Under the direction of the leading gedolei Torah, roshei yeshiva from across Eretz Yisroel gathered Thursday evening for a rare and dramatic protest outside the gates of Military Prison 10. The gathering was organized in response to the arrest of yeshiva students whose offense was continuing to learn Torah amid the absence of a new draft law.
The event, held during the bein hazmanim break, was marked by heartfelt tefillos for the protection of Torah learners and expressions of deep concern over the threat to the Jewish presence in Eretz Yisroel posed by what participants described as the persecution of amelei Torah and the labeling of yeshiva students as "criminals."
Military Prison 10 is currently holding several yeshiva students who were arrested in recent days by the Military Police as part of operations to detain alleged deserters.
In an emotional address, Rav Dov Landau declared, "The chareidi community will not be silent and will not stand by in the face of attempts to harm yeshiva students and amelei Torah -- not even a single one of them. The entire exile, like a burning fire, will unite in a battle for survival over its very soul."
In a notable show of solidarity, the Rebbe of Sanz also personally joined the protest outside the prison gates.
Throughout the gathering, speakers and participants voiced the unified cry of the chareidi community against the state's actions -- denouncing the targeting of Torah scholars in Eretz Yisroel and the incarceration of yeshiva students in military prison for remaining faithful to their learning.