Hundreds gathered in Yerushalayim on Tuesday night for an Atzeres Tefillah and subsequent protest over the continued detention of American yeshiva bochur Avrohom Yitzchok Cohen, who has been held for nearly three months without an indictment being filed against him.
The evening began with an Atzeres Tefillah at Kikar HaShabbos, attended by Rabbanim and hundreds of participants demanding Cohen’s release. Following the tefillos, hundreds marched toward Yirmiyahu Street and the corner of Minchas Yitzchak, where the gathering developed into a protest over both Cohen’s detention and the construction of the light rail through the area.
In one of the most striking scenes of the night, a group of Cohen’s American friends, fellow yeshiva bochurim, chained themselves together while carrying signs drawing attention to his incarceration.
“I came to Israel to study and found myself behind bars!!” several signs read, alongside an American flag. Other signs declared, “Guilty until proven innocent??? Is that the law in Israel???” and carried messages directed at the Israeli government.
As YWN previously reported, Cohen was arrested at his dira in the Bar Ilan area nearly three months ago. Police suspect him of involvement in an arson incident connected to the ongoing protests against construction of the light rail. Askonim involved in the case strongly deny the allegations and maintain that his only involvement was participating in demonstrations against the project.
As the crowd reached the Yirmiyahu and Minchas Yitzchak area, the situation became increasingly chaotic. Police deployed large forces and used water cannons and stun grenades to disperse protesters.
Footage from the scene showed officers using heavy force against demonstrators, including batons, while stun grenades were thrown at extremely close range near protesters. Water cannons were repeatedly directed toward the crowd as police attempted to clear the area.
Protesters accused police of excessive brutality, pointing to the close-range use of stun grenades and force used against demonstrators. Police, meanwhile, said the demonstration had been declared an unlawful disturbance after protesters allegedly blocked traffic routes and attempted to cause damage, and said officers subsequently used force and crowd-control measures to disperse the gathering.
Despite the forceful dispersal efforts, the demonstration continued, with protesters voicing opposition to the light rail project while demanding Cohen’s immediate release.
Videos and photos by Doovidl for YWN
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
12 Responses
About 45 years ago I was studying in a Yeshiva in Yerushalaim.
I recall one evening a few Chassideshe groups made a
הפגנה
Near
מלון המרכז
Today that hotel has a new name
One of the Police officers took a bat and tried to smash one of the protesters.
The Avrech was seriously injured.
The Chassideshe Rebbe (I forgot which one) he said to stop going to
הפגנות
Because we are dealing with real
רוצחים
They should get Huckabee on the case!
Sick evil rotten wicked erev rav chiloni sodomite government. The court system in secular Israel today makes those in Noach’s generation look like childs play.
If Israeli rail is threatening his way of life, he can go back to NYC subway. Chofetz Chaim writes that we should include luxury of train travel in our brochos.
The signs the bochurim are holding would be more accurate if they said, “I came to Israel to learn but chose to spend my time getting involved in illegal demonstrations and political activism instead.” Hopefully, this experience will convince them that their time in Israel is better spent in the beis medrash and they should turn to Hashem in tefila for what they believe in a travesty of justice rather than in confrontations with drivers and the police.
@smererl these boys are in beis medrash every day from morning to night, it took them 3 months to get out of the beis to protest. They not part of groups that want to have fun.
decaf, maybe you missed this line?
>> Police suspect him of involvement in an arson incident connected to the ongoing protests against construction of the light rail.
more of a doer than a learner, allegedly.
Play stupid games win stupid prizes…
Don’t burn light rail tracks and learn baba kama at the same time you mazik
The difference between how the police handle chareidi protests vs the way they handle any other protest is disgusting!!!
The fact that the government allows them to get away with it shows its corruption!
@Baltimoredass
So, you mean that you believe the heretic Zionists (who brought zero proof) over the frum yeshiva boy who said he was not at all a mazik? That is “dass”?
Bracha.
To HaKatan:
You are 100% right.