Thousands of Sephardic bnei Torah are expected to travel Thursday evening to Military Prison 10 in Beit Lid for a major protest following the arrest of Reb Aviel Cohen, a 22-year-old yungerman from Netivot and a graduate of Yeshivas Be’er HaTalmud.

According to organizers, thousands of current and former talmidim of the yeshiva will arrive on organized buses to participate in the gathering and protest Cohen’s continued detention.

Cohen was reportedly arrested by police and military police while sitting in his vehicle at a gas station near the Gilat Junction, close to the entrance to Ofakim. The arrest, which reportedly took place in front of his young wife, sparked an immediate response, and after word spread through community networks, dozens of demonstrators arrived at the scene and blocked Routes 25 and 241 for several hours.

Yeshivas Be’er HaTalmud announced that all talmidim and alumni are being encouraged to attend Thursday evening’s protest outside the prison.

In a recorded message distributed by mashgiach Rav Eliyahu Aharon, participants were informed that the gathering will begin at 7:00 p.m. outside Military Prison 10. The protest is expected to be led by Council of Torah Sages member HaGaon HaRav Yehuda Cohen, rosh yeshiva of Be’er HaTalmud, together with his son, HaGaon HaRav Chanoch Cohen, rosh yeshiva of the institution.

The gathering comes one day after thousands of Gur chassidim arrived at the prison on dozens of buses and held a large protest led by the Gerrer Rebbe.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)