A festive procession and public reception were held Wednesday night in Beitar Illit for yeshiva student Yacov Mutzari and young man Yonatan Nitzotzi, after their release from military prison. Thousands of residents joined the event, which was described as a show of support for those imprisoned over the enlistment crisis and for Torah study more broadly.
The march began on HaMaggid M'Mezritch Street, where hundreds of children waved flags and signs. The two were driven in a decorated vehicle, while crowds danced along the route to the main stage at the Meziritch-Mahari"tz junction, where thousands more were waiting.
Ashkenazi city rabbi Rabbi Chaim Weiss opened the ceremony and said it was an opportunity to celebrate the release of the two while also sharing the pain of other yeshiva students and married scholars who have not yet been freed. Rabbi Yaakov Toufik, the city’s chief rabbi, encouraged students standing up against state authorities. Yacov Mutzari’s father thanked the public for supporting the family through the difficult period, saying the prison term brought significant spiritual growth and pride to the family and community.
A letter from Sephardi city rabbi Rabbi Yitzhak Maalem was read aloud, praising the two for their steadfastness and for sanctifying God’s name. Mutzari and Nitzotzi then told the crowd about life inside prison, saying Torah study and prayer gave them strength and that they also encouraged other inmates.
Mayor Meir Rubinstein said efforts to harm the Torah world only unite the Haredi public and strengthen its resolve to preserve Torah values. The event ended with remarks by Rabbi Avraham Cordova, who spoke about dedication and the joy of keeping the Torah, as similar receptions continue to be held across Israel for recently released draft resisters.
