American Bochurim Chain Themselves Together For Jailed Friend

 PIC

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.

HaGaon HaRav Velvel Soloveitchik participating in the Atzeres Tefillah. (Photo: Doovidl/YWN)

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.

(Photo: Doovidl/YWN)

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.

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