IDF dissolves platoon, punishes commanders after reservists vandalize West Bank camp

The IDF has dismantled a platoon of reservists and dismissed several officers for vandalizing Palestinian property during a raid in the Deheisha refugee camp near Bethlehem last week.

During a counter-terror raid in the camp on April 2, soldiers “graffitied slogans on buildings in the village, as well as vandalized equipment, in a way that exceeds the procedures and commands given prior to the operation,” the IDF says.

The operation was halted, the graffiti was covered up, and the commander of the West Bank division. Brig. Gen. Yaki Dolf and commander of the Etzion Regional Brigade, Col. Gal Rich, launched an investigation.

The findings are handed to IDF Central Command Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, who says the “grave” incident “contradicts the level of professionalism and values expected of IDF soldiers.”

The IDF says the commander of the battalion whose troops carried out the vandalism was reprimanded, and it will go on his permanent record; a company commander who was present during the incident was dismissed from his role; another company commander was reprimanded; two additional commanders and several soldiers involved in the incident were all dismissed.

In addition, the IDF says the platoon involved in the vandalism was dismantled.