The soldier arrested for shooting an Arab rioter in Naalin claims he was given the order to shoot by his commander, Lt.-Col. Omri from the 71st Armored Battalion.
The Military Defense Counsel is infuriated by the soldier's arrest, which occured before the investigation of the videotape was completed, while the commanding officer was not implicated. “This is a scandal. It’s an attempt to place the responsibility on the soldier,” a military source told reporters.
The Military Defense Counsel filed a motion Monday for the soldier's release from detainment, citing there is no reason for his remand. The soldier was due to finish his army service in November. During his tour of duty, he has been commended numerous times for his conduct.