IDF promotes commander who justified hitting Palestinians

Israel Defense Forces Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz on Monday promoted an infantry commander who has justified hitting Palestinians, saying this was “reasonable” in certain instances.

Col. Itai Virob, a former commander of the Kfir Infantry Brigade, is being promoted to the rank of brigadier general and will become the IDF’s chief infantry and paratroopers officer. The Kfir Brigade is primarily deployed throughout the West Bank. Virob caused a storm of controversy when he testified in a military courtoom on behalf of an officer who had been indicted for attacking a Palestinian, saying that violence against Palestinians was justified under certain circumstances. “Sometimes a slap or a blow to a Palestinian in order to calm him down is a reasonable course of action,” Vitob said.

After his testimony, Virob was accused of condoning violence, and the IDF subsequently opened a criminal investigation against him, but closed it for lack of evidence. Former Central Command Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni and IDF Military Advocate Brig. Gen. Avichai Mendelblit censured Vitob for his testimony. Mendelblit said Vitob “did not intend to permit violence for the sake of violence, but referred to cases in which violence was necessary for the mission.”

Military appeals court judges rebuked Shamni and Mendelblit for their censure of Virob, saying that their interference affected the trial of the accused officer, and delayed Virob's promotion. The indicted officer was convicted, but his conviction was overturned last week by the IDF Military Court of Appeals.

Virob's promotion drew criticism from human rights groups in Israel, which said the move sent the wrong message to those serving in the IDF.

In addition to Virob's promotion, Gantz approved a handful of other promotions on Monday. Golani Brigade Commander Col. Ofek Burchis will be promoted to head a reservist division in the Northern Command. Nahal Brigade Commander Col. Amir Abulafia will also promoted to command a reserve division in the Central Command. Col. Guy Bar Lev of the Armored Corps will be promoted to brigadier general and become the new commander of the Field Intelligence Corps. Col. Nehamia Sokal will become the new commander of the Technological and Logistics Directorate.