IDF soldier Pvt. Hassan Yekutiel was acquitted of assault and other charges together with another soldier regarding an incident in July (reported HERE on YWN) in which they allegedly verbally assaulted and physically attacked a Druse border policeman, Sgt. Raad Zaiden.

It was alleged that a group of people, members of the Druse community, arrived at the Atlit base for a picnic when they were targeted with racial slurs and eventually, physically assaulted.

The military court exonerated Yekutiel and co-defendant Liad Yitach, and had harsh words for police, who were too quick to believe the allegations leveled against the soldiers without evidence to substantiate the allegations.

Attorney Aryeh Avriel was also very critical of police and is demanding the two be reinstated and permitted to complete their military service with in an honorable fashion. He has sent a letter to IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi calling upon him to reinstate his clients to their elite unit since it has now been determined that they have done nothing wrong.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)