In a glaring example of bureaucratic paralysis, Ari Rosenfeld - the military reservist who leaked intelligence information - is now being held in what amounts to a human fishbowl while the courts shuffle papers. Despite new evidence suggesting he poses no risk, Rosenfeld remains trapped in a transparent cell under constant surveillance as his mental health crumbles.
The latest development in this increasingly troubling case saw Rosenfeld's lawyers rush to file an emergency petition with the Tel Aviv District Court on Tuesday. Their plea comes as prison authorities, acknowledging their detainee's deteriorating psychological state, responded by subjecting him to even more extreme conditions - placing him under 24/7 camera surveillance in a fully exposed cell.
Adding to the absurdity, a new assessment by Dr. Nimrod Shani, a leading clinical psychologist specializing in risk evaluation, has found no significant risk of Rosenfeld repeating his actions. This directly contradicts the Supreme Court's justification for keeping him locked up, yet he remains behind bars.
The case has become a bureaucratic ping-pong match. The District Court initially saw no need to keep Rosenfeld in custody, willing to release him without even requiring a risk assessment. But Supreme Court Justice Stein overruled this decision, citing vague concerns about potential future leaks to the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, Rosenfeld's legal team, led by attorneys Uri Korev, Sivan Russo, and Yehoshua Lamberger, points out their client has fully acknowledged his wrongdoing and expressed clear remorse. They've even offered to submit to additional probation service assessments - yet the system continues to move at a glacial pace.
As the courts wade through their paperwork and deliberations, a man's mental health hangs in the balance. And not just any man, but a dedicated employee whop dedicated no less than 10 full years of his life to this country. But the Attorney General and the courtys just don't seem to care about that at all. They are quite happy to let Rosenfeld suffer, and they are a living testament to a system that seems more concerned with protocol than human welfare.
The justice system now faces a critical choice: acknowledge the mounting evidence supporting Rosenfeld's release, or continue forcing a demonstrably remorseful man to deteriorate under their unblinking eye.
The whole case stinks. It's time to let Rosenfeld go.
Even the hostage families agree.
A group of Israeli hostage families and bereaved families has made an emotional appeal to President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday, urging him to pardon military reservist Ari Rosenfeld, who was detained for leaking classified documents. This request comes just days after three other hostage families petitioned Herzog with the opposite request - asking him not to pardon Rosenfeld.
In a powerful letter signed by representatives of ten hostage families, they wrote: "We, the families of the hostages, turn to you with hope, from a place of deep distress. Our painful situation demands immediate and humane action, and we wholeheartedly believe that you, as President of Israel, can extend a hand and bring about a just and right course of action."
The families argue that Rosenfeld, now held in harsh conditions, acted to bring crucial information about the hostages directly to the Prime Minister's Office. They emphasized that he poses no security risk, noting that sending the document to the highest level of government demonstrates the gravity of the matter and absence of malicious intent.
"Mr. President, we cannot understand why the Prime Minister is being kept in the dark about information concerning the hostages, Hamas, and potential negotiations for their release," the families wrote. "We see this as a severe blow to the decision-making process and efforts to save our loved ones."
The letter concludes with a passionate plea for Herzog to use his presidential authority to "change this unbearable reality" and order Rosenfeld's immediate release. The families argue such action would "not only bring justice to someone who acted out of sense of mission, but also restore some faith in the system and send a message of compassion and humanity."
The letter was signed by Kobi Smarno, Zvika Mor, Eliyahu Liebman, Talik Gwaili, the Gilboa family, Yitzhak Lavi (father of the late Omri), Roy Baruch, Eli Stivi, Itzik Bontzel, and Ditza Or.
Channel 14 contributed to this article.
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