IDF soldiers who cursed Israel, supported Palestine get one month in prison

The four soldiers who were arrested earlier this week after a video of them voicing disdain for Israel while supporting Jenin and the Palestinian cause surfaced on social media were sentenced to 30-day imprisonment by the IDF's Unit 6900 commander, the IDF's spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed.

Another soldier was sentenced to 21 days in military prison. An investigation was still being carried out by the Military Police's investigative unit, the IDF said on Tuesday.

It is as yet unclear when the video was made, but it ignited a wave of condemnation and raised concerns over their adherence to the values of the IDF.

In the video, the soldiers can be heard uttering phrases such as "Allah is with Jenin," "Allah is with Palestine," and "curse Israel." Additionally, the soldiers say in the video that it will serve as a pathway to reach God.

The IDF promptly responded, stating that the soldiers' behavior is in "direct contradiction to the principles and values held by the army."

The military assured that the matter will be dealt with in a significant manner. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit announced on Wednesday morning that the soldiers in the video were arrested on Tuesday night and that an investigation had been opened.

תיעוד פשוט מקומם ביום של פיגוע רצחני: חיילי צה"ל שמשרתים במרכז ההובלה תיעדו את עצמם (במועד שלא ידוע כרגע) מקללים את ישראל ותומכים בג'נין. מדובר צה"ל נמסר: "התנהלות החיילים מנוגדת לערכי צה״ל, והם יטופלו משמעתית". קרדיט: רץ ברשת, שימוש לפי סעיף 27א' pic.twitter.com/mLJ8xZUTfO

— ארנולד נטייב (@ArnoldNataev) June 20, 2023

Video surfaces days after fierce battle in Jenin

The release of this footage comes just days after a fierce battle in Jenin and the neighboring village of Burqin, during which five naval commandos and two IDF soldiers sustained injuries. 

The soldiers, who were positioned inside armored vehicles, were wounded by hidden explosives strategically placed along their escape routes. Furthermore, an air force helicopter targeted the Jenin area, following the identification of terrorists in an effort to ensure the safe evacuation of the wounded.

In response to the situation, hundreds of soldiers from the Kalkilya and Shechem sectors were mobilized to participate in the rescue mission. 

The operation was led by the Paratroopers Brigade, the Naval Commando Unit, and the Border Police, in collaboration with the Givati Brigade, Maglan, Duvdevan fighters, and the Shaked Battalion. 

However, the rescue operation was not without its own casualties, as a total of seven armored vehicles were damaged during the operation, and eight soldiers sustained injuries in the process.

Among the Palestinians, six men died and a further more than 90 were injured.