The Israeli military announced it will court-martial a reservist serving in Gaza who filmed a video in uniform expressing political support for Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, saying troops are 'preparing the ground for settlement' in the Strip. The IDF stated that political expression in uniform is strictly forbidden and that the reservist will be tried shortly.
The IDF announced on Thursday evening that a reservist serving in the Gaza Strip will be court-martialed after filming a video in uniform expressing political support for Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. In the video, the reservist says troops are 'preparing the ground for settlement' and names the former Israeli settlements of Ali Sinai and Dogit, which were evacuated in the 2005 disengagement. The IDF spokesman said the soldier's behavior is in 'complete violation of orders' and that political expression by soldiers in uniform is prohibited. The reservist, who is not named, will be tried shortly. The incident comes amid ongoing public debate about soldiers' political expression and the future of Israeli presence in Gaza.
2 developments
- DevelopingEizenkot speaks out against Israeli settlement in Gaza Strip
- DevelopingNetanyahu Urged to End Gaza Occupation and Advance Settlement in Northern Strip Before Elections
- StrongMK Avichai Boaron says he will join Gaza march, calls for re-settlement of the Strip
- DevelopingDeputy commander of dismissed soldier calls on El HaDerech members to protest in uniform near Knesset
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