Thousands of members of the Peleg Yerushalmi and the Eidah HaChareidis are expected to take part today in large-scale demonstrations at several key locations throughout central Israel, following the decision to transfer 17 yeshivah bochurim arrested during protests outside the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Justice Noam Solberg to military prison. The protests are expected to cause significant disruptions to major transportation routes across the region.

The arrests stemmed from demonstrations held outside Justice Solberg’s residence, and protest organizers say the transfer of the detainees to military custody marks a dramatic escalation in what they describe as the authorities’ campaign against Torah learners.

In a statement issued shortly before midnight, Peleg Yerushalmi declared: “In the last hour, the police completed the transfer of the 17 draft-resisting yeshivah students arrested during the Solberg events to military prison. In doing so, the Israel Police has crossed yet another red line and has effectively announced a severe escalation in the obsessive persecution being waged by state authorities against Torah learners.”

The statement continued: “Tomorrow we will all go out to a determined and uncompromising struggle on behalf of the honor of Torah and its students, with a clear cry that will be heard throughout the country.”

Peleg Yerushalmi sources said the recent transfer of detainees from the Solberg protests to military authorities is expected to significantly intensify the protest campaign and broaden the scope of demonstrations nationwide. Organizers announced that protests will take place during the afternoon at several strategic transportation hubs in central Israel.

“Masses of bnei Torah and those who fear the word of Hashem will flock to the protest sites to participate in a mighty outcry and a firm, uncompromising protest against the severe assault on the honor of Torah and its students and against the continued persecution of yeshivah students,” organizers stated.

According to instructions circulated by protest leaders, demonstrations will be held simultaneously at four primary locations: near Nitzan Prison in Ramle for participants from Beit Shemesh and southern Israel; at the Russian Compound in Yerushalayim; near Hadarim Prison on Highway 4 between Ra’anana and Netanya for residents of the north and Sharon region; and in the Abu Kabir area for participants from Bnei Brak and central Israel.

In a rare move, Eidah HaChareidis officially joined the protest effort. Members of the Badatz of Eidah HaChareidis, headed by Rav Moshe Sternbuch, called upon followers to “go out in protest and wage a war of resistance with mesirus nefesh at the gates of the various prisons throughout the country in order to stop the destroyer.”

Following the directive, all Eidah HaChareidis-affiliated kollelim were closed yesterday, and large numbers of avreichim joined demonstrations that had already begun at several locations.

An Eidah HaChareidis statement declared that “in light of the authorities’ attempt to hand over dozens of bochurim and avreichim to military prison, every individual is obligated to participate in protests and a war of resistance with mesirus nefesh at the gates of the various prisons throughout the country.”

The Vaad HaHatzalah L’Hatzalas Olam HaTorah also issued a strongly worded statement, vowing to continue the struggle.

“We will stand with all our strength as a fortified wall against the disgraceful hunt being conducted against the Torah world. The dictatorial attempt by the authorities to break the spirit of the demonstrators through fictitious arrests, stun grenades, batons, knee strikes, severe violence, and now even the involvement of the Shin Bet, will not deter us from the struggle against the persecution of Torah learners in Eretz Yisroel.”

The statement added: “The Jewish People survived for thousands of years against forces greater and more threatening than you. We will survive this battle as well—and we will outlast you too.”

{Matzav.com}