Netanyahu Dismisses Jerusalem Faction Protests as Small Radical Group
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described recent disruptive protests by the Jerusalem Faction as the actions of a "small faction" not representative of the broader Haredi community. The protests, which blocked roads and led to clashes with police, were called by Rabbi Azriel Auerbach against the arrest of yeshiva students. The Shas party controversially claimed that Kaplan movement protesters were funding the demonstrations, a claim denied by the Committee for the Salvation of the World of Torah.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the Jerusalem Faction protesters a "small faction" and "radical element."
- The protests, led by Rabbi Azriel Auerbach, blocked roads and caused clashes with police.
- Shas party alleged Kaplan protesters funded the demonstrations, a claim denied by another group.
- The demonstrations were a response to the arrest of yeshiva students by military authorities.
- Netanyahu linked the protests to the Kaplan anti-government demonstrations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the recent, intense protests by the Jerusalem Faction, which caused road blockages and clashes with police in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak. Speaking at a pre-election event alongside Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Netanyahu characterized the protesters as a "small faction" and "radical element" that does not represent the majority of the Haredi public. He acknowledged that some attendees were delayed due to the road closures, jokingly warning Smotrich about potential conflicts of interest. The Prime Minister also agreed with a crowd member who shouted "Kaplan," linking the protests to the anti-government demonstrations, and stated that "this will not convince anyone" as "we know the truth" about a "huge bloc fighting for the future of the Land of Israel."
The protests were called by Rabbi Azriel Auerbach, a leader of the Jerusalem Faction, in response to a wave of arrests of yeshiva students and kollel members by military authorities. The demonstrations led to significant traffic disruptions and confrontations with law enforcement.
In an unusual statement, the Shas party alleged that individuals associated with the Kaplan protest movement, along with "radical elements," were funding the Jerusalem Faction's demonstrations. Shas claimed these actions were orchestrated by the Attorney General and were causing a "terrible desecration of God's name" and harming the efforts to regulate the status of Torah scholars.
The Committee for the Salvation of the World of Torah responded to Shas's claims, denying any involvement of the left or Kaplan protesters. They asserted that the "God-fearing public" alone is leading the struggle to save Torah study, supported by "effective organizations."
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