A shul in Montreal’s West Island was the target of a suspected arson attack early Wednesday morning, according to Montreal police (SPVM). Authorities received a 911 call shortly before 3 a.m. reporting a fire on Westpark Street near Roger Pilon Street. The area includes the Beth Tikvah shul, the Hebrew Foundation School, and the Federation CJA’s West Island office. In 2023, YWN reported that the same Shul had been attacked.  “Firefighters extinguished the blaze,” said SPVM spokesperson Véronique Dubuc. “They found at least one incendiary device.” Witnesses reportedly saw at least one suspect near the scene before the fire began, she added. The damage was described as minor, with a smashed window and a broken door being the primary impact on the synagogue.

Israel is among several United States allies expressing concern that tech billionaire Elon Musk could pose a security risk by sharing sensitive information, according to defense officials cited by The New York Times. In early 2023, Israeli military intelligence officials and U.S. defense officials reportedly held meetings to discuss concerns regarding Musk’s satellite internet system, Starlink. Israel’s Defense Ministry described Musk as a “wild card,” two individuals familiar with the discussions told the newspaper. Despite their concerns, Israeli officials eventually approved Starlink’s operation in Israel this year. The report highlights broader security concerns surrounding Musk. The U.S. Air Force recently denied him high-security access, citing potential security risks.

After a media storm arose in the wake of the statements of HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, who said that even yeshivah bochurim who aren’t learning in yeshivah shouldn’t serve in the army, two members of the Moetzet sent a letter of support to HaRav Yosef. HaGaon HaRav Moshe Tzadka, the Rosh Yeshivah of Porat Yosef, wrote the letter and it was signed by HaGaon HaRav Mordechai Maya.

HaGaon HaRav Ezriel Auerbach, 86, was appointed as the successor to the Peleg Yerushalmi movement a day after the petirah of the leader of the Peleg Yerushalmi movement, HaGaon HaRav Asher Deutsch, Z’tl. Rabbanin and askanim of the movement gathered at HaRav Auerbach’s Jerusalem home on Tuesday evening for a small ceremony to make the appointment official.

A disturbing new poll has revealed that a huge percentage of young voters believe the recent killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City was “acceptable”—a finding that should spark shock and concern about crumbling moral attitudes among younger generations. The Emerson College poll found that 41% of voters aged 18-29 said the killing was acceptable, compared to 40% who deemed it unacceptable. Within this group, 24% described the act as “somewhat acceptable,” while an alarming 17% labeled it as “completely acceptable.” These numbers stand in stark contrast to the views of older voters, 68% of whom condemned the murder as unacceptable.

Saudi Arabia is no longer insisting on a concrete plan for a Palestinian state as a condition for normalizing relations with Israel, according to reports emerging from ongoing discussions. Instead, Saudi officials now seek an end to the war in Gaza and a vague Israeli commitment toward a “pathway to a Palestinian state,” sources told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday evening. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has reportedly softened his position during recent talks with individuals close to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, including Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Syria’s new leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told The Times of London that he will not allow Syria to be used as a launchpad for attacks against Israel or any other state. However, Golani, who now prefers to be known by his birth name Ahmed al-Shara, warned Israel that it must end its airstrikes in Syria and withdraw from the buffer zone. “Israel’s justification was the presence of Hezbollah and Iranian militias so that justification is gone,” he said, reiterating the same message he conveyed in an interview with the opposition TV channel Syria.tv over the weekend. “We are committed to the 1974 agreement and we are prepared to return the UN [monitors],” he said. “We do not want any conflict whether with Israel or anyone else and we will not let Syria be used as a launchpad for attacks.

According to Reuters, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly 8n Cairo for negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. Unnamed sources familiar with the matter suggest an agreement could be finalized within days. The development appears to be the reason behind the cancellation of Netanyahu’s scheduled testimony in his corruption trial today. The Prime Minister’s Office denied the report and stated, “Contrary to the Reuters report, Netanyahu is not on his way to Cairo. He may be in half an hour, a day, or a year. But right now, he is not there.” One this is for certain, a private jet that took off in Israel is about to land in Cairo.

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz issued a statement on Tuesday morning clarifying Israel’s stance on the control of Gaza “the day after” – after the war ends. “In response to various reports – my position regarding Gaza is clear,” Katz stated. “After we defeat Hamas’s military and governing power in Gaza, Israel will control Gaza security with full freedom of action, just like in Yehuda and Shomron. We will not allow any terror activity from Gaza against Israeli citizens and yishuvim. We will not allow a return to the reality before October 7.” His statement came in response to a report by Channel 12 that the defense minister recently told a US official that Israel is not interested in controlling Gaza.

A highly anticipated concert featuring Jewish music star Benny Friedman has been abruptly canceled by its London venue, sparking outrage over the blatant antisemitism. The decision comes just one day after tickets for the show went on sale, leaving organizers and fans stunned. The Am Yisrael Chai Tour, organized in partnership with ACM Events, has toured globally. For years, London topped the list of cities requesting visits from Benny Friedman, prompting the team to schedule two UK concerts: one in London on January 6 and another in Manchester on January 7. Despite overwhelming demand, organizers encountered huge obstacles in securing a venue for the London concert, with multiple venues reportedly unwilling to host a Jewish event or align with pro-Israel sentiments.