About 100 Israel troops walk out from Sde Teiman base
The IDF warned those who do not return by 16.00 could be marked AWOL, as commanders investigate the incident.
About 100 Israel troops from the Tzabar Battalion, Givati Brigade, left the Sde Teiman base in southern Israel on Thursday after clashing with their commander. According to an Israeli military statement cited by The Times of Israel, the dispute was triggered by the commander’s decision to remove boards and symbols the soldiers had placed at the base. Some troops said the items were part of their company tradition, while the military said the messages demeaned new recruits. After the walkout, most of the soldiers returned to the base, but about one platoon still had not come back. The commander set a 16.00 deadline and warned that those absent would be recorded as AWOL and referred to the Military Police. The IDF said the incident ran counter to the force’s values and was being handled by commanders.