In an effort to curb documentation of IDF soldiers by left-wing organizations as well international bodies, the Israel government passed a law on Wednesday through its first reading, that would make it an illegal infraction to film, photograph, or in any way document an IDF soldier. The bill was proposed by the Director of the Yisrael Beiteinu party MK Robert Elituv.

Any documentation of a soldier while on duty and or its dissemination would be made illegal under the new bill. The bill further states that the action will be criminal if is done with the intent to criticize or display the spirit of the IDF or Israel in a negative manner. If there is provable intent to hinder or harm the security of the state then the penalty will be doubled.

MK Elituv said: “The bill is an attempt to bring an end to the prohibited trend of villainizing IDF soldiers carrying out their duty on regular or social media. Our responsibility as elected officials is to provide IDF soldiers with the maximum level of protection from harmful elements, especially in an area in which they are exposed and unable to defend themselves.”

Director of the Im Tirzu organization Matan Peleg said: “There is a huge difference between proper journalistic documentation which is legitimate, and the actions carried out by anarchists and anti-Israel activists who use their cameras as a tool to interfere with the work of our soldiers and who do not get removed from the area. The acceptance of this bill is the next step in building a protective wall against organizations who attempt to hunt down Israeli soldiers and vilify them.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)