Dozens of Israeli soldiers from the Givati Brigade’s Tzabar Battalion have walked out of the Sde Teiman military base without authorization, in what Israeli media described as a rare act of “mutiny.”
The incident unfolded on Thursday at a base that also houses the Sde Teiman detention facility, which has come under intense international scrutiny over allegations of abuse against Palestinian detainees.
According to the Israeli newspaper Maariv, the soldiers laid down their weapons before leaving the base after commanders removed symbols tied to a longstanding battalion tradition that “embodies the bond between veteran and junior soldiers.”
“A short time ago, soldiers from a combat battalion began leaving their base without their commanders’ authorization,” an Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement.
“The incident is being investigated and addressed by commanders. This conduct is inconsistent with what is expected of soldiers.”
Military sources quoted by Maariv said the soldiers left their weapons at the base before returning home. According to the newspaper, military sources described the incident as “the largest mutiny in the history of the [Israeli army].”
The mass walkout temporarily rendered the battalion combat ineffective, with sources describing it as an unprecedented act of indiscipline within the unit.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show soldiers chanting an obscene slogan directed at their commanding officers.
In one of the videos, a soldier is heard telling his comrades that the battalion could not function if its traditions were undermined and its members were treated with contempt.
“If they interfere with the battalion’s traditions and spit in our faces, then we’re not interested in anything. I don’t think you can be a fighter like that. Do you think you can be a fighter like that?” he says.
The walkout followed a decision by commanders to remove symbols tied to a longstanding battalion tradition that embodies the “bond between veteran and junior soldiers.”
The Israeli military said the battalion commander ordered their removal because they had become associated with “irregular incidents” linked to the veteran-junior tradition, referring to the hazing of newer recruits.
“Many soldiers are affected by this through violence and humiliation. Therefore, I decided to break wooden signs of Satan, the Angel of Death, and more, signs that represent exactly these things,” the commander said.
The protesting soldiers rejected the explanation, insisting the symbols were an integral part of the battalion’s identity and heritage.
“When you break these symbols, you’re not just breaking a piece of wood or a sign—you’re breaking something from the spirit of the fighters. After everything we’ve been through, the little thing that gives us strength, pride and a smile has been destroyed,” they said.
Sde Teiman, an Israeli military facility in the Negev (Al-Naqab) desert, has come under intense international scrutiny following reports by former detainees and human rights organizations documenting widespread abuse of Palestinian detainees, including physical violence, medical neglect and sexual abuse.
