After attack on soldiers by Bedouins, IDF releases special guidelines
Among the orders: Soldiers must report such incidents to the police as soon as possible
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFViolent clashes between police and residents of Bedouin village in Negev(photo credit: Courtesy)
Following an attack on IDF soldiers near their training base in the Negev on Tuesday, the IDF has instructed its soldiers to no longer chase after Bedouins in similar scenarios in the future.The orders, released late Tuesday, explains that the IDF's job is to prevent thefts rather than try to chase those who've perpetrated them. The document added that soldiers are prohibited from chasing after thieves, as they put themselves in unnecessary danger.Soldiers were also asked to report such incidents to the police as soon as possible.On Tuesday, a group of IDF soldiers found themselves surrounded by a gang of Bedouins who attempted to steal military equipment from a nearby base. The soldiers stopped and pursued them.An initial IDF investigation revealed that the soldiers attempted to catch the thieves, but within minutes were surrounded by a group of rioters who came to reinforce and assist the thieves.The group surrounded the military jeep with several civilian jeeps, and when one of the soldiers felt physically threatened, he fired a bullet into the air.Alex Winston contributed to this report.
