New York News
Jessica Tisch, the newly appointed NYPD Commissioner, inherits a challenging landscape as New York grapples with a public-safety crisis marked by crime levels significantly above pre-2019 figures, despite a slight recent decline. With major felonies up 30.4% compared to 2019 and murders 12.1% higher, Tisch must confront the systemic challenges of defendant-friendly criminal-justice reforms and insufficient police resources.
She should leverage her expertise in data to enhance transparency, outlining not only crime trends but also systemic failures such as case dismissals or lenient judicial outcomes. Advocating for adequate staffing, with the NYPD still below its peak force size, will be critical. Additionally, Tisch must candidly address issues like subway safety, high-profile crimes, and the impact of migrant shelter policies on public safety. By treating the public as partners in understanding these realities and advocating actionable solutions, Tisch can restore trust and bolster efforts to reduce crime effectively.
Gary Worthy, a 57-year-old lifetime parolee with a history of 17 arrests, including murder and multiple violent crimes, died after a crime spree in Queens, where he shot an NYPD officer and a bystander. Worthy, who was recently arrested for narcotics and resisting arrest but released, was wanted for three other gunpoint robberies earlier in November. On Tuesday, he robbed a deli and a smoke shop, firing shots during both incidents, before police confronted him. During a chase, Worthy shot Officer Rich Wong in the leg, prompting Wong to return fire, fatally striking him. Wong and a 26-year-old bystander, also hit during the exchange, are both expected to recover.
Christopher Brown, a 23-year-old who planned a terror attack on a New York City synagogue in 2022, was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervision. Arrested at Penn Station with a loaded gun, a swastika armband, and a knife, Brown admitted to supporting Nazi ideology and plotting violence against the Jewish community, inspired by extremist beliefs. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the severity of the punishment as a stand against rising antisemitism. Jewish community leaders and law enforcement credited coordinated efforts for averting the attack and highlighted the ongoing need for vigilance to combat hate and protect communities.
Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, a South Florida resident, was arrested by the FBI for allegedly plotting to bomb the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in a scheme he claimed would “reset” the U.S. government. Following a tip in February about bomb-making schematics stored in an unlocked Coral Springs storage unit, agents found electronic components consistent with explosive devices. Yener expressed his intentions to a confidential informant and undercover agents, requesting materials and surveillance photos of the NYSE to plan the attack. He described the bombing as akin to “a small nuke” and shared online tutorials on constructing explosives. Yener, who also sought to distribute a manifesto justifying his actions, faces federal charges for attempted use of explosives against a commercial building.
The UJA-Federation of New York unveiled the $12.5 million Brooklyn Hub, a 13,000-square-foot social service center in south Brooklyn set to open on December 2, 2024. Operated by the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, the Hub will serve one of New York City’s most impoverished Jewish communities, offering a state-of-the-art food pantry with online ordering, legal and financial counseling, emergency assistance, and career programs. Designed for dignity and privacy, it features frosted counseling rooms, outdoor spaces, and an anonymous food pick-up system. Located between Borough Park and Bensonhurst, it primarily serves the Haredi and Russian-Jewish communities but is open to all. Local leaders lauded the Hub’s innovative design and multilingual services as a vital resource for the area.
US NEWS
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as U.S. Attorney General after Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration due to concerns over his confirmation and a pending House Ethics Committee investigation. Bondi, known for her tough stance on crime and work on the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during Trump’s first term, has been praised for her record in Florida. Gaetz, under scrutiny for alleged sexual misconduct and past DOJ investigations, stated his withdrawal was to avoid distractions for the Trump administration. Trump commended Gaetz’s efforts, expressing confidence in his future contributions, while highlighting Bondi’s appointment as a step to refocus the DOJ on crime and public safety.
The Senate decisively rejected three disapproval resolutions filed by Senator Bernie Sanders seeking to block a $20 billion U.S. arms sale to Israel, which includes military tank rounds, mortar rounds, and joint direct attack munitions, citing concerns over civilian harm in Gaza. Despite Sanders’ criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged violations of international law and inadequate humanitarian efforts in Gaza, his measures gained the support of only 19 senators, mostly Democrats and independents, while others, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Foreign Relations Chairman Ben Cardin, strongly opposed the effort, emphasizing Israel’s right to self-defense. Republicans, including Senators Tom Cotton and Lindsey Graham, condemned Sanders’ resolutions as undermining Israel’s survival against threats from Hamas and other adversaries, while pro-Israel groups like the Republican Jewish Coalition criticized the votes as a dangerous anti-Israel precedent. The outcome underscores robust bipartisan support for continued U.S. military aid to Israel amid ongoing conflicts in the region.
Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant, was found guilty of 10 charges, including murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault with intent to rape, in the killing of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley during her jog near the University of Georgia in Athens. In a bench trial, Judge Patrick Haggard delivered the verdict within 19 minutes after closing arguments, following a prosecution case that highlighted overwhelming evidence, including Ibarra’s DNA under Riley’s fingernails, his fingerprint on her phone, and surveillance footage showing him disposing of a bloody jacket. Prosecutor Sheila Ross detailed the brutal nature of the crime and Ibarra’s attempts to cover it up, while Ibarra’s defense blamed his brother Diego, a gang member, for the murder. However, Diego identified Ibarra as the man in the surveillance footage during police interrogation. Ibarra faces life in prison for the crime.
The House Homeland Security Committee is set to interview former FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington over allegations that she instructed relief workers in Florida to avoid homes displaying Trump signs or flags, a directive she claims aligns with a broader FEMA policy to sidestep “politically hostile” homes. Committee Chair Mark Green (R-TN), alongside Reps. Dan Bishop (R-NC) and Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), aims to determine if Washington’s guidance was an isolated incident, as FEMA asserts, or indicative of systemic discrimination against disaster victims based on political affiliation. Whistleblowers reported skipping at least 20 homes under Washington’s guidance before she was fired on November 9. Green emphasized the investigation’s importance in preventing further violations of the First Amendment and restoring public trust, referencing Washington’s claim that similar practices might be occurring in other states like North Carolina. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell faced questioning from the House Oversight Committee earlier this week, underscoring growing scrutiny over the agency’s conduct.
Special Counsel Jack Smith filed motions to drop all federal charges against President-elect Donald Trump related to the mishandling of classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, which culminated in the January 6 Capitol attack. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan swiftly granted the motion to dismiss the January 6-related charges, effectively ending the case accusing Trump of unlawfully attempting to reverse his election loss to President Joe Biden. Trump had been indicted in June 2023 on 37 felony counts for the mishandling of classified documents, including willful retention of national defense information and conspiracy to obstruct justice. However, a Florida judge dismissed the case, and Smith’s office sought an appeal. Trump was also indicted in August 2023 on four felonies related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The case had been delayed for months as Trump’s defense team argued that a former president cannot be prosecuted for actions taken in office. Trump has consistently claimed that the prosecutions were politically motivated and has pleaded not guilty in both federal cases.
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud has vowed to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant if they enter Dearborn, following arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Hammoud, the first Arab and Muslim mayor of Dearborn, made the announcement on social media, urging other cities to take similar action to uphold international law. Hammoud, who has previously advocated for a ceasefire and an arms embargo on Israel, joins U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib in supporting the ICC’s move. Tlaib called the warrants a long-overdue step toward accountability, condemning U.S. arms shipments to Israel and urging an immediate end to military aid. The ICC’s actions place Netanyahu among international figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin, who also faces ICC charges, though it remains unclear if local authorities like Dearborn can enforce such warrants under international law.
Israel NEWS
Three Palestinian individuals from Hebron have been charged with plotting to assassinate Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his son, as announced by the Israel Police and Shin Bet following a joint investigation. The primary suspect, Ismail Ibrahim Awadi, is accused of organizing a terror cell, attempting to obtain weapons, and planning explosive devices, with assistance sought from Hamas and Hezbollah. Awadi reportedly monitored Ben-Gvir’s movements and security detail to plan potential attacks, including targeting him at the site of a terrorist incident. Israeli authorities have thwarted multiple assassination attempts against Ben-Gvir, including recent plots linked to Tehran-sponsored cells and Hamas operatives.
IDF Col. (res.) Yoav Yarom, chief of staff of the Golani Brigade, resigned Monday after taking responsibility for the unauthorized entry of civilian archaeologist Maj. (res.) Ze’ev Erlich into southern Lebanon, which led to Erlich’s death. Erlich, a respected scholar on the Land of Israel, was killed alongside IDF Sgt. Gur Kehati on Nov. 20 after being ambushed by Hezbollah terrorists while visiting an ancient fortress near the northern border. Yarom, who was also wounded, stated in his resignation letter that he felt compelled to take “operational responsibility” for the breach of protocol, which allowed the fatal incident to occur. Erlich, a prominent figure in the study of Israel’s geography and history, was known for volunteering with soldiers and lecturing extensively in Judea and Samaria. Though not active in reserve service, the IDF recognized him as a fallen soldier, and his death prompted widespread mourning in his community of Ofra and among his students and peers.
