IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi has decided to dismiss from IDF service Moshe (Chico) Tamir, former commander of the Gaza Brigade, for allowing his 14 year old son drive an IDF all-terrain vehicle several years ago – and paying a civilian off not to report the incident and to repair a vehicle the youth damaged.
The incident took place in 2007 during a joint trip by officers in the Gaza Brigade. Tamir, one of the army's most respected soldiers, let his son drive the ATV. The teen drove the ATV on a dirt road until he collided with a car owned by a civilian. Both cars were slightly damaged but no one was hurt. Tamir paid the civilian NIS 1,000 not to report the incident and to take care of repairs, but when the ATV was inspected by army mechanics, he was required to file a special report on the incident. In the report, Tamir claimed that he had driven the vehicle. Witnesses later came forward and said the son had been the driver. Tamir was charged with violating several IDF statutes, as well as attempting to cover up his offense. He was demoted from his post last June and was given a three month suspended jail sentence. He was also ineligible for promotions, effectively ending his career in the IDF.