First Chareidi Draft-Dodger Arrested En Route to Uman
A 23-year-old chareidi bochur learning in Chut Shel Chesed, the yeshiva headed by Rav Shalom Arush, was taken into custody at Ben Gurion Airport early Wednesday morning.
The young man, who had not reported to the draft office as required, was preparing to fly to Uman for Rosh Hashanah when he was stopped. After the arrest, he was transferred directly to a military prison facility.
MK Meir Porush condemned the move in sharp terms, declaring: “The State of Israel’s ‘Iron Curtain’ against chassidim who wish to travel to visit their rebbe has begun to operate. Under the guidance of the Attorney General, an unprecedented operation has begun today, under which Jews are prevented from celebrating Rosh Hashanah as their custom is every year. It is unimaginable that such a thing happens in a country governed by Jews. This is an international disgrace.”
Just a day earlier, during a Knesset session about airport enforcement, Brigadier General Shai Taib, head of the IDF’s Planning and Manpower Division, explained that enforcement is an ongoing, year-round process.
He remarked, “The volume of flights during the holidays for all sectors has increased, so we are increasing our ability to respond, to allow the fabric of Israeli life, as well as to provide enforcement, and enforcement continues as usual.”
Within the chareidi public, frustration over these arrests is rapidly intensifying, with calls for a major protest. A large rally had been planned for Thursday, though there is talk it could be delayed. The Councils of Torah Sages of Degel HaTorah, Agudas Yisrael, and Shas had prepared a letter of support, but it was pulled from circulation at the last moment.
According to insiders, Yaakov Welcer, secretary of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael, stopped the release after the Gerrer Rebbe and several other rebbes voiced objections. They reportedly felt the statement’s language was too “lukewarm,” failed to represent the entire tzibbur, and inappropriately referred to “courts” rather than “the government.”
Even with these delays, organizers say they are determined to hold the demonstration, which is still expected to take place on Thursday night.
{Matzav.com Israel}