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When in doubt, there is no doubt, DON’T SHOOT!
- 11 January 2023
- 11:08 pm
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- 11 January 2023
- 11:08 pm
Brigadier General Gruber addressing the participants in the Jewish Media Summit inside the Urban Warfare Training Center (a mock city) located in Israel’s Tze’elim military base in the Negev desert. (Photo: Supplied)
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On an unusually hot December morning, participants in the Jewish Media Summit 2022 met up with Brigadier General Bentzi Gruber, Vice Commander (reserves) of Division 252, an armored division of 20,000 soldiers, at the Urban Warfare Training Center (a mock city) located in Israel’s Tze’elim military base.
There they learned about the IDF’s daily battle to both sustain national security and uphold one of the most rigorous military code of ethics in the world today, which states: “The soldier shall not employ his weaponry and power in order to harm non-combatants or prisoners of war, and shall do all he can to avoid harming their lives, bodies, honor, and property.”.
Brigadier General Guber spoke to the group about the important work the IDF does to protect Israeli citizens living on the border with the Gaza strip and about the many challenges IDF soldiers face when asked to undertake important security operations, often within urban settings.
He explained to us, “security, humanity and responsibility are the IDF’s most noble values”. The IDF, being responsible for Israel’s defense against external threats and for maintaining internal security, is known for its high level of professionalism and for adhering to a strict moral code founded on the principle of “purity of arms.” This principle dictates that soldiers should use their weapons only as a last resort and that they should take every precaution to avoid harming innocent civilians.
Simply put, when in doubt, there is no doubt, DON’T SHOOT!
The IDF also upholds the value of “human dignity,” which means that soldiers must treat all individuals with respect and dignity, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or political views. This includes the prohibition of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
As Brigadier General Gruber explained, “a baby is a baby is a baby whether he’s Palestinian, Jewish, Muslim Christian or any other. We don’t kill babies.”
Another important principle in the IDF’s moral code is “loyalty to the mission.” This means that soldiers should always prioritize the success of their mission over their own personal interests or desires. This requires a high level of discipline and self-control, as well as a willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good.
As Brigadier General Gruber put it, “Imagine having to spend 2 weeks confined to a tank, deep inside Gaza, with the temperature inside 10+ degrees warmer than outside, with little food or drink and barely any sleep. Now imagine maintaining a high level of discipline and self-control. Imagine having to make a life-or-death decision under these circumstances. Now imagine doing so in less than 4 seconds. That is how much time soldiers have to make the decision whether to shoot or not to shoot.”
He continued, “It is for this reason that the IDF has established several specific guidelines to ensure that its soldiers behave ethically in the field. For example, the IDF has strict rules regarding the use of force, which dictate that soldiers should use the minimum amount of force necessary to accomplish their mission and that they should always attempt to avoid causing unnecessary harm.”
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The IDF also has strict rules regarding the treatment of prisoners of war and other detainees. These rules are based on the Geneva Conventions, which are international agreements that establish standards for the treatment of prisoners of war and other protected persons.
“The IDF is committed to adhering to these standards and to treating all prisoners with dignity and respect,” Brigadier General Gruber concluded.
Brigadier General Bentzi Gruber
One of the key ways the IDF promotes its moral code is through its training and education programs. All soldiers receive extensive training in ethical behavior, and the IDF places a strong emphasis on the importance of adhering to its principles. This includes training in the legal and ethical aspects of military operations, as well as training in leadership and decision-making.
To ensure that its soldiers adhere to its moral code, the IDF includes an internal affairs department, which investigates allegations of misconduct, and a military advocate general, who is responsible for providing legal advice to the military and for overseeing the investigation of alleged violations of the law.
The moral code of the IDF is a crucial aspect of its identity and its ability to fulfill its mission. By adhering to the principles of purity of arms, human dignity, and loyalty to the mission, the IDF upholds its values and maintains its reputation as a professional and ethical military force. Brigadier General Guber believes that “the most important thing in the world is to perform an act of kindness for another.” That is the essence of morality.
Ron East is an educator, community leader and public speaker. He’s spent a decade teaching in the Jewish and public school systems and spent a significant amount of time in various leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector including Executive Director of Football Manitoba and the Manitoba chapter of CFHU. Ron has published numerous newsletters, award winning magazines and online publications and is currently the Publishing Director of TheJ.Ca.
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Thank you for choosing TheJ.Ca as your source for Canadian Jewish News.
We do news differently!
Our positioning as a Zionist News Media platform sets us apart from the rest. While other Canadian Jewish media are advocating increasingly biased progressive political and social agendas, TheJ.Ca is providing more and more readers with a welcome alternative and an ideological home.
We revealed the incursion of anti-Israel progressive elements such as IfNotNow into our communities. We have exposed the distorted hateful agenda of the “progressive” left political radicals who brought Linda Sarsour to our cities, and we were first to report on many disturbing incidents of Nazi-based hate towards Jews across Canada.
But we can’t do it alone. We need your HELP!
Our ability to thrive and grow in 2020 and beyond depends on the generosity of committed readers and supporters like you.
Monthly support is a great way to help us sustain our operations. We greatly appreciate any contributions you can make to support Jewish Journalism.
We thank you for your ongoing support.
Happy reading!
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