Massive ‘Million-Strong Rally’ Protests IDF Conscription

Newrly a million Jews from Israel’s Charedi community and beyond, led by Gedolei Yisrael, gathered in Yerushalayim on Thursday for a massive rally to protest mandatory IDF conscription and the recent jailing of yeshiva students.

The demonstration, dubbed the “Million-Strong Rally,” brought the capital to a near-total halt but was marred by tragedy when a young man fell from a height at a nearby construction site and was pronounced dead.

The rally, described by organizers as an act of “tefilah and crying out,” saw participants from “all shades and communities” converge at the entrance to the city. The protest was called in response to the draft decree and specifically “ignited,” according to askanim, by the arrests of yeshiva students, particularly Ariel Shamai.

At the demonstration, the “Za’akas HaTorah” movement, which helped organize the event, announced firm resolutions, declaring, “We will not remain silent in the face of the arrests of the talmidei chachamim.”

Leading Gedolim in attendance included Hagaon Harav Moshe Hillel Hirsch shlita, who traveled from Bnei Brak, the Gerrer Rebbe shlita, Belzer Rebbe shlita, and Hagaon Harav Moshe Bergman shlita. Rav Hirsch said, “We are zocheh to fulfill the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem.”

Rabbanim and followers of the Edah Charedis attended as well, highlighting the universality of the cause. Hagaon Harav Moshe Shternbuch shlita was among the Gedolei Yisrael who participated. The Edah rabbanim stood on the balcony at the corner of Brinds and Yermiyahu streets.

The event was marked by solemn speeches given by rabbanim. Hagaon Harav Reuven Elbaz shlita, a member of Shas’ Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah, led the massive crowd in the recitation of Selichos. Participants also were mekabel ohl malchus shamayim.

Unfortunately, several medical and safety incidents occurred during the rally. The most severe was the tragic death of 20-year-old Menachem Mendel Litzman, who fell from a construction site on Shazar Boulevard

Chaim Weingarten, ZAKA’s Deputy Director of Operations, called it “a very difficult incident” and urged the dispersing public to “adhere to safety rules.” ZAKA volunteers remained at the “difficult scene” to treat the deceased with respect.

Medical teams treated numerous minor injuries throughout the day. United Hatzalah had earlier reported treating 74 participants. Separately, the MDA spokesperson reported that as of 4:45 PM, their teams had provided medical treatment to 56 participants. Of those, four required evacuation to hospitals in minor condition, including two cases of fainting, one cardiac event, and one minor injury.

The warnings about safety risks proved prescient, as authorities had previously issued urgent warnings as young men were spotted climbing tall poles and the top of a construction crane, creating a significant risk of “danger to life.”

In response to the tragedy, the Organizing Committee of the “Za’akas HaTorah” event issued a statement expressing “shock and deep sorrow.” The committee announced that “in light of the grave disaster, no music will be played during the dispersal, and the public is asked to disperse quietly and safely… and to avoid entering dangerous places.”

The rally was no easy feat for organizers and security personnel. Police deployed approximately 2,000 officers as major roads, including Highway 1, were blocked to traffic. Convoys of buses and crowds on foot clogged the main arteries into the city. Jerusalem’s train station was overwhelmed, forcing organizers to coordinate with Israel Railways to manage the crowds.

MK Yuli Edelstein, who was recently removed from the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee over his failures to advance a draft law, attended a counter-demonstration held by military reservists.