Breaking Left-Wing Group 'Breaking the Silence' Issues Correction on Bluth Criticism
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The Israeli organization 'Breaking the Silence' retracted a claim that the IDF Spokesperson's Unit announced the diversion of three army companies to secure settlers in Jericho. The group corrected its statement to say the information came from media reports, not an official IDF announcement. The retraction followed sharp criticism of Central District Commander Major General Avi Bluth. This incident is the second controversy for the group in recent weeks, following remarks by its new spokesperson about her military service.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Breaking the Silence corrected its claim about an IDF announcement regarding settler security in Jericho.
- The group initially criticized Major General Avi Bluth based on inaccurate information.
- The corrected information stated troop diversion details came from media reports, not the IDF Spokesperson.
- The incident follows a prior controversy involving the group's new spokesperson, Ayelet Kroizer.
- Journalists questioned Kroizer's account of her military service in the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.
The Israeli anti-occupation group 'Breaking the Silence' issued a correction on Monday after initially criticizing Central District Commander Major General Avi Bluth for allegedly diverting three army companies to secure eight Jewish families who had entered homes purchased on the outskirts of Jericho. The group's initial social media post claimed that the IDF Spokesperson's Unit had announced the troop diversion to secure the families. However, after about three hours, the organization clarified that the information was based on media reports, not an official IDF statement.
Breaking the Silence's original post had sharply attacked Bluth, accusing him of knowing about the settlers' planned entry in advance, while other IDF sources were reportedly surprised. The group alleged that Bluth even asked the settlers to keep the entry secret from certain military elements due to potential legal ramifications, suggesting he prioritized establishing a new settlement over security and coordination. The organization further accused Bluth of acting against the army that pays him.
Following online queries about the source of the information, Breaking the Silence admitted its attribution to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit was incorrect. The group stated that the troop diversion was based on media reports, not an official IDF announcement. This incident follows another controversy involving the organization a week prior, concerning its new spokesperson, Ayelet Kroizer. Kroizer had claimed during her military service she helped draft misleading statements about IDF operations in Gaza and the West Bank. However, journalist Avishai Greeneitzag revealed Kroizer served in the economic media section of the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, not the section responsible for operational announcements, a claim also questioned by journalist Dean Shmuel Elmas, who worked with her during her service.