Fourteen soldiers from Battalion 51 of the Golani infantry brigade abandoned their posts on the Golan Heights Monday night after a comrade was dismissed from their company. The soldiers returned to their unit on Tuesday afternoon and were court-martialed by the battalion commander. They received sentences ranging from 10 to 26 days in military prison. The story was first broken by Israel Radio military reporter Carmela Menashe. A parent of one of the soldiers told Israel Hayom: "These are amazing soldiers who fought in Shujaiyeh [in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge last summer] after learning Golani soldiers were killed in the APC incident. Nothing can compare to the bond they share as brothers in arms." According to the parent, the soldiers asked the battalion commander not to dismiss their friend, "because he is one of the most contributing soldiers in the company." The commander, however, refused their request, and the parent said the other soldiers wanted to show their comrade that they were not abandoning him. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in a statement: "Two days ago, a soldier was relieved of his duties following a series of repeated disciplinary offenses. In response to the dismissal, 14 of his comrades decided to abandon the base. Several hours later, they returned to the base and were court-martialed by the battalion commander. This is a serious incident unbefitting what is expected of IDF combat soldiers."
14 Golani troops abandon base on Syrian border
Soldiers receive sentences ranging from 10 to 26 days in military prison after leaving base for several hours to protest dismissal of a comrade • IDF: "This is a serious incident unbefitting what is expected of IDF combat soldiers."
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