down, if necessary.”
“We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” Blumenthal said according to the Associated Press.

In the waning days of the Biden administration, officials are reportedly working behind the scenes to dispose of unused materials from the southern border wall by auctioning them off. This move has been criticized by some lawmakers, who see it as an attempt to thwart President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to fortify the US-Mexico border.

Following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Iran’s former proxy, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu released a video message aimed at the people of Iran.

Chicago Alderman Debra Silverstein has called for an important city budget vote scheduled for Dec. 13 to be completed before her Shabbat observance begins.
“I want to officially document my religious requirements for the City Council meeting this Friday,” she stated in a letter sent to the Mayor’s office and the Chicago City Council. “My religious observance will require me to leave City Hall by 3 p.m. at the latest.”
“In order to discharge my legislative obligations, I need the budget vote to be completed by that time,” she said. “I ask that the meeting begin on time and that the budget votes be taken first so that due consideration is given to the religious needs of Jewish legislators and members of the public who are watching.”

Deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad joins a succession of autocratic Arab leaders ousted from power since the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011. His peers in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Yemen were variously toppled, imprisoned, killed or exiled as he clung to power.
Assad fled Syria early Sunday and has since sought refuge in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin granted him asylum, adding the longtime despot to the list of dictators who have found sanctuary around the world, including in the United States.

The U.N. General Assembly voted almost unanimously on Wednesday to support two non-binding resolutions, one that demands that Israel end its war against the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip and the other allowing the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to continue to operate in the Jewish state.
UNRWA “has failed the people of Gaza and has been infiltrated by Hamas terrorists,” Jonathan Harounoff, international spokesman for Israel’s mission to the United Nations in New York, told JNS. “The ceasefire vote was another moral failure. The resolution failed to make an immediate and permanent ceasefire contingent on the release of all 100 hostages.”