Israeli Military Joins Peloncoan To Sexual Violence Against Juniors, Seven Soldiers Detained

Israeli military illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/IDF speechman Unit)

Seven soldiers on duty in the ranks of Israel's Air Force Arrow air defense system were detained on suspicion of violence against junior soldiers in their unit as part of a tape ritual.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Military Police had launched investigations into "serious actions during the "senior army initiation ceremony" against juniors at the 136th Air Defense Battalion, which operates Arrow 2 and 3, reported The Times of Israel July 9.

Meanwhile, Ynet News reported that the seven soldiers detained were active soldiers who were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of physical, psychological and sexual harassment.

The alleged action, described as "coupling", lasted for weeks and targeted about ten new recruits, which reportedly included sodomy measures.

The soldiers were present at military courts on Wednesday, following a request by military prosecutors to extend their detention period.

During the initial examination, several suspects claimed the action was carried out on the basis of like-to-like and "joking".

The investigation began after reports of a soldier uncovering a series of incidents, with authorities now investigating whether some violations occurred during the recent war with Iran, when the Air Force operated the Arrow system.

Given the severity of this case, the Commander of the Israeli Air Force Major General Tomer Bar personally oversees the handling process.

The IDF stated that support and counseling services were available to the victims, adding, "This is a serious incident and the Air Force commander and senior officers are reviewing the details in coordination with military police."

"In recent days, military police investigations have been ongoing in connection with alleged serious actions during 'ritual initiation' by senior soldiers against new recruits in the Air Force unit. The investigation is still in its early stages and no details of the actions taken can be shared at this time," an IDF spokesman added.

The IDF is working to thoroughly investigate the allegations and demand justice for those involved, as needed.

The IDF takes any acts of violence very seriously and maintains a zero-tolerance policy against such initiation rituals."