3 june 2015
Zionist Camp representative Tzibi Livni said, today, that the crisis in Israeli-United States relations was not a personal or diplomatic issue but rather an issue in terms of Israeli security.
In an interview broadcasted this morning, Livni did not seem to consider Israel as needing to improve its media or change its policies despite the world’s loss of faith in the prime minister’s ever-changing opinions -- as she put it.
Livni also criticized the Palestinian side, saying however that if there was to be no partner at Israel’s side, Israel would just take the initiative on its own.
According to the PNN, this comes just after US President Barack Obama, in an interview broadcast Tuesday, said that Israel risks losing “credibility” over Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu’s stance on the two-state solution and criticized Netanyahu’s failure to stick to one opinion.
Before his election on 17 March, Netanyahu’s electioneering campaign said that he would not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state. He then asked recently for a return to negotiations over a two-state solution.
Obama said Netanyahu’s statements on the subject after the election have had “so many caveats, so many conditions, that it is not realistic to think that those conditions would be met any time in the near future,” The Guardian reported.
In an interview broadcasted this morning, Livni did not seem to consider Israel as needing to improve its media or change its policies despite the world’s loss of faith in the prime minister’s ever-changing opinions -- as she put it.
Livni also criticized the Palestinian side, saying however that if there was to be no partner at Israel’s side, Israel would just take the initiative on its own.
According to the PNN, this comes just after US President Barack Obama, in an interview broadcast Tuesday, said that Israel risks losing “credibility” over Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu’s stance on the two-state solution and criticized Netanyahu’s failure to stick to one opinion.
Before his election on 17 March, Netanyahu’s electioneering campaign said that he would not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state. He then asked recently for a return to negotiations over a two-state solution.
Obama said Netanyahu’s statements on the subject after the election have had “so many caveats, so many conditions, that it is not realistic to think that those conditions would be met any time in the near future,” The Guardian reported.
United States President Barack Obama, Tuesday, blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's diplomacy terms for failure to advance peace with the Palestinians, saying that Israel seems to have lost its international credibility as a potential peacemaker.
In an interview with the Israeli Channel II, Obama suggested that continued US diplomatic defense for Israel at the United Nations over the Palestinian cause may be reviewed, though he reaffirmed US commitment towards Israeli security.
WAFA additionally reports that the US president said he was pessimistic about decades of negotiations on Palestinian statehood bearing any fruit during the 18 months he has left in office. “I don't see the likelihood of a framework agreement … The question is how do we create some building blocks of trust and progress.”
Obama said Netanyahu's position “has so many caveats, so many conditions that it is not realistic to think that those conditions would be met at any time in the near future.”
“So the danger is that Israel as a whole loses credibility. Already, the international community does not believe that Israel is serious about a two-state solution.”
“Well, here's the challenge. If in fact there is no prospect of an actual peace process, if nobody believes there is a peace process, then it becomes more difficult to argue with those who are concerned about settlement construction, those who are concerned about the current situation,” he said.
“It is more difficult for me to say to them, 'Be patient, wait, because we have a process here.”
Obama said that both Israelis and Palestinians should work with the United States to “move off what appears right now to be a hopeless situation and move it back toward a hopeful situation”.
In an interview with the Israeli Channel II, Obama suggested that continued US diplomatic defense for Israel at the United Nations over the Palestinian cause may be reviewed, though he reaffirmed US commitment towards Israeli security.
WAFA additionally reports that the US president said he was pessimistic about decades of negotiations on Palestinian statehood bearing any fruit during the 18 months he has left in office. “I don't see the likelihood of a framework agreement … The question is how do we create some building blocks of trust and progress.”
Obama said Netanyahu's position “has so many caveats, so many conditions that it is not realistic to think that those conditions would be met at any time in the near future.”
“So the danger is that Israel as a whole loses credibility. Already, the international community does not believe that Israel is serious about a two-state solution.”
“Well, here's the challenge. If in fact there is no prospect of an actual peace process, if nobody believes there is a peace process, then it becomes more difficult to argue with those who are concerned about settlement construction, those who are concerned about the current situation,” he said.
