We're over 200 signers
We've learned that the soldiers involved were part of the "Netzah Yehuda Battalion" which translates to "Judah's Eternity Battalion". It's an all "ultra-orthodox" Jewish all men's military unit. These are not the ultra-orthodox who see Zionism as a sin. These men believe that any abuse done to Palestinians is part of the will of God.
The Jerusalem Post reports:
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-694382
"Punitive measures are expected to be taken against the soldiers..." but it also says, "Charges are not expected to be brought against them, but IDF Central Command is expected to make a public statement in the coming days about the incident"
meaning there will be "command measures", some hands will be slapped, maybe a demotion in rank, loss of some military privilege, etc.
Haaretz reports that Omar As'ad was gagged for over an hour
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-80-year-old-palestinian-gagged-for-over-an-hour-before-he-died-israeli-army-finds-1.10559846
Gideon Levy wrote a fine article. It's also behind a paywall so I'll quote a bit of it.
https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-a-question-for-the-soldiers-who-abused-an-80-year-old-palestinian-man-1.10561229
"One of them may have claimed that As’ad looked to him to be 20 years younger than his age, so he thought it was permitted to throw him to the ground on a cold night, gagged, blindfolded and handcuffed, given treatment he wouldn't give to a stray dog."
"Poor As’ad shouted at them that he was not a terrorist when they stopped him making his way home late at night – because what did they expect? That he prostrate himself on the ground and kiss the soldiers’ feet?"
"I have only request from the soldiers: In spite of everything, please think – if just for a moment – what would have happened if As’ad had been your grandfather, and that he died this way."
Today 1/26 the Washington Post had this piece saying that As'as heart attack was caused by the stress of how he was treated.
Call on politicians to speak out and to contemplate punishing the Israeli apartheid state that creates every more repression for Palestinians!
mail@thestruggle.org