Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will present two new pieces of legislation to the Knesset aimed at penalising individuals who attack the reputation of the Israel Defense Forces. The announcement was made in a video posted to social media and reported by Middle East Eye.
The first proposal would allow the state to withdraw Israeli citizenship from any person deemed to have defamed soldiers of the army. The second measure seeks to raise monetary penalties, increasing existing fines by a factor of twenty for the same conduct.
Netanyahu’s initiative follows a surge of controversy after the release of the documentary titled NAZA, which includes testimonies from Israeli soldiers describing actions that could amount to war crimes during the conflict in Gaza. The film has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli officials, who argue that it unfairly tarnishes the image of the armed forces.
The prime minister indicated that the bills will be tabled in the upcoming parliamentary session, though no timeline for debate or voting has been provided. Lawmakers from various parties have yet to comment publicly on the proposals, and it remains unclear how much support the measures will garner within the coalition.
The move comes amid a broader pattern of legal and political steps taken by the Israeli government to curb criticism of its military operations. Previous attempts have included defamation lawsuits against journalists and NGOs, as well as legislation restricting the publication of certain security‑related information. Critics argue that such actions may limit freedom of expression, while supporters claim they are necessary to protect national security and the morale of the armed forces.
The proposals are expected to raise questions about the balance between safeguarding the army’s reputation and preserving democratic rights, a debate that is likely to intensify as the Knesset considers the bills.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/netanyahu-calls-strip-citizenship-those-who-defame-israeli-army.