Hagaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, the former Rishon L’Tzion and head of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, strongly condemned police violence against Chareidi protesters during his weekly Motzaei Shabbos shiur at Beis Knesses HaYazdim in Yerushalayim, saying it has become difficult to bring such officers closer to Torah because of what he described as their hatred toward Bnei Torah.

“It’s very difficult to bring close police officers who have such hatred for Jews, who brutally beat Bnei Torah, humiliate them, and tear their clothing,” HaRav Yitzchak said. “We want to bring people closer to Torah, but when someone showed me what they are doing, it pained me deeply.”

He said those involved in kiruv often encounter secular Jews searching for meaning and eager to return to Yiddishkeit, but scenes of violence against yeshiva bochurim make that mission far more difficult.

“We go to secular Jews and speak to them in a way they understand. They feel an emptiness in their lives, and we want to bring them back. But when you see police beating Bnei Torah like this, you ask: What do they want from us?”

Referring to the long-standing exemption for yeshiva students dating back to Israel’s early years, HaRav Yitzchak stressed that Torah learning protects Klal Yisrael.

“Yeshiva bochurim have been exempt since the days of Ben-Gurion and are engaged in Torah. Torah protects us,” he said. “Did Trump suddenly turn against us for no reason? Why did he turn? Because of the decrees against Bnei Torah.”

The Rishon L’Tzion also sharply criticized Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, referring to her as “Izevel” (garbage) and suggesting she bears responsibility for the government’s actions against yeshiva students.

“Instead of strengthening Bnei Torah, stop making arrests,” he said. “That woman, ‘Izevel,’ that wicked one, is she the one giving these orders? The police officers themselves are like tinokos shenishbu—they don’t know better. But it’s difficult to bring them closer when you see the hatred they display, tearing clothing, beating young boys, and injuring them.”

At the same time, HaRav Yitzchak emphasized that his criticism was not directed at all police officers.

“Am Yisrael is not like that. Not all police officers are the same,” he said. “I’ve spoken to police many times over the years. They listened respectfully and honored Torah. There may be a certain group influenced by that ‘Izevel’ who are carrying out these actions against yeshiva bochurim. But the Jewish people, in essence, are good.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)