Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon has announced that he is not going to extend the order that would permit the continued occupation of the Ohd Yosef Chai Yeshiva in Yitzhar. After he have the order for border police to base in the yeshiva building the talmidim were compelled to find a new venue for their limud Torah. The border police began setting up base in the yeshiva in April 2014 as the government’s response to violent clashes with extremists affiliated with the community.
There were numerous incidents in which military vehicles were targeted, including slashed tires. After Ya’alon ordered the yeshiva to serve as a base, to permit soldiers to remain on location, access to limited areas of the yeshiva was minimal.
Yitzhar residents were quick to protest Ya’alon’s decision, pointing out that the overwhelming majority of residents are law-abiding and the occupation of the yeshiva they felt is an unacceptable step. They also spoke out harshly against converting a venue for limud Torah to a military base.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
The Ohd Yosef Chai Yeshiva should return to its rightful place at the grave of Yosef haTsadik in Shchem. Not only that but a Jewish settlement should be established in the city because of the importance of this sacred shrine.