Four More Israeli Golani Brigade Soldiers Sent to Jail and Removed from Combat After Base Protest

The military trials concluded for additional soldiers from the Golani Brigade's Sabra Battalion who deserted the Sde Teyman base last Thursday while chanting a derogatory slogan against their officers. Four more soldiers were sentenced to prison and dismissed from combat roles, including one who was tried during his discharge leave. Following the incident, the brigade commander, Colonel Natanel Shamcha, had already sentenced 14 leading soldiers to 30 days in jail and removed them from combat duty.

Approximately 80 other soldiers who briefly left the base but returned were given leniency and underwent a command-led educational process over the weekend to reinforce discipline and military values. The protest began when veteran soldiers left the base in response to their commanders removing wooden plaques and symbols they had hung, which held sentimental and traditional significance for the unit.

The battalion commander explained that he broke certain plaques representing negative symbols like "Satan" and "Angel of Death," which he deemed inappropriate, but clarified that these actions did not affect memorial plaques or the battalion’s fallen soldiers’ corners. He urged soldiers who left under social pressure to return by 4 p.m. to avoid disciplinary action.

The protesting soldiers claimed the plaques were smashed with a hammer by officers and represented their combat history in Gaza and Lebanon, symbolizing their unit’s tradition and spirit. They expressed that breaking these plaques damaged their morale and reflected broader issues with some officers’ treatment of soldiers. The incident sparked widespread attention on social media, including Arabic accounts celebrating the rebellion against the IDF.