IDF soldier posts images of blindfolded Palestinians on Facebook, from 'best time of my life'

It just doesn't its ugly and callous nature to be documented and placed online for the world to see! Remember that one of the preparations before entering Gaza, during Op Cast Lead, was to ensure that none of its soldiers carried a cell phone or camera? Most unfortunate for the IDF that it can't control the situation as closely during routine operations.

Zionism at its best

Yes it was wrong and childish for her to post the photos (taking the photo is another matter) but such comments as "The dignity and humanity of Jewish people in Israel must be questioned by all people everywhere", is completely and outerly over the top. Far, far worst happened as at Abu Ghraib in Iraq by the US and the Brits - not that this make it right, it just goes to show that YES the IDF is the most moral Army. I won't even go what the European did during various far less existential wars and more to the point, what the Arabs do - no photos just a head rolling down the chair for the camera and millions of sadistic supporter online. The IDF can be accused of negligence in preventing a teenager taking photo on a war that the Palestinians have imposed on Israel - they should certainly look at disallowing personal camera on duty. The feedback expressed here reflect the true problem of Israel. Every single incidents is used to delegitimize and demonize Israel and/or the Jewish People. It goes far beyond the reasonable criticism of Israel. Get over yourelf, get a life and get real!

Or don't she know, what the Germans have done to the Jews?

What a shame....people like this let this country down and all that it is. Hey girl.....go get a life!

This woman's name and picture should be plastered all over the Net as an example of pure stupidity. You have to be pretty dense not to understand that a) this is morally wrong, b) it besmirches the image of the IDF and Israel and c) it will be used ad nauseum (someone translate that for her) by those who hate Israel to their very core. This just proves that Israel is like any other place: it has its share of idiots.

..you will probably wonder why he feels the need to do that. You may also be leery of doing business with him. So it is with Israels brag about their army being the "Most moral army in the world". This is a claim that only Israel will make. The armies of other nations do not feel the need. I have noticed that this claim is not made so often anymore by Israelis. No doubt they have figured out that this is not a claim that you would make even if it were true. You simply would not feel the need to do this. Only if it is not true would you make this claim as part of a propaganda effort. Propaganda is something that Israel knows something about. They used to be good at it. Now they have lost control. In their efforts to regain control, they have become terrible at propaganda.

A violation of human rights. What is Israel doing to its children?

This is the nature of occupation. You have 18 years old soldiers in charge. This one is stupid and obnoxious. It is hard for such young guys to make the distinction between "this might be a terrorist who might explode with me" and "nevertheless I should remember he might not be a terrorist today". Most soldiers are totally humane and respectful, but some are actually worse! In occupation only the worse count and so occupation is ugly. HOWEVER GET THIS: Palestinians can finish this whole occupation at once, just by admitting both Jews and Arabs have a right to live here. They only have to say this and wham!, all occupation is gone. The power of pictures - its all about feelings. If you get out from the sentiments induced by the picture, you realize these cuffed guys support terrorism and would actually kill that soldier, if the situation was opposite. We don't see the holders of Shalit, we don't see Iranian stoning women half buried, we don't see Hamas shooting people in the knees, we don't see the Palestinians getting medical care in Israel and then say they want to be shahids when they get home (all this actually happens), so we don't hate them. And here is a riddle: we're going to see many such media nasty stories of bad behavior, and guess why they'll be more and more pronounced as peace talks proceed? So much for media manipulations. The media will say "the sun is the best cure". Maybe, but I wonder how happy the media would be if their editorial discussions would be recorded and published. Having said that, this particular soldier behavior is disgusting, and should be punished.

Those pics [a few years go] I recall showed Iraqies naked or the soldier riding them or walking on leash.

You have to wonder how many IDF soldiers there are that do this and don't post it. Of course, this is the most moral army in the world! HA!

I don't support the actions of the soldiers but at least the prisoners are alive and well - these prisoners made it back to their families in time for dinner........if it was the other way around...the only pics of israeli soldiers we would get is of them being beaten and put to death........

The dignity and humanity of Jewish people in Israel must be questioned by all people everywhere.

Isn't that a war crime?

It is what we don't see that is more ominous. The IDF has never welcomed phootography when they are dealing with Palestinians. You may recall about nine or ten months ago, a Palestinian girl took a video from her home of an IDF officer and another IDF man who shot a rubber bullet into the leg of a blindfolded and bound Palestinian man at close range. The video caused the IDF to open an investigation. The IDF also came by the house of the girl and arrested the father and took him away. This is a message from the IDF. This is how a crime family is run.

horrible girl.

