Supreme Court Justice Proposes Delaying Ponovezh Yeshiva Eviction Until August

The legal battle over the Ponovezh Yeshiva reached the Supreme Court on Monday, where Justice Ofer Groskopf considered a request to delay the eviction of the complex. Justice Groskopf clarified that his current focus is solely on delaying the execution, noting the difficulty of relocating hundreds of students mid-academic year.

Representing the petitioners, attorney Eyal Rozovsky argued that the yeshiva houses 1,266 students, some of whom are minors living in dormitories, and that finding and preparing an alternative site would incur significant costs and complex procedures. He also proposed setting usage fees based on the arbitrator's ruling, leaving the decision on a NIS 10 million payment to his discretion.

Attorney Ehud Artzi, representing the Ponovezh Yeshiva, presented his clients' claims regarding the use of their properties and friction between factions, stating that continued cohabitation in the yeshiva hall creates tension and necessitates separation. Justice Groskopf then proposed an alternative: the Torah Tradition faction would move to another hall within the complex, in exchange for delaying the NIS 10 million payment and establishing more moderate usage fees. However, attorney Rozovsky rejected this offer, citing concerns that the move could increase friction and the risk of violence.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the justice proposed that the parties agree to a delay of execution until August 10, with a written commitment from the yeshiva leaders to vacate on time, refrain from using the name "Ponovezh," and avoid violence. Justice Groskopf indicated that usage fees would be determined by the arbitrator's ruling, and he would issue a separate decision regarding the NIS 10 million payment. A written judicial decision is still pending.