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'We won't stand for this': IDF chief condemns soldiers who stole property in Lebanon

From Jerusalem Post · (4m ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir condemned alleged theft of Lebanese property by Israeli soldiers.
  • Zamir stated that such incidents, if they occurred, are a disgrace and do not align with IDF values.
  • He also instructed soldiers to cease posting their activities on social media.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, has publicly addressed allegations of soldiers stealing property from Lebanese villages, issuing a strong condemnation of such actions. In his first public comments on the matter, Zamir emphasized that while the soldiers may be operating under the stress of a prolonged conflict, theft is unacceptable and goes against the core values of the IDF.

The incidents against our values which we have seen are the result of a long and complex period, but this does not justify them. We cannot compromise on our values.

— Lt.-Gen. Eyal ZamirCondemning alleged theft of Lebanese property by IDF soldiers.

"The phenomenon of theft, if it exists, is a disgrace and could stamp a blemish on all of the IDF," Zamir stated, signaling a zero-tolerance policy. He assured that any such incidents would be thoroughly investigated, reinforcing the military's commitment to upholding ethical standards even amidst operational challenges. The remarks come after reports surfaced last week detailing a potentially significant number of incidents where Israeli infantry allegedly took personal items from Lebanese homes while searching for Hezbollah weapons.

The phenomenon of theft, if it exists, is a disgrace and could stamp a blemish on all of the IDF.

— Lt.-Gen. Eyal ZamirAddressing allegations of soldiers stealing Lebanese property.

Adding to his directives, Zamir also cautioned IDF soldiers against posting their activities on social media. This instruction appears to be a direct response to previous incidents, including one where soldiers were penalized for breaking a Christian icon in southern Lebanon, which drew international criticism. The move aims to prevent further reputational damage and maintain operational security by controlling the narrative and image presented by soldiers online. The restoration of standard IDF police checks for soldiers reentering Israel, after a reported temporary removal, is also part of these efforts to curb smuggling and ensure accountability.

If there were incidents like this, we would probe them. We won’t stand for this.

— Lt.-Gen. Eyal ZamirCommenting on the alleged theft of Lebanese property.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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