Hundreds Protest in Bnei Brak Against Yeshiva Student Arrests, Display Signs Against Shas Leader Aryeh Deri

On Monday evening in Bnei Brak, hundreds of Sephardic Haredi protesters gathered to oppose the arrest of yeshiva students and the conscription of Haredim into the Israel Defense Forces. The demonstration was led by the Chief Rabbi of the Sephardic community, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, alongside Shas party Knesset members Michael Malchieli, Yoav Ben-Tzur, and Avraham Mashraki. The protest is part of a broader wave of demonstrations responding to the enforcement of the conscription law and the detention of yeshiva students labeled as draft evaders.

During the rally, signs and flags were raised against Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, including slogans such as "Enough betrayal of Maran." Organizers demanded the removal of these signs and issued a directive to halt the protest immediately if chants against Deri were heard, aiming to prevent public dissent within the event. This caution followed a previous incident where vocal criticism of Deri in Rabbi Yosef's presence caused embarrassment for Shas leadership.

Despite some protesters' criticism of Deri, Shas leadership maintains a public stance opposing the arrests and calls for a cessation of enforcement actions against yeshiva students. The event highlights ongoing tensions within the Sephardic Haredi community regarding military conscription and political leadership.