This story makes me wonder what is going on with the IDF. Only a few short years ago I, and most Americans, were under the impression that the IDF was one of the most admirable fighting forces on the planet. It is hard to reconcile with the stories we hear today of troops which are not even allowed to fire live ammunition against the enemy, spies turning over military secrets to the enemy, and now this story about IDF officers who willingly and maliciously disabled security systems designed to protect the Jewish people from their enemies. How can such traitors even be allowed near sensitive information or sites? I realize that with mandatory service it is hard to sort which officers can be trusted and which are likely to be traitors to their own people but there should be someone making sure that these things don't happen...
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/146111#.Ti9Niiy6SL8IDF Prosecuting Four Intel OfficersIDF to prosecute four field intelligence officers for shutting of critical surveillance equipment and 'putting national security at risk.'
Gavriel QueenannIDF prosecutors are pursuing charges against four female IDF field intelligence officers for allegedly shutting off surveillance equipment and thus failing to collect information on Israel's northern border.
The four women were arrested a month ago, but the incident did not pass Israel's military censor until this week.
Some of the details in the case remain under gag order, but according to the IDF's Northern Command, charges will be pressed against the four soldiers for overstepping authority to the point of putting national security at risk, failing to follow orders, and destroying property.
IDF prosecutors are also mulling charging the suspects with assisting the enemy, but observers say such a severe accusation making it into the indictement is unlikely.
Over the last few months, the soldiers switched off the systems that they were in charge of on several occasions. These surveillance systems, IDF sources say, collect information of high importance about activity on the Lebanese side of the 'Blue Line,' which serves as the defacto Israel-Lebanon border.
An investigation into the suspects' conduct was launched after a commander complained.
The soldier's motives, or whether or not they admitted culpability, remains unknown. However, they reportedly told their commanders that they found their job conditions very difficult and couldn’t bear the pressure.
IDF sources said the complaint against the soldiers is very serious and must be thoroughly investigated, and if the soldiers are found to be guilty of misconduct they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.