Soldier confronted by Palestinian wins widespread social media support

Nahal Brigade soldier cocks weapon during confrontation in Hebron that was caught on video.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Nahal soldier in confrontation with Palestinian youth (photo credit: YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT)
Nahal soldier in confrontation with Palestinian youth
(photo credit: YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT)
An IDF soldier filmed by Palestinian activists being confronted by a Palestinian youth and cocking his firearm in Hebron has won widespread support by fellow soldiers who launched an unprecedented – and unauthorized – campaign on social media networks.
The soldier, David Admov, has been ejected from his role as a combat soldier, but not because of the confrontation, IDF Spokesman Brig.- Gen. Moti Almoz said. Rather, Admov was convicted of assaulting one of his commanders.
The IDF is investigating the Hebron confrontation caught on film, in which Admov can be seen cocking a Tavor assault rifle after becoming involved in an altercation with Palestinian youths, some of whom surrounded him.
“The soldier was ejected because of a completely different reason,” Almoz said.
“He was convicted of using violence against his commander for the second time. His conduct towards the [Palestinian] suspects, is a completely separate incident, and it will be investigated.”
But that did not stop many IDF soldiers from photographing themselves with signs reading “I support David the Nahal soldier,” and posting the images on Facebook. The soldiers expressed outrage over what they said is a policy of IDF restraint that is preventing them from defending themselves while on duty in the territories.
“The issue of soldiers in Judea and Samaria is very complex. We understand the operational situations they are in. The soldier cocked his weapon, and while we can understand this, I stress that we are still conducting an inquiry, and when we understand what happened, we’ll handle the matter,” Almoz said.
He added that the army was not basing its investigation on the video. “We can’t reach conclusions based only on the pictures. We’ll study the incident.”
The IDF spokesman said soldiers should direct complaints to their commanders, rather than advertise them on Facebook.
On Wednesday evening Hebron’s Jewish community held a small demonstration in support of the soldier.