Military Advocate General to watch both settlers and troops closely
צילום: איי פי
‘Legal adviser for every commander’
Military Advocate General preparing for disengagement; IDF legal advisers to accompany field unit commanders 24 hours a day if necessary during evacuation
The Military Advocate General is preparing for the possibility of mass insubordination by IDF soldiers in addition to acts of violence and plundering during the disengagement.
During the disengagement the Military Advocate General will have to sentence disobedient soldiers, as well as soldiers who will be caught using drugs or using their weapons illegally, a senior Military Advocate General source told Ynet.
“We will be present in all the IDF command posts,” the source said. “During all hours of activity, even if it lasts 24 hours, our representatives will provide legal counsel.”
The source said a legal adviser would accompany every division and brigade commander on the field.
“When a certain scenario arises, the commander would be able to consult with the legal adviser,” he said.
Legal protection for troops
The source rejected claims made by IDF prosecutors who said positioning them in the field with IDF troops might cause a conflict in interests, as they may witness acts that would force them to put soldiers on trial.
He said in any case the preference is to embed legal advisers, and not prosecutors, in IDF units directly carrying out the evacuation.
“In any case, if there would be no other choice and a prosecutor will be present (in the field), he or she would of course not be assigned to the case, but transfer it to another prosecutor,” he said.
Regarding the possibility of mass insubordination by IDF soldiers, one of the options being examined is to convert, at least temporarily, the military courts closest to the disengagement zone into venues where the legal processes would be carried out expeditiously.
Looters to be tried quickly
“If there will be soldiers who disobey orders, take advantage of the opportunity to steal evacuee property or act inappropriately – they will be tried in the court,” the Military Advocate General source said. “There will never be a case in which a sentence is handed out within a week, but the goal is definitely to conclude the process as fast as possible.”
Military Advocate General officials said they would closely follow attempts to harm soldiers, verbally or physically, and assist in transferring the (legal) material to Israel Police.
“This is protection the country must provide for its soldiers,” the source said.
