Even against beasts, the IDF must uphold its values
The IDF must demonstrate that even in the face of unspeakable horrors, it remains committed to its principles.
The decision to prosecute the soldiers accused of abusing a captured Hamas Nukhba terrorist is difficult but essential. Israel faces some of the most ruthless enemies imaginable — terrorists who, on Oct. 7, invaded its territory, slaughtered children and women, raped, tortured and murdered without mercy. In the eyes of most Israelis, these beasts deserve no sympathy. But precisely because the moral gulf between us and them is so vast, we must ensure that we do not blur the boundaries that define us.
The IDF proudly claims to be “the most moral army in the world.” This is not an empty slogan — it is and must be a guiding principle, even under the most arduous of circumstances. A moral army is judged not only by its conduct on the battlefield but also by how it treats its prisoners, even when they are murderous enemies. The IDF must not become an army of vengeance. It fights to defend Israel’s citizens, to eliminate enemy forces, and to eradicate threats. But even this requires legal and moral restraint. Once Israel captures and detains terrorists, they fall under the jurisdiction of Israeli military and international law.
This is not a matter of showing compassion to our enemies. Morally speaking, they deserve the harshest retributive justice, and many Israelis would support capital punishment — sentencing them to death. But a civilized nation cannot afford to turn its soldiers into torturers, because the erosion of values and norms begins with small cracks that quickly expand into deep fissures.
Every society engaged in war — especially against an enemy that recognizes no human norms — faces moments when it must choose between an emotional response and a principled one. If we condone prisoner abuse, we will erode the fundamental values the IDF and Israeli society are built upon. The IDF has been operating under extreme conditions since Oct. 7. There is no doubt that those who have witnessed Hamas’ atrocities firsthand, feel overwhelming rage toward the captured terrorists. But if we allow that rage to dictate a policy of cruelty and the meting out of “battlefield justice,” we will find ourselves sliding into a reality with no boundaries — where we risk losing our moral identity.
The IDF must demonstrate that even in the face of unspeakable horrors, it remains committed to its principles. This is not about leniency toward terrorists; it is about protecting the fundamental distinction between us and them.
This is not a call to throw the book at the accused soldiers. One hopes their trial will reveal mitigating circumstances or that their actions were not as severe as initially believed. But the decision to prosecute them is necessary, because the IDF must establish clear boundaries: prisoner abuse has no place in Israel’s just war — it is a betrayal of it. This is what separates the IDF from the terror organizations it fights. This is what distinguishes Israel from its enemies. We fight to defeat the enemy, but we cannot afford to adopt its methods and norms.
Beyond the moral issue, there are also practical and security considerations. Mistreating prisoners can have dangerous repercussions for Israeli soldiers and civilians held captive by the enemy. If we justify the abuse of Hamas prisoners, what moral ground will we have to protest if, God forbid, IDF soldiers are subjected to similar treatment?
Certainly, the leaked footage of the alleged abuse caused significant damage to Israel on the international stage. In a world eager to condemn Israel, these videos became another weapon in the arsenal of those who seek to delegitimize its actions. The leak was not just a security breach — it was a self-inflicted diplomatic wound. Those responsible for it must be held accountable, just as the soldiers involved in the incident must face due process.
There is no moral confusion here: Our enemies are among the cruelest we have ever faced, and they deserve the harshest punishment. But precisely because of this, we must uphold our values. This is not about sympathy for terrorists; it is about safeguarding our identity as a society and as a military force.
The chorus of voices defending the accused soldiers and opposing their prosecution is mistaken and dangerous. The IDF must fight terrorism with unwavering determination, but it must also preserve its character and its values. We must distinguish between resolute warfare and senseless cruelty. Upholding the law, morality, and military ethics is not a sign of weakness, it is the source of the IDF’s true strength. PJC
Dr. Shuki Friedman is the CEO of the Jewish People Policy Institute and a law lecturer at the Peres Academic Center. This first appeared on The Times of Israel.
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