IDF Givati Battalion Punishes 14 Soldiers With 30-Day Jail for Base Walkout Protest

On Friday, Lieutenant Colonel Natanel Shamkha, commander of the IDF Givati Brigade, concluded disciplinary proceedings against most soldiers of the Sabra Battalion who deserted their base at Sde Teyman on Thursday, protesting with chants against their officers. Fourteen soldiers identified as leaders of the incident were sentenced to 30 days in military prison and will be discharged from combat service. Two other leading soldiers who reported during the night will face trial later, and one soldier who has yet to appear will have his case decided in due course.

Approximately 80 additional soldiers who left the base but returned will undergo a command-led educational process this Saturday aimed at reinforcing discipline, values, and expected conduct within the IDF. The unusual protest began when veteran soldiers left the base in response to their commanders removing wooden plaques and symbols that held sentimental and historical significance to the unit.

The battalion commander had broken some of the plaques himself, which represented negative elements such as "Satan" and "Angel of Death," clarifying that these were not connected to fallen soldiers or memorial corners, contrary to some media claims. He explained the removal was intended to address the harm caused by violence and humiliation among soldiers. The soldiers argued that the plaques were cherished symbols passed down through combat cycles in Gaza and Lebanon, embodying their unit’s spirit and tradition.

The incident drew widespread attention on social media, including Arabic accounts celebrating the rebellion. A senior military source emphasized that while all soldiers risked their lives in combat, this serious disciplinary breach would be handled with both respect for the troops and strict demands for accountability. The battalion commander also addressed the soldiers’ parents, urging those who left under social pressure to return by 4 p.m. Friday to be reintegrated, warning that those who did not would face consequences.