Two Israeli soldiers arrested in attack on Druze soldier

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Two Israeli soldiers have been arrested in connection with an on-base attack against a Druze soldier.

The soldier, who said he was beaten by fellow soldiers on his base in northern Israel, was taken to the hospital Thursday with a broken nose and cuts to his head and face. He also was kicked and punched all over his body until he lost consciousness.

The arrests were made Sunday night. The soldier’s commanders informed the Criminal Investigation Division, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement, and an investigation is underway.

“The IDF denounces any incidences of violence, and any such events are dealt with harshly,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said.

The base commander reportedly refused to immediately take the beaten soldier for medical care, waiting four hours before sending him to an emergency room. The soldier was ordered sent home for five days of rest, and said he was beaten again after returning to the base from the hospital before traveling home.

The second attack necessitated another trip to the hospital, according to Ynet.

The soldier reportedly was beaten after refusing to leave his dorm room immediately when called to do so.

His family posted photos on social media to show the severity of the injuries, including his bloodied face and blood-spattered uniform.

The assaulted soldier’s grandfather, Said Hussein, in an interview with Ynet said of the attack: “To beat a soldier in the IDF until he loses consciousness requires an investigation. This is not the army I served in 30 years ago. I didn’t send my grandson to the army for this kind of thing.”