Western Wall protest
Photo: Miri Tzahi, courtesy of Homesh First
Protesting IDF recruits to get NIS 22,000
Anonymous American donor to give families of two soldiers who held signs against settlement evacuation during oath taking ceremony NIS 1,100 for every night they spent in prison. Army dismisses recruits from Kfir Brigade for good
Two recruits from the Shimshon Battalion, who have been incarcerated for 20 days
after raising signs protesting the evacuation of settlements
during their oath taking ceremony at the Western Wall are expected to receive NIS 1,100 (about $298) for each night they spend in jail.
On Sunday, the two troops were sentenced by Kfir Brigade Commander Colonel Amban and were dismissed from the brigade, which is permanently stationed at the West Bank, for good.
The money will be given to the soldiers by an anonymous American donor.
Internal Rift
Efrat Weiss
Dispute erupts among settlers after Yesha Council Chairman Pinchas Wallerstein condemns IDF recruits who raised signs against settlement evacuation during oath taking ceremony
According to sources in the right-wing SOS Israel organization, which will transfer the money, the donor identifies with the recruits' act of protest. The reward will be given to the soldiers' families in a ceremony which will be held next week.
"The goal of this prize is to encourage the parents of the soldiers who have had the privilege of raising such wonderful sons to love the land and mend the rifts in the Israeli society. We call on the army to cancel the soldiers' detention and return them to their positions," SOS Israel Chairman Rabbi Dov Wolpe told Ynet.
The Israel Defense Forces did not address the financial reward given to the soldiers, but strongly attacked the fact that soldiers took advantage of a military ceremony to protest.
Central Command Chief Avi Mizrahi noted that the IDF must not be dragged into the political discourse and that factionalism must not be created within the army, which is the people's army.
IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said he viewed the incident as severe, adding that IDF soldiers must not be used for external interests.
Military sources added that the army would no longer engage in this specific matter, but added that soldiers must be reminded constantly that they are serving in the army and that there is no room for expressing such opinions in a military framework.
