Following a "Zman Emet" Investigation, Opposition MKs Demand Answers from the IDF Chief
Following the "Zman Emet" investigation into the territorial defense units in Judea and Samaria, MKs Gilad Kariv and Ram Ben Barak on Thursday called on the IDF chief of staff and the commander of Central Command to act transparently regarding the deployment of the territorial defense units in the territories, bring to justice soldiers operating in violation of orders, and disband territorial defense units in illegal outposts. It was written that "the investigation presents a grave picture of the conduct of territorial defense soldiers, who are allegedly using systematic violence against Palestinian residents in Judea and Samaria, in order to seize areas and to drive residents away from their land, all while abusing their authority and unlawfully using the military weapons in their possession."
The questions the IDF chief of staff and the commander of Central Command were asked to answer: "1. What instructions are given to territorial defense soldiers regarding the possession and use of weapons provided to them by the IDF? 2. We would like to know who determines the missions of the territorial defense units and who commands them. 3. Are territorial defense forces and standby squads permitted to operate outside the boundaries of Israeli communities and outside the areas referred to as 'guarding zones'? And, are they authorized to operate within Palestinian villages, including in Areas A and B? 4. What authority is granted to territorial defense soldiers and members of standby squads under army procedures and internal instructions? 5. Are territorial defense forces and standby squads assigned to unregulated settlements, including illegal outposts and agricultural farms whose legal status has not been regulated? 6. What screening, training and oversight mechanisms exist to prevent overstepping authority and misuse of weapons?"
"The claims made recently greatly reinforce the concern that figures within the IDF bear substantial responsibility for this improper situation," the MKs said in their statement. "The chief of staff and the Military Advocate General, each within their own authority, have the power and the responsibility to act most decisively against lawbreakers, something that, regrettably, has not been done so far, or has been done insufficiently."
As part of the investigation, Chen Liberman presented testimony from Israeli activists who found themselves facing the weapons distributed to territorial defense soldiers, as well as testimony from the families of Palestinians who were killed or wounded by those same soldiers. Among other things, testimony will be revealed from reservists who said their commander ordered them to carry out a forceful and deterrent operation in Palestinian villages in order to "show them who is boss," while demanding that they turn off their tracking devices so that the brigade would not know about it.
More on the riots in Huwara: 2 arrested, the farm owner admitted the herd was not stolen, 13-year-old and 32-year-old were shot dead by an Israeli, an IDF Military Police investigation has been opened.
