A report indicates that a reservist was immediately dismissed after posting a video supporting Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich, while other soldiers, including a deputy commander, who posted similar content for other parties faced no consequences. The claim of selective enforcement adds to ongoing controversies over political expression in the IDF.
Tonight, a report emerged alleging that the IDF dismissed a reservist immediately after he posted a video supporting Bezalel Smotrich, chairman of the Religious Zionism party, while other soldiers, including a deputy brigade commander, who posted similar endorsements for other parties faced no consequences. The claim of selective enforcement has not been independently verified.
The report first surfaced at 22:14 Jerusalem time via journalist Amit Segal (N12), who stated that the reservist sent a video filmed in Gaza to friends supporting Smotrich and the Religious Zionism party, and was dismissed from reserve duty within hours. The story was quickly picked up by other outlets, with the Religious Zionism party denouncing the dismissal at 22:14 Jerusalem and calling on the chief of staff to intervene. A commentator also highlighted the discrepancy, noting that a reservist can run on Naftali Bennett's list and give interviews in uniform while a soldier supporting Smotrich is dismissed.
The incident comes amid a series of disputes over political activity by soldiers. As The Zioneer reported on July 5, the IDF responded to a viral video from a conscription festival by stating that a 'gel nail' station was set up without authorization and that the soldiers' conduct does not reflect military values. On July 12, the military said a soldier filmed with an antisemitic influencer would face disciplinary proceedings. On July 14, Likud accused opposition MK Gadi Eisenkot of using IDF soldiers in a campaign video in violation of the law.
The reservist's name has not been released, and the IDF has not yet commented on the selective enforcement allegation. The claim that other soldiers faced no consequences for similar posts remains unverified.
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