The IDF once again is addressing a Golani Brigade rebellion, soldiers who abandoned their post in the Shechem area.

Soldiers from the 12th battalion, serving in the Shechem area, on Wednesday decided they have had enough of the “unacceptable attitude of their new company commander”, compelling the veteran soldiers to abandon their post and leave the area.

The ‘rebellion,’ the IDF’s 6th in the past 18 months, was perhaps the most embarrassing, as the officers of the rebellious soldiers chased after them into the Shomron community of Itamar, requesting they backtrack and  return to their post. This was taking place as the community’s residents looked on as the commanders urged them to return to the post. Their efforts were in vain and the soldiers got onto a bus heading to the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station.

The battalion commander got into his jeep and chased after the bus, signaling the driver to stop, which he did. The commander, in front of surprised passengers, made a last appeal to the soldiers to change their minds and return to base, but his efforts were in vain. They refused, perhaps realizing they have already been insubordinate and abandoned their post, and will be shortly visiting a military prison. The veteran soldier decided to take it to the end at this point.

Soldiers explain the new company commander, who assumed his post two months ago, is inflexible and is most unaccommodating regarding leaves and time off. They also accuse him of restricting their visits to physicians, and enforcing uniform regulations to a point of absurdity for veteran combatants in the field.

The rebellion came on the same day that Colonel Avi Peled assumed command of the Golani Brigade, placing this ‘hot potato’ directly in his lap as he enters his new post.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)