Israeli forces reached the Litani River in southern Lebanon for the first time since 2000, conducting major operations against Hezbollah’s infrastructure, destroying rocket launchers, weapons stockpiles, and underground facilities. The Israeli Air Force intensified strikes, targeting Hezbollah strongholds, including Dahieh in Beirut, and killing key operatives like coastal sector commander Ahmad Sabhi Hazima. Despite Hezbollah embedding assets within civilian areas, the IDF implemented measures to minimize harm to civilians. These actions precede a draft ceasefire agreement under discussion, which proposes a phased IDF withdrawal, Hezbollah disarmament south of the Litani, and oversight by a U.S.-led committee to enforce terms.
Tzila Cohen, Israel’s oldest citizen, celebrated her 110th birthday with a heartfelt event at Laniado Hospital in Netanya. Born in 1914 in Kraśnik, Poland, Cohen immigrated to pre-state Israel in 1936 and is regarded as a foundational figure in Netanya’s history. In 1958, she played a role in the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the Kiryat Sanz neighborhood, where Laniado Hospital now resides. To mark the occasion, hospital staff organized a celebration and presented Cohen with a special birthday message from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who expressed the rare honor of blessing someone of her remarkable age.
WORLD NEWS
The Emirati Ministry of Interior confirmed that three Uzbek nationals have been arrested for the murder of Chabad emissary Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the UAE, allegedly under orders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Rabbi Kogan, who lived in Dubai, was kidnapped, murdered, and his body found near the Oman border after being last seen on Nov. 21. UAE authorities swiftly apprehended the suspects, who could face the death penalty, and Israel, along with the United States, condemned the crime as an act of antisemitic terrorism. Rabbi Kogan was a prominent figure in the Jewish community, running a kosher market and serving the Chabad-Lubavitch mission in Abu Dhabi. The incident has drawn international outrage and pledges for accountability.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes during the October 2023 to May 2024 conflict. The warrants, based on claims of starvation as a method of warfare and intentional attacks on civilians, were issued despite Israel’s non-signatory status to the Rome Statute. The ICC also issued a warrant for Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, who was reportedly killed in July 2024. Legal experts and critics have condemned the ICC’s actions as politically motivated and lacking jurisdiction, highlighting its reliance on “Palestine” as a member state. The warrants could restrict Netanyahu and Gallant’s international travel and have broader implications for Israel’s security and diplomatic activities. Observers view the decision as a reflection of geopolitical dynamics and criticize the court for bias against Israel while neglecting accountability for Hamas and its supporters.
A pro-Palestinian and anti-NATO protest in Montreal on Friday evening turned violent, with smashed windows, vehicles set on fire, and clashes between demonstrators and police officers. The protest coincided with a NATO summit and was part of a broader wave of student-led pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the city. Protesters burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, threw objects, and damaged property. Police used chemical irritants and arrested three individuals for assaulting officers and obstructing police work. The protest was organized by the anti-capitalist group Divest for Palestine and supported by numerous activist and student organizations. While the group defended the protest as a stand against militarism and colonialism, it criticized police for injuries to four protesters.
Former Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked has been denied an entry visa to Australia, reportedly due to the Australian government’s stance on her political positions and her opposition to a Palestinian state. Shaked, known for her right-wing views, criticized the decision, describing the current Australian government under the Labor Party as anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian. She had applied to attend a strategic dialogue on Israeli-Australian relations organized by the Australia Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC). Some reports suggest the visa denial was aimed at balancing Australia’s recent moves against antisemitism, including new hate-speech legislation enacted after attacks on Jewish communities following the Hamas-led massacre in October 2023. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s pro-Palestinian policies, including the consideration of recognizing a Palestinian state, have further strained relations with pro-Israel advocates.
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv resumed operations late Wednesday after a temporary closure due to the threat of a significant air attack. The closure came a day after Ukraine used American missiles to target a site within Russia, which Russia called an escalation in the ongoing war. While the U.S. Embassy had urged staff to shelter in place and advised American citizens to remain vigilant, the embassy resumed services after assessing the situation. The embassy also advised U.S. citizens in Ukraine to be prepared for air alerts. The closure was part of heightened security measures following threats of air attacks, and other embassies, including those of Italy and Greece, also shut down operations, while the French Embassy remained open with cautionary advice.
