Gur Rebbe Leads Protest at Prison 10 Over Yeshiva Student’s Arrest

The Gur Hasidic community is organizing a protest and prayer rally tomorrow evening at 9:30 PM outside Prison 10, following the arrest of Israel Fein, a student at the Shafat Emet Yeshiva in Jerusalem. The event will be led by the Gur Rebbe and will include evening prayers, recitation of Psalms, and calls for awakening on behalf of Fein. The protest received police approval shortly before the announcement, with community activist Rabbi Moti Babchik coordinating the event.

Fein was detained after arriving at the military recruitment office on his enlistment day to arrange a medical exemption. Initially, he appeared at the Jerusalem recruitment office but was told he was registered in Haifa and needed to go there immediately. Despite asking if traveling to Haifa on the same day would risk arrest and being reassured it would not, Fein was detained upon arrival for being late and transferred to the Tel Hashomer military base. He was subsequently sentenced to 20 days in military prison.

The Gur community claims the decision ignored Fein’s medical condition and his intent to formalize his exemption. They also highlight his difficult family situation, with his father under house arrest in the United States following extradition. Community leaders, including "Father of Prisoners" Rabbi Shimon Shisha, have been working to secure Fein’s release. The protest tomorrow aims to raise awareness and demand his swift freedom.