“It is more difficult for me to say to them, 'Be patient, wait, because we have a process here.”
Obama said that both Israelis and Palestinians should work with the United States to “move off what appears right now to be a hopeless situation and move it back toward a hopeful situation”.
1 june 2015
Efrat Jacob on campus after she exposed her lecturer for harassment.
University says it was unaware of accusations and instigates police investigation, while NGO claims it knew of at least five cases on harassment.
The Hebrew University in Jerusalem is in turmoil in the wake of a report by the NGO “One of One”, which claims that 11 lecturers from the school performed lewd acts with female students, some of which amount to rape.
The Hebrew University's official response has been that it is unaware of the cases that were brought to light by the report, but that it has filed a report with the Jerusalem police so they can pursue an investigation on the matter.
Only a month has passed since Mario Schneider, a professor at the university, was forced to leave his position after sexually harassing female students. According to witnesses, Schneider said among other things that, “I heard that all Yemenite woman are hot”. The same professor was forced to compensate another female student, Efrat Jacob, who was a victim of Schneider and who exposed his identity in a Facebook post.
The NGO's report represents a troubling reality today in which the phenomenon of sexual harassment is more widespread than previously perceived.
“One of One”, which works toward helping victims of sexual violence, has demanded that the university hold an emergency session of the managing council, in light of the troubling rise in sexual harassment cases, and the lack of action by the university.
Gal Shargil, head of the NGO, claims that the university knew of five cases in which lecturers had sexually assaulted female students, including cases of rape. Some of these cases occurred during the current school year, and others occurred on the Hebrew University campus. Shargil additionally mentioned that the university knew of six other lecturers who were sexually harassing female students on an ongoing basis.
The group’s report additionally points the blame at the poor treatment that victims receive, stating that this treatment dissuades victims from filling reports, due to a number of built-in conflicts of interest.
The report goes on to point out that: “Three ad hoc committees have been created to fix the current system, to little avail. This serves to point to the university's determination to deal with the issue. Thus it is important that the managing council take it upon itself to solve the ongoing problem, which is the reasoning behind our demand to hold an emergency session of the council, with a representative from our group on hand”.
The university has stated in response that: “The cases being referred to in the letter were never brought to the attention of the university, and we haven’t received a complaint or inquiry on the matter. The university has contacted 'One of One' to receive the information they have, in order to investigate the matter. The university has yet to receive a response. Additionally the university has filed a report with Jerusalem police in order to further investigate the matter.”
The Jerusalem police said in response: “A report was received today from the security chief of the university regarding the report by 'One of One', which claims several cases of sexual harassment against female students. An investigation into the matter has been opened”. Likud minister Gila Gamliel, whose remit includes gender equality and the advancement of young people, said: "Regarding the law I passed on teacher-student relationships in academia, we are witnessing that female students still cannot study with peace of mind.
"This situation, in which the Israeli education system has turned into a place that fosters cases of sexual harassment and assault, requires an immediate debate in the Council for Higher Education. I plan on turning to the minister of education so that such a debate will occur at the earliest opportunity."
University says it was unaware of accusations and instigates police investigation, while NGO claims it knew of at least five cases on harassment.
The Hebrew University in Jerusalem is in turmoil in the wake of a report by the NGO “One of One”, which claims that 11 lecturers from the school performed lewd acts with female students, some of which amount to rape.
The Hebrew University's official response has been that it is unaware of the cases that were brought to light by the report, but that it has filed a report with the Jerusalem police so they can pursue an investigation on the matter.
Only a month has passed since Mario Schneider, a professor at the university, was forced to leave his position after sexually harassing female students. According to witnesses, Schneider said among other things that, “I heard that all Yemenite woman are hot”. The same professor was forced to compensate another female student, Efrat Jacob, who was a victim of Schneider and who exposed his identity in a Facebook post.
The NGO's report represents a troubling reality today in which the phenomenon of sexual harassment is more widespread than previously perceived.
