The video clip showing IDF Lt.-Col. Shalom Eisner, deputy commander of the Jordan Valley Brigade, striking a Danish demonstrator on Saturday continues to make waves. IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Ganz says that he views the incident as very grave, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "Such conduct does not characterize IDF officers and men, and has no place in the IDF and the State of Israel."
President Shimon Peres mentioned the incident during a tour of the Golan Heights. "I was as shocked as everyone else to see the documentation of the violence. It is important to remember that this is an isolated incident, and the incident must be uprooted. It does not reflect on everyone. I think that the IDF responded clearly and it is investigating the incident."
The Military Police opened an investigation of the incident this morning, and it is trying to obtain the full clip, which shows Lt.-Col. Eisner hitting the Danish demonstrator with his personal firearm. Eisner's aides say that the video clip that was put online was manipulated.
IDF sources say that even if the video clip was edited, Eisner's conduct was unacceptable. The defense establishment is frustrated that most of the Nakba Day, Nakhsa Day, and Land Day events, marking the Palestinian defeats in the 1948 War of Independence, the 1967 Six-Day War, and protests in 1976, respectively, went smoothly, thanks to the IDF's preparations for dealing with protesters, and that the actions by one senior officer caused immense damage.
Eisner was due to be appointed deputy commander of the IDF's officers school, but the appointment has been frozen because of the incident, at least until the Military Police investigation is completed.
Notwithstanding the denunciations by Netanyahu, Peres, and Ganz, Eisner has won vocal support from Elon Moreh Rabbi Elyakim Levanon in Samaria, who lambasted Eisner's suspension. "How is it possible to take a dedicated officer who gives his life and soul and suspend him without knowing all the details," he asked. "Instead of condemning the officer, the prime minister, defense minister, chief of staff, and OC central command chose to vilify this elite deputy brigade commander."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 16, 2012
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