I don't understand how this story merits this amount of attention. She is one soldier doing something stupid - an action that has been disavowed by the IDF. If every stupid action, by every soldier, in every army merited a similar story, the media would inundated by such stories. How many US soldiers took pictures with dead Iraqis? or Russian soldiers, etc....

will love this.....be interesting how they compare this to Abu Ghraib....after all noone is being tortured or abused

To those of you who critisize her for her smile. What di these prisoners do? Murder, Rob, beat some one? if it were me I would be pleased with myself for removing criminals from society. For those who are critical of her. GROW UP there is still a war going on..

I wonder what she would say if she saw german troops posing in front of the concentrate camps, enjoying that as the best time of their lives?

HOW CAN THE PALESTINIANS CONTINUE PEACE TALKS IN GOOD FAITH WHEN A SINGLE SOLDIER IS NOT STOPPED. IDF OR ISRAEL CAN STOP THIS INSTANTLY. IT CAN ALSO GET A COURT ORDER AND OBTAIN AN INJUNCTION FROM THE SUPREME COURT IF THERE WAS WILLINGNESS TO DO SO. THEN THEY BLAME ISLAM AND CALL THEM TERRORISTS WHEN THESE PEOPLE RETALIATE. HOW SICK THE STATE OF ISRAEL IS.

This is the filth we Palestinians deal with on a daily basis!

This is what power brings out in some people. Place vulnerable people in a position of pretty absolute power over those whom they think The Other, The Enemy or inferior, and this is what you get.

Does this moron realise that while so many of us are acting as ambassadors for Israel on websites, blogs and talkbacks around the world it only takes one act of such stupidity to wreck it all?

The comparisons to Abu Ghraib are baseless, as is any alignment between the action of this soldier with that of the Israeli people and the majority of IDF personnel. Charges should be brought on the soldier regardless of when she was discharge. If we are to be the most moral army in the world, we sure better start acting like one. A lesson must be taught here. Her actions are a disgrace to the uniform she wears and the protocols of Ruach Tzahal.

she's talking to him leaning right next to him and facing him. No gun (nylon 'handcuff' strip only) and so close she feels shes' not in danger, and he can't help but perceive she is therefore not threatened and he's not threatening nor threatened as his legs are not crossed defensively as her's are. He's the same prisoner on the far left as in the 2d photo. The captions are subject to misinterpretation, but the photos of body language tell a positive story. She's doing her military duty with a positive attitude, the prisoner's are being addressed as people. Note the two on the right have hands in front - not a threat like the with hands in back she sits next to. You must read the photo and body language carefully, not just the 'wiseguy' afterthought caption.

How many arabs in the Israeli Gulag !

Its not like they're in compromising positions (like Abu Gharib). I think you're allowed to blindfold people and handcuff them. sooo....

I do not find this surprising at all. What did you think would happen would you force 18 year olds to join the army, fight in a war, and give them power? It has nothing to do with their political positions, but rather their maturity level. They are not old enough not to abuse their power. Either raise the age of conscription, or get rid of it completely.

see this same picture every day.

No surprise here. It reminds me of the US soldiers enjoying the torture of prisoners in Abu Ghraib. I guess Israel must want to follow in the same footsteps as it's big brother.

"Mmm", well the prisoners don't look as though they are badly treated, is there something mentally wrong with the girl?, I think the only mistreatment of the prisoners is by the girl photographing them, and maybe the authorities should hand them her details, so they can sue her. Maybe in future this all should come under the secrecy act (if you have one?), then you can give her a automatic 15 year sentence, (perhaps that should focus the mind)?. But please, show the stupid bitches photograph, then maybe Hamas will solve the problem all round.

Is anyone surprised by such photos?? It is what I would expect - from an Army which fails in battle against another arny (Hezbollah) but is victorious in the battle against civilians (Gazas) and peace activists (Gaza-Flotilla).

Purporting loud and clear to be a civilized country eh? Lower the volume.

The behavior of the soldier isnt different to average behavios of the Israeli Society ...then Why are you surprised? for sure the reality is more dangerous for the Arab living in the occupied land of Palestine

“…the IDF has announced new strict rules for soldiers, forbidding them to post photos from military operations and bases”. Better, surely, to institute rules not to treat prisoners that way.

