The home of Sagi Kaisler, director of the Shomron (Samaria) Residents' Committee, was destroyed by the IDF Civil Administration in February, in what was criticized as an act of political vengeance.
Now Kaisler has pledged to support Col. Shalom Eisner, the IDF officer who was filmed hitting a pro-Arab Danish anarchist with his weapon in 2012. Reports Wednesday reveal Eisner has been sued by an Arab who was involved in the violent demonstration.
Kaisler condemned the Military Advocate General for deciding to end Eisner's IDF service, accusing him of "abandoning an IDF colonel," and pledging that Samaria residents would continue to support IDF soldiers attacked by "Arab and anarchist" enemies. Kaisler said he would take part in Eisner's court trials to help him.
Eisner was filmed hitting the anarchist during a confrontation, while trying to clear Arab protesters and foreign anarchists from a road they were blocking. Prior to the blow, the anarchists had broken Eisner's fingers; however, that part of the altercation was not included in the released footage.
As a result, Eisner was convicted of unauthorized action and of conduct unbecoming an officer and, as part of a plea bargain, was sentenced to two months of community service before being forced to leave the IDF in another year. Reportedly he will receive full legal assistance in the upcoming lawsuit given that the altercation took place during his IDF service.
The lawsuit against Eisner "is the result of the lying incitement against the moral commander, conducted by, among others, the Military Advocate General, military jurists who slandered Eisner and harmed the fighting spirit of IDF soldiers and commanders," argued Kaisler.
According to Kaisler, "the lawsuit against Eisner proves that the Military Advocate General has lost its way, and should return to defend IDF commanders and soldiers instead of slandering them."
Eisner's case brings to mind the recent incident of David Adamov, dubbed "David the Nahalawi (Nahal soldier)," who was arrested the same day he was videotaped by Hevron Arabs cocking his weapon in response to a threatening situation.
The viral Facebook campaign supporting David has garnered over 130,000 "likes," and sparked strong reactions from MKs, a nod from an army official, and several protests.