IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha\'ul Mofaz was presented this week with a report on soldiers investigated for inappropriate behavior during Operation Defensive Shield. Six soldiers were indicted on charges of pillage in the Central Command\'s military court, and five of them were convicted and sentenced to up to five months of imprisonment and demotion to private. In addition, about 20 investigations are being conducted by the criminal investigation division concerning suspected acts of violence against PA residents, theft of property, and intentional damage caused to property and vehicles.
The Chief of Staff stressed that these few cases do not reflect on the entire IDF. He re-emphasized the obligation to act according to the \"IDF Spirit,\" which he said would \"preserve the IDF\'s moral strength, which is essential to its activity. The purity of arms and ethical warfare will continue, as always, to guide the IDF\'s behavior as a body, and of each commander and soldier. Any exception will be investigated. We will deal with a penny as we would with a fortune.\" Mofaz noted that commanders and soldiers alike \"have maintained the high standards that characterize the IDF in their combat,\" and he praised them for it.
The Chief of Staff stressed that these few cases do not reflect on the entire IDF. He re-emphasized the obligation to act according to the \"IDF Spirit,\" which he said would \"preserve the IDF\'s moral strength, which is essential to its activity. The purity of arms and ethical warfare will continue, as always, to guide the IDF\'s behavior as a body, and of each commander and soldier. Any exception will be investigated. We will deal with a penny as we would with a fortune.\" Mofaz noted that commanders and soldiers alike \"have maintained the high standards that characterize the IDF in their combat,\" and he praised them for it.