IDF Investigating Allegations of Breaking the Silence

The IDF is investigating illegal acts committed by soldiers during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza in 2014, according to allegations made by the Breaking the Silence Group.

A military source told The Jerusalem Post that of seven to eight current investigations, three were initiated based on information given by the controversial group of former soldiers.

In the past, the army and civilian officials have condemned the group for seeking to defame the IDF for political reasons by publicizing their claims rather than submitting them to military officials for proper examination.

However, it seems that Breaking the Silence decided to respond to criticism, and approached the IDF directly.

“We don’t care who is lodging the complaint. If they can provide evidence, and details, we are willing to receive these from anyone. We have launched investigations based on testimonies by Palestinians. And we have met with these [Breaking the Silence members] people,” the source said.

The investigations are ongoing and no details can be divulged until they are completed.

Earlier this month, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot rebuked Breaking the Silence:

IDF soldiers have been instructed that it is their duty to disobey illegal orders, he said. “We expect soldiers… to know in real time that this is the demand of them. And not, years after their release, to ‘break the silence,'” the IDF chief said.

“Those who are released [from service] and speak after a few years – I can’t argue over the specific cases. I received complaints after Operation Protective Edge, and ordered the Military Prosecution to check into the complaints of Breaking the Silence,” he added.