Israel’s consul general in New York, Ofir Akunis, issued a grave warning to city residents Monday, urging them to “wake up before it’s too late.” Speaking at the Jerusalem Post’s annual conference in New York, Akunis warned the city faces a “takeover by radical Islam.”
Photo by: Adam Grey/Reuters
According to Akunis, while yesterday’s Israel parade was a major achievement, “antisemitism in New York City is at its peak.” He said this is no longer a theoretical threat but daily reality. The consul detailed how Hezbollah flags, green Hamas headbands, physical attacks on Jews in the street, and Nazi symbols have become routine on city streets.
Photo by: Ohad Kab
Akunis warned his “American friends” against a radical Islamic takeover of New York. “I want you to believe this—not because I’m saying it, but because they are saying it,” Akunis said. He called for taking the threats seriously: “When they say ‘Death to America,’ they mean it. As a great admirer of the United States of America, I’m asking you: wake up.”
The Iranian news agency “Tasnim”, which is affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, reported today (Monday) that Tehran’s negotiation team has decided to halt the exchange of messages with the United States through mediators. According to the report, the decision was made against the backdrop of the strikes carried out in Lebanon, in a move that could complicate the continuation of diplomatic efforts between the parties.
Beirut, Lebanon | Photo by: Shutterstock
In the statement, it was written that “Lebanon was one of the preconditions for the ceasefire – and the ceasefire has now been violated.” They further added a threat regarding the opening of additional fronts: “Iran and the resistance front have determined to activate other fronts – including the Bab al-Mandab straits in Yemen, in order to punish the Zionists and their supporters.”
Earlier today, following the announcement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz regarding the instruction to the IDF to strike terror targets in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut, as well as the advancement of our forces inside Lebanon and the capture of the Beaufort, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, sent a threatening message toward Israel and the US: “A violation of the ceasefire on one front constitutes a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts.”
Photo by: Reuters
Continuing the threat, which was published on the social network X, Araghchi wrote: “The United States and Israel will bear the responsibility for the consequences of any violation of the ceasefire.” Joining these threats was also the spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces: “We warn Israel and the US that we will not accept the continuation of crimes in Lebanon.”
As recalled, last night our military and defense correspondent Hallel Bitton Rosen published that the defense establishment has been preparing over the past 24 hours for the possibility of expanding the strikes in Lebanon, including in Beirut. Bitton Rosen updated that following a series of security discussions, with the participation of the Prime Minister, the execution of additional significant strikes deep within Lebanon was considered, alongside the publication of evacuation notices in additional areas for thousands of residents, and in coordination with the United States.
Photo by: Reuters
Yesterday, the heads of the defense establishment confirmed that our fighters, led by the Golani Brigade, captured the Beaufort Ridge and raised the Israeli flag and the brigade’s flag over it once again. Following the announcement, Katz sent a threat of his own toward Iran: “This is a clear message to our enemies: whoever threatens the citizens of Israel will lose their strategic assets one after another. I salute the Golani fighters and all IDF fighters who wrote another chapter of Israeli heroism in the place where our heroes fell for the homeland.”
Despite the Supreme Court’s decision to approve Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman’s appointment, Justice Daphne Barak-Erez wrote in dissent that the petition should not be dismissed at this stage and that the facts need further investigation before the appointment takes effect.
Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
Barak-Erez ruled that the flaws in the al-Maqayis affair—in which Gofman allegedly deployed a minor and abandoned him in real time—don’t allow the legal process to end at this stage. She wrote that because the deficiencies relate to the factual foundation on which the committee acted, even further review of existing material couldn’t remedy the flaw.
The justice pointed to two central questions that she said weren’t fully investigated. The first concerns whether Gofman told the truth during the inquiry conducted by the IDF’s Operations Directorate, when he said he had no knowledge of any connection between Division 210 and Telegram channels in general, or to al-Maqayis’s channel specifically. The second issue, which she called “the question of standing aside” or “the question of abandonment,” deals with Gofman’s conduct after he learned of al-Maqayis’s arrest.
The petition on the appointment of Roman Gofman | Photo by: Jonathan Zindel/Flash90
Barak-Erez criticized the committee for not completing its work by summoning additional witnesses who hadn’t yet appeared before it, and for not re-summoning witnesses who needed to be asked additional questions. She wrote that those witnesses could have shed light on Gofman’s answers, completed the factual picture, and helped resolve contradictions that emerged between the different versions.
