Two men arrested during protests in Jerusalem have claimed that police detained them as a form of punishment for their roles as organizers, rather than out of concern for public order. The judge overseeing their case rejected the police's request to extend their detention, stating that the arrests were improper and not justified by the circumstances of the protest, which had already concluded.

The men, Matanel Ciechanowski and Rom Leor, were among 34 demonstrators arrested nationwide during a strike aimed at pressuring the government for a hostage release and ceasefire deal. While most protesters were released within hours, five were held overnight, with Ciechanowski and Leor facing additional restrictions and court proceedings.

Their lawyer argued that the arrests were politically motivated, intended to suppress future demonstrations. The judge dismissed police claims that the men posed a continuing threat to public safety, noting that the protest had ended and there was no indication of further planned disruptions. Both men were released without restrictive conditions.

Ciechanowski and Leor described their arrests as targeted and punitive, reflecting a broader decline in democratic practices surrounding protests in the country. Despite their detention, they remain committed to demonstrating for causes they believe are important.