Tensions are rising ahead of anticipated demonstrations by Peleg Yerushalmi supporters, as organizers prepare for renewed protests surrounding the military trial of yeshivah bochur Dovid Petrov, the son of Rav Eliezer Petrov, rosh yeshivah of Maalos HaTorah and a prominent figure within the movement.

As preparations intensify, an audio message distributed through the movement’s emergency hotlines reveals unusual concern among organizers and includes a series of strict instructions aimed at maintaining control of the demonstrations.

A central theme of the message is a forceful effort to distance the movement from last week’s incident in which protesters blocked railway tracks near the Ganot Junction area.

In the recording, organizers stress that entering the tracks was not an organized action and warn participants in the strongest possible terms against repeating such behavior.

“Anyone who thinks it is permissible to go down and block Israel Railways tracks should know that this is certain death. Under no circumstances should anyone go onto the tracks.”

Organizers also reportedly instructed participants not to film or circulate footage of similar incidents, expressing concern that such material could cause significant damage to the protest movement.

The emergency directives come amid heightened scrutiny following several controversial incidents in recent weeks, including the break-in at the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Justice Noam Sohlberg, which drew widespread condemnation, including from chareidi political leaders.

‘Golden Rules’ for Demonstrators

Beyond the warning regarding railway tracks, organizers distributed what they described as a series of “golden rules” for those planning to participate in upcoming protests.

Participants were instructed not to attend demonstrations alone and instead to arrive in organized groups.

The guidelines also urged protesters to avoid confrontations or provocations involving police officers or civilians and encouraged participants to carry recording devices and cameras.

“Our strength is in our unity,” organizers declared in the concluding message, while emphasizing that demonstrators should follow only the directives issued by the Vaad LeHatzalas Olam HaTorah.

The instructions appear aimed at preserving discipline within the demonstrations and preventing incidents that could escalate into uncontrolled violence while police closely monitor developments.

In recent weeks, Peleg Yerushalmi supporters have held a series of protests over the arrest and imprisonment of yeshivah students in military facilities. Demonstrations have included gatherings outside Prison 10 and protests at major intersections across the country, some of which ended in clashes with security forces.

Focus Turns to Petrov Trial

The immediate catalyst for the expected demonstrations is Wednesday’s military court hearing involving Dovid Petrov, who is facing proceedings on charges related to draft evasion.

Many observers view the case as another flashpoint in the ongoing tensions between the Torah world and the defense establishment, raising concerns that additional protests could follow the court’s decision.

Several high-profile incidents have already occurred in recent days. Authorities arrested three suspects in connection with a break-in at a police station in Beit Shemesh, while a chareidi avreich was recently detained at the Tunnels Checkpoint on suspicion of involvement in demonstrations outside Justice Sohlberg’s home.

Police officials have repeatedly stated that they will not tolerate attacks on state institutions or symbols of government authority.

At the same time, leaders of the Vaad LeHatzalas Olam HaTorah have made clear that the protest campaign will continue until what they describe as the persecution of lomdei Torah comes to an end.

Nevertheless, the unusually detailed instructions issued to demonstrators suggest that organizers are increasingly concerned that uncontrolled incidents could undermine the broader protest effort.

With police on heightened alert and the Petrov ruling expected Wednesday, attention is now focused on whether the coming days will bring a wider wave of demonstrations or a more restrained and carefully managed response.

{Matzav.com}