Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz sharply criticized Haaretz for what they called a “blood libel,” responding to a report that claimed IDF soldiers had been instructed to shoot at civilians trying to obtain humanitarian aid.
“These are vicious lies designed to discredit the IDF — the most moral army in the world,” the two declared in a joint statement, rejecting the allegations outright.
Despite the strongly worded condemnation, the IDF has acknowledged that it has launched a senior-level internal investigation into the claims outlined in the article.
“The IDF operates under difficult conditions against a terrorist enemy that operates from within the civilian population… and operates an entire industry of lies to undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel,” the statement continued, defending the army’s conduct in complex combat situations.
“IDF soldiers receive clear orders to avoid harming innocent civilians, and they act accordingly,” the two leaders insisted, emphasizing the ethical standards of the Israeli military.
“Israel calls on all free democratic countries to stand by it in its just and moral struggle against the murderous terrorist organization Hamas,” they concluded, appealing to the international community for support.
{Matzav.com}