Dozens of participants in Peleg protests have been arrested, and after checking their identity numbers, some of them were handed over to military authorities as they are wanted for desertion.

Among the group is Avraham Tzvi Lederman, who was indicted by the military prosecutor and ordered held without bail. He was sent to Prison 4.

After Avraham refused to wear the prison uniform, green IDF clothing, he was placed in isolation until a military appeals court heard his attorney’s case, then sentenced to open incarceration on the base, Tel Hashomer. Last week, he refused to wear the uniform while in open incarceration, as well as refusing to cooperate with military officials. On Monday, 16 Kislev, during the afternoon hours, friends of his came to give him chizuk and to bring him some items. At this point, the exact chain of events remains unclear. A friend got into the base and they began dancing. At a certain point, soldiers approached them, both in civilian clothing, escorting them outside the gate of the base.

The IDF version is that Avraham left the base to meet his friends. He was not permitted back into the base since he did not have a permit. His attorney, Nadav Gedalyahu insists he stood at the gate asking to reenter, explaining he is a prisoner but they would not permit him entry without an ID card, which was confiscated when he was admitted to the prison.

Whatever the case, it is clear he was wearing his regular clothing. Therefore, soldiers did not suspect he was a prisoner.

The IDF Spokesman Unit explains he was in ‘open incarceration’ which does not demand a constant presence of guards. He left the gates on his own and therefore, he was not permitted to reenter.

As a result of being free, a kabolas ponim was held for him in Meah Shearim. An event in his honor was held on Avodas Yisrael Street near Kikar Shabbos in the capital, during the event a police car came by and a bit of a confrontation began, but no arrests were made.

In the BiChadrei Chareidim report it is added that Avraham reportedly received thousands of dollars during the event in his honor.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)