Still, the justice emphasized that the existing material provides no basis for casting aspersions on Maj. Gen. Gofman himself. At the same time, she noted this is a case that requires “resolving doubts”—both in the name of the public interest and from Gofman’s own perspective. She wrote that had her opinion been accepted, there would have been grounds to issue a conditional order as well as an interim order suspending the appointment from taking effect until the investigation was completed.
After the High Court of justice approved the appointment of Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as Mossad chief, outgoing director David Barnea issued an unusual public message to the intelligence agency’s employees—calling on them to rally behind his successor, despite having fiercely opposed the appointment and warning of “problems setting personal boundaries.”
A handover ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow in the presence of the president and prime minister.
Photo by: Jonathan Zindel, Flash 90
In a message sent to Mossad employees and commanders, Barnea wrote: “I expect all of you to stand by Maj. Gen. Gofman’s side and continue to assist him in entering the role in the best possible way.” He added that “we face complex challenges at the heart of Israel’s security in which the Mossad has a central and influential role. Maj. Gen. Gofman’s success is the Mossad’s success and the success of the entire State of Israel.”
Barnea’s message is considered especially dramatic given the sharp opposition he previously expressed to Gofman’s appointment. During proceedings before the Gronis Committee and the High Court, Barnea submitted a classified letter containing serious allegations against Gofman, claiming he doesn’t meet the ethical standards required for the position of Mossad chief. Among other things, he argued that Gofman has “problems setting personal boundaries” and might “take the law into his own hands” and bypass procedures.
Ori Elmakayes | Photo by: Jonathan Zindel, Flash 90
Behind the allegations stood the affair involving the recruitment of teenager Ori Elmakayes as an agent in violation of protocols—which according to Barnea pointed to a particularly dangerous pattern of behavior for someone meant to head one of Israel’s most secretive and sensitive organizations. Barnea even warned at the time that the risk could be severe—both for Mossad employees and for national security.
Gofman, for his part, rejected the allegations and told the committee that Barnea’s letter was “largely based on facts that are not facts.” According to him, the publicity surrounding the proceedings caused him personal and international damage, and even distanced intelligence figures around the world from him.
Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90
Despite the sharp exchanges and public battle over the appointment, the Mossad now appears to want to project internal unity as Gofman enters the role. Tomorrow’s handover ceremony at Mossad headquarters is expected to take place in the presence of President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
After the Supreme Court rejected the Attorney General’s position and approved the appointment of Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as Mossad chief, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara released a statement saying she respects the court’s decision. She emphasized that the government’s legal advisory office would support Gofman and assist him in his new role, wishing him “great success in the position.”
Photo by: Yonatan Zindel/Flash90
The statement from the Attorney General’s office said: “The government’s legal advisory office examined retired President Grunis’s determination regarding the appointment and the evidence in the case professionally, and formed a position that reflects its professional truth based on the factual foundation.”
“Our position was rejected by the court, and it goes without saying that we respect the court’s ruling. The government’s legal advisory office and the Attorney General personally will assist as required and possible to Maj. Gen. Gofman in carrying out his important role as Mossad chief. The Attorney General and the entire government legal advisory office wish Maj. Gen. Gofman great success in the position.”
Photo by: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
The announcement comes following the dramatic ruling of the High Court of Justice, in which the position of the legal counsel regarding Gofman’s appointment process was rejected. The Court ruled that there are no grounds for intervention in the appointment, despite the claims raised within the framework of the petitions and the examinations conducted around the process.
The Supreme Court today (Monday) rejected, by a majority vote, two petitions against the appointment of Major General Roman Gofman to the position of Head of the Mossad. Justices Ofer Grosskopf and Alex Stein believed, contrary to the position of Dafna Barak-Erez, that the petitions should be rejected outright, while the latter believed that the investigation process regarding questions that remained open should continue, and for this purpose, a show-cause order (Tzav Al-Tfai) and an interim injunction should be issued, without ruling anything to the detriment of Major General Gofman.
