As international lawsuits against IDF soldiers in active duty and reserves increase, the Israeli military has introduced new guidelines aimed at safeguarding troops traveling abroad. According to military correspondent Yishai Elmakyes, the Chief of Staff recently held a special assessment and outlined measures to protect soldiers from legal challenges tied to their actions during the Gaza conflict.
The New Directives
1. Anonymous Interviews for Junior Officers: Any interviews with soldiers below the rank of Brigadier General must feature blurred faces and omit names.
2. Dual Citizenship Precautions: Soldiers with foreign citizenship must follow the same anonymity protocols.
3. Senior Officer Exceptions: Brigadier Generals and above will have their name, rank, and unit affiliation disclosed without anonymity.
4. Pre-Interview Briefings: All interviews require prior approval from representatives of the International Law Department (Dabla) and adherence to security and censorship guidelines.
5. Group Media Appearances for Junior Ranks: Group interviews with officers ranked Colonel and below must be conducted with blurred faces and limited exposure.
6. Combat Zone Photography: Any photographs from active combat zones require approval from the Military Information Security Department.
7. Post-War Media Exposure: Officers ranked Colonel and below who were exposed in media coverage during the war may have their identities revealed without additional restrictions.
The Growing Legal Threat
In recent months, there has been a sharp increase in “lawfare” efforts targeting IDF soldiers. Pro-Palestinian organizations worldwide have compiled footage of soldiers from Gaza combat operations shared on social media. These groups are filing lawsuits in countries far removed from Israel, accusing soldiers of alleged involvement in war crimes.
A Brazilian Incident Sparks Alarm
This issue gained significant attention recently following a complicated incident involving a reserve soldier traveling in Brazil. Upon learning that pro-Palestinian organizations had filed complaints against him and that he could face arrest and investigation, the Israeli consulate contacted him and urged him to leave the country immediately.
The soldier moved to Argentina, only to face similar legal filings there. Realizing the risks, he quickly returned to Israel to avoid further complications.
Protecting IDF Soldiers in a Changing World
These developments underscore the increasing complexity of protecting IDF soldiers from legal challenges abroad. By adopting these new measures, the IDF hopes to mitigate risks while ensuring its personnel can operate effectively both at home and overseas.
