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[Video below.] Maran Rav Dov Landau publicly declared Thursday night that street protests are not the proper path in response to the gezeiras hagiyus and the arrests of bnei yeshivah.

Rav Landau’s statement has stirred considerable discussion, coming only days after the large vehicle convoy protest that took place on highways throughout Eretz Yisroel.

The remarks were delivered during a gathering at Rav Landau’s home in Bnei Brak attended by dozens of roshei yeshivah from across the country.

The meeting had originally been convened to review the recent historic Keren Olam HaTorah fundraising mission to the United States, during which leading gedolei Torah sought support to help offset government cuts to yeshivah funding. During the gathering, however, Rav Landau shifted the focus to the growing trend of public demonstrations.

Referring to the recent protests, Rav Landau told the assembled roshei yeshivah, “All kinds of other protests that we did not hear about from our rabbeim in previous generations are not our way.”

He continued by expressing concern over the effect such demonstrations can have on the image of the chareidi community.

“Very often these protests cause serious damage to the chareidi public’s image. We must remember that the most important thing is dedication, toil, and immersion in Torah study. That is the greatest sanctification of Hashem’s Name, and there is no doubt that strengthening Torah study within the botei medrash is what will help counter these decrees and difficulties.”

Rav Landau also spoke about his recent trip to the United States and the ongoing dispute over government funding for yeshivos. He emphasized that Eretz Yisroel has become the world’s central hub of Torah learning and serves as the spiritual heartbeat of the entire Jewish world.

According to Rav Landau, supporters overseas recognize that any weakening of Torah learning in Eretz Yisroel would have consequences for Klal Yisroel worldwide. He said that this understanding has led philanthropists to generously support bnei Torah.

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Thousands of vehicles from 19 cities across Israel took part today in a massive convoy protest against the imprisonment of bnei Torah detained over military draft-related issues, bringing major highways to a standstill and drawing support from senior rabbinic and political leaders.

The demonstration, organized by a coalition of chareidi groups, began at approximately 4:00 p.m. as convoys departed from dozens of gathering points throughout the country. Organizers estimated that tens of thousands of drivers ultimately joined the protest, which was intended to show solidarity with yeshiva bochurim currently being held in military detention facilities.

While the original plan called for convoys to converge near Prison 10, one of the primary military detention facilities, organizers later clarified that participants would stop and spread out along Highway 57 rather than proceed all the way to the prison itself.

By evening, major traffic arteries throughout central Israel had been severely disrupted. Highway 1 was temporarily closed in both directions, while significant backups were reported on numerous roads as thousands of vehicles moved slowly through the country.

At approximately 9:00 p.m., Highway 1 was again shut down in both directions, creating some of the most severe traffic disruptions of the day.

The protest concluded shortly after 9:00 p.m., with organizers announcing that participants had begun returning home following what they described as a highly successful event.

One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when a recorded message from Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman was broadcast over powerful loudspeaker systems near Prison 10 so that detained bnei Torah could hear his words of encouragement.

“I want to join and strengthen the bochurim who were arrested because they sit and learn Torah,” Rav Bergman said. “Ashreichem she’nitpastem al divrei Torah. You are giving strength to all of us and to the future of Klal Yisrael.”

The rosh yeshivah repeated the message with visible emotion, telling the detainees that their sacrifice was providing inspiration for the entire Jewish people.

The day was also marked by a series of violent incidents involving protest participants.

In one of the most alarming episodes, video footage circulated online showing an individual allegedly drawing a handgun and pointing it toward demonstrators on Highway 1. The circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately clear.

Earlier in the evening, a woman was reported to have been seriously injured during protest-related events on Highway 1. Additional details about the circumstances of her injuries were not immediately released.

In Beitar Illit, Deputy Mayor Gedalyahu Eisenstein, chairman of the city’s chasidic faction, was reportedly attacked during the convoy. Witnesses alleged that another driver intentionally struck his vehicle before physically assaulting him and attempting to choke him.

Additional confrontations broke out in Arad, where clashes were reported between local secular residents and members of the Ger chasidus participating in the protest.

A separate incident occurred on the Ayalon Highway near Tel Aviv, where participants alleged that a truck driver exited his vehicle and approached one of the convoy cars armed with a knife and clubs. According to those inside the vehicle, the driver struck the car and pounded on its windows while the occupants remained inside. Police were notified and launched a review of the incident.

Throughout the evening, organizers accused law enforcement authorities of attempting to suppress the protest by issuing citations and taking steps they claimed interfered with participants’ right to demonstrate.