Roman Gofman and Prime Minister Netanyahu | Photo by: Kobi Gideon, GPO
In the ruling, Justices Grosskopf and Stein determined: “Major General Gofman’s conduct in connection with the Almakayes affair is not of a nature that casts a moral flaw upon him, certainly not one that could disqualify him from serving as Head of the Mossad. The claims that Major General Gofman knowingly operated a minor or that he deliberately misled IDF authorities regarding the role of the 210th Division in the Almakayes affair were not substantiated by the evidence presented to the committee; the claim that Major General Gofman ‘abandoned’ individuals who acted on his behalf within the framework of the Almakayes affair is an erroneous claim, stemming from an erroneous presentation of the essence of the affair.”
The primary ruling was written by Justice Grosskopf, who extensively analyzed the relevant normative and factual infrastructure of the petition. In light of this analysis, Justice Grosskopf believed that in this case, the court was required—on the one hand, for reasons relating to the importance of integrity (Tohar HaMidot) for the role of Head of the Mossad, and on the other hand, aspects relating to the work of the Advisory Committee and its outputs—to examine the claims raised against Major General Gofman in connection with the Almakayes affair in an especially meticulous and cautious manner.
Justice Grosskopf’s clear impression from the entirety of the material placed before the committee (and the court), including classified material, is that Major General Gofman’s conduct in connection with the Almakayes affair is not of a nature that casts a moral flaw upon him, certainly not one that could disqualify him from serving as Head of the Mossad.
Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
The claims that Major General Gofman knowingly operated a minor or that he deliberately misled IDF authorities regarding the role of the 210th Division in the Almakayes affair were not substantiated by the evidence presented to the committee; the claim that Major General Gofman ‘abandoned’ individuals who acted on his behalf within the framework of the Almakayes affair is an erroneous claim, stemming from an erroneous presentation of the essence of the affair and a disregard for the negligible role of the 210th Division in the security and criminal investigation conducted regarding it; finally, it is undisputed that failures occurred in Major General Gofman’s conduct in connection with the Almakayes affair, and due to this, a disciplinary measure was even taken against him at the time by the then-commander of the Northern Command, yet these failures do not relate to matters of integrity.
The conclusion arising from this is that the extensive material presented to the committee regarding the Almakayes affair demonstrates that it does not tarnish Major General Gofman’s impressive career with a moral stain. As such, it does not justify his disqualification from serving in the position of Head of the Mossad.
Justice Stein joined the conclusion regarding the rejection of the petition. Justice Stein believed that although the collection of evidence by the Senior Officials Appointments Committee was not at its best, it does not constitute a defect that goes to the root of the matter which would bring about the voiding of the decision made by the committee regarding Major General Gofman’s appointment to the position of Head of the Mossad.
Justice Stein therefore confirmed the position of the Senior Officials Committee and ruled that no flaw occurred in Major General Gofman’s actions in the Almakayes affair that amounts to a deviation from integrity. Alongside these determinations, Justice Stein leveled harsh criticism against the baseless accusations leveled at Major General Gofman by the representative of the Movement for Quality Government in its capacity as a “public petitioner.”
Yisrael Beiteinu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman called Monday for decisive military action in the north, criticizing the government’s handling of the war. “We should have flattened Dahieh long ago and eliminated Hezbollah,” Liberman said at his faction meeting.
Liberman’s remarks came after he visited the home of Staff Sergeant Rotem Yanai, who was killed by a Hezbollah explosive drone. Her father, Tal Yanai, delivered a harsh message through Liberman: “The most just war in the world that began on October 7, 2023, has become an unnecessary war.”
Tal Yanai added that “our soldiers are becoming sitting ducks because the Prime Minister of Israel can’t say ‘no’ to the U.S. president.” He criticized the political leadership for tying the hands of Israeli forces in the north, saying soldiers are becoming victims of global economic interests.
Liberman argued that the political leadership isn’t providing proper directives to Israeli forces and is instead acting against commanders’ positions. He called for total victory and the elimination of Hezbollah, including bombing targets in Baalbek, which serves as the organization’s rear base. “Any ceasefire agreement will turn into fire without cease—more time given for regrouping and reorganization,” he said. He rejected any outside influence: “With all due respect to Trump, the only directive should be to eliminate and defeat Hezbollah.”
Following the announcement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz regarding the instruction to the IDF to strike terror targets in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut, as well as the advancement of our forces inside Lebanon and the capture of the Beaufort, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, sent a threatening message today (Monday) toward Israel and the US: “A violation of the ceasefire on one front constitutes a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts.”
