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Israeli soldier who assaulted CNN cameraman reprimanded but avoids criminal charges

From Egypt Independent · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • An Israeli soldier who assaulted a CNN photojournalist in March has been formally reprimanded.
  • Military prosecutors decided against criminal charges after the soldier expressed remorse.
  • The incident occurred in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli soldiers also detained the CNN crew.

An Israeli soldier who physically assaulted a CNN photojournalist in March has received a formal reprimand from his commanders for his use of force, the Israeli military announced Monday. While the military police's criminal investigations unit probed the assault, military prosecutors ultimately declined to pursue criminal charges, opting instead for a disciplinary process.

The investigation found that during the encounter between the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers and the media crew in the area, physical force was used by one of the soldiers against a photographer from the media organization.

— Israeli militaryDescribing the findings of the investigation into the assault on the CNN photojournalist.

"After the soldier expressed remorse for his actions during the disciplinary process, he received a formal command reprimand," the IDF stated. This reprimand will be entered into the soldier's personnel file, potentially impacting his future within the IDF. The military declined to identify the soldier, who was a reservist at the time of the incident.

The investigation was launched after the soldier placed CNN photojournalist Cyril Theophilos in a chokehold and forced him to the ground while he was filming in the village of Tayasir in the occupied West Bank. During the encounter, Israeli soldiers also pointed their rifles at the CNN crew and detained them. Notably, one soldier who spoke to CNN on camera about "revenge" against Palestinians during the incident was dismissed from the IDF at the time.

After the soldier expressed remorse for his actions during the disciplinary process, he received a formal command reprimand.

— IDFExplaining the outcome of the disciplinary process for the soldier involved in the assault.

CNN had obtained authorization to film in the area. In the aftermath of the incident, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir implemented sweeping disciplinary actions, suspending all operational activities of the battalion involved. The IDF acknowledged the assault as a "serious ethical and professional failure." The battalion was redeployed to the West Bank 30 days later, following an educational seminar and additional training.

serious ethical and professional failure.

— IDFCharacterizing the assault on the CNN crew.
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Originally published by Egypt Independent. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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