DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

Israel faces 'unprecedented delegitimization attacks' from global tribunals: IDF MAG

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Israel faces unprecedented delegitimization attacks from global tribunals over alleged war crimes, according to IDF Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Itay Offir.
  • Offir stated that cases before the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court are false, and his office will combat the charges for years.
  • He also addressed the withdrawal of indictments against soldiers in the Sdei Teiman affair, citing trial rights violations by his predecessor.

Israel is under "unprecedented delegitimization attacks" from global entities like the International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court, and the UN Secretary-General's Office, based on false war crimes accusations, said IDF Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Itay Offir. This was his first major public speech since taking office in November 2025.

Israel is under unprecedented delegitimization attacks for false war crimes accusations by global entities like the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, and the UN Secretary-General's Office.

— Maj. Gen. Itay OffirIDF Military Advocate General Itay Offir speaking in his first major public speech since taking office.

Offir described the ICJ case as "completely false" and indicated his staff and government legal teams would continue to fight the charges for years. He also highlighted the ICC's proceedings, which are reportedly seeking arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials, including Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The UN Secretary-General's report listing Israel among countries committing sexual violence in warzones was also cited as a fabricated charge.

The ICJ case is completely false and said his staff and other arms of the government's legal apparatus would continue to combat the charges for years to come.

— Maj. Gen. Itay OffirOffir commenting on the International Court of Justice proceedings.

Offir emphasized his role is to enable the IDF to fight wars with legitimacy. His staff, alongside other government legal bodies, must counter ongoing global efforts to tarnish Israel's reputation. Simultaneously, he is responsible for investigating and prosecuting IDF soldiers who violate laws and values. In a significant early decision, Offir withdrew indictments against five soldiers involved in the alleged beating of a Palestinian detainee at the Sdei Teiman detention facility. He cited extraordinary circumstances, including his predecessor's admission of illegally leaking a video that appeared to show the soldiers involved, which he believes would make a fair trial difficult. Offir also noted that the detainee, a key witness, was inexplicably sent back to Gaza before testimony was collected, further harming the case.

My role as the MAG is to enable the IDF to fight its wars to win with legitimacy.

— Maj. Gen. Itay OffirOffir describing his responsibilities as Military Advocate General.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog