Tens of thousands of Gur Hasidim are heading Wednesday afternoon to a major protest outside Military Prison 10, in opposition to the conscription of yeshiva students and following the arrest of a young Gur Hasid from Ashdod who was detained when he came to regularize his military status. The rally is being described inside the movement as an unprecedented moment in Haredi history.
What changed this morning was a dramatic decision after hours of talks with the Israel Police and the securing of the required permits: the Gur Rebbe will personally attend the demonstration. Until then, the original plan had been for only the Rebbe’s sons to represent the leadership at the event. The decision reflects the sense in the chassidut that this is an issue of principle and deeply personal pain over the situation in the country.
Following the announcement, the chassidut called for a general mobilization. Elderly members, married yeshiva students and young men are arriving by train and by hundreds of buses from Gur strongholds across Israel to “cry out the cry of Torah” and see the Rebbe in person. One Hasid told Kikar HaShabbat that this is a historic event without precedent, noting that although some rebbes have attended protests by the military prison walls before, never has a leader of the scale of Gur appeared alone at such a mass rally.
Organizers are urging participants to keep public order and follow the instructions of the marshals and police to avoid unnecessary provocations. Kikar HaShabbat said it will continue to provide live updates, photos and footage from the event.