“One of One”, which works toward helping victims of sexual violence, has demanded that the university hold an emergency session of the managing council, in light of the troubling rise in sexual harassment cases, and the lack of action by the university.
Gal Shargil, head of the NGO, claims that the university knew of five cases in which lecturers had sexually assaulted female students, including cases of rape. Some of these cases occurred during the current school year, and others occurred on the Hebrew University campus. Shargil additionally mentioned that the university knew of six other lecturers who were sexually harassing female students on an ongoing basis.
The group’s report additionally points the blame at the poor treatment that victims receive, stating that this treatment dissuades victims from filling reports, due to a number of built-in conflicts of interest.
The report goes on to point out that: “Three ad hoc committees have been created to fix the current system, to little avail. This serves to point to the university's determination to deal with the issue. Thus it is important that the managing council take it upon itself to solve the ongoing problem, which is the reasoning behind our demand to hold an emergency session of the council, with a representative from our group on hand”.
The university has stated in response that: “The cases being referred to in the letter were never brought to the attention of the university, and we haven’t received a complaint or inquiry on the matter. The university has contacted 'One of One' to receive the information they have, in order to investigate the matter. The university has yet to receive a response. Additionally the university has filed a report with Jerusalem police in order to further investigate the matter.”
The Jerusalem police said in response: “A report was received today from the security chief of the university regarding the report by 'One of One', which claims several cases of sexual harassment against female students. An investigation into the matter has been opened”. Likud minister Gila Gamliel, whose remit includes gender equality and the advancement of young people, said: "Regarding the law I passed on teacher-student relationships in academia, we are witnessing that female students still cannot study with peace of mind.
"This situation, in which the Israeli education system has turned into a place that fosters cases of sexual harassment and assault, requires an immediate debate in the Council for Higher Education. I plan on turning to the minister of education so that such a debate will occur at the earliest opportunity."
Eden Abergil caused a storm with a Facebook post showing her with blindfolded Palestinian prisoners.
New guidelines clearly define dos and don'ts for soldiers using Facebook, Twitter and even Whatsapp, and leave little wriggle room.
The IDF is facing a new enemy – social media. Snap-happy soldiers are sharing the more sensitive aspects of their lives online, where not everyone watching is a friend.
Soldiers are updating their lives at the base, at home, on the bus, causing a major headache for the army when statuses, photos and videos go one step too far. Now the IDF has come up with guidelines designed to create order from the chaos - and make soldiers think twice before clicking "post".
The IDF has been rocked quite a few social media storms in recent years. Just last week, five paratroopers were confined to their base for 21 days after uploading a clip of themselves dancing to Israel's Eurovision entry song "Golden Boy."
And a year ago, a row erupted after dozens of soldiers posted on Facebook images of themselves holding signs of solidarity with a Nahal soldier who had been recorded cocking his weapon at a Palestinian.
And that's not all: the height of the storm came when female soldiers posted photos in which they were naked save for their weapons, and soldier Eden Abergil uploaded an image of herself in front of bound and blindfolded Palestinian detainees, along with a caption reading, "The most beautiful period of my life."
An army document issued about a year ago, explaining military regulations regarding social media, failed to resolve the problem. But a new document has been produced by the IDF's chief education officer, Brigadier General Avner Paz-Tzuk, following consultations by the committee established by former chief of staff Benny Gantz.
This time, the IDF has penned specific "dos" and "don'ts" for soldiers that leave little wriggle room for anyone pleading ignorance. Whoever violates these rules will be prosecuted and face disciplinary punishment.
"IDF soldiers are allowed to use social networks, including the publication of photos in uniform," the document states - but goes on to add quite a few restrictions.
The central section of the document stipulates that social media users must not reveal classified information. It specifies that there are to be no photos of IDF bases, division numbers, equipment or classified troop movements. Another section commands soldiers to respect human dignity online, and bans He notes that the soldier must not impair social networks dignity of another soldier, another person or a particular group.
