“[R]ecently I heard the frightening incidents that occurred [at the
induction centers, where haredi yeshiva students supposedly had their
testicles examined, sometimes by women physicians, as part of the IDF’s
standard induction physical]… I have a responsibility to all of Israel,
not just Vizhnitzer hasidim, and I say post it in my name that if a
yeshiva student would refuse to show up [at the induction center], he
should say that the Vizhnitzer Rebbe told him not to report. I take
responsibility and [tell them] if [they] want to come arrest me, I'm
ready to go to jail for you. I am not afraid of going to jail if
necessary and will go with tambourines and dancing."
The Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Israel, Rabbi Yisroel Hager
Originally published at 11:37 pm CST 12-22-2012
Vizhnitzer Rebbe To Yeshiva Students: Do Not Report For The Draft, Say I said So And Tell The IDF To Come Arrest Me If They Want To
Shmarya Rosenberg • Failedmessiah.com
Speaking during the third Shabbat meal Saturday afternoon at the Vizhnitz Hall and Beit Midrash, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe Rabbi Yisroel Hager spoke out strongly against drafting haredi yeshiva students into the Israeli military, Kikar Shabbat reported.
“[R]ecently I heard the frightening incidents that occurred [at the induction centers, where haredi yeshiva students supposedly had their testicles examined, sometimes by women physicians, as part of the IDF’s standard induction physical]… I have a responsibility to all of Israel, not just Vizhnitzer hasidim, and I say post it in my name that if a yeshiva student would refuse to show up [at the induction center], he should say that the Vizhnitzer Rebbe told him not to report. I take responsibility and [tell them] if [they] want to come arrest me, I'm ready to go to jail for you. I am not afraid of going to jail if necessary and will go with tambourines and dancing," Hager reportedly said.
Hager also urged his hasidim to vote in the upcoming Israeli elections and added that hasidim without Israeli citizenship should work to turn out the vote and get Vizhnitz voters and other sympathetic voters to the polls.
[Hat Tip: Burich.]