Jerusalem Municipality inspectors arrived in Ramat Eshkol on Wednesday morning 7 Tammuz and the temporary structure that was Yeshivas Mitchabrim was destroyed. The yeshiva, housed in a temporary structure, serves the students who have broken away from the mainstream, referred to in Israel as the ‘Noshrim’.
The Israel Lands Administration tractor arrived on the scene and it was over quickly, the structure destroyed. The destruction followed negotiations involving some politicians in an effort to prevent leaving these talmidim without a place to go. When officials arrived on Wednesday with orders in hand, it was not about a yeshiva but an illegal structure that was to be taken down.
The bochrim are teary-eyed for this is what separated from them and the streets.
Councilman Michael Michaeli, who also serves on the city planning committee, sent a letter to Jerusalem Mayor Barkat on the yeshiva’s behalf. He explained the building serves youths at risk, and the importance of permitting it to continue for their sake. He called on the mayor to intervene immediately to prevent the destruction of the structure in addition to turning to other relevant city officials.
It is reported that an understanding was reached to delay the demolition.
Asher Mishali, who oversees the city’s portfolio for chareidi youths at risk explains an agreement was reached to hold off and not destroy the structure but it was razed nonetheless. He calls the demolition “a blatant violation of the agreement” by which the yeshiva could operate another year during which time an alternative venue would be found.
