While Israel is being tried for genocide at the International Court of Justice, human rights organizations are documenting the army’s war crimes. Professor Yoel Elizur from the Jewish University of Jerusalem wrote an article about the crimes committed by soldiers in Gaza. The professor, who studies the mental health of soldiers, said, “I am horrified by the civilian massacres in Gaza.” he said.
The article is titled “When we left Israel and entered Gaza, we were like Gods.”
The first group is “those with thick skin.” Those who commit the most brutal crimes and see themselves as gods are in this group.
They are few in number in the army, but the power they possess also poisons those around them. Those with thick skin who commit random crimes perceive violence as a display of masculinity.
These soldiers, who believe in the superiority of Jews and look down on Arabs, are also a small group within the army.
Those in this group report the murders committed by their commanders. For this reason, they are ostracized, exiled or harassed.
Their behavior is determined by their superiors, whom they look up to as role models, and the norms of the unit they serve in.
“I felt like a Nazi,” said an Israeli soldier who fought in Gaza. “We were Nazis, they were Jews. That’s exactly what it looked like.” he spoke.
Yoel Elizur wrote that a great deal of evidence has accumulated regarding war crimes committed by Israeli soldiers in the last war.
Elizur drew attention to the fact that the number and violence of those with thick skin and those who ideologically legitimize violence within the army has increased.
According to the Israeli professor, the government’s rhetoric of hatred and revenge has led to the increase in the influence of these groups within the army.
