A group of activists, some associated with the more fringe elements of the chareidi community and others from the mainstream camp, are promoting an unprecedented protest initiative aimed at demonstrating support for yeshiva students and avreichim facing arrest over draft-related issues. Despite reports suggesting broad backing for the plan, sources say that the proposal has not yet received official approval.

According to information obtained by the publication, several activists have been working in recent days to secure support from leading rabbinic authorities and mainstream chareidi leadership for the initiative, which would mark a significant escalation in public protest efforts.

As reported by Kan News and other media outlets, the proposal calls for tens of thousands of participants to join large vehicle convoys traveling across the country toward the military prison.

Organizers reportedly intend to use flags and sound systems while driving in coordinated processions designed to slow traffic and protest the arrest of what many in the Torah world refer to as “chareidi draft resisters.” The demonstration is tentatively being planned for the coming days, with Wednesday reportedly under consideration as the preferred date.

Reports have claimed that senior representatives from multiple chareidi parties and factions are involved in the planning process and that leading Lithuanian rabbinic authorities have approved the initiative. The goal of the protest is to challenge the policy of arresting yeshiva students and avreichim who have refused to report to military draft offices.

Degel HaTorah Denies Involvement

Despite those reports, senior Degel HaTorah officials strongly disputed the claims.

“We are not familiar with such an event,” party representatives said.

“Our strength lies in prayer and speech. Perhaps this is a private initiative being promoted by activists, but it has not reached the political leadership, and we have not received any instructions from the Gedolim regarding such a move.”

The denial raises questions about how advanced the planning process actually is and whether the initiative has secured the backing necessary to move forward. It remains possible that discussions are taking place at the activist level but have not yet received formal rabbinic or political approval.

Sources suggested that much of the effort to persuade the Litvishe leadership to support the initiative is being driven by activists from chassidic circles. Whether those efforts ultimately succeed remains unclear.

Background: Arrests and Escalating Protests

The reported plans come amid growing tensions surrounding the arrest of yeshiva students and avreichim over draft-related matters.

Several arrests in recent weeks have generated widespread attention within the chareidi community. Among them were the detention of an avreich near the Gilat Junction in southern Israel and another arrest in Ofakim, where reports indicated that the man’s wife was left stranded at the roadside during the incident.

At the same time, seven yeshiva students and avreichim were released this week from Military Prison No. 10 after serving extended periods of detention related to their refusal to report to draft offices. Their release was met with celebrations among family members and supporters.

Meanwhile, the Peleg Yerushalmi faction has continued organizing demonstrations at multiple locations across the country. Protesters have blocked major intersections and highways while demanding an end to what they describe as the persecution of the Torah world.

Recent demonstrations have also been marked by several high-profile incidents, including a yeshiva student being struck by a vehicle during a protest near the Ben Shemen Interchange and a police operation at Yeshivas Ohr Yisroel in Petach Tikvah that sparked significant controversy within the chareidi community.

{Matzav.com}