The former students and soldiers affiliated with the Har Bracha Hesder Yeshiva on Wednesday withdrew their petition challenging the decision of Defense Minister Ehud Barak to oust the yeshiva from the hesder network.

The court, Justices Dorit Beinish, Elyakim Rubinstein, and Uzi Vogel advised the petitioners to withdraw their case, explaining to attorney Gilad Korinaldi that they find it most difficult to rule on the matter since the rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, did not submit his name among the petitioners and he did not attend the hearing. Justice Rubinstein explained that at the very least, Rabbi Melamed should have appointed a representative of the yeshiva to appear in court on his behalf, to represent the institution.

It appears the attorney understood the court was not inclined to rule in their favor, leading them to heed the court’s advice and withdraw the petition.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)