7 soldiers from Arrow unit detained for alleged abuse of junior troops

Seven soldiers serving in the Israeli Air Force’s Arrow air defense system array were detained Tuesday for the alleged abuse of junior soldiers in their unit as part of a so-called “hazing ritual.”

The IDF said a Military Police investigation was opened into “serious actions during ‘initiation ceremonies’ of veteran soldiers against juniors” in the 136th Air Defense Battalion, which operates the Arrow 2 and 3.

According to the Ynet news site, which first reported the story, the incidents included alleged acts of sodomy and took place over several weeks against around 10 new soldiers in the unit.

The report said the veteran soldiers were suspected of abuse, violence, threats, and sex crimes, and that investigators were checking if any of the alleged assaults occurred during the recent war against Iran, in which the unit played a key role in defending Israel against ballistic missile attacks.

According to Ynet, several of the suspects claimed in their initial interrogation that the acts were committed by mutual consent and “in jest.”

In a statement, the military said the investigation was still in its early stages “and it is not possible to comment on the actions taken at this stage.”

“The IDF is working to thoroughly investigate the suspicions and to bring those involved to justice,” it said, adding that “the IDF views any act of violence seriously and adopts a zero-tolerance approach toward initiation ceremonies of this and other kinds.”

According to Ynet, the incident is being viewed very gravely, with Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar personally involved in the investigation.

While there have been incidents of so-called “hazing” in the Israel Defense Forces in the past, they have generally taken place in infantry and commando units.