Israeli Military Conceals Soldiers' Identities After Brazilian Court Targets Reservist Yuval Vagdani for Alleged Gaza War Crimes

Jan 8, 2025, 08:28 PM

The Israeli military has introduced new restrictions on media coverage of its soldiers, prompted by fears of legal action against reservists traveling abroad for alleged war crimes in Gaza. These measures include concealing the identities of soldiers ranked colonel and below by blurring their faces in pictures and withholding their full names. The decision follows an incident where an Israeli reservist, Yuval Vagdani, fled Brazil after a Brazilian court ordered an investigation into allegations of war crimes committed during his service in Gaza. The Hind Rajab Foundation, a pro-Palestinian group, filed a criminal complaint against Vagdani, accusing him of participating in the demolition of civilian homes in Gaza. The Israeli military's new policy aims to protect its soldiers from similar incidents by limiting their exposure in media interviews and social media posts.