Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Saturday commended the IDF soldier who shielded a Palestinian man with his body from a group of violent Jewish you who were assaulting him.
The incident took place in Hebron on Friday evening. An initial military investigation into the incident found that the assailants also assaulted the soldier, who struck back with punches before helping the man escape, then called for reinforcements.
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An IDF statement said that the aggressors were believed to be settlers from the Tel Rumeida enclave in Hebron.
Footage of the incident shows a group of Israelis attacking the man, later identified as Ibrahim Bader, 31. One of them is seen putting Bader in a headlock as others hit and kick him.
The Golani soldier then runs toward the group, pushing one of the Israelis aside and trying to help Bader out of the headlock. The attackers then turn on the soldier, but he fends them off and extracts Bader from the fray, escorting him to safety.
The footage shows the Jewish youth running after the two, again attempting to strike Bader, while the soldier continues to physically shield him.
Bader later told Kan 11 News that he wished to "thank the soldier who helped me and kept them away from me. God sent him to save my life.
"The army needs to make sure they don't attack someone else. These settlers need to be stopped," he said.
The 31-year-old security guard and father of three said he was on his way to work when he was attacked.
"This is exactly who an Israeli solider is expected to act in this type of situation," a senior Golani officer said.
Security officials added they "expect the leaders of the Jewish community in Hebron to condemn this violence, which does nothing to ease the tension that exists in Judea and Samaria at this time."
Gantz Tweeted: "The Golani soldier who defended a Palestinian resident of Hebron acted as every IDF soldier and commander is expected to act. The IDF is committed to the safety of civilians in every place it operates, and I trust the ranking commanders in the IDF will investigate the incident in an orderly manner."
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