Israeli news commentator Yishai Cohen is urging Israeli Police Commissioner Danny Levy to announce immunity protections for yeshiva students who come to police stations to file complaints, warning that cooperation between police and the military could create a dangerous situation in which bochurim become afraid to approach law enforcement.

Speaking during an appearance on the “Kipot Barzel” program on the Srugim site, Cohen sharply criticized the growing coordination between Israeli police and the military police regarding yeshiva students classified as draft evaders.

According to Cohen, the commissioner’s decision to cooperate with military enforcement efforts came only after pressure stemming from a High Court ruling, despite months of resistance from police leadership.

“The police commissioner opposed this for months, but ultimately the High Court ruled and he was forced to comply,” Cohen said.

At the same time, Cohen argued that a clear distinction must be made between ordinary enforcement encounters and situations in which yeshiva students are simply trying to seek help from authorities.

“The police commissioner needs to declare that immunity will be granted to yeshiva students who come to file police complaints regarding crimes. It cannot be that yeshiva students are unable to file complaints with police because they fear being arrested.”

Cohen stressed that the current situation could discourage victims from reporting crimes or seeking police assistance.

“There is a difference between a yeshiva student who is stopped by a traffic officer and a yeshiva student who comes to file a complaint with police. Yeshiva students must not be afraid to come to a police station.”

{Matzav.com}