Jerusalem Daycare Workers to Remain in Custody
Ironically, the very same Chareidim who accuse Chilonim of denying Hashem’s control—and who insist that others ignore the signs Hashem sends—are themselves overlooking the most obvious message of all: these protests are costing lives. In the last three demonstrations, three Chareidim were killed. אין קול ואין עונה.
Rabbi Hoffman addressed this troubling pattern:
“No one can know for certain what Heaven intends, but the Chareidi world, more than any other, holds the belief that no tragedy is random. Everything calls for cheshbon hanefesh—and we cannot simply pass the responsibility off or brush it aside.”
“Perhaps the message of these tragedies is not merely that the protests were conducted improperly, or that better safety measures were needed, or that the timing was unfortunate. Perhaps the signal is that zeal—even when rooted in faith—is not automatically a Kiddush Hashem, and that the very enterprise of these hafganot needs to be reconsidered.”
“Beyond the loss of life, there is the issue of third‑party harm. An elderly woman on dialysis recently received a call from her taxi driver canceling her ride to the hospital because the roads were blocked by a protest. She was left stranded, confused, and in pain.”
“Regardless of one’s position on the issue being protested, it is absolutely forbidden to harm a third party in the process. Even if one’s cause is correct, he may not damage another. The Tur at the beginning of Choshen Mishpat 378 writes that harming another is forbidden just like stealing. According to the Steipler (Kehillas Yaakov, Bava Kamma 1), causing damage also violates V’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha.”
What makes the situation even more disturbing is that the Eida leadership opposed autopsies that might have exonerated the caregivers involved—yet now those same women may face manslaughter charges.
Even more bewildering are the statements from some of the bereaved mothers, who publicly defended the daycare and claimed they would have sent their babies there again. Think about that: mothers whose infants died in a facility that violated basic health and fire regulations, with a staff‑to‑child ratio of three adults for fifty‑five children, are saying they would repeat the same decision.
This reflects a mindset that has become dangerously disconnected from reality. In what world does a grieving parent defend the very negligence that led to their child’s death? And how does the Chareidi media amplify such statements without question?
In many other countries—none of them “Zionist”—such declarations alone might trigger child‑welfare investigations. Yet these mothers should be grateful they live in Israel, where despite everything, the authorities would never take their remaining children away for making such statements.
The court on Wednesday rejected the appeal against the extension of the detention filed by the lawyer for the owner of the Jerusalem daycare and her assistant, where two babies passed away earlier this week.
Judge Mordechai Borstein claimed in his ruling that there is concern that releasing them to alternative detention at this stage could obstruct the investigation.
According to Kan News, the judge also referred to the statements of Yaakov and Chani Katz, the parents of one of the deceased babies, who spoke out in support of the daycare owner, saying they would even continue sending their children to the daycare: “In practice, two babies were found lifeless following this tragic event. At this stage, the state must investigate and examine the public interest as well, and the position of the victims of the offense cannot change this at this time.”
The judge added, “From reviewing the investigation materials, it can be seen that there are claims that the appellants were devoted to their work. Nevertheless, this too does not change the outcome.”
During the hearing, the judge said, “With all the kindness and devotion, two have died. Could they be connected to it, or could they not? Everything else is less relevant.”
Attorney Uri Corb, who represents the daycare owner, said during the hearing, “They cooperated with the investigation. The autopsies are not taking place, and the results of the toxicology tests won’t arrive for weeks. They have not been questioned in the past two days, and I find it appropriate to say that the way the daycare was run is not as presented in the media. The position of the victims of the offense has significance—this should be considered. The offense classification should have been different, because all the parents support them, including the parents of the infants who died. There is no risk of obstruction and no danger.”
Attorney Sivan Russo, who is representing the babysitter, said in court, “She has worked there devotedly for 20 years. The parents know they won’t dare open a new daycare. They have endured the shocking experience of arrest, humiliation, and immense grief over the babies. She will not obstruct anything.”
Dozens of parents and neighbors have spoken in support of the two babysitters, describing their devotion to their work and professionalism. The disturbing photos and videos, such as a toddler sleeping in the bathroom, occurred during the chaos that ensued after the babysitter found a baby lifeless and the apartment was evacuated.
In response to the ruling, the Eidah HaChareidis announced that it will hold a demonstration on Wednesday evening in Jerusalem at 8:00 p.m., saying, “They release the murderous drivers and keep the babysitters in detention.”
