Reserves troops back 'Homesh protest'
Reserves soldiers, officers from Shimshon Battalion send letter to commanders in support of recruits who waved signs against evacuation of West Bank settlement at swearing-in ceremony, express 'shame' they feel in battalion's recent actions and 'urge commanders to 'stop acting on to political whims'
Several weeks after Shimshon Battalion cadets waved sings reading, "We won't evacuate Homesh" at an IDF swearing-in ceremony at the Western Wall, 25 of the battalion's reserves soldiers and officers wrote a particularly harsh letter to their commanders, urging them to "stop acting on all kinds of political whims, and go back to the true national missions – a crushing war against terrorists and enemies."
The letter was addressed to Shomron Brigade commander Colonel Itzik Bar, and commander of the Shimshon Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Zion Shenkor, who the signatories say led the evacuation and the Shabbat desecration in the settlement.
"We, the past soldiers of Shimshon and the present reserves solders, who wish to take our beloved Shimshon Brigade back to the days of its splendor and gallantry, hereby turn to the regiment commander and the brigade commander to help us with this important mission," the letter read.
"We fought with the battalion in Gush Katif, in Netzarim, in Nisanit and in Gush Etzion, we were part of a fighting family in which everyone knew who the enemy was and how to treat it. The battalion's commanders' occupation with political whims in the ruins of Homesh in Samaria in recent months, the observation and persecution of Jews, the joyous cries as if they were among the greatest terrorists – these all cause us great shame."
Recruits carrying sign during Kotel ceremony (Photo: Courtesy of Homesh First)
The letter's signatories showed understanding of the recruits' actions at the Western Wall. Following the incident, the recruits were sentences to 20-days imprisonment and were expelled from the battalion.
"It's no wonder that the battalion's recruits are anxious about their military future with the end of their course, and are concerned that their military talents may be exploited to carry out political policies that have no relation to the security needs of the State of Israel. All this leads us to take extreme steps, in an attempt to protest against and fight this trend."
Lieutenant Arieh Idels (res.) who was commander of a fighter division, explained what led him to sign the letter. "I fought for four years in the Shimshon Battalion, I loved the battalion and I was proud of it. Today I am simply full of shame. It is hard for me to say that this is my battalion, these are not the values I was educated on – of adamant fighting against the enemy, making contact, initiative, surprise and creativity in striking the terrorists, the enemies."
Staff sergeant Yedidya Noiman also had harsh words, "I am not a settler, and not a political activist, I also don't know if I would have waved signs as a soldier; but the acts that the battalion has unfortunately carried out in the evacuation of Jews in recent months are mainly the acts of political policing.
"I served in the Shimshon Battalion back in Gaza and I fought as a proud soldier in the battalion, both in the Second Lebanon war and during Operation Cast Lead. I'm ashamed today that the battalion deals mainly with activity against Jews."
On Saturday night a festive reception will be held in Jerusalem honoring the two recruits who held up the signs at the Western Wall. The reception will be held by supporting organizations, and Kiryat Arba Rabbi Dov Lior, council heads and family members are slated to attend.
An anonymous donor from the United States recently transferred to the recruits' families NIS 1,100 (about $290) for each night they spent in jail – totalling NIS 22,000 (roughly $5,800) each.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in response: "The Shimshon Battalion is one of the best battalion's in the IDF. Its commanders work day and night in the war on terror and prevent attacks in the Judea and Samaria Region and within the State of Israel and they are worthy of all esteem.
"The IDF Spokesperson's unit wishes to clarify that the IDF is subordinate to the authority of the elected government of Israel and follows its instructions. The reserves service is not a volunteer service, but is carried out by law. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit suggests all bodies leave the IDF, its commanders and its troops out of any political debates in Israel. This is necessary to enable the IDF to maintain its character, its and its ability to carry out its missions."
