Thousands of Haredim to Protest Outside Military Prison Over Draft Dodger Arrests

Followers of the Gur Hasidic group are expected to demonstrate tomorrow near Prison 10, the military jail near Beit Lid, in protest against the arrests of Haredi draft evaders, according to a report aired Tuesday on Kan News. Organizers expect thousands to attend the rally.

Kan News also reported that senior figures in the Degel HaTorah party met Monday night to plan an unprecedented protest against IDF enlistment involving tens of thousands of Haredim. The plan has backing from leaders across the Haredi political spectrum and different streams.

Lithuanian Haredi leader Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch endorsed the idea, saying, "It is a good thing, there is room to do it so they will see that something is being done." His remarks came as part of a wider effort to signal opposition to the arrests.

The protest will likely include mass car convoys heading across Israel toward the military prison, with flags and loudspeakers, in an effort to slow traffic and express anger over the detention of Haredi draft dodgers. The action is planned for the coming days, with Wednesday seen as the preferred date.