IDF: The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi, held a consultation today (Sunday) regarding the film "Nezah," with the participation of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Tamir Yadai, the Head of the Operatio

The Chief of Staff emphasized that this is a deliberate attempt to directly harm the legitimacy of the IDF and the State of Israel. He further added that the IDF operates in accordance with international law, the spirit of the IDF, and its values, and leads the effort to minimize harm to uninvolved individuals, with significantly lower harm to uninvolved individuals compared to terrorists, relative to other world armies. In the words of The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi: “According to the publications so far, this is not a film of criticism of the IDF and not an attempt to ascertain the truth. It is based on blood libels, deliberate distortion of reality, and false and serious accusations against IDF soldiers and their commanders. This is a move against the State of Israel, not just against the IDF. It adopts the narratives of Israel’s enemies, slanders our soldiers and commanders, and seeks to portray the IDF as acting intentionally unlawfully. This is a dangerous attempt to deny us the legitimacy to defend ourselves against the worst of our enemies – and in doing so, to seriously endanger IDF soldiers and their commanders. We will not allow IDF soldiers to be made a target through lies and blood libels. Against such an attempt, we must act with determination, with all the tools at our disposal – legal, command, and public relations.” The Chief of Staff emphasized the need for a broad national and international public relations effort, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the National Public Diplomacy Directorate, and other relevant bodies. At the end of the discussion, The Chief of Staff instructed on a series of steps: * Establishment of a multi-organizational and multi-disciplinary team, led by the Head of the Planning Directorate, to formulate courses of action and tools for dealing with false allegations against the IDF and its soldiers, in cooperation with experts from Israel and abroad. * The Chief of Staff instructed the Military Advocate General to examine and promote possible legal actions regarding the film and those involved in it, among other reasons due to the dissemination of false allegations against IDF soldiers, and their potential implications for their personal security and the security of the state. * Examination of information security aspects and possible involvement regarding the leak of classified materials used in the production of the film. The Chief of Staff emphasized that the IDF will act with all the tools at its disposal to protect its soldiers, commanders, and fighters, and the good name of the Israel Defense Forces.