Ben-Gvir Proposes Replacing IDF's 'Purity of Arms' Value
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir plans to replace the IDF's "Purity of Arms" value with "Justification of Arms" and remove protections for prisoners and non-combatants. He also wants to define the IDF as a "Jewish army" focused on victory and remove its grounding in "universal moral values." Ben-Gvir previously announced his bid for Defense Minister, advocating for policies like Palestinian voluntary emigration from Gaza and the West Bank.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir plans to replace the IDF's "Purity of Arms" with "Justification of Arms."
- The proposal includes removing prohibitions against harming prisoners and non-combatants.
- Ben-Gvir wants to define the IDF as a "Jewish army" focused on defeating enemies.
- He also seeks to remove the IDF's grounding in "universal moral values."
- Ben-Gvir previously declared his intention to seek the Defense Minister role.
- His security plan includes encouraging voluntary Palestinian emigration from Gaza and the West Bank.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has prepared a plan to replace the IDF's core value of "Purity of Arms" with "Justification of Arms," according to a report by Kan News. His party, Otzma Yehudit, drafted a document proposing this change, alongside removing prohibitions against harming prisoners and non-combatants. Ben-Gvir intends to seek approval for these changes in the next government.
The current IDF ethical code states that soldiers should only use their weapons for their mission, not harm prisoners, and prevent harm to non-combatants' lives, bodies, dignity, and property. Ben-Gvir's proposal would replace this with a principle that soldiers should use their weapons to defeat the enemy, guided by the concept "He who comes to kill you, rise early to kill him."
Furthermore, Ben-Gvir suggests defining the IDF as a "Jewish army" whose goal is the "victory and decision over the enemies of the State of Israel and the people of Israel." He also seeks to remove the statement that the IDF's spirit is derived, in part, from "universal moral values based on human dignity."
Last month, Ben-Gvir announced his intention to demand the position of Defense Minister in the upcoming government, stating it's time for someone not "held captive by concepts" from the security establishment to hold the role. He also presented a security plan that includes encouraging the voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank. Responding to a question about potential diplomatic crises if appointed Defense Minister, he referenced Yoav Gallant, saying, "Woe unto us if we start and do things according to the will of various other countries."