(JTA) — An Israeli army officer filmed striking a protester will remain in the military for now.
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz decided this week that he would not end the career of Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner just yet after Eisner was suspended for striking a Danish International Solidarity Movement activist in the face with his rifle during an April 14 confrontation.
The Israeli daily Maariv reported that Eisner will retain his rank and be appointed as deputy commander of the Tactical Training Center in Tze’elim, in the Negev Desert.
According to Arutz Sheva, Gantz said that he was “not ready to decide” Eisner’s fate after public outrage erupted against Eisner’s suspension as Jordan Valley Brigade deputy commander.
Gantz said that "the IDF is a large military force and there are many events in many places and people can make mistakes.”
“We work hard at it, but this incident is not representative of the IDF or of Lt. Col. Eisner," Gantz said.
