...arab, "a MINOR", is highly misleading. That is a western standard. Arabs are considered men at a much younger age than in western culture. (Yes, Israel does operate by western standards.) Was the young man injured? If not, then the "abuse" charge is a bit hollow. Intimidation and negligence charges against a conscripted teen soldier who is only a year older than the "victim", is a touch over the top as well. They are both kids. That said, she must be punished. Dishonorable discharge, and a few years of some kind of community service sounds about right. Prison for this is ridiculous, if she did not actually cause the other teen any real injury. And yes, I agree with her lawyer. Putting teens into the border police is idiotic. This should be a job done by experienced career servicemen or reservists.

Arabs can scream "Death to the Jews" until the cows come home, but Jews cannot respond in kind? I'm not saying that it makes for the best manners in the world, but contemplate the likelihood that this young woman has a very good reason for disliking Arabs. Most Israelis do. Six wars, seven decades of terror -- what's not to dislike?

First of all, a 17 year old is not a minor and not an innocent bystander...He was armed to kill Israelis and he was fully aware what he is about to do...The fact, that he might have been brainwashed and forced to do it, does not apply, considering his age(17). I see the victim here and it is not the "helpless minor"...It is Shani Sivilya and and our IDF troops and the innocent Israeli citizens, who are being put on the "altar" in the name of Apeasement of our sworn enemies, who in respond to our kindness, will only intensify their attacks on US...

I will defend the IDF to the hilt but there is no excuse for someone in an IDF uniform to drag themselves down to our enemies' level. Israelis are better than that. This girl should be jailed for abusing her position and for bringing the IDF into disrepute.

no matter whos side does it... in days when incident like this is inflated in the world press ...israel can ill aford unnecesary incident of this nature. The old saying two wrongs don't make a right applys here. Let the Evil deeds of hamas be broadcast from the mountian tops... if not responded to in kind it will be harder for them to do the same.

#3: Um... Sarah, I hope you know that in all those wars a lot more Palestinian citizens (people's families) were killed by Israel. Much more than the Israeli casualties. But I'm not at all surprised you approve this behaivour from the "most moral army in the worl". Kind of ironic, you compared the IDF to Hamas right there. Lol

The young mans name isn't even mentioned (because he is a minor after all), yet you know so much about him. Israel should hire you to spy, you'd do an amazing job! You know so much about the Arabs, I have to wonder why you aren't a Mossad agent yet.

Not the first time this happens, it's just not released in the news too often. But if you look hard enough, you'll find it. Not at all as "moral" as you all claim.

Perhaps you are not aware, but all six of the Arab-Israeli wars were started by the Arabs. Please don't hate us just because we kicked your asses to the curb so often. You're lucky we didn't drop the hammer on you. Keep it up and we just might.

This is tame compared to what U.S. soldiers did at Abu Ghraib.

I am sure the prosecutor is proud about his job. Pity that 90% of Israelis believe he is working against our boys and that he should be sent to the front so he changes his mind, Shame on JAG! Shame on Israeli legal system!

She looks the part like the psycho that she is LOL!!!!!

I completely agree with you...A dangerous trend seems to be emerging in Israel:convictions and persecutions of Israelis, who are risking their lives to defend their Homeland and those who even dare mentioning, that when attacked,we have the right to defend our life by killing the enemy... Though Shani Sevilya was not acting approprietly, this case should not have gotten out "proportion"... We should never forget what they are doing to Gilad Shalit, we do remember the recent masacre of a Shomron Jewish Family, etc..etc..

An Arab youth today, and you'll be doing it to your own tomorrow like the west. Or strapping bombs on them like the Arabs.

A soldier's duty is to obey lawful orders given.to them. Whether her actions were understandable or not she disobeyed orders. If the IDF treats her differently from any other soldier who disobeys orders - then the army has reduced its own stature and the respect due it. And it therefore has placed all of Israel's citizens at greater risk.

"death to Arabs"- Jews are Arabs too, "Arabs are whores"- whore needs to be explained to her. Shani should apologize directly to this young man. He may have the honor to accept her apology and ask the court to have leniency on her. This could be said racist but because Jews are Arabs too, it sounds more like discrimiation because he is Palestinian/ Arab. It's disturbing to read Shani's claims that "You could say we became immune to the level of violence we ran into every day". What is going on? Sevilya claims the incident was a case of ineptitude and the result of a strenuous time in her military service and personal life. She needs some right kind of assistance.

" If they had the opportunity to hurt me they wouldn't think twice," I wonder why?

Don't worry, she will get the sentence that the Israeli justice systems typically imposes when it comes to a Jew harming or abusing an Arab. She may be demoted and perhaps docked some pay. That will be all she faces for abusing, beating, and assaulting a Palestinian minor under the Israeli Injustice System.

This young lady’s (who is no lady) behavior is totally unexcitable and should be prosecuted and punished to the full extent of the law! She is not as innocent as she claims to be, nor did she act “under pressure”! Her Facebook posts attest to her brutal sick character.

but not this time.

This soldier was infected by Zionist hate. Perhaps even Israelis are learning the cost of their racism and ethnic cleansing. Salute, Israeli Judge, for your strength in the face of tyranny. Good luck.