The Israel Air Force is expected to dismiss a non-commissioned officer this week after he had announced his refusal to participate in the evacuation of settlers during the scheduled pullout from Gaza andparts of the West Bank, Ynet has learned Sunday.
During the past few days the non-commissioned officer, an electronics engineer in his training stationed at the southern “Palmachim” IAF base, told his commanding officers he would not be able to participate in the disengagement on moral grounds and would therefore not take part in pre-pullout training exercises in Ashkelon.
His commanders told him disciplinary action would be taken against him if he would not comply with IDF demands.
The soldier’s father told Ynet his son had consulted him before reaching the decision.
“He told me he is simply incapable of being a part f this mission,” he said. “Of course he would not be glad to go to prison, but he does not want to participate in the pullout either.”
According to the father, his son was notified he would be discharged from the IAF within the next two weeks.
The IDF has confirmed the report, stating that the soldier made clear of his intentions to disobey an order and would therefore be discharged from the army.
“The IDF does not tolerate acts of insubordination and deals with each such case in a determined manner,” the IDF said in a statement, adding that disciplinary action would be taken against all insubordinate troops.
Should the soldier be tried before a military court, the judges may demote him, sentence him to a prison term and perhaps even “tarnish” him with a criminal record.
IDF legal sources confirmed the IDF plans to try insubordinate career officers before a military court.