Army ejects accused assailant of Jewish soldier

An Army trainee who was accused of assaulting a Jewish soldier at Fort Benning last month has been thrown out the military, the Anti-Defamation League announced Sunday.

The organization commended the Army for acting “decisively to punish” the recruit who assaulted Pvt. Michael Handman, 20, of Atlanta, in a Sept. 24 incident in a barracks laundry room. After the attack, Handman was treated at a hospital for a concussion and bruises.

Army officials removed the alleged attacker under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The suspect name hasn’t been released by the Army.

“ADL’s top concern in dealing with the Handman case has been to make sure the Army sends a strong message that they will punish acts of bigotry and bullying severely,” said ADL Southeast Regional Director Bill Nigut said in a statement.

Nigut said Handman continues to be housed in a secure location on the base.

The attack occurred four days after Handman was interviewed by Army commanders after he complained in letters to his parents that he had been harassed by two drill sergeants because he was Jewish.

Military officials said last month that the Sept. 24 attack wasn’t motivated by religious bigotry.