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The Peleg Yerushalmi faction launched a series of emergency demonstrations across Israel on Wednesday following plans to transfer 19 yeshivah students classified as draft evaders to the military police after their release from custody in connection with the disturbances outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg.

The protests were organized after authorities moved forward with efforts to hand over the detainees, who had been arrested during the unrest near Sohlberg’s residence and are now facing transfer to military jurisdiction.

In a statement issued by the Committee for the Preservation of the Torah World, which is affiliated with Peleg Yerushalmi, organizers called on “bnei Torah and all those who fear the word of Hashem” to immediately join widespread demonstrations against what they described as “the extradition process to the army for the crime of learning Torah.”

Demonstrations were held at four primary locations around the country, including outside Nitzan Prison in Ramle, near the Russian Compound in Yerushalayim, adjacent to Hadarim Prison, along Route 4 between Ra’anana and Netanya, and in Abu Kabir.

Peleg Yerushalmi leaders warned that if the detainees are ultimately transferred to military custody, the protests are expected to intensify dramatically in the coming days. Organizers declared that “the country will burn — everywhere, at all times.”

Over the past hour, clashes were reported between demonstrators and police at several locations. In Abu Kabir, protesters reportedly attempted to block roads and engaged in disturbances, while in Yerushalayim police said dozens of demonstrators gathered near the Russian Compound in an effort to prevent vehicles transporting the detainees from leaving the nearby detention facility.

Police said reinforced forces were deployed to the area and were operating “in order to disperse those involved in the disturbances.”

Additional confrontations were reported near the Russian Compound as police worked to clear demonstrators from the area and maintain access for prisoner transport vehicles.

The Eidah Hachareidis also announced its participation in the protests. In a statement, representatives said that, under the directive of the ga’avadim and members of the Badatz of the Eidah Hachareidis headed by Rav Moshe Sternbuch, the public was being called upon to take part in protests outside prisons throughout the country in opposition to the transfer of bochurim and avreichim to military detention facilities.

The statement described the effort as an obligation upon every individual and called for a determined campaign, conducted with mesirus nefesh, to prevent the authorities from carrying out the transfers.

Following the directive, all Eidah Hachareidis kollelim reportedly closed during the past hour, with large numbers of avreichim joining the demonstrations across the country.

{Matzav.com}

Visitors to Meron will now benefit from a newly completed restroom complex located near the main entrance to the tziyun of the tanna Rav Shimon bar Yochai, following the inauguration this week of a modern and fully accessible facility designed to serve the hundreds of thousands who visit the site annually.

The project, which took years of planning and construction to complete, was spearheaded by the Ministry of Religious Services under the leadership of Director-General Rabbi Yehuda Avidan. It was carried out in cooperation with the Safra Foundation in Israel, represented by Yair Turnheim, as well as the regional planning authorities and the Committee of Five responsible for overseeing the Rashbi site.

The new structure is part of a broader effort to upgrade infrastructure and visitor services throughout the holy site and is intended to provide a significantly improved experience for the large crowds that travel to Meron throughout the year.

Designed to accommodate the needs of the many visitors who frequent the site, particularly during peak periods, the facility replaces the temporary restroom system that had previously operated near the tziyun. Dozens of spacious, modern, and fully equipped restroom stalls have been installed to provide a more comfortable and dignified experience for worshippers and guests.

As part of the initiative, extensive infrastructure work was carried out and the surrounding area underwent substantial improvements. The project forms part of an ongoing campaign to enhance accessibility, visitor services, and overall conditions at the site.

The location of the new facility was selected following consultation with the late Gaon Rabbi Dovid Shmidel and representatives of Asra Kadisha, who carefully evaluated several potential locations around the holy site before identifying the final location.

Special attention was also given to the needs of kohanim. In addition to the general improvements, the structure was built using a system of kipin al gabei kipin to ensure accessibility for kohanim, and a dedicated pathway was created connecting the facility to the existing route designated for kohanim. Halachic oversight was provided by representatives of Asra Kadisha and members of the Committee of Five headed by Rav Shmuel Rabinovitch, Rav of the Kosel and the holy sites.

The new building was also specifically designed to meet modern accessibility standards, making it easier for individuals with disabilities and those with mobility challenges to visit the tziyun throughout the year.

Officials described the project as another important milestone in the continuing effort to improve conditions in Meron and expand the site’s infrastructure for the benefit of the many mispallelim and visitors who come to the holy site.

{Matzav.com}