“Give Us the Right to Learn Torah”: MK Meir Porush Stands Firm Despite Fears the Draft Law May Be Struck Down

As the Supreme Court weighs challenges to the proposed Chok HaGiyus (Draft Law), MK Meir Porush remains unfazed. Speaking in a firm and emotional tone, Porush emphasized that arresting lomdei Torah in a Jewish state is “unthinkable” and urged for unity ahead of Thursday’s massive tefillah rally in Yerushalayim.

In an interview with Avi Mimran on Mahadura HaMerkazit, Porush condemned the government’s handling of the yeshiva bochurim arrests carried out by the military police. “Our message is simple,” he said. “We are asking to be allowed to learn Torah here, in Eretz Yisroel. People gave their lives to come to this land.”

Porush stressed that every Jew who wishes to dedicate himself to Torah study must be free to do so: “Every person sitting and learning Torah should receive a deferment,” he declared. He reiterated that detaining bnei Torah for doing what generations have sacrificed to preserve is unacceptable in a state that calls itself Jewish.

Mimran raised the question of Porush’s earlier hunger strike outside the Attorney General’s office, wondering why it did not draw broader public support. Porush responded that he did not seek to rally others for his protest but acted out of conviction. “We must stay focused on our goal,” he said. “We will be united. I promise you, when we are united, we will be able to withstand anyone who seeks to harm us.”

When asked if he feared that a new draft law could again be overturned by the Supreme Court, Porush dismissed the concern. “So, what do you suggest—that we do nothing?” he asked. “Our responsibility is to do what’s in our hands to do. There’s no such thing as saying, ‘Maybe I’ll fail, so I won’t act.’ We must act and trust in Hashem.”

{Matzav.com}