A number of weeks ago an IDF soldier stabbed a fellow soldier with two kitchen knives in the Adam facility. According to a story published in the daily Haaretz, the soldier during questioning explained to police he stabbed his fellow soldier for taunting him by making fun of Rav Amnon Yitzchak. The indictment against the soldier states he used two large kitchen knives to stab his friend in a hand and leg. The intended victim managed to evade the attack and flee his attacker. The attacker ran after him shouting “I will slaughter you like a pig”.
A number of soldiers ran after the knife-wielding soldier, who when he saw he was being chased threw the knives over the base fence. Finally, after an officer drew his handgun did the attacker halt, at which time he was placed in custody.
The defense counsel, Major Merav Hershkowitz-Yitzchaki maintains his client has suffered mental trauma as a result of the incident, and his condition is quite serious today. After assaulting his friend the suspect was admitted to a psychiatric unit and his unfolding mental history place question marks on his induction and lack of mental health care during his service.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
The DEFENSE counsel, Major Merav Hershkowitz-Yitzchaki maintains his client has suffered mental trauma as a result of the incident. Well, gee, what about the guy he attacked?
Vigor better for use against real enemies.
1. Were they kitchen workers. Kitchen workers who don’t respect kashrus (stabbling someone with a kitchen knife is a serious halachic violation) are a problem.
2. Berserkers make very bas soldiers, at least in the 21st century. Someone who loses their temper and starts killing people may have been a good soldier when armies lined up on a field and starting swinging club and chopping with swords, but it isn’t a skill needed anymore.
3. The Israeli view that military service is the leading “mitzva” of a citizen’s life leads to them conscripting many people who they not only do not need, but who probably cost more to have in the army than a civilian employee would charge. The army really should not feel obligated to conscript people who are serious handicapped just so they have the opportunty to serve.
Akuperma,
Isn’t stabbing someone ALSo a serious violation of Halacha?
#4- The army apparently knows that. Even hilonim hold that stabbling someone is wrong.