Throughout history the Jewish People has been persecuted by the nations due to their commitment to Torah and Mitzvot. However, this phenomenon is not only restricted to the Diaspora; it occurs in The Land of Israel - which is supposed to serve as a Jewish State - as well, and numerous Jews have been killed while trying to protect the  unique Jewish character of the Holy  Land.

The first Jew to fall in this manner was Rabbi Pinchas Segolb, who was heavily beaten by police during a demonstration for the sake of preserving the holiness of the Sabbath. The demonstration took place in Kikar HaShabbat on the 25th of Elul, 5717\1957, and was dissolved by the police. Rabbi Segolb was admitted to the hospital in critical condition, and later died of his wounds.

In 5761\2001, Rabbi Yehudah Sammet of Jerusalem, a prominent Toldos Aharon Chassid, participated in a demonstration against a photo store near the Meah She'arim neighborhood, which was selling inappropriate items that deeply insulted the local Orthodox residents.

During the demonstration, the store-owner pushed Rabbi Sammet, who consequently fell to the ground and injured his head. Unfortunately, after a week in the hospital he died.

Additional murders have been conducted in Israel on religious basis: in 5710\1950, Ya'akov Salim Gerfi, an immigrant from Yemen, was killed in the Ein Shamar Camp by an unidentified sniper. The camp was erected for Yemenite immigrants, and as a part of the plan to secularize the deeply religious Yemenites, the Jewish Agency imposed secular education on all youngsters. Ya'akov Gerfi, however, who did not want his fellow brother to fall into the secular trap, would sneak in and take youngsters out of the camp to Yeshivot, where they could continue their ancient traditions. Ya'akov was warned by the administration of the camp not to continue with his deeds, and was severally beaten.

Two weeks thereafter, he was killed.

May his memory be blessed.