Four Border Guard soldiers from the Beit Horon base were sent to prison for lighting a barbecue on Shabbat.
According to a report today (Tuesday) in Kan News, the four fighters, including two female medics, lit the barbecue in a remote location, near the clinic, when the base was almost empty of people. One of the fighters passing by warned them, and they turned off the barbecue.
The opponent filed a complaint with the base commander and they were sentenced to 20 days in jail, but after they filed an appeal, their sentence was reduced to ten days.
The Border Guard said that this was a serious violation of orders.
The soldiers' parents oppose the punishment and claim: "Sending soldiers to prison for lighting a fire on Shabbat? It is possible to punish, but to deprive fighters of their freedom? It is disproportionate, unprofessional, humiliating and unnecessary.".
The parents demand that their sentences be commuted and they be released from prison: "Prison is for criminals, not fighters." According to the parents, the base was empty and they lit the barbecue in a remote location to avoid hurting other people's feelings: "These are fighters with no previous complaints, there is a gradation in punishment.".
