From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
IDF condemns serious incident as Golani company deserts to protest new commander
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
In an unusual incident in the army, an entire company of troops in the Golani Brigade left their base in apparent anger over being given a new commander.
The Israel Defense Forces condemns the mass desertion, saying it is “a serious incident that is not consistent with IDF values and what is expected of IDF soldiers.”
According to reports, the company was given a new commander who originally was in the Paratroopers Brigade, which angered the troops.
An image circulating on social media shows a pile of firearms the soldiers left behind after they were told about their new company commander.
פלוגה בגדוד 51 של חטיבת גולני פתחו באירוע נפקדות, השאירו את הנשקים ביחידה ועזבו אותה במחאה על הדחת מפקדם והחלפתו במ״פ מהצנחנים.
מדובר בפלוגת לוחמים בגולני תחת פיקודה של חטיבה 7. הלוחמים הניחו את נשקם ויצאו הביתה כי מפקד הפלוגה העובר מתפקידו.
לפי גורם בצה״ל בשעות אלה מתקיים… pic.twitter.com/n0RQSg3eRs— ???????? נועם אמיר (@noamamir74) April 18, 2023
The soldiers are expected to face disciplinary action once they are brought back to base.
