Million-Man Atzeres in the Works? Organizing Committee Meets as Public Awaits Clarity

With growing outrage over the draft law and the recent arrest of yeshiva bochurim, the long-discussed “million-man protest” in defense of Torah learning may finally be taking shape.

A key organizing meeting was held Sunday morning at the Bnei Brak Municipality, drawing representatives from all major chareidi parties, yet no final decisions have been made.

The meeting brought together Meir Porush and Chanoch Zeibert of Agudas Yisroel, Chaim Bitton of Shas, and Menachem Shapira of Degel HaTorah.

According to sources, the current plan under consideration is to hold the mass protest this Thursday afternoon at the entrance to Yerushalayim, the same location where a massive demonstration took place in 2014. However, the final date and details remain uncertain due to the significant funding and logistical coordination required, including arrangements with police and municipal authorities.

Meanwhile, members of the chareidi public, many of whom have already scheduled events for later in the week, are eagerly awaiting an official announcement. The sense in the community is that this time, the protest may indeed move forward after weeks of hesitation and internal debate.

The rally’s momentum stems from the recent arrest of Ariel Shamai, a yeshiva bochur from Yeshivas Ateres Shlomo — an incident that, for the first time, prompted Degel HaTorah to join public protests. Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of Ateres Shlomo, has been at the forefront of efforts to unite all factions of the Torah world around this cause.

Earlier today, Rav Sorotzkin participated in a session of the Eidah HaChareidis Beis Din in Yerushalayim, presided over by the senior posek Rav Moshe Sternbuch, to deliberate on an appropriate communal response to the continued imprisonment of yeshiva students. Among those present was the Beis Din’s emissary, Rav Shimon Shisha, who joined the discussion alongside Rav Sorotzkin.

In a related development, thousands of students from the Ateres Shlomo network of Talmudei Torah are expected to gather tomorrow outside Prison 10 in protest of the arrest. The demonstration is being organized under the direct instruction of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch.

For now, the nation waits. Will this week finally see the long-promised “million-man protest”?

{Matzav.com}