During a speech delivered yesterday, the Satmar Rebbe responded strongly to reports of increased efforts by Israeli authorities to crack down on individuals evading military service, including yeshiva and kollel students. He urged unwavering commitment to derech haTorah, the path of Torah.
Opening his address, the Rebbe condemned what he described as oppressive tactics by the Israeli leadership. “There is very troubling news coming from the Holy Land – the wicked government has announced that they are sending over fifty thousand draft orders to yeshiva students, and they are going to set up roadblocks around all the haredi cities, to stop those coming in and out and check who is not reporting to the recruitment office,” he said.
Referring to a recent report highlighting a lack of prison capacity, the Rebbe warned that the state would be overwhelmed by resistance from Torah learners. “We want to inform the wicked government that hundreds of cells in the prisons will not be enough for them, they will need thousands of cells for the thousands of yeshiva students who will not show up.”
Standing in solidarity with the chareidi community in Eretz Yisroel, the Rebbe declared that support from the diaspora must remain firm. “We, from here – from New York – can only strengthen the hands of the people in Tzion. A terrible decree seems to await a great trouble for the yeshiva students and kollel members.”
Despite the dire tone, the Rebbe questioned whether the state truly intends to carry out the sweeping draft orders or if the announcements are simply a manipulative tactic. “We don’t know at the moment if this is really their intention to do this, or if it is just a way to threaten the haredi Knesset members so they will agree to the new law.”
Casting doubt on the credibility of Israeli politicians, he concluded with sharp criticism. “Everyone there are liars, and it could be just another political spin to get the rabbis’ approval for the new law,” he added.
The Israeli Goverment does not have to arrest anyone to get the boys to join the army and defend Yidden. All they have to do is cut the funding of the yeshivas.
He’s making fun of our soldiers. They risk their lives daily. And you just complain. Enjoy your cholent.
It is our learning that protects the IDF, look at the beaches in Tel Aviv they are full as is the toeiva Zionist parade.
we see the chochma in the Satmar derech of fighting the Zionists, no chareidim should serve in the knesset
Mamesh heilig.
The wicked government wants 54,000 Israeli yeshiva boys and men in the army, then fill up yeshivos with bochurim and yungeleit from the US and Europe. How about replacing chutz le’aretz boys lechatchila?
The government will set up roadblocks or the protesters will make roadblocks?
Not enough prisons?
Build, baby, build.