The new regulations also ban the publication of any content that damages an individual's privacy, and orders soldiers to safeguard the army's reputation and public image. The document says that the soldier must not show the army, military unit, division or any other aspect of the IDF in a bad light or as incompetent. Another rule specifically addresses commanders, requiring them to set a personal example and not blur the line between themselves and their soldiers, both on and off the base or the battlefield.
"If you are a division or company commander, you must remember that you do not connect with the soldiers on Whatsapp," Paz-Tzuk said, referring to the phone messaging service. "Do not post jokes there that you would not tell you are commanding them."
New guidelines clearly define dos and don'ts for soldiers using Facebook, Twitter and even Whatsapp, and leave little wriggle room.
The IDF is facing a new enemy – social media. Snap-happy soldiers are sharing the more sensitive aspects of their lives online, where not everyone watching is a friend.
Soldiers are updating their lives at the base, at home, on the bus, causing a major headache for the army when statuses, photos and videos go one step too far. Now the IDF has come up with guidelines designed to create order from the chaos - and make soldiers think twice before clicking "post".
The IDF has been rocked quite a few social media storms in recent years. Just last week, five paratroopers were confined to their base for 21 days after uploading a clip of themselves dancing to Israel's Eurovision entry song "Golden Boy."
And a year ago, a row erupted after dozens of soldiers posted on Facebook images of themselves holding signs of solidarity with a Nahal soldier who had been recorded cocking his weapon at a Palestinian.
And that's not all: the height of the storm came when female soldiers posted photos in which they were naked save for their weapons, and soldier Eden Abergil uploaded an image of herself in front of bound and blindfolded Palestinian detainees, along with a caption reading, "The most beautiful period of my life."
An army document issued about a year ago, explaining military regulations regarding social media, failed to resolve the problem. But a new document has been produced by the IDF's chief education officer, Brigadier General Avner Paz-Tzuk, following consultations by the committee established by former chief of staff Benny Gantz.
This time, the IDF has penned specific "dos" and "don'ts" for soldiers that leave little wriggle room for anyone pleading ignorance. Whoever violates these rules will be prosecuted and face disciplinary punishment.
"IDF soldiers are allowed to use social networks, including the publication of photos in uniform," the document states - but goes on to add quite a few restrictions.
The central section of the document stipulates that social media users must not reveal classified information. It specifies that there are to be no photos of IDF bases, division numbers, equipment or classified troop movements. Another section commands soldiers to respect human dignity online, and bans He notes that the soldier must not impair social networks dignity of another soldier, another person or a particular group.
The new regulations also ban the publication of any content that damages an individual's privacy, and orders soldiers to safeguard the army's reputation and public image. The document says that the soldier must not show the army, military unit, division or any other aspect of the IDF in a bad light or as incompetent. Another rule specifically addresses commanders, requiring them to set a personal example and not blur the line between themselves and their soldiers, both on and off the base or the battlefield.
"If you are a division or company commander, you must remember that you do not connect with the soldiers on Whatsapp," Paz-Tzuk said, referring to the phone messaging service. "Do not post jokes there that you would not tell you are commanding them."
30 may 2015
Minimally dressed, walkers carried signs saying 'Eshet Hayil wears whatever she wants' in protest against sexual violence, harassment and the objectification of women.
Some 400 people embarked on a SlutWalk on Friday afternoon in Jerusalem, protesting sexual violence, sexual harassment and the objectification of women.
The walkers, mostly women, were carrying signs that said "The rapist doesn't care what I wear, so why do you?" and "Eshet Hayil (woman of valor) wears whatever she wants." The walkers called out "'No' means 'no' means 'no,' what part of 'no' do you not understand?"
Several of the walkers were minimally dressed in protest of victim shaming, particularly against those who draw a link between revealing clothing and sexual harassment of women by men. The walk began at the Davidka Square and ended at Jerusalem's pedestrian mall.
