Large demonstrations erupted in Yerushalayim on Wednesday afternoon, as hundreds of bnei Torah gathered to protest the continued attempts to force bnei yeshivos into the IDF. The protest follows the arrest of three avreichim who had been previously detained during a demonstration in Yehud over the chilul kevarim at a construction site.
The arrested individuals were later handed over to the military police after authorities claimed they had failed to respond to enlistment orders—sparking fears of an intensified crackdown on bnei yeshiva.
Demonstrators, many of them talmidei yeshivos, held signs declaring “Mesirus Nefesh al HaTorah,” “Milchemes HaChok,” and “Better to Die Than Enlist,” reflecting the growing anguish over the proposed giyus laws. Shouts of “Shema Yisrael,” “Torah Yehareg v’Al Yaavor,” and “We will not sell our souls for Zionist decrees” echoed throughout the protest.
Israeli police, who declared the gathering “unauthorized,” moved to break up the demonstration, using aggressive tactics including physical force and arresting two individuals. Police claimed that some demonstrators had shouted inflammatory language and that a police vehicle was defaced with stickers—though such reports could not be verified.
Access to and from the capital was significantly delayed, with road closures near the entrance to Yerushalayim and along segments of Highway 4. Eyewitnesses report that traffic was backed up for miles as police blocked off large sections of the area.
The protest marks an escalation in tensions following weeks of uncertainty over the future of the giyus law. Since the withdrawal of Degel HaTorah and Shas from the current coalition, many fear that without strong representation in the government, legislation forcing bnei Torah into the army may proceed unchecked.
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Some bein hazmanim fun for mature men and boys. Some basketball courts would help alleviate this.
If these protesters truly believed Torah protects, they’d be entrenched in their learning right now, strengthening the soldiers — not blocking roads and causing chillul Hashem. This behavior embarrasses the Torah, divides the Jewish people, and undermines those who genuinely learn. The fact that kollels and rabbis haven’t condemned this makes them complicit. Next time they call a soldier “irreligious,” they should ask themselves: who really has more emunah — the one risking his life to defend Am Yisrael, or the one screaming in the streets?
not a kiddush hashem. have you heard the story of a very injured soldier on his way for treatment at the hospital attacked today
Ancient Times
Antiochus IV (175–164 BCE, Greece) – Banned Torah study; led to Chanukah revolt.
Hadrian (117–138 CE, Rome) – Outlawed Torah learning; executed Rabbi Akiva.
Medieval Period
Pope Gregory IX & King Louis IX (13th century, Europe) – Burned Talmuds; banned yeshivos.
Spanish Inquisition (1492, Spain) – Expelled Jews; shut down all Torah institutions.
Modern Ere
Tsar Nicholas I (Russia, 1800s) – Tried replacing yeshivos with secular “Haskalah” schools.
Soviet Union (Lenin & Stalin) (1917–1953) – Banned all Torah study; arrested rabbanim.
Hitler (Nazi Germany) (1933–1945) – Destroyed yeshivos; murdered Torah scholars.
Arab regimes (1940s–70s) – Shut down yeshivos in Iraq, Egypt, Syria, etc.
🇮🇱 Modern Israel
(Present time) Drafting and arresting full time Torah scholars, and attempting to close hareidi yeshivos.
GLAD CHATGPT KNEW TO ADD THE TZIYONIM HARESHAIM TO THIS LIST!!!!
Ancient Times
Antiochus IV (175–164 BCE, Greece) – Banned Torah study; led to Chanukah revolt.
Hadrian (117–138 CE, Rome) – Outlawed Torah learning; executed Rabbi Akiva.
Medieval Period
Pope Gregory IX & King Louis IX (13th century, Europe) – Burned Talmuds; banned yeshivos.
Spanish Inquisition (1492, Spain) – Expelled Jews; shut down all Torah institutions.
Modern Ere
Tsar Nicholas I (Russia, 1800s) – Tried replacing yeshivos with secular “Haskalah” schools.
Soviet Union (Lenin & Stalin) (1917–1953) – Banned all Torah study; arrested rabbanim.
Hitler (Nazi Germany) (1933–1945) – Destroyed yeshivos; murdered Torah scholars.
Arab regimes (1940s–70s) – Shut down yeshivos in Iraq, Egypt, Syria, etc.
🇮🇱 Modern Israel
(Present time) Drafting and arresting full time Torah scholars, and attempting to close hareidi yeshivos.
GLAD CHATGPT KNEW TO ADD THE TZIYONIM HARESHAIM TO THIS LIST!!!!
Guess wondering how many of these alleged students are really American and not being drafted .
So far I haven’t seen anyone calling to cancel Bain Hazmanim so the power of Torah keeps can keep us all safe.
You have neglected to point out that the protests were under the auspices of the Eidah Chareidis and the Peleg, and the vast majoity of the Oilam Hatorah didn’t participate.