Traffic police transferred a Chareidi avreich from Ofakim to the military police after he was detained by officers at a gas station near Netivot in a continuation of the persecution of limud Torah on Erev Shavuos, the Yom Tov commemorating Kabbalas HaTorah.

The Notnim Gav organization, which is aiding the avreich, issued a statement saying, “The avreich is on his way to Ir HaBahadim (a complex of military bases in the Negev) for further processing and punishment for the crime of limmud Torah. The case is being handled and reviewed by professional officials and attorneys on behalf of the Notnim Gav organization. Please daven for the swift release of Tzuriel ben Simcha.”

This is the first case of a ben yeshivah being transferred to military police since Police Chief Danny Levy’s decision earlier this week to transfer every draft evader encountered by officers to the military police

Shas chairman Aryeh Drei responded to Levy’s decision by stating: “At a time when violence and crime are surging, and murderers roam freely in the streets, instead of the police properly handling national security, it is choosing to direct resources toward persecuting precious Lomdei Torah as though they were the worst criminals. It is a disgrace and a shame that this is happening in the Jewish state. Mr. Commissioner, do not fall into the political trap being led by the Attorney General and her staff, whose entire goal is to topple the government. Do not raise your hand against yeshiva bochurim and avreichim.”

(YWN Israel Desk-Jerusalem)