Israel suspends battalion over misbehavior with CNN journalists: Detained by soldiers; Removed from operation and sent to training

The Israeli Army has suspended an entire battalion over the mistreatment and detention of CNN journalists in the West Bank. Also, all operational activities of the reserve battalion have been suspended. According to the Army, this battalion has been removed from the West Bank with immediate effect and sent for training. This unit will not be involved in any operation until the investigation is completed. The incident took place last week in the Palestinian village of Taysir, where the CNN team was reporting. It is alleged that the soldiers detained the team and also assaulted a photojournalist, breaking his camera. The Israeli Army has said that the battalion will be given professional and ethical training and separate action will also be taken against the soldiers involved in the matter. Video of misbehavior with journalists… Israeli soldiers caught hold of the journalist’s throat. On March 26, CNN’s team was reporting in the Palestinian village of Taysir in the West Bank. Some time ago there was an attack by Israeli settlers. CNN journalist Jeremy Diamond reached the village with his team to show the situation after that. Broken structures, scattered belongings and frightened local people were narrating the story of that attack. The team was recording the situation on camera and talking to eyewitnesses. Then suddenly a team of Israeli soldiers arrived there. Initially the soldiers asked questions and answers from the team, but the atmosphere soon became tense. Within some time, the soldiers stopped the CNN team from moving forward and detained them there. During this time the situation worsened further. It is alleged that a soldier caught hold of photojournalist Cyril Theophilos and strangulated him. Due to this sudden attack, he lost his balance and fell on the ground. His camera also broke in this scuffle. International media organization condemned the attack International media organization Foreign Press Association (FPA) condemned the mistreatment of CNN team in the West Bank. The organization described the incident as a violent attack and a direct attack on the freedom of the press. The organization alleged that the soldiers pointed guns at the journalists and the people present there, even though the journalists had identified themselves. Not only this, the team was forced to stop shooting and was also threatened with snatching the camera. The organization demanded an investigation into the matter and said that this incident shows that hostility towards the media is increasing, which is extremely worrying. There is a mandatory rule for everyone in Israel to join the army, the Netzah unit created for the Haredi community. Men have to serve in the army for about three years and women for two years. When this country was formed in 1948. Then 400 ultra-Orthodox men from the Haredi community were exempted from military service. Its purpose was so that these people could continue the work of religious education and preserving Jewish traditions. Gradually, the number of people from the Haredi community who avoided joining the army increased. Due to this the rest of the community became angry. After this, the government created the Netzah Yehuda Unit in 1999 where they could serve in the army while maintaining their religious identity. This unit is a little different from other military units. Women are not included in this. The atmosphere is completely religious and kosher (as per religious rules) food is served. Mostly deployed in the West Bank area. Performs tasks like security and patrolling. However, apart from Haredi, people from other communities also participate in this unit. However, the majority of the population belongs to the Haredi community. This unit has been in controversies



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