[Video below.] A video published by a Channel 12 News reporter showing yeshiva boys being questioned in a demeaning manner while collecting donations for a wedding fund sparked widespread outrage on Wednesday, prompting a wave of public support and donations for the family involved.

The footage, released by reporter Inbar Twizer, showed her and her husband confronting yeshiva students under the age of 18 who were raising money for a hachnasas kallah fund. In the video, the boys were challenged about military service while seeking tzedakah for hachnosas kallah. Their faces were not blurred, and the clip quickly spread online, drawing sharp criticism across social media.

In an emotional interview with Avi Moskowitz on Kol Berama radio, the father of the chosson spoke publicly for the first time about the incident.

“We had no way to even begin approaching the wedding,” he said. According to the father, the painful episode led to an unexpected turn: “Thousands donated to us today. There are miracles — even if they came through embarrassment. It’s not pleasant, but Hashem led us in this way. A photographer called me and offered to photograph the entire wedding for free.”

He went on to describe the family’s difficult circumstances: “Our car was destroyed last week by a Hezbollah missile, and Hashem arranged things in the best way. We received dozens of calls of support today from across the spectrum — even from secular people and from the left. I thank Hashem that I belong to this nation. You can feel the warm embrace, and we are grateful to everyone.”

Following the publication of the video, the bank details for the hachnasas kallah fund were circulated widely, triggering a massive outpouring of donations. Screenshots of contributions flooded social media as a sign of solidarity with the boys who had been publicly humiliated.

Among the many donors was Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, who posted on X: “The Jewish people have always been characterized by special traits: compassion, modesty, and acts of kindness. The severe incident that occurred today does not represent the Jewish people, and therefore דווקא today we must do the opposite — be compassionate and kind. I am donating 1,000 shekels to this needy family for hachnasas kallah, and I call on all my friends and all of Israel to do the same. Am Yisrael Chai.”

He was joined by journalists Chaim Levinson and Yanki Farber, MK Moshe Arbel, television presenter Nataly Dadon, and many other public figures, all of whom expressed strong disapproval of the reporter’s conduct.

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{Matzav.com}