Israel’s military has announced new media engagement rules for its personnel following a Brazilian court’s decision to investigate war crime allegations against a visiting Israeli soldier.
According to the reports of Leaders team, the updated guidelines, revealed on Wednesday, mandate obscuring the identities of most Israeli soldiers, including their names and faces, during media appearances. This applies to both active-duty and reserve members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The policy shift follows a high-profile case involving a former Israeli soldier who fled Brazil after a pro-Palestinian NGO accused him of committing war crimes in Gaza. A court ordered an investigation, prompting the soldier to return to Israel last week. In an audio interview with CNN affiliate Kan, the soldier revealed he had been accused of killing “thousands of children” based on a 500-page document featuring his photograph in uniform.
New Rules to Protect IDF Personnel
Military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani confirmed the new protocols aim to protect Israeli personnel from incidents initiated by “anti-Israel activists worldwide.”
As per the sources of Leaders team, soldiers ranked colonel and below can now only be filmed from behind, with their faces obscured, and only their first initial may be used in reports.
The guidelines also extend to IDF members with dual citizenship, restricting them from disclosing full names or showing their faces during interviews. Additionally, no interviews can link soldiers to specific combat operations.
Rising Legal Risks Abroad
A former senior officer in Israel’s Judge Advocate General’s department noted a rising trend of international attempts to prosecute Israeli soldiers, not just senior officials. While no arrests or trials have occurred yet, activists are increasingly targeting lower-ranking personnel.
The case against the soldier in Brazil originated from a complaint by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), a pro-Palestinian NGO. The group accused him of participating in the demolition of civilian homes in Gaza. A Brazilian judge subsequently ordered police to investigate the claims.
HRF, named after a five-year-old girl killed in Gaza, campaigns to hold Israeli soldiers accountable for alleged war crimes. It has filed similar lawsuits against Israeli personnel in countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Chile.
Political and Public Reactions
The allegations sparked outrage in Israel, with opposition leader Yair Lapid calling the situation a “monumental political failure.” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described it as part of a “systematic anti-Semitic campaign.”
The controversy has also alarmed Israeli families. A group of soldiers’ mothers sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging military leadership to protect their children from international legal risks.
With these new media engagement rules, the Israeli military seeks to shield its soldiers from mounting global scrutiny and legal challenges stemming from their service in Gaza.
