Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon arrived at the home of the Belzer Rebbe Shlita on Monday evening 12 Iyar 5774. The senior cabinet minister spoke with the rebbe about the new draft law and the rebbe shared information pertaining to the view of the Moetzas Gedolei Hatorah. The meeting is viewed as a continuation of the recent meeting with chareidi MKs. In a letter sent to the MKs by Ya’alon’s office following their meeting, the minister promised any talmid yeshiva who reports to the draft to register will never be drafted against his will during his watch.

The minister used a private rear entrance to the rebbe’s home to avoid a frenzy. He was escorted by MK Rav Yisrael Eichler, who took part in the meeting which lasted about an hour, ending at around 10 PM.

It is reported the meeting was held at the behest of the minister. During the meeting Ya’alon explained his concerns surrounding the split that was created between the IDF and the chareidi tzibur adding “any nation which views lomdei Torah as criminals will not be a Jewish nation”. The minister assured the rebbe that anyone studying Torah in a yeshiva will continue doing so without interruption.

Ya’alon detailed the procedure for bnei yeshivos reporting to an induction center and pointed out that the personnel assigned to the induction center are under orders to act in accordance with the religious sensitivities of the talmidim and avreichim.

The high level meeting and the promises made by Ya’alon to the rebbe will likely result in a more positive atmosphere among the members of the Agudas Yisrael Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)