Wave of Arrests: Breslov, Chabad, and Chareidi Bochurim Dragged to Prison Ahead of Yamim Nora’im

The war on Torah is intensifying. On Tuesday night, a 23-year-old Breslover chassid, a talmid at HaRav Shalom Arush’s Chut Shel Chessed yeshiva, was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport while preparing to fly to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. He attempted to leave with his American passport, but was stopped and immediately transferred to a military prison.

That same night, a talmid at a Chabad yeshiva—on his way to 770 in Brooklyn to spend the Yamim Tovim by the Rebbe’s makom kodesh—was likewise arrested at Ben Gurion and sentenced to 20 days in prison.

And in Holon, a newly married avreich was arrested the day after his Sheva Brachos ended. Shockingly, he had appeared at the police station only to give testimony at their request—yet instead of treating him as a law-abiding citizen, they laid a trap, arrested him, and threw him into military prison.

Politicians Speak Out

UTJ MK Meir Porush issued a scathing condemnation:

“The Iron Curtain of the State of Israel against chassidim who want to travel to their Rebbe has begun to operate. Under the guidance of the Attorney General, an unprecedented operation has begun, preventing Jews from celebrating Rosh Hashanah as they do every year. It is unbelievable that such a thing is happening in a country with a government of Jews. This is an international disgrace.”

Organizations Warn of Disaster

Ezram U’Meginim and Notnim Gav organizations also issued a joint statement:

“The arrest of a young avreich under these circumstances is a grave escalation in the persecution of the Olam HaTorah. If the Israeli police are laying traps for bnei yeshivos, they are not only destroying trust in law enforcement but actively encouraging crime within the Chareidi sector. The consequences will be disastrous.”

Our Thoughts

What we are witnessing is not enforcement—it is persecution. When a bochur on his way to Uman is arrested at the airport, when a Chabad talmid is dragged off a flight to 770, when a chosson is thrown into prison during Sheva Brachos week—this is not about security or equality. It is about one thing: breaking the Torah world with fear and intimidation.

The State wants to send a message: “Don’t dare think you can live a Torah life without bowing to us.” But we too have a message: no decree, no prison, no threats will uproot Torah from Klal Yisrael.

This latest wave of arrests only strengthens our resolve. The promises of politicians fade, but the eternal promise remains: “Ki lo sishakach mipi zaro.” Torah will never be silenced.