OVERNIGHT ISRAEL: Synagogue Set Ablaze; Gaza Rebel Speaks Out; What’s Really Happening in Israel?

Synagogue Burned in Jerusalem Amid Draft Dispute

Last night, the Or Habib synagogue in Jerusalem’s Sanhedria neighborhood, where former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef frequently prays, was deliberately set on fire. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but prayer books were vandalized, and a cross was painted on a nearby house. The Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was arson. Police are investigating, and Interior Minister Moshe Arbel is urging the Shin Bet to classify this as a nationalist terrorist attack. No arrests have been made.

Haredi leaders, including United Torah Judaism’s Yisrael Eichler, blame “anti-Haredi incitement” tied to the military draft debate. Rabbi Yosef, a Shas spiritual leader, strongly opposes conscripting yeshiva students, even calling draft enforcers “wicked.” Shas chairman Aryeh Deri called the attack a “hate crime” against Jewish identity. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the “desecration,” saying it recalls “tragic periods” in Jewish history. These responses seem insufficient. A synagogue burned, possibly by Jews, is a grave issue.

The draft dispute is dividing Jews. Synagogues are being attacked, and holy books are being destroyed. Is this worth it? Jews fighting Jews is an emergency, a major warning sign. God wants us to follow His commandments, but above all, He wants us to love His children. History shows that infighting leads to disaster.

One week before October 7, 2023, Jews gathered in Dizengoff Square to pray. Once a year, Jews of all backgrounds unite for one day to connect with God. But protesters arrived, waving LGBT flags—unrelated to the prayer—and some tore headscarves off praying women. That hatred between Jews felt like a bad omen. The First and Second Temples fell due to such division. One week after Dizengoff, October 7 occurred. Is it connected? Perhaps. Perhaps not. But the draft dispute is reigniting this fire. Synagogues are burning. If this continues, worse may follow. History is clear.

Gaza Militia Leader Denies Israel Ties, Challenges Hamas

Yasser Abu Shabab, leader of the Abu Shabab militia in Gaza, is at the center of controversy. On Thursday, Israeli defense sources revealed that Israel has been arming his group to counter Hamas in Gaza. Abu Shabab’s clan, based in southern Gaza, has a history linked to smuggling with Egyptian jihadists. This news sparked outrage in Israel and beyond, with critics condemning the arming of a criminal gang to fight a terror group. Palestinian propaganda seized the opportunity, falsely claiming Israel supports ISIS-like groups to paint Hamas as the victim.

Today, Abu Shabab responded via unverified text messages to Army Radio, stating, “We do not work with Israel. Our goal is to protect Palestinians from Hamas terror.” He claims his weapons are locally sourced, not from Israel, and denies meeting Israeli officials. An audio clip, released by the Center for Peace Communications—a group exposing Hamas and Hezbollah abuses—features someone claiming to be Abu Shabab. He denies “working with the occupation,” demands Hamas “step down from government,” and says hundreds of families are fleeing to his controlled areas in eastern Rafah daily. The clip’s authenticity and source are unconfirmed.

This follows a graphic video posted by COGAT, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, showing Hamas executing a Palestinian in Gaza City over the weekend. COGAT called it a “desperate, failed attempt” by Hamas to intimidate residents and maintain control, stating, “Hamas terrorists and criminals are killing you and do not care about your lives.” Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation reported that Hamas threats forced them to close aid sites on Saturday, though one will reopen in central Gaza today.

Abu Shabab’s actions are challenging Hamas’s dominance, but can he dismantle their control? His group operates in Rafah, a hub for smuggling and conflict. If he genuinely aims to protect Palestinians, he faces a steep challenge in a region ruled by Hamas for years. If Israel is indeed backing him, he’s clearly eager to hide it.

Attorney General Fights to Keep Role as Government Seeks Firing Power

Israel’s Attorney General’s office is raising alarms over a government proposal to allow a five-member ministerial committee to fire the Attorney General without consulting the statutory committee responsible for hiring and firing. Deputy AG Gil Limon called it a “tectonic shift” that would politicize the role, make it dependent on the government, and violate High Court rulings. He described it as a “mortal blow” to the AG’s independence, a “serious violation” of professionalism, and an attack on the rule of law, warning it’s part of a broader effort to remove oversight on government power.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is fighting to keep her position. Justice Minister Yariv Levin has been trying to fire her since March but has been unable to staff the statutory committee. Now, the government is proposing this workaround, and Baharav-Miara’s team calls it illegal. Her desire to stay in power is understandable, but this is bigger than her. The AG’s role, a nonpartisan safeguard since Israel’s founding, ensures the government adheres to the law. If this proposal passes, the AG could become a political tool, serving the ruling coalition’s interests, legal or not.

The cabinet will debate this today. If approved, it could trigger a legal and political crisis. Opposition leaders like Yair Lapid are already protesting, and the High Court may intervene. Levin and his supporters argue the AG’s office wields excessive power, unelected by citizens, blocking policies voters supported. This could fundamentally alter Israel’s legal system, giving the government unprecedented control.

Trump Deploys National Guard to Los Angeles Protests

In Los Angeles, protests against federal immigration raids have escalated, and President Trump is responding with force. His administration is deploying 2,000 National Guard troops after two days of clashes. On Saturday, federal agents confronted hundreds of demonstrators in Paramount, southeast LA, where some waved Mexican flags. A smaller group of about 60 protested downtown, chanting “ICE out of LA!” Tensions rose, with reports of pushing and shoving, but no major violence has been reported.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that if the situation worsens, active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton, currently on “high alert,” could be deployed. Trump signed a presidential memorandum to “address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,” per the White House. Border czar Tom Homan told Fox News the National Guard is supporting federal agents in LA. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the move “purposefully inflammatory,” posting on X that Trump seeks a “spectacle” and urging peaceful protests.

The protests stem from Trump’s aggressive immigration raids targeting undocumented immigrants. If you’re in the U.S. legally, there’s no issue, but those who aren’t face scrutiny. Some view the National Guard deployment as Trump showing strength on border security, while others see it as excessive, risking further unrest in a tense city. Supporters point to El Salvador’s crackdowns, which led to safer streets and economic growth. The protests are small but intense, and LA remains volatile.

CATCH YOU NEXT TIME : )