US: Jewish recruit says he was beaten

Pvt. Michael Handman said one sergeant used anti-Semitic slur, another made him remove kippa.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Army officials at Fort Benning are investigating the claims of a Jewish soldier in basic training who said he was beaten days after complaining of religious discrimination. Pvt. Michael Handman of Atlanta said another soldier punched him in the head and knocked him unconscious in an unprovoked attack September 24. He was treated for a concussion. Handman wrote to his parents before the attack that he was being discriminated against. He said one sergeant had used an anti-Semitic slur and another had ordered him to remove his kippa in a dining hall. Fort Benning spokeswoman Monica Manganaro said an Army private was being held on suspicion of attacking Handman, but he had not been charged. She said investigators did not believe the attack was linked to religious prejudice.