Tamar, a Jerusalem resident in her 20s, said she was taking part in the walk to protest against sexual violence. "It doesn't matter what I'm wearing, my body is not public property. I'm not a sex object, I can dress however I feel like and it doesn't give anyone the right to touch me, make offensive comments about me or talk to me disrespectfully," she said.
Tamar said she experienced verbal sexual harassment in the past. "There is a lot of harassment on the street, a lot of terror. I have been harassed by men on the street since the age of 14. It happened in other cities in the country and actually anywhere in the world," she said.
She explained that the reason for that was "the culture of rape, pornography and prostitution. Men think that if there is a woman that can be bought with money, then there is nothing separating between them and her and they are allowed to do anything. You are being viewed as a product."
Another participant in the walk said all of the women she knows have experienced some kind of sexual violence. "Even me, even the women in my family and even my friends, we've all experienced sexual harassment that affected our self-image and our freedom to walk on the street. It happens on the street and in the workplace because there are many men who let themselves treat women as a sex object to validate their own self-worth, their own sexual needs and their own honor. We are here to say that this must stop."
She went on to say, "Our honor is equal to that of men, we ought to be looked at and treated accordingly."
Gil Ziv, a Jerusalemite who also participated in the walk, said, "I came here to say men are also protesting against sexual violence of any kind. You don't need to be a woman to know women's voice throughout history has been silenced and for thousands of years they were an oppressed public. Even now, around me, I see harassment and sexual violence despite the long strides we have made since the Middle Ages."
Some 400 people embarked on a SlutWalk on Friday afternoon in Jerusalem, protesting sexual violence, sexual harassment and the objectification of women.
The walkers, mostly women, were carrying signs that said "The rapist doesn't care what I wear, so why do you?" and "Eshet Hayil (woman of valor) wears whatever she wants." The walkers called out "'No' means 'no' means 'no,' what part of 'no' do you not understand?"
Several of the walkers were minimally dressed in protest of victim shaming, particularly against those who draw a link between revealing clothing and sexual harassment of women by men. The walk began at the Davidka Square and ended at Jerusalem's pedestrian mall.
Tamar, a Jerusalem resident in her 20s, said she was taking part in the walk to protest against sexual violence. "It doesn't matter what I'm wearing, my body is not public property. I'm not a sex object, I can dress however I feel like and it doesn't give anyone the right to touch me, make offensive comments about me or talk to me disrespectfully," she said.
Tamar said she experienced verbal sexual harassment in the past. "There is a lot of harassment on the street, a lot of terror. I have been harassed by men on the street since the age of 14. It happened in other cities in the country and actually anywhere in the world," she said.
She explained that the reason for that was "the culture of rape, pornography and prostitution. Men think that if there is a woman that can be bought with money, then there is nothing separating between them and her and they are allowed to do anything. You are being viewed as a product."
Another participant in the walk said all of the women she knows have experienced some kind of sexual violence. "Even me, even the women in my family and even my friends, we've all experienced sexual harassment that affected our self-image and our freedom to walk on the street. It happens on the street and in the workplace because there are many men who let themselves treat women as a sex object to validate their own self-worth, their own sexual needs and their own honor. We are here to say that this must stop."
She went on to say, "Our honor is equal to that of men, we ought to be looked at and treated accordingly."
Gil Ziv, a Jerusalemite who also participated in the walk, said, "I came here to say men are also protesting against sexual violence of any kind. You don't need to be a woman to know women's voice throughout history has been silenced and for thousands of years they were an oppressed public. Even now, around me, I see harassment and sexual violence despite the long strides we have made since the Middle Ages."
28 may 2015
Current legislation requires proof of intent to harm, which is difficult to prove under the circumstances; Shaked proposes a new type of offense with tiered punishment that addresses new reality.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked is promoting legislation aimed at giving harsher punishment to stone-throwers, without having to provide proof the accused intended to harm anyone.
Shaked's first piece of legislation since entering the Justice Ministry will be brought to vote on Sunday at the Ministerial Committee for Legislation. The objective of the legislation - which was previously proposed by Tzipi Livni but did not pass - is to provide legal tools to handle situations the current legislation does not cover, like stone-throwing at vehicles or police cars without the need to prove intention to harm.
