Overview
- Avraham Ben Dayan was arrested on Motzaei Shabbos after a traffic stop in Tifrach flagged him as a draft absentee and he was transferred from Israel Police to Military Police custody.
- His wife alleges mistreatment in detention, including denial of tefillin, insufficient mehadrin kosher food, limits on Torah study, shackling during transfers, and questioning by a prison rabbi about his religiosity.
- The IDF says he prayed in custody, missed tefillin due to intake delays, and is receiving shul davening times, mehadrin-level food and phone access, adding that he was told how to request specific kashrus.
- Military officials state shackling during transfers followed standard procedure and note he is in contact with the prison rabbi and housed with detainees facing similar charges.
- Calling the case extremely unusual, the IDF expressed regret for the distress, said prison procedures were sharpened for immediate implementation, and pledged a commanders’ investigation, as leading rabbis voiced support for his swift release.