An IDF soldier is going to prison for hitchhiking: “There is a real danger of attempted kidnappings” officers say.
A student in a yeshivat hesder program, which combines military service with Torah learning, was tried and sentenced to 20 days in prison after he asked for a ride contrary to IDF orders which prohibits hitchhiking.
It was reported on Wednesday that an IDF investigating officer determined the hesder soldier to have been caught hitchhiking. As a result, the offending soldier is spending 20 days of confinement in a Tel Hashomer base.
The commanding officer, Netanel Moyal, released a statement to the list of Hesder Yeshivot [Jewish institutions] saying:
“Please keep in mind that hesder soldiers are strictly forbidden to take rides just like any other soldier, without exceptions.”
“There is a real danger of attempted kidnappings,” he added.
Moyal continued to say that any soldier who recounts of taking a “tremp” [the Hebrew term for a hitchhike] will be judged harshly.
An outstretched arm looking for a lift is a common sight in Israel, especially in areas of Judea and Samaria where bus services are infrequent.
Although a typical part of Israeli society, hitchhiking, is technically a violation of IDF procedure. Israeli security experts constantly warn of the potential for Arab terrorists disguised as Jews to abduct hitchiking soldiers.
In 2012 the IDF launched a website, www.notremp.co.il, to warn against the dangers of tremping.
View original Arutz Sheva publication at: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/171138#.UhTOET-Plgh