MK Meir Porush of United Torah Judaism has appealed to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, asking the American administration to step in and influence Israeli policy regarding the detention of chareidim who avoid military service.

In a letter titled “Urgent Request for the Protection of Yeshiva students in Israel in Honor of ‘Jewish American Heritage Month,’” Porush expressed appreciation for the current U.S. leadership, including President Donald Trump, for what he described as consistent backing of Jewish values and tradition.

“Throughout the generations, the United States has proven itself to be a nation that can be defined as ‘Righteous Among the Nations,’” Porush wrote.

He continued by highlighting what he views as a favorable approach by the current administration, stating, “we see an administration that also honors the Torah of the Jewish people, cherishes its values, and works tirelessly for the security and prosperity of the Jewish people.”

Porush then drew a sharp comparison between the American stance and what he described as Israel’s treatment of yeshiva students who do not enlist.

“While in the US, the government goes out of its way to celebrate and honor the Jewish religion and heritage, in Israel, the military and judicial authorities act in ways of persecution and arrests against yeshiva students whose sole occupation is Torah study,” he wrote.

Expanding on this point, Porush argued that respect shown by American institutions should be mirrored in Israel.

“If the American government, through all its branches, finds it appropriate to honor the Jewish religion and respect its values, it is only fitting that the authorities in the State of Israel act with similar respect toward yeshiva students, who have been the guardians of our people’s eternal flame for thousands of years.”

He concluded by calling on Huckabee to use his position to influence Israeli authorities.

Porush urged that the U.S. should “exercise its moral influence and call upon the judicial authorities in Israel to immediately and completely cease the arrests of Torah scholars and yeshiva students.”

“There is no more fitting time than ‘Jewish Heritage Month’ to clarify that the protection of yeshiva students is a supreme Jewish and democratic value,” he wrote.