'Righteousness of Arms': Ben-Gvir plans to change IDF Code of Ethics if named defense minister

The proposal defines the IDF's main objective as defeating enemies of Israel and the Jewish people while maintaining national security.

National Security Minister and chairman of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, Itamar Ben-Gvir, unveiled a plan to change the IDF’s Code of Ethics if he is named the new defense minister. 

The proposed changes, presented as part of Ben-Gvir's plan for the Defense Ministry, would significantly revise the IDF's ethical framework, known as "The Spirit of the IDF," with the stated goal of strengthening the military's Jewish identity and emphasizing victory in battle.

This would include replacing the principle of "Purity of Arms" with "Righteousness of Arms" and placing greater emphasis on Jewish values, military victory, and the defeat of Israel's enemies.

Under the proposal, the IDF's main objective would be defined as achieving victory and decisively defeating the enemies of the State of Israel and the Jewish people, alongside maintaining national security.

The proposal would also expand the sources from which the IDF derives its values, placing greater emphasis on Jewish moral values ​​rooted in the Bible, Jewish ethics, Jewish law, and the traditions of the Jewish people.

It would further define Israel as the Jewish people's national home and the IDF as a "Jewish, state-run army."

'Purity of Arms' to be replaced with 'Righteousness of Arms'

One of the proposed changes concerns the principle of "Purity of Arms," which Ben-Gvir seeks to remove from the IDF Code of Ethics and replace with "Righteousness of Arms."

The revised code would explicitly establish the principle "If someone comes to kill you, rise early and kill him first" as a fundamental moral guideline for soldiers carrying out their missions.

At the same time, the proposal removes language in the existing code requiring soldiers to use force "only to the extent necessary."

It also eliminates explicit provisions prohibiting harm to "non-combatants" and prisoners of war.

In addition, all references to "universal moral values" which appeared in the existing version would be removed from the new code.

Revised framework of core IDF values

The proposal sets out a revised framework of core IDF values, beginning with the military's purpose and continuing with its commitment to the Jewish people, human dignity, and its role as a state institution.

"The purpose of the IDF is to achieve victory and decisively defeat the enemies of the State of Israel and the Jewish people, while safeguarding the security of the state, its citizens, and its residents," the proposal states as the IDF's mission.

It continued, stating that "service in the IDF is founded on love for the Jewish people and the homeland, as well as commitment and dedication to the State of Israel, a Jewish state that serves as the democratic national home of the Jewish people, and to its citizens and residents."

The revised ethics code included that "the IDF and its soldiers are committed to preserving human dignity. Every person possesses inherent worth, regardless of origin, religion, nationality, gender, status, or position."

Lastly, the proposal emphasized that the IDF is "the people's army, a Jewish and state-oriented military subject to the authority of the law and the government."

Under this principle, IDF soldiers are expected to place their mission, the military's values, and the security of the state above all other considerations while carrying out their duties with integrity, professionalism, and conduct appropriate to their role as representatives of the IDF.