The IDF Spokesperson’s office on Sunday issued a statement saying that Brig. Gen. Ofek Buchris has requested to be discharged from service immediately, to enable him to participate in the trial against him as a civilian and not as a military officer.
“Despite the disarray in my life because of the retirement I had not planned, I am happy with my lot, proud of my military service and hoping to return to contributing to my country after my acquittal,” Buchris said in a statement.
Buchris, 48, a religious Orthodox Jew, was indicted by a special military court on several counts of rape, sodomy, indecent assault and misconduct against two female soldiers who served under his command during his tenure as Golani Brigade Commander.
In late 2015 the military was about to appoint him Head of the Operations Division, a senior position in the IDF command. Then, in February 2016, deputy chief of staff Maj. Gen. Yair Golan suspended Buchris following a complaint by one of his female subordinates in Golani. The Military Police investigations unit launched an investigation of accusations of rape against him. Buchris denied all the accusations from the start, but on March 10 the new chief of staff Maj. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot revoked his high command appointment, since the investigation was dragging on and the army needed to fill the post.