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Five former presidents of Israel’s Supreme Court issued a sharply worded public statement on Monday condemning the government’s decision regarding the Second Authority Council, warning that refusing to comply with High Court rulings would deal a severe blow to Israeli democracy.

The statement was signed by former Supreme Court Presidents Aharon Barak, Dorit Beinisch, Asher Grunis, Esther Hayut, and Uzi Vogelman.

Referring to the government’s decision, they wrote, “In light of the decision adopted yesterday by the Government of Israel regarding the Second Authority Council, we warn of the unprecedented gravity of this decision, whose clear meaning is a call by the government to disregard and disobey court orders.”

The retired justices continued, “Failure to comply with court orders and rulings is the final nail in the coffin of democracy. It is a step that completely disrupts the system of government and the rule of law in the state, leading to anarchy and concentrating all governmental authority in the hands of a single body. Such a reality would make the proper functioning of society impossible.”

They added that, “In order to prevent this destructive outcome, it is appropriate for the government to state the obvious—that court rulings and judicial decisions must be obeyed.”

Meanwhile, Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Amir Yaron also addressed the controversy during an interview with Channel 13 News.

“High Court judicial decisions are binding on all institutions,” Yaron said. “A government announcement that it will not comply with a High Court ruling undermines business certainty in the economy.”

A significant decline has been recorded in the number of chareidi recruits joining the IDF’s Chashmonean Brigade, with a new report attributing the drop to the recent wave of arrests targeting yeshivah students.

According to a report published by Walla, dozens of chareidi candidates who had already begun the screening and enlistment process for the Chashmonean Brigade have withdrawn or halted their applications in recent months.

The report states that during the most recent enlistment cycle in May, only about 97 new soldiers joined the brigade, despite an estimated annual pool of approximately 14,000 potential chareidi recruits.

Conversations with candidates cited in the report indicate that the recent increase in arrests has been the primary reason many chose to abandon the enlistment process. The broader public debate over drafting chareidim, together with pressure from within the chareidi community, has also affected their willingness to continue.

The findings echo comments made by Sgt. Maj. (Res.) Elchanan Wasserman, the former head of recruitment for the IDF’s Chareidi Chashmonean Brigade and current director of the Derech Yoav preparatory academies, in a recent interview.

During the interview, Wasserman issued a stark warning to policymakers and law enforcement officials regarding the arrest of yeshivah students who do not enlist.

“These arrests are taking us on a 100-meter sprint—but in reverse,” he said. “They are not helping increase chareidi enlistment; they are preventing it.”

{Matzav.com}

In a departure from the traditional vacation destinations favored by many admorim, the Vizhnitzer Beit Shemesh Rebbe has chosen to spend his summer retreat in the Shomron city of Emanuel, where he is expected to remain for an entire week. The unprecedented visit has generated tremendous excitement among the city’s chassidic residents, who are preparing to welcome the Rebbe for what is being described as a historic Shabbos.

Residents of Emanuel, home to a growing chassidic population, have warmly welcomed the announcement. It will mark the first time a Rebbe of such stature will spend an extended Shabbos and several days among the city’s residents.

The visit also represents a notable shift in the Rebbe’s customary summer plans. Until two years ago, the Vizhnitzer Beit Shemesh Rebbe would spend several weeks in the British resort town of Llandudno, Wales, together with his father-in-law, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe. Last year, after the Vizhnitzer Rebbe remained in Israel due to health concerns, the Beit Shemesh Rebbe traveled to Leżajsk, Poland, for a two-week retreat. This year, however, he has chosen to spend his vacation in Emanuel, a city known for its thriving Torah and chassidic communities.

The decision is closely tied to the steady growth of the Rebbe’s own chassidic community in Emanuel over recent years. The local congregation has expanded alongside dozens of Vizhnitzer chassidim affiliated with his father-in-law’s court. The Rebbe has consistently encouraged young chassidim to settle in the city and regularly visits to monitor the community’s development, though he has never before remained for such an extended stay.

According to the current schedule, the Rebbe is expected to arrive this Thursday, on the eve of Parshas Mattos-Masei, the 24th of Tammuz, and remain in Emanuel until the following Thursday, Parshas Devarim, the 2nd of Av.

Throughout the week, residents and chassidim will have opportunities to seek the Rebbe’s guidance and receive his brachos. The highlight of the visit will be Shabbos Parshas Mattos-Masei, when the Rebbe will lead the tefillos and conduct his tishen for the entire community. Large crowds are expected to attend the uplifting gatherings.

Members of the local organizing committee are completing final preparations for the Rebbe’s arrival, as Emanuel readies itself for what many residents expect to be one of the most significant events in the city’s history.

{Matzav.com}