Documentation of terrorist attacks in the Gaza Strip / IDF spokesman
The Chief Military Prosecutor, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, sent a letter today (Wednesday) to the commanders of the IDF under the name "Fighting and Victory in accordance with the law", in which she warned against cases and actions that cross the criminal threshold.
Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi/IDF spokesperson
The full letter:
"Commanders, since the first day of the war, the IDF has been working to protect the State of Israel and to realize the goals of the war.
It's been over four months, you and your subordinates are working with courage and deep dedication to maintain the security of the country, return the kidnapped and win the war.
The fighting includes many displays of heroism that inspire pride.
The IDF
faces complex challenges. This, especially in view of the nature of the fighting, which is carried out in a populated urban area, the density of which is one of the highest in the world;
While exploiting the law and breaking it - we fight according to the law.
The IDF's activities are carried out in accordance with clear principles - the use of force for a military purpose only; distinguishing between the enemy and uninvolved civilians; and a commitment to reducing damage to the population and civilian property, as much as possible. These principles have been woven into the IDF's code of values since it was established, and are also anchored in the instructions the operational and the operative orders.
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IDF forces are fighting in the north, center and south of the Gaza Strip/IDF spokesperson
"The professional, precise, ethical and legal activity of the IDF is a source of strength, which allows us to maintain our moral superiority over the enemy.
The best guarantee for this is the command and values discourse led by the IDF commanders; a discourse dedicated not only to the manner in which weapons are used, but also to the importance of maintaining the purity of the weapons. The
use of force is, as a rule, carried out in a professional and legal manner. Along with this, we have also encountered improper cases of conduct which deviates from IDF formations and orders.
In this, inappropriate statements are included, which encourage inappropriate phenomena;
Operationally unjustified use of force, including against detainees;
Plunder, which includes the use or removal of
private property for non-operational purposes;
and destruction of civilian property contrary to orders.
Some of the incidents go beyond the disciplinary sphere, and cross the criminal threshold."
"These actions and statements, on the part of individuals who do not represent the whole, are contrary to the IDF being a professional, moral and state army, and their place will not be recognized in the IDF. They are also insults to the State of Israel and the IDF Strategic damage in the international arena, the seriousness of which is difficult to overstate. Cases that justify this are examined and arbitrated by the enforcement bodies, and at the end of the examination processes, the military attorney's office will make decisions regarding the steps to be taken against the suspects involved, at the command, disciplinary, or legal level.
I would like to emphasize again the essential role Reserve for commanders in relation to these unusual events:
A preliminary explanatory answer in order to prevent these cases.
Creating a commanding and educational environment, where there is zero tolerance for this type of cases.
Sharp and effective command or disciplinary treatment, in the appropriate cases.
Reporting the cases to the authorized enforcement agencies immediately upon their occurrence.
The council will not yet investigate unusual events, in order not to disrupt the criminal investigation.
Cooperation with the members of the General Staff investigation mechanism.
Explanation to the rest of the soldiers about the treatment, while clarifying that we are treating unusual phenomena, which do not indicate the general rule.
"The IDF is in a very complex war.
As great as the challenge posed by fighting - so is the intensity of its righteousness.
Maintaining the values of the purity of weapons and the purity of the camp, and the IDF being a law-abiding, state and professional army, is a task shared by all of us - commanders and enforcement agents alike.
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Gaza Strip
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Gaza war
Military Prosecution