IDF says 'No' to rightists
The IDF postponed draft of five teens who acted against security forces during disengagement, Ynet reveals. The army and the political system are firm on their stance against recruitment of such individuals, high ranking officer says
"There is a clear message that theses teens should not be drafted," a high ranking IDF officer told Ynet Tuesday.
"However, once all court proceedings against them are completed, and in the event of a conviction, the chief of staff and the defense minister will decide on their fate in the matter," he added.
According to statistics collected by Colonel Amir Rogovsky, head of the Drafting Administration, more than a hundred teens are currently facing criminal charges or are under police investigation, for assaulting police and security forces during the evacuation of settlers from Gush Katif and the West Bank.
"The incidents in question involve assault, resisting legal activities and the blocking of roads," the top officer said.
"As a rule, the draft of all new recruits who are involved in a criminal investigation is suspended until the proceedings are finalized. We then look into the question of whether or not to draft each individual," he explained.
The chief of staff and the political system were very firm in their stance against the recruitment of such people, the officer added.
Army service is a 'right'
Security forces clashed with settlers last week in efforts to remove newly erected illegal outposts near the settlement of Elon Moreh.
A total of 50 punctured tires, damaged military vehicles, and a burned down army van is only part of the damage reported in the aftermath of the evacuation of the new West Bank outposs
Army officers later said settlers were out of control and added the situation was worse than during disengagement.
Following the incidents security officials and politicians rushed to condemn the settlers’ violence against IDF and police personnel, asking the government to prevent offenders from joining the army.
Yet not everyone supports such measures against individuals who use violence against security officials. IDF Manpower Directorate Head Elazar Stern, who was attacked in Naveh Dekalim during the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip over summer, says following Tuesday’s decision that “service in the IDF is a right.”
The IDF’s spokesperson told Ynet that the army is exploring legal ways to keep out from its ranks teens with criminal records related to their involvement n violent activities against security officials during the disengagement.
