Israeli soldiers refuse commander’s order to open storage container in rare act of dissent

A unit of veteran Israeli soldiers has refused to comply with an order from their commanding officer to open a shipping container, in an unusual show of defiance within the military ranks. The soldiers had stored prohibited flags in the container and walked out in protest when the commander demanded it be opened, according to security sources. The incident occurred just hours after some troops returned to Teimanit base. ‘The veterans influenced the younger soldiers,’ security officials said, suggesting the protest was led by more experienced soldiers who swayed their junior comrades to join the action. One company is still reported to be absent from duty as a result of the standoff. Military leadership is now attempting to contain the situation and limit fallout from the rare act of insubordination. ‘Each soldier will be examined according to his role,’ a brigade spokesperson said. ‘We will hear from the soldiers and then decide,’ indicating that the military intends to investigate individual soldiers’ involvement before determining what disciplinary measures, if any, will be taken.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.