A serious controversy is roiling the scene in Israel. A government committee has made recommendations for a law to govern the status of yeshiva students in the wake of judicial pressure. However so far a consensus has not been reached in the chareidi community about how to proceed. Efforts are under way to reach a consensus, however. The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel has expressed its disapproval of the proposed law. However individual gedolim who are members of Degel HaTorah's Moetzes have indicated that the proposal is acceptable to them with some changes.
Following a meeting in the home of the member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, HaRav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, regarding the army recruitment bill, the latter, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Yisroel, sent a letter to the Knesset representatives of Degel HaTorah clarifying the principles which guide our approach in this matter.
In his letter he suggests and asks of these worthy emissaries of Torah leadership that it be declared to one and all, in every possible place including within the walls of the Knesset itself, that "nothing shall stand in the way of our increasing Torah and augmenting it. It is altogether unimaginable that the power of budgets and allocations can make us waver or look aside, even in one area that can possibly weaken our vigilant stand to preserve our holy Torah. Any budgetary pressure cannot deter us from fulfilling our sacred mission to enhance and increase Torah, nor can any sanction triumph over us."
