Controversy
Israeli military figure Gur Rosenblat has sparked controversy with his outspoken views on Gaza, advocating for its complete eradication, including its civilian population of 2 million. In a Facebook post, he emphasized that his remarks were personal and not official, yet he did not shy away from calling for severe consequences, including expulsion or worse, for what he termed “human beasts and their supporters.”
Just days later, an Instagram account allegedly linked to Rosenblat posted a provocative photo captioned with a suggestion to shell Gaza with massive casualties until certain demands were met, a statement that has drawn widespread condemnation.
Gary Rosenblatt
On November 20th, Rosenblat continued his uncompromising stance on social media, insisting that only the total destruction of Gaza City and relocating its inhabitants could bring about meaningful change. He likened this to historical events, specifically referencing the erasure of Palestinian villages like Sheikh Munis during the establishment of Tel Aviv in 1948.
This rhetoric isn’t isolated to Rosenblat alone. Since early October, hundreds of posts from Israeli military personnel, including commanders, have been uncovered, revealing a disturbing trend of dehumanization and threats of violence towards Palestinians. These posts provide mounting evidence of potential war crimes committed by Israeli forces in Gaza, contradicting claims of defensive actions aimed at minimizing civilian casualties.
Investigation By Zeteo
Part one of Zeteo’s investigation highlighted graphic images shared by soldiers in Gaza, while part two documented the pervasive genocidal language used by Israeli soldiers, many of whom declined to comment when approached.
The controversial sentiments extend beyond social media. In October, an individual claiming to be Col. (Res.) Elad Schvartz posted a video calling for drastic action if certain hostages weren’t released within hours, advocating for the burning of Gaza neighborhood by neighborhood. Similar sentiments were echoed by soldiers from the 5060th Reserve Battalion, advocating for the burning of Palestinian cities across occupied territories.
These statements, initially dismissed as rhetoric, have had tangible consequences, serving as a blueprint for destructive military actions documented during the conflict. The intense battles in densely populated areas like Gaza City’s Shuja’iyya highlighted the brutal reality of these intentions, with reports of widespread destruction and civilian casualties.
Despite calls for accountability, the Israeli military’s response has been criticized as inadequate, with claims of a prevailing culture of impunity. While some cases have been addressed at disciplinary levels, others remain unresolved, suggesting a reluctance to fully confront the issue.
In response to inquiries, Israeli military spokespersons emphasized that such actions do not align with the IDF’s values and policies, promising investigations where criminal behavior is suspected. However, many of the offending social media posts remain online, underscoring ongoing challenges in enforcing accountability within the military ranks.
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