Senior figures in the Peleg Yerushalmi say they are undeterred by the intense backlash following the break-in at the home of the head of the Military Police, vowing to escalate protests over the arrest of yeshiva students. At the same time, Rav Azriel Auerbach has called for a mass demonstration at the entrance to Yerushalayim, while Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu condemned the incident as a “wild and violent attack.”

Leaders in the faction said this morning that they are not concerned by the strong criticism voiced by government officials after dozens of protesters entered the yard of Military Police Chief Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin’s home in Ashkelon the previous night. “This is only the beginning,” the senior figures said.

Twelve of the suspects arrested during the incident are expected to be brought before a court today and police will seek to extend their detention.

“Here we are dealing with an officer who is effectively responsible for the arrest of yeshiva students whose only offense is that they are studying Torah in the Jewish state,” faction leaders said. “This is only the beginning. We will continue to protest and surprise them with demonstrations against the arrest of Torah students.”

As reported here on Matzav.com, dozens of members of the Peleg Yerushalmi forced their way into the yard of Brig. Gen. Yamin’s home in Ashkelon in protest over the recent arrests of chareidi draft evaders by the Military Police. The officer’s family was evacuated from the house during the incident, and police arrested 25 individuals involved.

Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a strong condemnation, stating, “I strongly condemn the wild and violent attack against a senior military police officer and demand firm action against those involved.” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also responded, saying, “I strongly condemn the attack. Harm to members of the security forces and their families constitutes crossing a dangerous red line.”

Senior members of the Peleg faction also directed sharp criticism at the chareidi parties in the Knesset. “In the coming days, as long as the arrests continue, we will intensify the protests and continue to surprise them again and again. It is a shame that only we are engaged in this struggle on behalf of Torah students,” they said.

“Where are the chareidi parties that promised in every interview that they would turn the world upside down if even one yeshiva student were arrested? Where have they disappeared to? Why are they silent? They didn’t even issue a statement to the media after this week’s arrests—nothing,” the senior figures added.

Meanwhile, a large protest organized by the Peleg Yerushalmi is expected to take place today at the entrance to Yerushalayim. In an official statement, the faction said, “Following the arrest of yeshiva student Nehorai Bechar from within the walls of the bais medrash at a yeshiva in Herzliya, and his imprisonment for 20 days in a military prison for the offense of studying Torah, the leading halachic authority, Rav Azriel Auerbach, has instructed that a mass protest be held at the entrance to Yerushalayim at 5:00 p.m.”

Rav Auerbach also issued a strong statement the previous evening: “Anyone who does not go out to protest even the arrest of a yeshiva student from within the bais medrash is taking part in the persecution of Torah students and arouses great accusation and an unparalleled desecration of God’s name. Who knows if the recent troubles have not come upon us because of this. It is an absolute obligation for anyone who values Torah and the sanctification of God’s name to protest its disgrace and desecration.”

As previously reported, the IDF’s decision to resume proactive operations to arrest draft evaders has led to renewed protests by the faction. During demonstrations, Route 4 was blocked in both directions at the Aluf Sadeh interchange northbound and at the Em HaMoshavot interchange southbound.

In response to criticism of the Ashkelon protest, the Peleg Yerushalmi issued a clear message: “The red lines have been crossed. Leave the Torah students alone.”

{Matzav.com}