Massive Gur protest outside Prison 10 highlights anti-arrest anger

A large and historic rally by the Gur Hasidic movement was held opposite the walls of Prison 10, after street anger in ultra-Orthodox circles and the world of Torah over the arrest of yeshiva students, including a Gur Hasidic young man detained by the military police this week.

The demonstration was led by the Gur Rebbe and drew tens of thousands of Hasidim from across Israel, according to the article. Estimates in the Hasidic community varied sharply, with some saying the site held more than 18,000 or even 19,000 people, while others gave a lower figure of about 7,000. What was not disputed, the report said, was that the area was completely packed and that the gathering projected an unprecedented show of strength at the location.

The article says the event was documented in detail, from the complex logistical preparations in the afternoon to the rebbe’s arrival and a mass afternoon prayer service that was described as reverberating against the prison walls.

Also seen behind the scenes was Motti Babchik, described as the key power broker in Agudat Yisrael, who was working to manage the production and keep the tense event running smoothly. Babchik reportedly coordinated with everyone on site to avoid disruptions and prevent unnecessary clashes that could have led to the arrest of additional draft evaders or students attending the protest.