Top Rabbis Endorse 'Prison Thousand' Initiative for Haredi Draft Dodgers

Two prominent Lithuanian Haredi leaders, Rabbi Dov Landau and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, have publicly endorsed a new initiative called "Prison Thousand" (Kelef Elef). The program aims to provide financial support to Haredi draft dodgers who are imprisoned by the military.

The initiative, which was launched recently in response to an increase in arrests of Haredi draft dodgers, operates as a form of insurance. Participants pay small, regular contributions to a shared fund. If they are arrested and imprisoned by the IDF, the fund will pay them 1,000 shekels for each day they spend in military prison.

According to the initiative's organizers, the goal is to remove the deterrent effect of arrest, ensuring that young Haredi men will not fear detention and can find solace in the financial reward. The program was initially a project of several rabbis and Haredi activists.

Following meetings with senior Lithuanian Haredi leadership who gave their blessing, the initiative has gained broader public support. Meetings were also held with Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the spiritual leader of the Shas party. The support for "Prison Thousand" comes amid ongoing efforts by the state to draft members of the Haredi community.