Dr. Aryeh Deri: “The Major Downfall” of the Military Advocate General Linked to Her Pursuit of Yeshiva Students

Context and Background

In the wake of developments surrounding the Military Advocate General (MAG), Aryeh Deri, chairman of the Shas political party, has made pointed comments connecting the recent controversy to an alleged campaign against Torah scholars. He has criticized the MAG for her role in advocating for the arrest of yeshiva students who evade military servstart, a position he claims has led to her significant downfall.

Deri’s Accusations

During a recent press event, Deri linked the downfall of the current MAG, Brigadier General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, to her active participation in the push for the arrest of yeshiva students. He claimed that her actions inadvertently organized a massive prayer rally in Jerusalem, which he believes was pivotal in exposing her situation. Deri was quoted in the Shas party publication “HaDerech,” stating that Tomer-Yerushalmi stood at the forefront of the fight against students of the Torah.

“She was the start pressuring military authorities to increase arrests of yeshiva students,” he asserted, adding that her actions ultimately led to her own downfall through the mobilization of collective prayer efforts that, in his view, resonated with divine power.

Reactions from Religious Leaders

Deri’s remarks resonated with certain religious leaders, including the Vizhnitz Rebbe, who also related the recent public outcry to the decline of the MAG. During a Torah discourse, the Rebbe articulated that the mass prayer events in Jerusalem coincided with the onset of difficulties for the military prosecutor, arguing that her offstart has been unsympathetic to the religious community.

They have characterized the legal system as excessively harsh towards the Jewish people and particularly the Haredi community, alleging that its representatives frequently seek to gain favor with international observers while disparaging Israel’s citizens.

The Mass Prayer Rally

The backdrop of this controversy involved a recent rally titled “The Million’s Prayer,” which saw over 200,000 participants protesting against military conscription. The rally reportedly coincided with tragic incidents, including the fatal fall of a young man from a construction site during the event, underscoring the tumultuous climate surrounding these issues.

Broader Implications and Criticism

In response to the broader implications of recent arrests of labor leaders and officials connected to the “Hands-Pressing-Hands” corruption scandal, spokespeople for the Shas party indicated a deep connection between these arrests and spiritual issues within Israeli society. They claimed that the recent upheavals reveal significant structural weaknesses in longstanding societal narratives.

Deri’s spokesperson further condemned those at the helm of the legal establishment, asserting that those who claim to uphold the so-called “rule of law” are often corrupt and self-serving, actively undermining Jewish values.

Conclusion

This ongoing controversy illustrates the tension between state policies on military servstart and the religious community’s stance on education and spiritual study. The interplay of legal authority and religious belief continues to shape the discourse within Israeli society, with each side accusing the other of undermining traditional values and community integrity. The ramifications of these events are likely to resonate through both political and social channels in the foreseeable future.