Rabbis of towns in the Binyamin region issued a statement Sunday morning supporting Rabbi Eliezer Melamed of the Har Bracha Yeshiva. "It is shameful that academics are free to say almost anything on their minds, even if it is harmful to the state and the IDF, and is considered shameful by the people. In contrast, rabbis are being pressured to be quiet, lest they give their opinions on important social issues. Even if some of the statements of the rabbis are difficult, there is not legal or mortal right to cause damage to the rabbis over their comments," the statement said.
"To the Prime Minister and its ministers, we say that there is a limit to how much the public is willing to suffer. Injuring a group that loves and is connected to the nation with all its might may bring great pain to all of us. If you are really worried about the welfare of the nation, reverse your hurtful and damaging decision," the statement added.