A team headed by the government secretary discussed the issue before in an attempt to deal with a phenomenon which first started in East Jerusalem and has since spread to other places, necessitating changes to existing legislation. In her proposal, Shaked will seek to reduce the large gap that exists between the penalty prescribed by the law, which is currently 20 years in prison, and the very light punishment provided in practice because of the difficulty in proving intent to harm - as required by the current law.
About a thousand indictments are served every year against stone-throwers, but the difficulty in proving the rioter's intent to cause damage is in many cases a factor in the minor penalties given, if at all. Shaked plans to add a new kind of offense to the law, which would prohibit the throwing of a stone or an object not only with the intention to cause harm, but also in order to interfere with or impede a police officer from performing his duties. A new threshold will be set that does not require proving intent to cause harm, and the punishment for such an offense will be up to 10 years in prison.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked is promoting legislation aimed at giving harsher punishment to stone-throwers, without having to provide proof the accused intended to harm anyone.
Shaked's first piece of legislation since entering the Justice Ministry will be brought to vote on Sunday at the Ministerial Committee for Legislation. The objective of the legislation - which was previously proposed by Tzipi Livni but did not pass - is to provide legal tools to handle situations the current legislation does not cover, like stone-throwing at vehicles or police cars without the need to prove intention to harm.
A team headed by the government secretary discussed the issue before in an attempt to deal with a phenomenon which first started in East Jerusalem and has since spread to other places, necessitating changes to existing legislation. In her proposal, Shaked will seek to reduce the large gap that exists between the penalty prescribed by the law, which is currently 20 years in prison, and the very light punishment provided in practice because of the difficulty in proving intent to harm - as required by the current law.
About a thousand indictments are served every year against stone-throwers, but the difficulty in proving the rioter's intent to cause damage is in many cases a factor in the minor penalties given, if at all. Shaked plans to add a new kind of offense to the law, which would prohibit the throwing of a stone or an object not only with the intention to cause harm, but also in order to interfere with or impede a police officer from performing his duties. A new threshold will be set that does not require proving intent to cause harm, and the punishment for such an offense will be up to 10 years in prison.
"The particular mental element of intent to harm a passenger or a vehicle, or endanger the passenger's safety, which is required today, does not provide a solution to cases of stone throwing without that particular intention," the explanatory notes to the bill state.
"For example, when stone throwing is done as part of general rioting, the required mental element does not necessarily exist in all of the rioters. The maximum penalty for the offense, 20 years imprisonment, is inappropriate in cases where throwing stones can cause damage or endanger the safety of others, but does not include this strict mental element of intent on the part of the perpetrator."
The proposal states that the difference between the actual light punishments that are given by the courts and the maximum penalty prescribed by the law proves the need for new legislative levels to suit the circumstances in which the stone-throwing took place.
Often, the proposal states, there have been situations in which stones were thrown at police vehicles traveling at slow speed when the passengers were unharmed, and this was done in defiance of the police's very presence in a particular area. It was difficult to attribute the mental element required by the law to these stone throwers - the intention to cause harm. On the other hand, the existing offense of disturbing a policeman in the line of duty does not provide an appropriate response in Shaked's opinion, in terms of the severity of the punishment.
Due to that, the new bill includes two key amendments. The first is an article that determines a new type of offense prohibiting the throwing of stones or objects at a police officer or vehicle in order to interrupt or undermine police work. This article will impose harsher punishment than in other circumstances of interfering with police work. The punishment according to the new proposal will be the same as attacking a policeman under aggravated circumstances, even if the initial intent of causing harm was not proven.
The second amendment proposes to cancel the requirement to provide proof of intention and replace it with a two-tiered type of offense: The basic level, which prohibits stone or object throwing in a way that could endanger the safety of passengers in vehicles or anyone in the vicinity. The second level would include a more stringent punishment of 20 years in prison, which would include the requirement to prove intention to cause harm.
