Stamra Has Lost the Plot
Tens of Thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Jews Rally Outside Israeli Consulate in Manhattan Against IDF Draft Law
In a rare mass demonstration dubbed “The Cry of the Exiles,” protesters from across the U.S. gathered to oppose Israel’s conscription plan and express solidarity with Torah scholars in Israel.
Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews flooded the streets of midtown Manhattan on Sunday evening for a massive prayer rally and protest against Israel’s military draft law. The demonstration, held outside the Israeli Consulate, was organized under the banner “The Cry of the Exiles,” expressing what participants called their “spiritual solidarity” with Torah students in Israel.
The event drew crowds from major Jewish communities across New York and New Jersey, including Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Monsey, Kiryas Joel, and Lakewood. Dozens of chartered buses brought attendees, turning the area surrounding the consulate into a sea of black and white, the traditional attire of the ultra-Orthodox community.
Despite the enormous turnout, the protest remained peaceful and highly organized. Streets adjacent to the consulate remained partially open as demonstrators stood within designated areas, praying and holding signs opposing what they termed the “decree of forced enlistment.”
Leading Hasidic rebbes from the Satmar dynasties presided over the gathering, joined by prominent rabbis and yeshiva heads from across the U.S. Speakers delivered fiery addresses in Yiddish condemning the draft and calling for the preservation of religious study in Israel. Some remarks were translated into English for the international media covering the event.
In a symbolic gesture of humility, the speakers addressed the crowd from a small mechanical lift rather than a large stage, each taking turns to deliver brief, impassioned messages before descending back into the throng.
Among those who addressed the rally were Rabbi Yehoshua Nachman Berger, head of Yeshivas Ohel Torah in Boro Park; Rabbi David Hirschler of Jerusalem; Rabbi Anshil Ashkenazi; Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Meir; and Rabbi Shlomo Shabtai Kestenbaum, dayan of Binyan Baruch congregation.
The event concluded with a solemn Kabbalat Ol Malchut Shamayim, a communal recitation accepting the yoke of Heaven, led by the Bobov Rebbe.
Organizers hailed the demonstration as a powerful show of global unity in defense of religious study, calling on Israel to “honor Torah and reject coercion.”