Around 100 Israeli Soldiers Leave Base Without Permission After Clash With Commander

About 100 soldiers from the Tzabar Battalion of the Israel Defense Forces’ Givati Brigade left the Sde Teiman military base without permission after a dispute with their commander.

According to The Times of Israel, the incident happened after the battalion commander ordered soldiers to remove and destroy signs and posters linked to an unofficial tradition between veteran troops and new recruits. The tradition is believed to involve ‘hazing’ – a practice in which older soldiers subject newcomers to unofficial rituals or treatment.

According to Ynet News, the soldiers said that the symbols had been part of the unit for years, had been carried into combat operations, and were passed down between generations of fighters as an element of the battalion’s traditions.

In their view, the destruction of these symbols was an attack on the unit’s morale and cohesion.

Meanwhile, the army command supported the battalion commander’s decision. The military said that the destroyed posters and symbols were linked to unofficial practices that included elements of humiliating new recruits.

The battalion commander also contacted the soldiers’ parents, explaining the reasons behind his actions.

According to him, the decision was made to put an end to traditions that had led to violence and the humiliation of younger soldiers.

He also emphasized that the removed signs had nothing to do with memorials or the commemoration of fallen soldiers, despite claims made by some soldiers.

Several hours after the incident, most of the troops returned to the unit’s base. One platoon of around 30–40 soldiers remained outside the base.

The IDF said that those who organized the unauthorized departure from the base will face disciplinary action by decision of the brigade commander.

Soldiers who do not return to their assigned posts will be officially declared as having gone absent without leave (AWOL), after which their cases will be handled by the military police.