IDF Chief of Staff Defends Soldiers Against 'Blood Libel' Film

Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has issued a strong message to IDF soldiers and commanders condemning the film "NezA," which accuses the military of war crimes. Halevi stated that the IDF will not allow fabricated accusations to undermine its right to self-defense.

In a letter addressed to the troops, Halevi acknowledged the film's existence but emphasized that the allegations and events it presents were not professionally submitted to the IDF for review. He asserted that the film is based on "blood libels" and narratives promoted by those who hate Israel, particularly in the context of the ongoing war following the October 7th Hamas attacks.

Halevi stressed that the IDF operates according to its values and the laws of war, even when fighting an enemy embedded within civilian populations. He clarified that "collateral damage" is not a pejorative term but reflects the IDF's commitment to striking at its enemies while making maximum efforts to minimize harm to innocent civilians.

The Chief of Staff further stated that while the IDF welcomes legitimate criticism and is committed to self-examination and improvement, it will not tolerate false, manipulative, and baseless defamation presented as investigative journalism. He concluded by reaffirming the IDF's commitment to defending Israel and its citizens, promising that the military will protect its soldiers from slander and doubts about their morality, expressing pride in the IDF's values and the soldiers' actions.