To Haaretz: On the ethics of the IDF -Tzahal

To: Haaretz

The Letter Editor

Sub: On the ethics of the IDF - Tzahal                                                     14 Jan 2005

In this article you recall again uncritically the Palestinian-fabricated cliché of IDF being a brutal occupying army. Facts instead of clichés say otherwise.

For example you were among the heralds of a massacre in Jenin. The facts became known were opposite: the UN committee found among the 53 Palestinians dead 4 women, 1 child and 48 men mostly proven to have held weapons. In order to avoid civilian casualties the Israel Defense Forces had insisted to conquer a stronghold of terrorists by light weapons only and paid for it with the life of 23 soldiers.

Now you write about IDF's brutality in its campaign against the Palestinian weapon smuggling tunnels. Facts are opposite again. After BBC's photos a few months ago showed IDF soldiers destructing the tunnels while scrupulously saving human lives, now we saw photos http://www.take-a-pen.org/english/Articles/Art18122004a.htm - how Israeli soldiers save the life even of their enemies, rescuing weapon smuggling terrorists from a collapsed tunnel and giving them medical treatment.

More than that, if however soldiers are caught in misconduct towards Arab civilians they are severely punished, as it happened just recently.

 So, facts instead of your frequently hostile fictions show an Israel Defense Forces which is not perfect, but which is probably one of the most honest armies on earth ever. The IDF has respect for civilian lives as a basic value, and makes painful sacrifices for it while fighting against terrorists who deliberately hide behind civilian population.

This IDF deserves respectful watch not unfounded accusations.

Respectfully,

E. Mozes