Teens mark Jerusalem Day
Photo: AP
Prof. Aumann warns of 'internal threat'
Photo: Ori Porat
In the shadow of the realignment plan: Jerusalem Day celebrations at the Merkaz HaRav yeshiva, the spiritual flagship of the religious Zionist public, bore a different character than usual this year. While in previous years, presidents, senior politicians and army officers used to attend the yeshiva's ceremony, this time around no high-profile figure took part in the events.
Merkaz HaRav celebrations, politicians a no-show (Photo: AP)
Avi Weisberg, a yeshiva student, recounted that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert used to attend the celebrations every year as mayor of the city," and say that woe to him that gives away even an inch of Israel's territory."
"Today, unfortunately, with all his plans for realignment, we know what he wants to do here. We don’t want him or any army officers here. Following the disengagement our relations with the army are very bad," he said.
Another student, David, added: "We don't need those who spit on us. we have our way and those who want to go along are welcomed. Thos who don't – can go to hell."
Rabbi Lior: Israeli criminals aid evil people
During the ceremony itself, Kiryat Arba Rabbi Dov Lior, who has become known as one of the fiercest opponents of the pullout, told the audience: "during the times of previous generations there were evil people who decreed against the Shabbat, against circumcision and against Torah studies. Unfortunately there are criminals among the people of Israel who aid them, whether directly or indirectly."
"Giving away parts of Israel goes against our holy Torah and must not be allowed. It doesn't matter if they call it a Knesset law, or army orders, or the sacred High Court of Justice, for us the Torah is above all other rulings," Rabbi Lior said.
Nobel Prize laureate, Prof, Israel Aumann who also took part in the event, said in his speech that "the internal threat to the Jewish people is greater than the external one."