IDF Chief of Staff Slams 'False Accusations' Film, Orders Legal Action

The Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi, has strongly condemned a film he described as based on "blood libels, deliberate distortion of reality, and false and severe accusations against IDF soldiers and commanders." He stated that the film is not a critique of the IDF or an attempt to uncover truth, but rather a move against the State of Israel that adopts narratives of Israel's enemies.

Kochavi asserted that the film aims to portray the IDF as acting unlawfully and dangerously seeks to strip Israel of its legitimacy to defend itself, thereby endangering soldiers and commanders. "We will not allow IDF soldiers to be turned into targets through lies and blood libels," he declared, vowing to act decisively with all available legal, command, and public relations tools.

In response, the Chief of Staff has ordered a series of measures. These include establishing a multidisciplinary team, led by the head of the Planning Directorate, to develop strategies for countering false claims against the IDF and its soldiers, with the involvement of international experts. He also directed the Military Advocate General to examine and advance potential legal actions against the film and its creators due to the dissemination of false allegations and their potential impact on personal and national security.

Furthermore, the IDF will investigate information security aspects and potential involvement related to the leak of classified materials used in the film's production. The IDF stated it would not permit its soldiers to be targeted with falsehoods.