IDF Chief of Staff Vows to Defend Soldiers Against False Accusations

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has issued a strong message to soldiers, vowing to protect them from what he described as "lies disguised as investigative journalism." The directive comes in response to the anti-Israel film "Nezah," which alleges that the IDF committed war crimes in Gaza. Halevi stated that the IDF will not allow false narratives to undermine their right to self-defense.

While Halevi has not seen the film and is unaware of its sources, he emphasized the IDF's commitment to operating according to its values and the laws of war. He recounted the Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023, and the subsequent IDF defensive war in Gaza, highlighting the challenges of fighting an enemy embedded within a civilian population. Halevi stressed that "collateral damage" is not a pejorative term but reflects the IDF's effort to minimize harm to innocent civilians while targeting those who seek to harm Israel, contrasting this with the enemy's deliberate targeting of civilians.

Halevi acknowledged the importance of self-criticism and learning within the IDF but differentiated it from what he termed "false, manipulative, and baseless defamation." He asserted that the film is a deliberate attempt to harm the legitimacy of the IDF and Israel, employing "blood libels, deliberate distortion of reality, and false and serious accusations." He believes the film adopts narratives of Israel's enemies, aiming to portray the IDF as acting unlawfully and to strip Israel of its right to self-defense.

Following the film's release, Halevi held consultations with senior IDF officials and ordered a review of potential legal actions against the film and its creators. He also directed an examination of information security aspects to determine if classified materials were leaked for the film's production. The IDF Chief of Staff has tasked a multi-organizational team with developing strategies to counter false claims against the IDF and its soldiers, utilizing legal, command, and public relations tools. He also called for a broad national and international public relations effort, involving the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Justice, and other bodies, to underscore the IDF's adherence to international law and its efforts to protect non-combatants.