Seven soldiers serving in the Israeli Air Force’s Arrow air defense system array were detained last night for the alleged abuse of junior soldiers in their unit as part of a hazing ritual.
The IDF says a Military Police investigation has been 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 Ynet news, the incidents took place over several weeks against around 10 new soldiers in the unit, and included alleged acts of sodomy. The report says the veteran soldiers are suspected of abuse, violence, threats, and sex crimes.
“The investigation is in its early stages, and it is not possible to comment on the actions taken at this stage,” the IDF says in response.
“The IDF is working to thoroughly investigate the suspicions and to bring those involved to justice,” it says, adding that “the IDF views any act of violence seriously and adopts a zero-tolerance approach toward initiation ceremonies of this and other kinds.”
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