Did the violent protests deter the IDF authorities or was it quiet activity carried out behind the scenes by public figures that was successful? That will probably be debated. Either way, yeshiva student Eliyahu Cohen, a student at Yeshiva Orchot David in Har Nof, a resident of Ashdod's 9th District, was released this evening from Prison 4.
The yeshiva student, who refused to report for the "first order" at the recruitment office, as ordered by his elders, was arrested on Monday night last week, during a routine police check at the exit from Elad.
Cohen was in a car traveling from a family celebration in the Haredi city. During the inspection, he was identified as someone wanted by the military authorities. He was handed over to the military police and tried in the military court in Jaffa for a severe sentence of 20 days in prison.
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Since his arrest, violent protests have been held daily in various locations in the country, and dozens of demonstrators have been arrested.
'The Committee for the Salvation of the World of Torah published a statement today in Hapeles, stating that if the person they call "the Torah's world prisoner" is not released before the Seder, the demonstrations will intensify, and during the holiday, protest convoys will travel on the country's roads, causing traffic jams.
Attorney Yair Nahan, representing the yeshiva student, appealed to the IDF to commute his sentence, claiming that a sentence of imprisonment on Seder night does not justify the offense committed by the yeshiva student. At the same time, a number of public figures, led by MK Aryeh Deri, appealed to the head of the IDF, Maj. Gen. Orna Barabibai, requesting his release.
It turns out that the pressure took its toll - and the yeshiva boy was released towards evening. His father arrived in his car and drove him home in Ashdod.
Along with the release, a commitment was made that from the moment of his release there would be no roadblocks.
Cohen will be tried again after the holiday.