Wondering why Haaretz protects this person's identity - uncensored pics & her full name are all over the internet. On her facebook page she seems fascinated by whether the prisoners are "erect" - such a lovely Jewish girl - her parents must be so proud.

This is the irresistible, even triumphalst progress of barbarity at this beginning of the Third Millenium. More than once, I have been taunted, by Americans and other Westerners piqued by my obviously sincere but peaceful and enlightened criticism of warmongering Western imperialist-minded nations but also of Al Qaeda and of hard-line Taliban, why don't I do what Rachel Corrie tried to do. And when I am alone, I sometimes feel like hitting my head against a wall asking myself why don't I have the courage to try what Rachel tried to do. I feel ashamed, terribly ashamed of myself.

...when Jews were humiliated the same way, even worse. Muslims need to learn-what goes around comes around. I don't care if any of you are offended. If you don't like it, don't look.

the "former female soldier" is just a stupid ....

Wonder where the Dog leash pictures are?

not very nice. your countrymen are ashamed.

Once I found pictures posted by Magav of an disabled palestinian trying to escape from gas grenade, they laughed pages on him.

are not executing them like they would in iran, or syria or iraq or afghanistan. or at least they didn't cut their noses and ears off like the Taliban did to that 18 year old woman on the cover of TIME magazine.

They picked up these bad habits from Uncle Sam's 'Abu Greib'. But here only on a very tiny scale,nothing like the Americans,or British in Irk,Afghanistan.& of course Not like the Saudis,chopping hands or Iranians Hanging & stoning people.

Getting busy as usual, what a surprise...

Blur her photo?

This is disgusting. My 3rd son is not in the IDF, his 2 brothers have recently completed their elite combat unit duty. While they would not behave in such a demeaning fashion, I truly believe that the IDF has to enforce a no photographing rule, even to the point of setting up some kind of "force field" that would prevent the operation of cameras.

Just when you think that Israel and her children can't stoop any lower, along comes this.

I stand behind the people of Israel and the land of Israel. This sort of callous disregard for the humanity of another is appalling. I know that Israel is providing aid to Palestinians as well, and this is a not a fair representation of Israel. There is no joy in human suffering - even if you are in the right. This picture betrays a cold and unredeemed heart...may Adonai have mercy on this little one...and turn her eyes toward Truth and light.

Anyone with a clear mind can see that Israel and the occupation has turned into a monster. This monster needs its head cut off or it needs to be thrown into a cage with the rest of the animals. They say they are professionals at combating terror? I say they are professionals at creating terrorists. In over 60 years they have done nothing but create terrorists, whether they are Jewish or arab. Irgun wrote the book and everyone else read their pages. These "professionals" have not curbed terror one iota but have fanned the flames and made it worse. Imagine what we have missed in the decades before the internet, before video cameras and cellphones. These are only the things we have caught.

and do it now.

Look at the IDF, boasted by their politicians as MOST MORAL ARMY ON EARTH. my foot!!!!!!! The worst army you'd see in today's world.

From that small picture that got classified nothing much is showing except people sitting in the background and it is not easy to round them up. Maybe she was proud...and who cares anyways ..maybe we should see her face ......worse comes to worse she will get arrested no big deal.

Remeber: Do not do to your neighbours what you don't want done to yourself. This foto is a stupid idea from somebody who seems to have been indoctrinated by hate mongers.

... but what is the context? I went down to my police station last week to get a parking sticker from my windshield, and on the bench in the lobby were four teenagers in nylon handcuffs sitting on a bench waiting to be interviewed for something. Like the men is this photo, the boys had no blood or other indication of rough treatment. Wouldn't it be nice if we had a world that required no police or armies?

Disgusting, immoral, and unjust.

This soldier should be court martialed. The IDF likes to brag that it is the most moral army in the world. Now is the time to show the world how it handles disgusting behaviour. This is either unacceptable or it is not. There will never be peace as long as BOTH sides devalue the other. The sad thing is that there are many people in the right wing in Israel who have no problem with this disgraceful behaviour. How can you ever expect a future of peace for the region when your soldiers behave this way????

They should be stressing the things it's not appropriate to reveal. They should be stressing what evidence to hide. It's not her fault - she's just another outstanding ex-IDF member. They didn't teach her she shouldn't brag about what she did to Arabs - that's their fault.

Israel has demanded that arabs remove hatred notes from their books,,it is clear that Israel must change theirs...

This little monster needs a psychiatrist.

