Kfir Brigade hazing suspects reach plea bargain

The Jaffa Military Court on Monday approved plea bargains reached between the prosecution and nine of the 10 defendants in the Kfir Brigade hazing case.

Under an amended indictment, the defendants confessed to aggravated assault and will serve 58 days in prison, of which seven will be deducted as part of a "holiday clemency."

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The court also discussed the issue of their demotion. The prosecution motioned to demote the combatants to corporals, but the defendants insisted they be demoted to privates. The reason: Combat pride which prevents them from wearing corporal ranks. Their request was accepted.

As part of the plea bargain, the defendants negotiated to have their criminal records expunged after five years. Negotiations with the 10th defendant are ongoing. "We have no intention of imposing a long criminal record," said the military prosecutor who cited the defendants' years of service.

Defendants in court (Photo: Moti Kimhi)

During the hearing, one of the defendants expressed his remorse. "We are aware of the severity of our actions and regret them. The 'seniority trial' was done in good spirits among comrades."

He noted that the victim had played along with the hazing. "Throughout our military service, we received numerous punches from our commanders and other soldiers and were always 'good sports' about it.

"The sadness and pain that we feel is not because of the punishments we will receive but because of the knowledge that we injured a fellow comrade. We ask for his forgiveness even before Yom Kippur."

Attorney Shai Roda, who represents one of the defendants, explained that his client does not feel he should wear a corporal's rank "because combatants don’t wear such ranks. It's humiliating to them."

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