"For example, when stone throwing is done as part of general rioting, the required mental element does not necessarily exist in all of the rioters. The maximum penalty for the offense, 20 years imprisonment, is inappropriate in cases where throwing stones can cause damage or endanger the safety of others, but does not include this strict mental element of intent on the part of the perpetrator."
The proposal states that the difference between the actual light punishments that are given by the courts and the maximum penalty prescribed by the law proves the need for new legislative levels to suit the circumstances in which the stone-throwing took place.
Often, the proposal states, there have been situations in which stones were thrown at police vehicles traveling at slow speed when the passengers were unharmed, and this was done in defiance of the police's very presence in a particular area. It was difficult to attribute the mental element required by the law to these stone throwers - the intention to cause harm. On the other hand, the existing offense of disturbing a policeman in the line of duty does not provide an appropriate response in Shaked's opinion, in terms of the severity of the punishment.
Due to that, the new bill includes two key amendments. The first is an article that determines a new type of offense prohibiting the throwing of stones or objects at a police officer or vehicle in order to interrupt or undermine police work. This article will impose harsher punishment than in other circumstances of interfering with police work. The punishment according to the new proposal will be the same as attacking a policeman under aggravated circumstances, even if the initial intent of causing harm was not proven.
The second amendment proposes to cancel the requirement to provide proof of intention and replace it with a two-tiered type of offense: The basic level, which prohibits stone or object throwing in a way that could endanger the safety of passengers in vehicles or anyone in the vicinity. The second level would include a more stringent punishment of 20 years in prison, which would include the requirement to prove intention to cause harm.
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Five combat soldiers confined to base for 21 days after video of them dancing to 'Golden Boy' becomes a viral hit; IDF: The background was the problem.
Five IDF soldiers from an engineering battalion in the paratroopers have found themselves in trouble for a video showing them dancing to the Israeli entry to this year's Eurovision song contest. The video was a hit, but in the eyes of their commander, who sentenced them to 21 days confinement to their base. The video, which was filmed in the run-up to last Saturday's contest, shows the five dancing in formation to "Golden Boy", sung by Nadav Guedj. The song came ninth in the competition. The troops were filmed dancing, |
in armored vests and carrying their weapons, with an armored vehicle in the background. The video was filmed the West Bank, and even shows the perimeter fence.
On the last line of the chorus - "Let me show you Tel Aviv" - the song ends, and the soldier filming the video turns to the camera and jokingly says "what Tel Aviv?", followed by an expletive.
The footage was uploaded to Facebook and received thousands of shares and likes.
An IDF source said: "The video in question was filmed during life-threatening operational activities and recorded on a mobile phone, which are forbidden during operations of this nature. We stress that the soldiers were not punished for the content of the video."
According to the source, a Molotov cocktail had been thrown recently at the site at which the soldiers filmed the video, and there is hostile terrorist activity in the area.
"During the investigation by the battalion commander, the soldiers expressed remorse for their irresponsible actions," the source said.
Friends of the soldiers in the battalion were outraged by the severity of the punishment.
"They did not do it during guard duty or endanger human life. The army is overreacting," one said. "We fought in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge, and in three months we are supposed to be released from the army, so why such a severe punishment?"
The soldiers' relatives said they only made the humorous video to mark the Eurovision, and also questioned the punishment.
"They received positive responses. It presents a different side of the army, and we do not understand what is so wrong with presenting an image that can only be good for Israel in the world."
Singer Nadav Guedj also responded to the video, writing on his Facebook page: "I know that of course they should not have done it, but it is made us so happy in Austria to see them dancing and happy. So guys, as you sit in detention, I will send you the 'Golden Boy' shirts, so you can dance as civilians."
On the last line of the chorus - "Let me show you Tel Aviv" - the song ends, and the soldier filming the video turns to the camera and jokingly says "what Tel Aviv?", followed by an expletive.
The footage was uploaded to Facebook and received thousands of shares and likes.