Any question regarding her identity would obviously reflect on the schooling she received and perhaps even on her upbringing by her parents. Unfortunately, where she is going with her little bag of stupidity is just as important. More importantly still, what slice of the Israeli ethos does she represent?

Watching all that get undermined by a facebook posting = priceless. Hard to control the images, when the internet is all about allowing everyone to see what everyone else puts out there.

She or he might be her best friend as well...

While I do not know the circumstances behind the arrest of the Palestinians pictured, the Israeli military should reign in on such acts by IDF personnel. The specific picture was under a Album labeled "IDF-Best time of my life". While my service in the IDF was the best time of my life too, I find it tasteless and a bit shameful for such a pictured moment to be labeled as such.

Shouldn't it be telling that Israelis now treat Arabs with the same wanton disregard, generalization and objectification that Jews faced in Europe for centuries? Where does this savagery end?

The real story is that Israelis dont care about the content of these photos or the sad reality their government is creating. Makes one wonder how far they would really go if the outside world was not watching !!!!!!!!!!

Its like the world doesn't know whats happening in Palestine. This is a common scene that is often seen on checkpoints (positing the photos on Facebook is something new though). For Palestinians, this is a common practice by IDF. And this is one point. The second point, apart from positing the photos on Facebook in this proud inhuman way, do you think that arresting people in such way is appropriate? I hope not! A third point can also be made here: what happens now with the solider? They would claim she's sick and psycho and she has been discharged and she only represents herself. Well, perhaps not all IDF soldier post their "best times" on Facebook, but no one in Israel can argue that this is whats really happening by their soldier against civilians trying to reach their work or universities. You all should be ashamed of yourselves and stand strongly in front of your occupational governments.!!!

Anyone still has any doubt that this army is as much of a rubble than any other in the Middle East?

At least the soldiers did not stone the prisoners to death, as the Taliban just did, or throw them off buildings, as Hamas does.

check, why does this and all israeli news agencies feed the flames of arabs and antisemites with this kind of GARBAGE. These IDF soldiers are probably under more stress than any other military in the WORLD, please cut these young men and women some slack. Until the arab/bedouins change their M.O. then these situations are nothing more than pressure/stress comming into the light. May The Lord Bless and Keep ALL IDF protected and in GREAT health !!!

Not very surprising behaviour given that the majority of the Israeli's orgins are from the middle east. Europeans would never behave like this.

Israel indeed has the most moral army in the world. By the way, this is an epidemic and many indecencies are not reported. Just imagine the hysteria if Shalit was treated that way.

Better a smile in a picture then a picture of a soldier beating a prisoner

Because they believe they are superior to other nations, they believe they are the chosen nation by the god, their religion tells it so. For this reason they believe that the non-Jew human beings do not deserve any respect.

one wonders what the army means by ugly and callous, these abusive photos or the abusive treatment of the palestinians

Things like this all remind me of the movie Pianist... this is just horrible. The Jewish people are not like this! I know it as I have a few Jewish friends. The Israeli state must do something about all this horrible treatment, not encourage it! As for this so called soldier (soldiers have honour so I can't really call this creature a soldier), I hope she is treated by divine justice.

Don't you just love it when jews go on about they're God's chosen? Laughable.

The ironic part is that they need only to tell the truth to be considered an enemy by Israel.

This immature, almost criminal behaviour reflects enormously on the international image of Israel. Something has to be done to heighten basic education standards in Israel.

What a shame.

shows the IDF in a bad light and we jews need as much good press as we can get.

Don't we know how much the media loves to play and leverage on such things against Israel ? I understand the frustration against the Hama, but even if you love your country - this does not help anyone... especially not Israel ! Think!

...suspects in acts of terror or support to terrorists are caught and kept in the way the pictures show but without any being humiliated or tortured. Thus, both legally and ethically, Israel continues to protect its sovereignty and the lives of its citizens while not harming or humiliating the people caught for questioning.

Turns the stomach to look at this. Not doing her brethren still serving in the IDF any favours.

That is funny.

I notice that Haaretz has been careful to censor the face of the woman. Given the fact that she put her picture up on Facebook for the entire world to see, it is a quaint, quixotic even, gesture. I wonder if the photo was taken with a cell phone. The geostamp information in such photos can reveal exactly where and when it was taken. Earth to kids, come in kids, do you have a clue what you are doing when you post photos to Facebook?

they are horrified by the pictures but not by the facts! Inhumanity is the rule at checkpoints. Occupation has this ugly face.