IDF Soldiers Slam Israel on Gaza

IDF Soldiers Criticize Israel's Gaza Conduct

The latest criticism of Israel's conduct in its war on Gaza comes not from an international organization or from Palestinians, but instead from within Israel itself. An activist group called Breaking the Silence gathered anonymous accounts from 26 soldiers, who stated that they were ordered to fire on any building that looked suspicious and that, at times, Palestinians were used as human shields. Two separate accounts state:

One soldier is quoted saying: "The soldiers were made to understand that their lives were the most important, and that there was no way our soldiers would get killed for the sake of leaving civilians the benefit of the doubt.

People were not instructed to shoot at everyone they see, but they were told that from a certain distance when they approach a house, no matter who it is - even an old woman - take them down.

Other claims made by the soldiers include reports of vandalism of Palestinian property, the use of white phosphorus and soldiers shooting at water tanks because they were "bored." One soldier said that the general policy was to "shoot first." He described that:

The goal was to carry out an operation with the least possible casualties for the army, without it even asking itself what the price would be for the other side. This was the thrust of things that we heard from more than one officer. . .We did not get instructions to shoot at anything that moved, but we were generally instructed: if you feel threatened, shoot.

The claims are generally in line with reports made by such groups as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Israel has rejected the group's criticisms, with IDF spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Avital Leibovich, saying that the claims were "based on hearsay," going on state:

We did many things in order to try to save lives of the population, such as half a million leaflets were dropped from the air, numerous phone calls to terrorists' homes were made, we used the local media to warn the public and so on and so forth.

Furthermore, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak also released a statement:

Criticism directed at the IDF by one organization or another is inappropriate and is directed at the wrong place. The IDF is one of the most ethical armies in the world and acts in accordance with the highest moral code.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 1,500 Palestinians were killed in the conflict, the vast majority of them civilians. Israel claims that only 295 civilians died. According to the United Nations, 50,000 homes, 800 industrial properties, 200 schools, 39 mosques and two churches were destroyed.

For the complete report and to learn more about Breaking the Silence, visit their website.

HEADLINES

Barak: Criticism of IDF should be directed at me (Ha'aretz)

Blair: Palestinian state can be built from 'bottom up' (The Jerusalem Post)

Gaza authorities: Galloway convoy expected by Wednesday (Ma'an)

Palestinians ban Al-Jazeera over plot allegations (Reuters)

Israeli bill would require referendum for Golan pullout (Ma'an)

Palestine and the Palestinians

Hamas slams PNA decision to suspend al-Jazeera office in West Bank (Xinhau)

PA shuts down Al-Jazeera's West Bank offices (Ma'an)

PLO calls estranged leader Qaddoumi 'deranged' (Jerusalem Post)

Undercover cops used in fence protests (Jerusalem Post)

Settlers torch Palestinian farmland in Safa (Ma'an)

Israel

Settlers ransack home east of Tulkarem, soldiers follow (Ma'an)

Israel rejects EU leader's call to recognize Palestinian state (Ma'an)

Israeli Cell Phone Company in Hot Water Over Ad Featuring Wall (ABC News)

Israel accused of mistreating women prisoners (AFP)

Charges dropped against settler filmed shooting at Palestinians (Ha'aretz)

The Neighbors

Lebanese, Israeli troops narrowly avoid battle (Daily Star)

Has Ahmadinejad lost his global following? (Christian Science Monitor)

Mubarak: Israel scuttled deal for captive soldier (AFP)

Palestinian President Abbas Due In Turkey (Turk.net)

US Foreign Policy

Why US diplomats are visiting Israeli settlers (Christian Science Monitor)

Geithner and the New Middle East Economic Agenda (Brookings)

International Relations/Law

IMF: West Bank economy can grow if Israel eases up (AFP)

Dominican Republic, Palestinians To Establish Ties (Nasdaq)

U.K. upholds ban on 'misleading' Israel tourism ad (Ha'aretz)

Two Israeli warships cross Suez Canal (Reuters)

Arts and Activism

Breakdance breaks out in the Gaza Strip (Electronic Intifada)

Misc.

High-tech Israeli-Palestinian firm defies barriers (AFP)

Commentary

Mackey: Israeli Ad Makes Light of Separation Barrier (New York Times)

Khatib: Negotiations and settlement construction cannot coexist (Ma'an)

Lerman: A disaster for Jews and Israel (Guardian UK)

Harris: Israeli warships lates signal to Iran (Xinhua)

Glunts: Israel's Dr. Stranglelove (Anti-War)

Speak to us, Mr. President (Ha'aretz)

Lebanon needs a cabinet whose members agree on key policy issues (Daily Star)

Abunimah: Hamas' choice (Counterpunch)

Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.

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