The father of an IDF
soldier who refused to destroy buildings in Gaza as part of an IDF operation
Sunday said his son did the right thing.
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“I’m proud of my son,” Rafael Beiber told Ynet.
The soldier, who had his rifle taken away following the incident, was brought to trial before Col. Avi Levi, commander of the IDF northern Gaza brigade.
However, the soldier refused to be tried by Col. Levi and demanded he be tried by a full military court. The matter will be decided by the military prosecutor general.
Beiber immigrated to Israel from New York nine years ago and currently lives in the West Bank settlement of Tekoa.
“He saw officers beating Jews and couldn’t take it,” said Rafael. He said his son told his officers several days ago he could not take part in an operation in which soldiers would clash with settlers.
Read Ynetnews' coverage of one of the hottest issues facing Israel today, military refusal
“He serves in this area and knows the settlers. It’s hard for him to see fighting between soldiers and settlers,” he said.
He also said the request was denied, and his son was told it would be considered in August, as the disengagement gets under way.
Beiber also said he has received congratulations for his son's actions from friends and acquaintances.
“My son did something courageous by not hiding his feelings,” he said.
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