Israel’s military has introduced new media engagement rules for its members following a Brazilian court's order to investigate war crime allegations against an Israeli soldier visiting the country. The guidelines, announced on Wednesday, mandate obscuring the names and faces of most Israeli soldiers, both active duty and reserve.
The decision comes after a former Israeli soldier fled Brazil last week when a court there ordered an investigation into allegations by a pro-Palestinian NGO that the soldier was involved in war crimes in Gaza. The soldier returned to Israel on Wednesday, as reported by CNN affiliate Kan.
The Israeli military spokesperson, Nadav Shoshani, mentioned the case in a briefing on the new measures, stating that they aim to protect Israeli personnel from incidents involving anti-Israel activists globally. The guidelines require soldiers at the rank of colonel and below to be filmed only from behind with their faces obscured, and only the first initial of their name can be used.
Additionally, military personnel with foreign citizenships, in both combat and non-combat roles, must have their faces obscured and cannot disclose their full names in interviews. The protocols apply to all combat zones, and soldiers being interviewed cannot be linked to a specific combat operation, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
A former senior officer in Israel’s Judge Advocate General’s department noted a rise in attempts overseas to bring charges against Israelis who served in the war, targeting not only high-ranking officers and politicians but also ordinary soldiers.
The soldier who fled Brazil recounted the shock of learning about the accusations against him, which alleged he had murdered thousands of children based on a 500-page document containing a picture of him in uniform in Gaza. The soldier expressed a desire to 'get off the radar and continue [his] life' following the attention his case received.
The case stemmed from a complaint by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), a pro-Palestinian NGO dedicated to challenging Israeli impunity and honoring the memory of victims in Gaza. The group has pursued legal action against Israeli soldiers in various countries, including Brazil, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Chile.
The soldier's case sparked public outcry in Israel, with opposition leaders and government officials expressing differing views on the matter. The incident underscores the complex legal challenges faced by Israeli soldiers abroad and the ongoing debate surrounding Israel's military actions in Gaza.
