An investigation of the serious incident on the Egyptian border on Shabbos during which an Egyptian policeman infiltrated into Israel and murdered three IDF soldiers uncovered major lapses in the security on the border and in IDF operations. The terrorist entered Israel via an emergency gate on the border normally used by IDF soldiers in coordination with Egypt. The gate was secured only with zip ties since it is meant to be opened quickly. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing that an investigation is taking place into why the sensors on the border fence didn’t issue an alert following the terrorist’s infiltration into Israel. Hagari added that there are several small safe crossings in the security fence for emergencies and the terrorist used one of them.

Anti-government protesters in New York have filed a harassment complaint against Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman after he forcefully took a megaphone from one of the demonstrators during his visit to the city. Rothman, a prominent figure in the government’s judicial overhaul, is among several Israeli lawmakers in New York for the annual Celebrate Israel Parade. The lawmakers have been the target of anti-overhaul protesters, with Rothman receiving particular attention as the chair of the Constitution Law and Justice Committee. Late on Friday, a video circulated online showing Rothman becoming agitated as protesters walked behind him, chanting through a megaphone as he made his way back to his hotel.

During the routine White House press briefing on Wednesday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby found himself at a loss for words when a reporter from the New York Post, Steven Nelson, confronted him with a direct inquiry about President Biden’s integrity. The exchange unfolded while Kirby was addressing queries pertaining to foreign policy matters. “There have been many developments in the House investigations into the first family’s international business dealings recently,” Nelson said, referencing Republican probes into the Biden family. “So what do you say to the majority of Americans who believe that the president is himself corrupt?” Nelson asked. “Wow,” Kirby said, shaking his head. Following an uncomfortably long pause, Kirby found his words.

Republican 2024 candidate Ron DeSantis drew laughs from an Iowa crowd after he mocked Trump’s criticism of his handling of the Covid pandemic, pointing out that Trump’s family’s own actions show how hypocritical he is. “He used to say how great Florida was,” DeSantis told a reporter. “His whole family moved to Florida under my governorship. Are you kidding me?” “Look, I’m going to respond to attacks,” DeSantis added as the crowd laughed. “I mean, if you say Cuomo did a better job with COVID than Florida did — first of all, that’s not what he used to say. Six months ago he would have never said that, right?” DeSantis took another swipe at Trump during a campaign event in New Hampshire on Thursday.

Deputy Minister Uri Maklev paid a shiva visit to the sons of HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, z’tl, on Wednesday evening. Maklev was a talmid of the Rosh Yeshivah, z’tl over 50 years ago and was a close friend of his sons, with whom he learned while he was at Ponevezh. During the visit, Maklev told them about his last meeting with their father, z’tl. Maklev had met with the Rosh Yeshivah, z’tl, about a week ago to consult with him on a specific issue. After receiving the ruling on the matter, the UTJ MK asked the Rosh Yeshivah about the increasing incitement on the secular street against the Torah world. “The Rosh Yeshivah didn’t hesitate and told me: ‘We won’t be mevateir on קוצו של יו”ד in everything related to the budget for the Torah world.

A group of volunteers from Chaveirim and Shomrim of Boro Park returned a suitcase containing a man’s tallis and tefillin to its rightful owner after sifting through piles of garbage at a waste management facility. Upon realizing that he inadvertently left his suitcase at a curb and was now missing, the owner had contacted Boro Park Shomrim, who sent volunteers to review surveillance footage, determining that it had been carted away in a garbage truck. The local NYC sanitation supervisor was promptly contacted, who arranged for the trucks working in the vicinity where the suitcase had gone missing to be separated from the others and have their trash placed in one specific section of the sanitation facility.

President Trump, 76, was campaigning in Iowa when he heard about Biden’s stumble at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation Thursday. “He actually fell down? Well I hope he wasn’t hurt,” Trump said after an audience member told him about what had happened to Biden. “The whole thing is crazy. You gotta be careful about that … ’cause you don’t want that, even if you have to tiptoe down a ramp.” The audience laughed as Trump recounted slowly inching his way down what he said had been a slippery ramp at the U.S. Military Academy graduation. “If he fell, it’s too bad,” the former president said. “We gotta just get this thing back on track. That’s a bad place to fall when you’re making, I think it was the Air Force Academy, right? That’s not inspiring.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Israeli Navy recently conducted a series of multi-system tests for the “C-Dome” – the naval version of the Iron Dome missile defense system. The C-Dome successfully intercepted rockets, drones, and cruise missiles while mounted on the Sa’ar 6-class Corvette INS Magen. The C-Dome secures Israel’s shipping lanes at sea as well as its natural gas platforms. “The C-Dome system constitutes a significant leap forward in our defense capabilities and ensures the Israeli defense establishment’s superiority and operational capabilities in the face of growing threats in the maritime arena,” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

UTJ MK Yisrael Eichler, who serves as the chairman of the Knesset’s Labor and Welfare Committee, began a meeting of the committee on Wednesday by talking about HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, z’tl. “I had the zechus to know HaRav Edelstein, z’tl for many years,” he said. “One of the times I went to visit him, he asked me to learn a passage from the Chazon Ish with him. I thought it was a little strange but that’s what happened. He took out the sefer of the Chazon Ish, opened it, sat me down next to him and we began learning.” “Among the things we learned, the Chazon Ish referred to the obligation to love every Jew and discussed the question of how to relate to a Jew who is not Shomer Torah U’Mitzvos.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz made a significant announcement, stating that Jeffrey Morel has been indicted by a grand jury and arraigned for attempted murder in connection with a shooting incident in Far Rockaway. This reckless act resulted in bullets flying into a nearby yeshiva, narrowly missing a student and damaging parked cars.