IDF soldiers refute claims of immoral conduct in Gaza

'It is true that in war morality can be interpreted in many different ways,
and there are always a few idiots who act inappropriately, but most of the
troops represented Israel honorably,' soldier says in response to claims of
immoral behavior during Operation Cast Lead. Reservist: Claims 'fictitious'.
'Free Gaza' movement demands international investigation
Daniel Edelson YNET Published: 03.19.09, 22:09 / Israel News
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3689388,00.html

IDF soldiers who took part in January's offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza
refuted on Thursday claims of immoral conduct on the military's part.

The claims were made by soldiers who took part in the war during a post-op
conference at the military academy at Oranim. The conference protocol was
published Thursday.

"I don't believe there were soldiers who were looking to kill (Palestinians)
for no reason," said 21-year-old Givati Brigade soldier Assaf Danziger, who
was lightly injured three days before the conclusion of Operation Cast Lead.

"What happened there was not enjoyable to anyone; we wanted it to end as
soon as possible and tried to avoid contact with innocent civilians," he
said.

According to Danziger, soldiers were given specific orders to open fire only
at armed terrorists or people who posed a threat. "There were no incidents
of vandalism at any of the buildings we occupied. We did only what was
justified and acted out of necessity. No one shot at civilians. People
walked by us freely," he recounted.

A Paratroopers Brigade soldier who also participated in the war called the
claims "nonsense". Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said "It is true
that in war morality can be interpreted in many different ways, and there
are always a few idiots who act inappropriately, but most of the soldiers
represented Israel honorably and with a high degree of morality.

"For instance, on three separate occasions my company commander checked
soldiers' bags for stolen goods. Those who stole the smallest things, like
candy, were severely punished," he said.

"We were forbidden from sleeping in Palestinians' beds even when we had no
alternate accommodations, and we didn't touch any of their food even after
we hadn't had enough to eat for two days."

According to a reservist who spent a week in Gaza during the offensive, the
claims of immoral behavior on the soldiers' part were "fictitious".

"Wherever we were we tried to cause minimum damage," said the paratrooper,
who also asked to remain nameless. "We left some of the homes cleaner than
they were before we occupied them. We even cleaned a refrigerator that
really stunk.

"During one incident, we were informed that a female suicide bomber was
heading in our direction, but even when women approached us and crossed a
certain point we made do with firing in the air, or near the women," the
soldier recalled. "Even when we came across deserted stores, we didn't even
think of taking anything. One soldier took a can of food, but he immediately
returned it after everyone yelled at him."

Major (res.) Idan Zuaretz of Givati said "in every war there is a small
percentage of problematic soldiers, but we must look at it from a broad
perspective and not focus on isolated incidents."

Zuaretz, a company commander, also questioned the integrity of the soldiers
who made the controversial claims, saying "if this was such a burning issue
for them, why have they remained silent until now? On an ethical and moral
level, they were obligated to stop what they claimed had occurred and not
wait two months to be heard at some esoteric debate."

According to the officer, the IDF went to great lengths and employed the
most advanced technology to avoid harming civilian population.

"I've seen a few things in my time, but even I was blown away by the level
of professionalism displayed by the army," Zuaretz said. "I personally gave
my soldiers an order on the day we withdrew from Gaza to leave all of our
goodies in the last house we occupied. Some reservists even left an envelope
full of money to one Palestinian family."

Meanwhile, "Free Gaza" spokeswoman Hawida Araf told Ynet that "it is hard to
say that the claims of immoral conduct are surprising," adding that an
international investigative committee must be set up to probe the incidents
in Gaza.

"Apparently some of things the soldiers had done in Gaza weighed on their
conscience to such a degree that they felt compelled to make them known,"
she said.

Araf, who has organized seven sails to Gaza in defiance of the Israeli
blockade, said a group of attorneys who visited the Strip following the
offensive is expected to issue its report next week.

"We checked whether Israel violated any international laws in Gaza," she
said, but admitted that the report was based on Palestinian eyewitness
accounts and did not include soldiers' testimonies.