Organizers of a nationwide protest against the arrests of yeshiva students and kollel members say as many as 2,500 vehicles are expected to take part Wednesday in what could become one of the largest chareidi vehicle demonstrations in recent years. The convoys will travel from 19 locations across the country and converge near a military prison as part of a growing campaign against the detention of Torah learners.

Ahead of the demonstration, the organizing committee unveiled the official logo that will accompany the protest caravans. The logo features the slogan “עד כאן! אין דרך בלי דרך התורה!” and is expected to appear on cars, signs, and stickers throughout the event.

Yerushalayim Deputy Mayor Tzachi Brim, who chaired the committee’s most recent planning session, confirmed that organizers are preparing for participation on a massive scale, with estimates reaching approximately 2,500 vehicles.

According to the plans, convoys will depart at 4:00 p.m. from 19 cities and communities across Israel, including Elad, Ashdod, Tiberias, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Givat Ze’ev, Haifa, Hatzor HaGlilit, Yerushalayim , Modiin Illit, Nof HaGalil, Netanya, Emmanuel, Afula, Arad, Safed, Kiryat Gat, and Rechovot. The separate processions will eventually merge into a unified convoy heading toward the military prison.

Organizers said participants will recite Tehillim, hear words of encouragement, and broadcast messages of protest throughout the journey. In a statement, the committee said, “The slogan and logo we selected reflect the feelings of the entire community—the red line has been crossed. This is the opening shot of what will be a historic display of solidarity that will send one message to the prisoners of the Torah world: You are not alone.”

The campaign is being coordinated by a joint committee representing several major chassidic communities. Participants in the planning meetings have included Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Tzachi Brim and his chief of staff Srulik Frenkel; Yitzchok Bartler of Vizhnitz and adviser to MK Yaakov Tessler; Shimi Blau of Shlomei Emunim and chief of staff to MK Meir Porush; Yisroel Dranger representing Gur; and Aharon Frishman representing Belz.

Those involved in the effort say one of the most striking aspects of the protest has been the unusually broad cooperation among the various chassidic groups. Organizers described the alliance as one of the most significant examples of inter-chassidic cooperation seen in recent years around a public cause.

Notably absent, however, are Degel HaTorah and Shas. While representatives of Gur, Belz, Vizhnitz, and Shlomei Emunim have taken leading roles in the campaign, neither Degel HaTorah nor Shas has publicly endorsed the protest. Yated Ne’eman, the newspaper identified with Degel HaTorah, has likewise not provided coverage of the initiative.

Despite the scope of the planned demonstration, organizers acknowledged that they have not yet received final police approval. Nevertheless, they insist preparations are moving forward as scheduled.

“There is no official confirmation that there is official confirmation,” Brim said. “This is a complex event that crosses multiple districts and regions, so the handling of it is naturally more complicated. But we demand that the chareidi public be allowed to protest and demonstrate just as every other sector in the State of Israel is permitted to do.”

Shimi Blau said the campaign was entering its final phase and warned that organizers were prepared to respond if police attempted to restrict the protest.

“We are in the final stretch. Hundreds of people have already registered, but I do not want to provide numbers,” Blau said. “If the police create obstacles and do not allow us freedom of expression in the same way they allow it to other groups, we have contingency plans. It is also worth remembering the attorney general’s own statement that there is no effective protest without some disruption of public order.”

Meanwhile, Kfar Yona Mayor Albert Taieb reiterated his opposition to allowing the convoys into his city. Speaking earlier this week, he said his concerns were not directed at the chareidi community but rather at the traffic disruptions caused by repeated demonstrations in the region. Taieb said he planned to stand at the entrance to the city together with local residents in an effort to prevent road closures and traffic disturbances.

The protest comes amid mounting outrage in the chareidi community over a recent wave of arrests involving yeshiva students and kollel members. Earlier this week, the former Rishon LeTzion, Rav Yitzchok Yosef, launched a sharp attack on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of responsibility for the arrests of lomdei Torah and intensifying calls for public action.

{Matzav.com}