IAF chief: Assaulting troops have no place in corps
Following assault on deputy squadron commander, Brigadier General Eshel publishes letter in which he states that violence will not be tolerated
The officer made the statements to Air Force Commander Brigadier General Amir Eshel who came to visit him at his home in the family residences at the base.
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Meanwhile, the general sent a special letter to the officers and troops in the air force in which he wrote: "These kinds of soldiers have no place in the corps and after the matter is concluded they will not be returning to the air force."
Brigadier General Eshel arrived at the deputy squadron leader, Major A's home and met both him and his wife. He spent an hour and a half with the family and said that this was a serious incident where all lines were crossed.
He added that he came over to tell the officer what he though in person in light of the accusations cast upon the officer by the suspects who claim that he made racist remarks.
In the past the officer was actively involved in two volunteer projects in the Ethiopian community and in one case, assisted an Ethiopian teen in enlisting to the air force.
"After something like that he discovers that he's being accused of racism, it is more painful than the attack itself," said one person who was present at the meeting.
The attack took place on Saturday afternoon when the deputy commander called out three soldiers over their reckless driving on the base, and filed a complaint against them on the matter.
The soldiers who were furious over the complaint threatened the officer and said that they would "settle accounts" with him. The three went to the pilots' residences with clubs, located the pilot and beat him until they were overpowered. They were arrested on Saturday and their remand was extended on Monday.
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