Israel Matzav

IDF to develop universal interpretation for Hannibal protocol

You will recall that in a post last week, I discussed the Hannibal Protocol, a guideline for IDF commanders that prefers dead IDF soldiers to kidnapped IDF soldiers. It seems that until now, the Hannibal Protocol was open to interpretation by individual commanders. That's about to change.

The "Hannibal protocol" became official in the 1980s. It stipulates that IDF soldiers must prevent the abduction of a living soldier at any cost including opening fire at the abductors' vehicle. The protocol takes into consideration the fact that the captive soldier may be killed, with the guiding principle being that a dead soldier is better than a kidnapped soldier in the eyes of the State of Israel which will be forced to pay a heavy price for the captive.

In practice, each commander gives his own interpretation of the order to his men. On the eve of Operation Cast Lead, for example, a Golani battalion commander told his soldiers that if they find themselves in danger of being kidnapped they must blow themselves up using a grenade.

Former Nahal Brigade commander Col. Motti Baruch instructed his men to do everything in their power to prevent kidnappings including firing at the abductors' vehicle while endangering the captive's life.

However, not all commanders agree with the protocol. Some claim that human life must be treasured and therefore ignore the subject in briefings, leaving their soldiers to exercise their own judgment.

Gantz will be forced to form a clear and unified policy next week which will no doubt prompt a public discussion. Meanwhile IDF officials stressed that the protocol will not be changed but procedures will be revisited to prevent any misunderstandings.

Maybe it's time that we worry more about shooting to kill the terrorists before they can kill or abduct us. How about teaching some Torah to the IDF!

Labels: Benny Gantz, Hannibal Protocol, IDF, terrorists for Gilad trade

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:44 PM