An inspector issued a closure order on Tuesday to the Ponevezh Yeshiva Ketana in Bnei Brak for operating during wartime.

The order states: “By virtue of my authority under Section 35(a) of the Unique Cultural Educational Institutions Law, 2008, I hereby order the closure of the Ponevezh Yeshiva school located at 5 Rabbi Meltzer Street, Bnei Brak, which is owned by the Ponevezh Yeshiva.”

“On February 28, 2026, a ‘special situation on the home front’ was declared by the Minister of Defense, and on the same date the declaration came into effect. Accordingly, a defensive policy issued by the Home Front Command was distributed to all Israeli citizens, which includes a prohibition on gatherings throughout the country, as well as an explicit prohibition on conducting educational activities.”

“Failure to comply with the above directives constitutes a real risk to the safety and security of the students and staff at the educational institution. Operating an educational institution during wartime, contrary to the provisions of the Civil Defense Law, 1951, and contrary to the guidelines, is prohibited. On March 5, 2026, an inspection was carried out by representatives of the Enforcement Division of the Ministry of Education, and it was found that the educational institution was operating, contrary to the guidelines and while endangering the safety and security of the students and staff.”

“The closure order will take effect upon its delivery. This decision was issued in Jerusalem. An administrative petition against this decision may be filed with the Jerusalem District Court. The closure order will remain in effect until it is revoked by the Director-General or by the court.”

Officials at the yeshiva claim there is persecution against religious institutions, arguing that malls remain open as usual while yeshivas receive closure orders.

Additionally, Shas MK Moshe Abutbul sent a letter on Tuesday to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir about the restrictions at the Kosel, where only 50 mispallelim are allowed at one time, while hundreds of visitors are allowed to enter shops and malls without restrictions.

In a letter entitled “Restricting Mispallelim at the Kosel While Malls Remain Open Without Restrictions,” MK Moshe Abutbul wrote: “I have been informed that the Kosel has been limited to a maximum of only 50 mispallelim at one time. This restriction stands in stark contrast to the situation in shopping centers and malls across the country, where regular activity continues and hundreds of visitors enter without any restrictions.”

“This reality creates a deep sense of injustice among a broad public of mispallelim and visitors, particularly those who regularly daven at the Kosel. It is difficult to understand how precisely the holiest place for the Jewish people is subject to strict limitations, while places of commerce and leisure are open almost without any restrictions.”

“From inquiries I conducted with the Center for Holy Places, it appears that they received approval from the Home Front Command to allow up to 150 mispallelim. It was also stated that the Kosel administration is prepared and ready to accommodate a larger number of visitors while fully maintaining public safety and even to quickly set up additional protective shelters if necessary. However, there is opposition within the senior ranks of the police to increasing the number of people permitted to attend tefillos.”

“In light of this, I ask for your intervention to reconsider the decision and ensure that enforcement and restriction policies are fair and equal so that a central place of tefillah like the Kosel will not be treated less favorably than commercial centers.”

MK Abutbul added: “We all support safeguarding the public. The holy Torah teaches us, ‘You shall carefully guard your lives,’ and therefore it is clear that protecting public safety allows no compromises. However, since we see that the guidelines for commercial centers are more lenient, it follows that the authorities responsible for public safety believe there is no violation of the regulations. Therefore, it is only appropriate that entry to the Kosel be governed by the same regulations, allowing mispallelim to come and daven—especially in these days when Am Yisrael so greatly needs tefillot and yeshuot.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)