The organizing committee said it had received numerous reports from drivers alleging police efforts to hinder the protest.

“This constitutes a serious attempt to violate a fundamental right in a democratic state, and we will not remain silent,” organizers said, adding that their legal team would pursue all available avenues to challenge what they described as infringements on freedom of expression and protest.

The committee also expressed appreciation to non-chareidi Israelis who spontaneously joined the demonstrations.

According to organizers, many drivers from the broader Israeli public chose to participate in solidarity with the struggle against the imprisonment of bnei Torah, contributing both to the size of the convoys and to the public attention generated by the protest.

Political reactions were swift and sharply divided.

Shas formally joined the protest after calls from senior gedolei Torah urging public demonstrations against the arrests. Senior party figures, including MK Michael Malkieli, Health Minister Uriel Busso, and MK Yonatan Mashriki, attended portions of the convoy.

Speaking at the event, Malkieli declared, “In the State of Israel, they are supposed to protect Torah learners and not persecute Torah learners.”

MK Meir Porush also strongly defended the protesters and condemned attacks against participants.

“We are following with concern the reports of harm to protest participants and call on the police to act forcefully against anyone who uses violence against the chareidi public,” Porush said.

He further charged that inflammatory rhetoric from public officials had contributed to the atmosphere surrounding the demonstrations.

Opposition politicians, meanwhile, sharply criticized the protest.

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman accused chareidi political leaders of “holding the chareidi public hostage” and blamed them for widespread traffic disruptions throughout the country.

National Unity leader Gadi Eisenkot similarly condemned the demonstrations, accusing the chareidi parties and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of enabling what he described as the paralysis of the country’s working population.

Despite the criticism, organizers declared the protest a success, citing the large turnout and broad participation from communities across Israel.

Moti Babchik, one of the event’s organizers, said the demonstration had generated tremendous public support.

“The event was successful,” Babchik said, pointing to what he described as an exceptionally strong response from the public.

As thousands of vehicles made their way home late Thursday night, organizers said the message had been delivered loud and clear: the arrests of bnei Torah remain one of the most volatile and emotionally charged issues confronting Israel’s chareidi community.

Thousands of vehicles poured onto roads across Israel this afternoon as large-scale protest convoys departed from 19 cities nationwide toward Military Prison 10, in a mass demonstration against the arrest of bnei Torah who have been detained over military draft-related issues.

Organizers estimated that tens of thousands of drivers would ultimately participate in the coordinated protest, which began at approximately 4:00 p.m. and quickly led to major traffic disruptions on key highways throughout the country.

According to figures released by the protest organizers’ command center, more than 7,000 vehicles had already joined the demonstrations by 5:00 p.m. Heavy congestion was reported on Highway 1, Highway 6, Highway 4, Highway 2, and numerous additional routes as convoys made their way toward the military detention facility.

The protest was organized following calls from leading gedolei Torah to publicly demonstrate against the imprisonment of yeshivah students classified by authorities as draft evaders. Convoys departed from cities including Yerushalayim, Bnei Brak, Ashdod, Beitar Illit, Kiryat Gat, and others.

Several senior chareidi political figures joined the demonstrations. Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf led the Yerushalayim convoy, while MK Meir Porush and Deputy Minister Yisrael Eichler participated from other protest hubs. In Bnei Brak, former MK Moshe Shimon Roth joined the convoy departing from the city.

Earlier in the day, organizers announced that Slabodka Rosh Yeshivah Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch had given his blessing to participants. Shas also formally joined the protest after statements from senior Torah leaders emphasizing the obligation to demonstrate against the arrests.

At one protest gathering, MK Meir Porush declared, “Only in the State of Israel are Torah learners arrested. We must protest.”

Members of Shas, including MK Michael Malkieli, Health Minister Uriel Bussu, and MK Yonatan Mashriki, attended one of the convoys and voiced support for the campaign. Malkieli stated, “In the State of Israel, they should protect Torah learners, not persecute Torah learners.”

As the convoys progressed, several incidents of violence were reported.

One of the most serious occurred on Highway 7 near Ashdod, where participants alleged that a motorist blocked a protest vehicle, attempted to assault the driver, and then smashed a window after the driver closed it. Protesters further claimed that threats were made against the vehicle’s occupants. No injuries were immediately reported.

Another confrontation took place on the Ayalon Highway near Tel Aviv. According to participants, a truck driver exited his vehicle and approached one of the convoy cars while allegedly carrying a knife and clubs. Protesters claimed he struck the vehicle and pounded on the windows while the occupants remained inside. Police were notified, and the incident remains under investigation.

