Hundreds of thousands gathered in Yerushalayim on Thursday for a Million Man March against the draft law and the arrests of yeshiva bochurim. Among them were large groups of Lubavitch bochurim, roshei yeshiva and rabbonim from across Eretz Yisroel. Bochurim from Kfar Chabad, Tzfas, Lod and other yeshivos arrived by train and on foot, joining the crowds converging at the entrance to the city.

Near the entrance to the city, Lubavitch bochurim set up tables for Ois B’Sefer Torah, encouraging participants to get a letter in the Sefer Torah for Jewish Unity.

In the days leading up to the march, the Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad in Eretz Yisroel issued a public letter calling on anash to take part in the Atzeres Tefillah Uze’akah and to strengthen Torah learning at this time. The letter, signed by Rabbi Yitzchok Yehuda Yaroslavsky, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky, and Rabbi Moshe Havlin, protested attempts to change the longstanding arrangement that allowed Chabad bochurim to dedicate their years to Torah study.

The gathering came amid growing concern following the collapse of talks between Chabad and the IDF over renewing the “Chabad Arrangement.” Military officials rejected the Beis Din’s proposals, ending discussions without agreement.

In recent days, eleven Chabad bochurim returning to Eretz Yisroel after their kevutza year in 770 were detained at Ben Gurion Airport and taken into military custody for questioning. While several were later released, others still remain detained. Among them are several bochurim appointed to serve as talmidim hashluchim in yeshivos across the country.

The Beis Din called for continued strengthening of Torah study and tefillah and urged bochurim to remain focused on their learning and consult with their mashpi’im and rabbonim regarding individual situations.

The march continued with Tehillim and prayers recited for the safety of all and for protection of Torah learning throughout Eretz Yisroel.