Continuing the threat, which was published on the social network X, Araghchi wrote: “The United States and Israel will bear the responsibility for the consequences of any violation of the ceasefire.” Joining these threats was also the spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces: “We warn Israel and the US that we will not accept the continuation of crimes in Lebanon.”
As recalled, last night our military and defense correspondent Hallel Bitton Rosen published that the defense establishment has been preparing over the past 24 hours for the possibility of expanding the strikes in Lebanon, including in Beirut. Bitton Rosen updated that following a series of security discussions, with the participation of the Prime Minister, the execution of additional significant strikes deep within Lebanon was considered, alongside the publication of evacuation notices in additional areas for thousands of residents, and in coordination with the United States.
Yesterday, the heads of the defense establishment confirmed that our fighters, led by the Golani Brigade, captured the Beaufort Ridge and raised the Israeli flag and the brigade’s flag over it once again. Following the announcement, Katz sent a threat of his own toward Iran: “This is a clear message to our enemies: whoever threatens the citizens of Israel will lose their strategic assets one after another. I salute the Golani fighters and all IDF fighters who wrote another chapter of Israeli heroism in the place where our heroes fell for the homeland.”
The last barrier to overturning the disengagement law in northern Samaria has been removed: The head of Central Command signed an order Monday canceling the stay ban in northern Samaria, which had prevented Israeli citizens from entering and remaining in areas evacuated under the 2005 disengagement plan.
Photo by: Chaim Goldberg/Flash 90
The order was the final obstacle to returning to northern Samaria. Its cancellation now represents the final nail in the coffin of the disengagement and the process of restoring Jewish life to northern Samaria, following the repeal of the disengagement law in northern Samaria and a cabinet decision led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz to reestablish the settlements in northern Samaria in addition to establishing 14 new communities in the area.
Yossi Dagan, the head of the Shomron Regional Council, a leader in the fight to overturn the disengagement and an evacuee from the community of Sa-Nur, welcomed the decision and said: “This is a historic day. The final burial of the disengagement. After years of public, settlement, and political struggle, we are closing another painful chapter and correcting a historic injustice done to the State of Israel, to the settlement enterprise, and to the entire people of Israel.
The explsion from the settlement Homesh in 2005 | Photo by: Flash 90
“The disengagement did not bring peace or security. It brought terror, pain, and severe damage to the Land of Israel and to national resilience. Today we continue on the path of correction. On the path to the ‘reconnection plan’ that will bring 20 times more Israeli citizens to northern Samaria. The people of Israel understand the mistake and are correcting it step by step.”
According to him, “Our mission is clear: to build, develop, and make northern Samaria flourish again. Not just to return to what was, but to grow far beyond that. There will be, God willing, twenty times more Jews here, thriving communities, agriculture, industry, tourism, and life. This is the real victory. I want to thank Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the head of the command, the people of ‘Homesh First,’ the evacuees of Homesh and Sa-Nur, the Homesh Yeshiva, and everyone who has worked over the years with determination and faith to correct the historic injustice. Now we’re fixing it. The disengagement is dead. The people of Israel live!”
The Central District Court in Lod convicted Daniel Ki Tov, a resident of Elad, on two serious charges of contact with a foreign agent on Monday. The conviction follows an evidentiary process conducted by the prosecution and establishes that Ki Tov maintained prolonged contact with hostile elements during the Iron Swords war.
According to the verdict, Ki Tov spray-painted graffiti and hung signs on major bridges, at bus stations, near shopping centers, banks, and post office branches across the country. He also spray-painted graffiti on a memorial to Israeli forces. After completing the tasks, he sent the agents real-time videos and photos documenting his actions in exchange for payment.
The verdict further reveals that during his contact with the agents, Ki Tov even offered on his own initiative to carry out additional tasks with potential to harm state security, including photographing the home of Cabinet member Benny Gantz. He was also asked to photograph military bases and provide information about Air Force pilots and Shin Bet chief David Zini, but these tasks were not carried out.
The Central District Prosecutor’s Office (Criminal) said that “this is a serious and worrying phenomenon of cooperation by Israeli citizens with hostile elements during wartime via the internet.” The prosecution emphasized it will continue to act decisively to crack down on the phenomenon and bring those involved to justice, together with all law enforcement authorities.