In Beitar Illit, Deputy Mayor Gedalyahu Eisenstein, who also heads the city’s chasidic faction, was reportedly attacked during the convoy. Witnesses claimed that an individual rammed his vehicle and then physically assaulted him, including attempting to choke him.

Additional clashes were reported in Arad, where confrontations broke out between local secular residents and members of the Ger chasidus participating in the demonstration.

The organizing committee accused police of attempting to undermine the protest by issuing traffic citations to participants. In a statement released during the evening, organizers said they had received multiple reports from drivers alleging interference with their right to protest.

“This constitutes a serious attempt to infringe upon a fundamental right in a democratic state, and we will not remain silent,” the committee said, adding that its legal team would pursue all available avenues to combat what it described as a violation of freedom of expression and protest.

The organizers also expressed gratitude to non-chareidi Israelis who spontaneously joined the convoys.

“We are receiving moving reports about many drivers and members of the general public who are not part of the chareidi sector but chose to identify with the struggle, join the vehicle protest, and strengthen it,” the committee said. “Their participation increases the public impact of the demonstration. We thank them deeply for their solidarity at this critical moment for the honor of Torah.”

Israeli police, meanwhile, warned that some protesters were not adhering to agreements reached in advance with organizers. Authorities reported significant traffic congestion and stated that in some locations demonstrators had exited their vehicles and entered active traffic lanes, creating safety hazards.

Police emphasized that while the roads had not been completely shut down at that stage, the demonstrations were causing substantial disruptions to traffic flow. Authorities reiterated that they respect the right to protest but warned that unlawful road blockages or dangerous conduct would result in enforcement measures, including fines, towing of vehicles, digital enforcement tools, and other tactical responses.

Political reactions were swift and sharply divided.

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman blasted the chareidi leadership, accusing Shas and United Torah Judaism officials of “holding the chareidi public hostage” and creating resentment among the broader population.

National Unity leader MK Gadi Eisenkot also criticized the demonstrations, stating that “the non-working and non-serving public is paralyzing the state and shutting down the working and serving sector at the end of the workday,” while blaming Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and chareidi party leaders for the situation.

Porush responded by accusing government officials and public figures of contributing to hostility against the chareidi community. Referring to reports of attacks on demonstrators, he called on police to act forcefully against violent individuals and said the incidents were the result of ongoing incitement against bnei Torah.

By early evening, highways throughout central Israel remain heavily congested as thousands of vehicles continue their slow march toward Prison 10, turning what organizers described as a protest for the rights of Torah learners into the largest vehicle demonstrations the chareidi community has mounted in recent years.

{Matzav.com}

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[Video below.] Conservative media personality Tucker Carlson announced that he is severing ties with the Republican Party, declaring that the GOP no longer represents his views and accusing party leaders of abandoning the interests of American voters.

Speaking on his “Can’t Be Censored” podcast, Carlson said he has reached a breaking point after years of supporting Republicans and can no longer align himself with the party.

“I’m out,” Carlson said. “And if I’m out, then I think a lot of other people are out.

“I would not support the Republican Party. There’s no chance I would support the Republican Party.”

Carlson has been one of the most vocal critics on the right of the conflict involving Iran and has repeatedly attacked the Trump administration’s support for Israel. He argued that Republican leaders have placed the priorities of a foreign ally ahead of those of American citizens.

Carlson stated that Republicans “betrayed” voters by prioritizing Israel’s needs over those of the U.S.

“How could I or any American voter support a political party that’s not loyal to the United States?” Carlson asked.

“That puts the interests of a foreign country above those of its own citizens? It’s not possible to vote for people like that, and I’m not going to,” he added.

The longtime commentator, who said he spent 35 years fiercely defending the Republican Party, made clear that his departure from the GOP does not signal support for Democrats. He said he remains uncertain about whom he will support politically in the future.

Carlson’s split with Republicans comes after months of increasingly public disagreements with President Donald Trump, particularly over Iran and American involvement in the Middle East.

In April, Trump sharply criticized Carlson after the commentator condemned military action against Iran.

“It’s easy! Tucker is a Low IQ person — Always easy to beat, and highly overrated!!!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

The president also accused Carlson and other anti-war commentators of effectively aiding Tehran by opposing efforts to confront the Iranian regime, dismissing them as attention-seekers using the issue to build their audiences.

“They think it is wonderful for Iran, the Number One State Sponsor of Terror, to have a Nuclear Weapon,” Trump wrote.

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