'Abusive' officer promoted to commander post

Despite recommendation to dismiss him, officer accused of beating soldiers moves up in ranks

Yoav Zitun|Published: 06.27.12 , 00:48

An IDF officer reprimanded for beating his soldiers has been promoted recently to the role of a company commander, Ynet has learned.

Last November, General (res.) Yitzhak Brick, the ombudsman charged with reviewing soldier's complaints, recommended to dismiss the deputy commander for allegedly using violence against soldiers belonging to a snipers unit within the Paratroopers Brigade.

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Two months before the recommendation was made, the soldiers deserted their base, claiming to have been abused by their commanders. They complained they were beaten and pelted with various objects. Brick noted that the events point to moral and operational failings. He urged the army to take measures against the unit's commanders.

The officer was indeed removed from the deputy commander position, but instead of being discharged he was assigned to take the prestigious company commander course within weeks. In less than two months, he is to take charge of new recruits joining the Paratroopers Brigade's 890th battalion.

The decision to promote him was approved by Brick, who is said to have examined the case closely.

The newly-minted commander hails from an elite unit and is considered an excellent officer despite the abuse accusations.

"He is an outstanding officer who held a number of positions and was punished for a specific case that is uncharacteristic of his military career," the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said. "Therefore there was nothing to prevent him from becoming a company commander."