Israeli army battalion lays down weapons to protest commander’s removal

ANKARA

An Israeli army battalion laid down weapons and refused to participate in training in protest of the removal of their commander, according to Israeli media on Wednesday.

Soldiers of the army’s elite Golani Brigades put their weapons inside a training building and left their base in protest of a decision to remove their commander, The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported.

The Golani soldiers were called for a disciplinary conversation during which they defended their action saying they "did not leave their weapons unattended and they left them under the supervision of others," the newspaper said.

In a statement, the soldiers said they "are tired of being silent. For a long time, we have been disrespected by the battalions responsible for us."

The Israeli army said the incident was being investigated.

"This is a serious incident that is not in line with IDF [Israeli army] values. The incident is being investigated and dealt with,” a military spokesperson said.

In recent weeks, hundreds of Israeli reservist soldiers, including reservist pilots, refused to join trainings or to show up for duty in protest against plans by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for judicial overhaul.

While the government argues that the plans would enhance democracy and restore the balance between the legislative, executive and judicial powers, the opposition views them as an attempt to reduce powers of the judicial authority in favor of executive.

Last month, Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, bowed to pressure and announced a temporary halt to the judicial overhaul plans.