The IDF stated Wednesday that a soldier who petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice over his prison sentence was not punished for wearing a “Moshiach patch,” but rather for what the military described as a disciplinary infraction.

In a statement released by the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, the military said the case involved conduct that harmed military discipline and was unrelated to uniform appearance regulations.

“The soldier was tried for an offense of harming discipline, and not for a violation related to appearance and dress code. According to the military disciplinary regulations, a senior judicial officer holding the rank of colonel is authorized to impose up to 30 days of military imprisonment for such an offense. The IDF responded directly to the appeal submitted yesterday afternoon by the soldier’s legal representative,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement.

The clarification came after the soldier submitted an emergency petition to the High Court against IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the Military Advocate General. The filing was made one day after the soldier’s sentence was reduced by ten days by his regional commander, leaving a remaining sentence of 20 days in military prison.

Through his attorney, Ran Cohen-Rochberger, the soldier argued in the petition that his imprisonment is unlawful and exceeds the authority granted under existing military regulations.

According to the defense, the commander of the Nachal Brigade did not possess the legal authority to impose such a severe sentence on a combat soldier for what they characterized as a first-time disciplinary matter connected only to “appearance and dress.”

Meanwhile, parents of soldiers serving in the Nachal Brigade announced plans to intensify protests in response to what they described as indifference and insensitivity on the part of senior military leadership.

The parents said demonstrations in the coming days would expand and be directed toward the homes and offices of senior IDF officials and decision-makers.

“We will not be silent and we will not rest. The system is abandoning its soldiers and harming the spearhead of the IDF because of ego and pettiness. We demand immediate intervention – release the soldier from prison immediately!” the parents’ protest headquarters said in a statement.

{Matzav.com}