An IDF soldier from the Nachal Brigade who has already begun serving a sentence in military prison for wearing a “Moshiach” patch filed an urgent petition on Wednesday to the High Court against Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Military Advocate General Itai Ofir, Army Radio reported.

The petition states that Nachal commander Col. Erik Moyal lacked the authority to impose such a punishment and acted contrary to military regulations.

Adv. Ran Cohen Rochberger, who is representing the soldier, wrote that wearing the patch falls under appearance and uniform offenses. According to IDF regulations, there is no authority to sentence a soldier to imprisonment for this type of offense if it is the first time the violation has been committed.

He emphasized that this legal flaw alone requires the revocation of the sentence,

Before submitting a petition to the High Court, Rochberger submitted an appeal to the military prosecution but did not receive a response, leading to the filing of the High Court petition.

One of the soldiers’ requests was granted. On Tuesday evening, Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor agreed to reduce the soldier’s sentence by 10 days, from 30 days to 20 days.

The IDF stated that “it was decided to reduce the punishment by 10 days for the soldier who was sentenced for a disciplinary violation that does not align with the norms expected of IDF soldiers.”

“The decision was made according to regulations and after Nahal Brigade commander Col. Erik Moyal visited the soldier in military prison, where the soldier took responsibility and expressed remorse.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)