A number of rabbis have expressed support for a initiative to bolster security in haredi cities amid the war and the security situation.
This initiative has been supported by social activist Evyatar Elbaz, who has been striving in recent days to promote the enlistment of haredi individuals, or to voluntary service in the IDF.
Simultaneously, he appealed to the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, to urgently act to enhance security measures in haredi cities.
Among the rabbis who signed a letter of support for Elbaz were the head of the Sephardi haredi community, Rabbi Rafael Rosilio, Rabbi Yitzhak Batzri, and Rabbi Eliyahu Abergel, head of the rabbinical courts and Rabbi of the Baka neighborhood in Jerusalem.
"We seek to show our support for social activist Evyatar Elbaz, who since the outbreak of the terrible war has been working tirelessly to ensure, with God’s help, peace and security for our brethren, the Jewish people, especially our families in haredi cities. His initiative to arm residents in these cities is akin to [the biblical commandment] 'take utmost care of your lives,' and therefore, Elbaz and other engaged in this work shall be blessed and achieve much success," the rabbis wrote in the letter of support.
In his communication with the minister, Elbaz wrote, "I commend you on the important initiative to arm Israelis and notably to bolster the recruitment of haredi volunteers in Bnei Brak and other cities for the training programs. However, it is crucial that the effort not be limited to 'training programs' but also facilitate and promote the recruitment of men and yeshiva students in all haredi cities. Just as you provided a permit for firearms to the volunteers of Magen David Adom, ZAKA, and members of the haredi yeshivas, you should issue similar guidelines for yeshiva students, allowing them to obtain a firearms license and possess a gun."
Elbaz added in his appeal, "The training programs are indeed a significant step, but in every city, many residents carry personal firearms, which adds to security and enables a security response if needed. This is not the case in haredi cities. We all remember the bloody attack in Pisgat Ze'ev or the atrocious attack in Elad on Independence Day. It is no secret that in haredi cities, people are less connected to news and civil directives. In these cities, there is a large young population, families with many children, small yeshivas, and major yeshivas, many synagogues catering to large numbers of worshipers throughout the day and night; this must be addressed with security measures by arming residents who are interested in carrying firearms."
Elbaz also announced that, in addition to his appeal to the Minister of National Security, he plans to launch a campaign in the haredi sector in the coming days, encouraging residents to arm themselves, including undergoing rapid training and shooting practice. "
We are living in a different reality. In recent weeks the haredi sector has proven its desire to integrate into society and take part in the 'war on our home.' Thank God, thousands have expressed their willingness to enlist or volunteer for the IDF. Training programs have also been conducted in haredi cities such as Bnei Brak, but now the process needs to be completed and as many haredim as possible must be armed. They will add an extra layer of security in the haredi cities, especially in vulnerable places such as synagogues, study halls, yeshivas, and seminaries. Quite a few haredi towns are located in Judea and Samaria. The [biblical] command 'take utmost care of your lives' also obliges the hareidi community to equip themselves with firearms," he emphasized.