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Ultra-Orthodox Election Rally Chants Against IDF Draft Spark Political Firestorm
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Bnei Brak on Sunday for a central election rally held by the United Torah Judaism party, where speakers voiced strong opposition to military conscription for yeshiva students. The event, held two days before the Knesset elections, featured speeches by the party's new chairman, Yaakov Asher, outgoing Knesset members Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev, and senior rabbis. Rabbi Dov Landau described the current situation as an unprecedented persecution of Torah scholars, calling the upcoming election the only way to protest.
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What happened
- 01Tens of thousands attended a United Torah Judaism election rally in Bnei Brak on Sunday to oppose military conscription for yeshiva students.
- 02At a rally in Netivot, attendees were filmed singing a song rejecting secular governance and stating they do not believe in the rule of heretics.
- 03United Torah Judaism chairman Yaakov Asher and Rabbis Lando and Hirsch attended the controversial Netivot event.
- 04Gadi Eisenkot condemned the footage as the final image of a Netanyahu-led government promoting draft evasion during a multi-arena war.
- 05Naftali Bennett criticized Haredi party leaders, stating they are clearly against the State of Israel and the IDF.
- 06Moshe Gafni urged rally attendees in Bnei Brak not to vote for the party list led by Gadi Eisenkot.
- 07Rabbi Dov Landau described the current state actions against yeshiva students as an unprecedented persecution of Torah scholars.
During the campaigning, controversy erupted over footage published by Kan News from a United Torah Judaism election rally in Netivot. The video showed attendees enthusiastically chanting and singing, "We do not believe in the rule of the heretics, and in their offices we do not stand," in the presence of senior party leaders and rabbis. According to Kipa, some senior figures appeared to dance while the song, which rejects secular governance and institutions, was being sung.
The events sparked a political firestorm and sharp condemnation from opposition leaders. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yishai party, attacked United Torah Judaism and the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the footage the final image of an evasion government that promotes draft evasion during a multi-arena war. Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Together party, also reacted sharply, stating that the leaders of the Haredi parties are clearly against the State of Israel and the IDF.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: Arutz Sheva. Read Arutz Sheva’s originalThe coverage
3 newsrooms on this story
Who covered it
- Left1
- CentreNone
- Right2
- HarediNone
- ArabNone
Not in the Centre, Haredi or Arab press
