Military police investigate reports of physical, psychological and sexual abuse in Arrow missile defense unit; Air Force chief personally overseeing probeSeven active-duty soldiers serving at the Israeli Air Force’s Arrow missile defense system unit, were arrested Tuesday by military police investigators on suspicion of physical, psychological and sexual abuse against fellow unit members, Ynet learned Wednesday.
The alleged acts, described as “hazing,” took place over weeks and targeted a group of about ten newer recruits, reportedly including acts of sodomy.The soldiers appeared before a military court on Wednesday, following the military prosecution’s request to extend their detention. During initial questioning, some suspects claimed the acts were consensual and done “in jest.”
The investigation began after a soldier’s complaint exposed the series of incidents, with authorities now examining whether some abuses took place during the recent war with Iran, when the Arrow system played a key role in Air Force operations.