Petitions are circulating on Facebook in support of IDF Lt.-Colonel Shalom Eisner in the hope of assisting him following his suspension from duty pending the outcome of the investigation into the incident.

The Srugim website, a dati leumi forum, explains that the decision of IDF Central District Commander Nitzan Alon to suspend Eisner from duty did not come of a surprise since the senior officer is known for his left-wing leanings in addition to the fact he simply took his cue from the prime minister and IDF chief of staff, both condemning Eisner before the announced suspension. This aside, the fact that the right-wing dati leumi news website opposing the petitions has some surprised.

Srugim feels that while it does not feel the officer should be ousted from the IDF for his actions, it is simply incorrect to become involved in such a process – citing it is wrong for the general public to attempt to influence internal IDF matters.

“Today it is a petition to prevent ousting a certain office and tomorrow, there will be petitions calling to amend open fire orders; to address the color of a unit’s beret or even addressing the number of hours new inductees sleep during basic training”.

The report cites the IDF is not a democracy, nor should it be one, and as such, such petitions are out of place.

“Despite the injustice against Lt.-Colonel Eisner, a petition will not be effective. If the IDF makes a mistake we do not need to make another and contribute to the destruction of the IDF hierarchy. A civilian petition will not do any good in this case and in the long run, it may even cause harm”, the report concludes.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)