IDF closes case against officer who attacked journalists

Military investigators closed a case against a Givati Brigade officer who was dismissed from his post after soldiers were filmed assaulting two AFP journalists.

After investigating the case, and in light of the officer’s dismissal and impending release from service, the military police decided to close the case against the officer without pressing charges, senior IDF sources told Walla news.

Earlier this month the officer was removed from his post after he and soldiers under his command were filmed destroying cameras belonging to two AFP journalists near Nablus in the West Bank.

“Italian videographer Andrea Bernardi and Palestinian photographer Abbas Momani were covering clashes between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers in Beit Furik near Nablus after a funeral when they were assaulted,” AFP said in a news report recalling the incident.

“Soldiers threatened them with their weapons while also hitting and shoving them. Bernardi was thrown to the ground and held there with a knee against his chest and a gun pointed at his face until he managed to show his press card,” the French news agency said.

“The soldiers also smashed a video camera and a stills camera, and took away another stills camera and a mobile phone,” AFP said.

The officer, identified only as “A” in keeping with army regulations, served as a deputy company commander in the Givati infantry brigade until his removal.

A’s behavior faced withering criticism in hearings held by commanders from the battalion to the command level.

“This was a serious incident from an ethical and command perspective that will be investigated and its lessons learned,” the IDF said in a statement.