An IDF source said: "The video in question was filmed during life-threatening operational activities and recorded on a mobile phone, which are forbidden during operations of this nature. We stress that the soldiers were not punished for the content of the video."
According to the source, a Molotov cocktail had been thrown recently at the site at which the soldiers filmed the video, and there is hostile terrorist activity in the area.
"During the investigation by the battalion commander, the soldiers expressed remorse for their irresponsible actions," the source said.
Friends of the soldiers in the battalion were outraged by the severity of the punishment.
"They did not do it during guard duty or endanger human life. The army is overreacting," one said. "We fought in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge, and in three months we are supposed to be released from the army, so why such a severe punishment?"
The soldiers' relatives said they only made the humorous video to mark the Eurovision, and also questioned the punishment.
"They received positive responses. It presents a different side of the army, and we do not understand what is so wrong with presenting an image that can only be good for Israel in the world."
Singer Nadav Guedj also responded to the video, writing on his Facebook page: "I know that of course they should not have done it, but it is made us so happy in Austria to see them dancing and happy. So guys, as you sit in detention, I will send you the 'Golden Boy' shirts, so you can dance as civilians."
27 may 2015
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Damas Pakada meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu
Damas Pakada is suing for some $100,000 in compensation after two police officers documented assaulting him while he was in uniform, on his way home. Damas Pakada, the IDF soldier of Ethiopian descent whose assault by police last month led to a turbulent protest by Israeli Ethiopians, has decided to sue the police for compensation. In a lawsuit filed at a Tel Aviv court on Tuesday, Pakada is demanding NIS 390,000 including legal expenses (some $100,000) in compensation from |
the police. The lawsuit, which was filed against the two police officers involved in the incident, claims that if the assault had not been documented on camera - Pakada would have likely been accused and convicted of serious charges of assaulting police.
Pakada's attorney, Eyal Abulafiya, claims this is a case of police brutality motivated by racism, "one of the more shocking cases seen recently in Israel, which was documented by security cameras by coincidence."
He went on to say that on top of police displaying serious racism, this was a display of hatred which in this case provided a rare glimpse "into a regular habit, which is wrong to the core, that happens frequently at the Israel Police, who use violence against civilians, make false accusations, and more." The suit stated that the violence resulted in damage caused to Pakada in body and spirit, and to the entire Ethiopian community in Israel.
In addition to that, the lawsuit noted, damage was caused to one of Israel's symbols - an IDF soldier in uniform. "This fact did not lead to even the slightest of hesitations before the complainant was brutally attacked by police," Abulafiya said. In his suit, Pakada asked the court to express its contempt of police brutality, particularly brutality against citizens of Ethiopian descent, and aid in putting an end to the serious racism prevalent in the Israel Police and the State of Israel.
Pakada said that if he won the suit, he would donate some of the money to Ethiopian community organizations fighting for justice and equality.
The 19-year-old soldier was beaten in Bat Yam by two police officers while on his way home from the army.
Pakada's attorney, Eyal Abulafiya, claims this is a case of police brutality motivated by racism, "one of the more shocking cases seen recently in Israel, which was documented by security cameras by coincidence."
He went on to say that on top of police displaying serious racism, this was a display of hatred which in this case provided a rare glimpse "into a regular habit, which is wrong to the core, that happens frequently at the Israel Police, who use violence against civilians, make false accusations, and more." The suit stated that the violence resulted in damage caused to Pakada in body and spirit, and to the entire Ethiopian community in Israel.
In addition to that, the lawsuit noted, damage was caused to one of Israel's symbols - an IDF soldier in uniform. "This fact did not lead to even the slightest of hesitations before the complainant was brutally attacked by police," Abulafiya said. In his suit, Pakada asked the court to express its contempt of police brutality, particularly brutality against citizens of Ethiopian descent, and aid in putting an end to the serious racism prevalent in the Israel Police and the State of Israel.
Pakada said that if he won the suit, he would donate some of the money to Ethiopian community organizations fighting for justice and equality.
The 19-year-old soldier was beaten in Bat Yam by two police officers while on his way home from the army.
