Israeli Soldiers Brawl Over Antigay Taunt

An Israeli reservist was knocked unconscious this month during a near-fatal brawl with soldiers in mandatory service who mocked the reservists as "homosexuals" for serving alongside women.

Ynet reports that the reservist was hit on the head and lost consciousness in the fight that followed the antigay taunt.

"According to eye witnesses, the soldiers held sticks, stones and a chair," reports Ynet. "One of them attacked a reservist with a stick while others hurled stones and the chair at him and his friend."

Eventually, the reservist's friend introduced a rifle into the chaos, but another soldier managed to push it away and possibly avoid a deadly outcome.

"The Military Prosecution decided to indict one of the regular soldiers with assault with intent to injure, and one of the reservists with unlawful possession of a weapon," Ynet reports.

Gay people have been allowed to serve openly in the Israeli military since 1993.