An American yeshiva bochur has been held in an Israeli jail for nearly three months without an indictment being filed against him, prompting askonim involved in the case to launch a public campaign demanding his release.

Avrohom Yitzchok Cohen, an American citizen learning in Yerushalayim, was arrested at his dira in the Bar Ilan area nearly three months ago. According to witnesses, police broke into the apartment and arrested him without presenting a warrant.

According to reports, police suspect Cohen of involvement in an arson incident on Bar Ilan Street connected to the ongoing protests against construction of the light rail through the area. Askonim involved in the case strongly deny the allegations, maintaining that his only involvement was participating in demonstrations against the project.

Authorities established a special investigative team aimed at cracking down on the protests against the light rail. They allege that after the team failed to make progress in its broader investigation into the protesters and incidents surrounding the demonstrations, investigators turned Cohen into what they described as a sacrificial victim, directing their frustration at him despite no indictment having been filed nearly three months after his arrest.

Askonim involved in the case further allege that Cohen’s American citizenship may have played a role in the authorities’ handling of his case. They claim police have sought to crack down specifically on American yeshiva bochurim involved in disturbances and protests in Israel, and believe Cohen is being used to send a broader message to others.

At Cohen’s latest court hearing, his detention was extended until two days before Rosh Hashanah. They say that house arrest has been agreed to in principle, but his release has been delayed while the Israel Prison Service reviews the proposed conditions. Organizers claim the process has been complicated by Cohen being a foreign resident and difficulties arranging the required probation-related conditions.

The case has now prompted a broader campaign within the American community in Eretz Yisrael. Posters distributed throughout Yerushalayim prominently highlight Cohen’s American citizenship and call on Americans to speak out over his continued incarceration.

A major Atzeres Tefillah is scheduled for Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM at Kikar HaShabbos in Yerushalayim, with organizers calling on the public, particularly American yeshiva bochurim, to attend and demand Cohen’s release.

The Atzeres Tefillah is expected to be attended by prominent Rabbanim and Admorim, including the Mishkenos HaRo’im Rebbe, HaGaon HaRav Dovid Turchin, the Dushinsky Rebbe, the Rebbe of Khal Chasidei Yerushalayim, HaGaon HaRav Yehuda Fisher, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Teitelbaum, and HaRav Shlomo Mintzberg, according to organizers.

Cohen’s supporters are demanding his release and questioning his continued incarceration for nearly three months without an indictment being filed.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)