IDF commanders likely to reach plea deal over hazing abuse

The Armored Corps commanders charged with abusing draftees are expected to reach a plea bargain, which would then be approved by the Northern Command's military court on Tuesday.

Two of the three junior commanders in the 74th armored battalion have been negotiating a plea bargain for the past few weeks, after their defense attorneys presented a large amount of evidence showing the hazing, which included abusive ceremonies and beatings, was a multi-year tradition: The commanders caught hazing new recruits had been hazed themselves.

Evidence included videos and photos from the hazing ceremonies, and showed the current battalion commander participating. In addition, several soldiers said that the hazing ceremonies were conducted in a "positive atmosphere" and that they were not forced to participate.

The two commanders, the company sergeant major and his deputy, will be sentenced to five months in prison as part of the plea bargain, but given the two and a half months they already have been held, and with a third of the time off for good behavior, they will be released within days.

However, a source inthe military prosecution said the punishment was not at all light, and the two will also be given a suspended sentence and reduced in rank to corporal, which means they will no longer be able to serve in command roles.

The offense will be erased from their record in a relatively short period of time.

One of the defendants' lawyers confirmed yesterday that the sides were nearing a deal.