Jailed Israeli soldier freed after pork sandwich scandal

[Jesus Malverde]

An Israeli soldier who was jailed earlier this week for eating a non-kosher sandwich has been freed after the army agreed to release him following a wave of public pressure.

The soldier, who recently immigrated to Israel from America, was initially jailed for 11 days after eating a sandwich containing pork, which is forbidden by Jewish dietary law, public radio reported.

But news of his punishment spread quickly on social media, sparking a public outcry which prompted the army to revoke the punishment, admitting it had made a mistake.

"The bottom line is that we were wrong," wrote army spokesman Brigadier General Moti Almoz on his official Facebook page on Tuesday.

"The punishment which was given to the soldier was cancelled and he will be released home," he said.

"On the one hand, the IDF (army) will continue to keep kosher but we not poke our noses into soldiers' sandwiches," he wrote acknowledging there were tensions within Israeli society but saying the army had a "place for everyone."

http://news.yahoo.com/jailed-israeli-soldier-freed-pork-sandwich-scandal-082446371.html

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. I had really hoped that was 'The Onion', but it appears to be real.

Israel will throw a Jewish soldier in jail for eating pork. Mind boggling.

(Edit: Actually, maybe it's the IDF specifically that threw him in jail, given the wording about pressure.)

[malthaussen]

2. I get the feeling it was some overzealous nitwit who jailed the man.

But the fact that the system allows such a "mistake" to be made is indicative.

-- Mal

[truebrit71]

3. Ridiculous.

What fucking century is this?

Still taking dietary advice from the imaginary?