On Tuesday, the judges at the Special Military Court for Appeals in Tel Aviv accepted Brig.-Gen. Moshe “Chico” Tamir's appeal against a lower court's decision to demote him. Tamir, the former commander of the Gaza Division, will remain at his present rank but will not be promoted for two years.
The original verdict determined that Tamir would be demoted to the rank of colonel, after he admitted to allowing his 14-year-old son to drive a military ATV and then, when the son hit a private car, trying to cover up the accident.
The appeals court judges wrote in their verdict that Tamir's transgression was “a sin in terms of basic norms, in [setting a] personal example, in discipline and truthfulness. His deeds show a complete disregard of the rules of discipline.” They noted in his favor, however, that his military service record is a meritorious one, and that his regret over the incident was sincere.
In the appeals court, Tamir said, “I would never have agreed to a plea bargain if I had known that I would be accused of being a liar. I acted out of a desire to protect my son – and any father would have done the same. For 27 years I have borne the ethical code in my vest, my legs and all of the shrapnel I have in my body.”
"I am willing to accept any punishment, but that doesn't mean I should be kicked out of the army,” he told the judges. “I want to continue to serve in the military despite everything. This, to me, is a supreme value and serves as an example to my children.”