Yossi Levy, the head of the Netzach Yehuda organization, which works to integrate Chareidim into the IDF, sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, Arutz Sheva reported.

In his letter, Levy demanded an immediate halt to the wave of arrests of bnei yeshivos that has taken place in recent weeks. Levy, who has worked for many years to integrate Chareidi youth into meaningful combat service, warned that the escalation of measures — using sanctions and arrests — is achieving the opposite result and pushing a solution to the draft crisis further away.

He emphasized that thousands of young Chareidim are not learning in yeshivos but are not serving in the army, and that integration efforts should be focused on them, while preserving the status of Lomdei Torah.

He stressed that continued arrests will lead Chareidi youth who currently wish to enlist in combat roles to change their minds. He noted that he has received many inquiries from Chareidi youth who expressed interest in being recruited, but indicated that they will not enlist if the current situation continues.

“I am writing to you out of deep concern in light of the severe escalation in the treatment of the Olam HaTorah and bnei yeshivos in recent weeks,” Levy wrote.

“As someone who has worked for many years to integrate Chareidi youth into meaningful IDF service, I know from experience that uniting the different parts of the nation and expanding the circle of those who serve cannot be achieved through threats, sanctions, arrests, and confrontational rhetoric. These steps do not bring a solution closer — they push it further away.”

Levy stressed that bnei yeshivos are not enemies of the state but rather carry the spiritual continuity of the nation on their shoulders and preserve the Jewish flame.

He noted that there is no practical need to draft bnei yeshivos when there are thousands of Chareidi youth who are not learning full-time and who are not serving in the IDF.

He concluded by calling on Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz to calm the situation, stop the harm to the Olam HaTorah, and halt the wave of arrests of bnei yeshivos.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)