An Israeli military court sentenced a soldier to five months in jail on Monday for stealing from a ship where nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists were killed in an Israeli commando raid. The soldier, who did not take part in the May 31 assault, admitted he stole a laptop and camera lenses from the Mavi Marmara after the Turkish-flagged ship, which had been trying to run an Israeli blockade of Gaza, was seized and brought to an Israeli port.
"While searching and clearing up on the Marmara in June, (the accused) took valuable property from the ship," prosecutor Itai Asael said after the prison term was announced. The soldier, a squad commander, was demoted to the rank of private and will also pay a fine of 700 shekels ($200) under a plea bargain agreement.