3 IDF soldiers handed jail sentences for beating Palestinian man in West Bank

Three Golani soldiers have been convicted and handed jail sentences over their involvement in an incident where troops beat a Palestinian man in the West Bank last month.

Two of the soldiers, who are convicted of abusing the Palestinian man, are sentenced to 60 days in military prison in a plea deal.

The third soldier is convicted of “exceeding authority to the point of risking life or health,” and is handed a 40-day jail sentence.

All three, who are additionally convicted of obstruction of justice, are also handed suspended sentences, and they are demoted to the rank of private.

The trial of a fourth soldier, who is accused of assault, abuse under aggravated circumstances, threats against the Palestinian victim, abuse of power, exceeding authority to the point of endangering life or health, obstruction of justice, and behavior unbecoming of a soldier, is still ongoing.

He will remain held in custody until May 30, following a recent remand hearing.

According to an indictment filed against the soldiers at a military court earlier this month, the four soldiers took a Palestinian man into their military jeep during a routine patrol in the West Bank in late April, and brought him to a secluded place where he was then beaten.

The Palestinian man was left by the soldiers in the secluded area, while suffering from various wounds, the indictment said.