Secret Bnei Brak Meetings Seek U.S. Intervention to Stop Arrests of Bnei Torah

Behind closed doors in Bnei Brak this week, high-level secret meetings took place between a special American envoy—representing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio—and the senior Gedolei Eretz Yisrael.

The meetings were held back-to-back in the private homes of Maran Harav Dov Landau, shlit”a, and Harav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shlit”a, with one urgent agenda: securing American diplomatic intervention to put an end to the arrest of yeshiva bochurim who refuse to present themselves at IDF draft offices.

According to those close to the Gedolei HaTorah, the discussions were prompted by growing anguish within the Olam HaTorah over the government’s escalating campaign against lomdei Torah. Chareidi leaders pointed to a clear precedent—when the U.S. stepped in to block Ukraine from lowering the draft age, protecting religious students in that country from military conscription.

The gravity of the situation was made even more stark earlier that same day. Despite his advanced years and frail health, Rav Dov Landau personally traveled to the Beit Lid Military Prison to visit Refael and Baruch Itzhakov—two bochurim from Yeshivas Me’oros HaTorah in Tel Aviv—jailed for the sole “offense” of refusing to comply with IDF draft orders.

Those close to the Rosh Yeshiva say the pain has robbed him of sleep. The thought of young bnei Torah sitting behind bars—not for theft, violence, or fraud, but for their steadfast devotion to limud Torah—is unbearable.

“He is carrying the burden of all Klal Yisrael,” said one confidant. “Every bochur in prison is like a dagger in his heart.”

By meeting with an American envoy at the highest levels, Chareidi leadership is signaling a new stage in the fight: turning to international diplomatic pressure as Israel’s government intensifies its efforts to criminalize the very foundation of our nation—Torah learning.