It appears that IDF Shimshon Battalion soldiers Achiya Ovadia and Aryeh Arbus, who protested the unit’s participation in removing Jews from their N. Shomron homes as was reported by YWN-Israel, have started a movement, albeit small in numbers.

Members of the IDF Nachshon Battalion on Monday followed suit, raising a similar protest banner on their base after news spread that the IDF Civil Administration destroyed two homes in the Beit HaKerem neighborhood of Neguhot, in the S. Chevron Hills. The sign read “Nachshon Battalion soldiers do not expel Jews either”.

Both Nachshon and Shimshon are part of the Kfir Brigade. The soldiers were summoned to their commander’s office.

The act of the Shimshon soldiers earned the praise of rabbonim including HaGaon HaRav Dov Lior Shlita. Alternatively, Pinchas Wallerstein, the executive director of the Settlement Council, condemned the move, warning we mustn’t permit political differences divide the IDF.  

MK (Ichud HaLeumi) Dr. Michael Ben-Ari called on Defense Minister Ehud Barak to begin a probe, explaining IDF soldiers are not intended to take part in the eviction of Jews.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)