How do Israelis feel about the IDF soldiers' social media videos?
Hi everyone! First off, I support Israel's need and obligation to defend itself from terror groups/hostile actors. Israel is great ally to the US in a very unstable region. I respect the functioning democratic society that Israel has created amid very difficulty circumstances.
I am a US Army veteran. I served from.2015 to 2018. I know how stressful as well as boring going on missions can be. But honestly, the videos that IDF soldiers have filmed of themselves engaging in very unprofessional/ disrespectful acts is quite appalling and the fact that it seems to continue to proliferate among the IDF troops seems very odd to me. I view the IDF as a modern professional military built along Western lines. I am surprised that this type of behavior is not being clamped down on by the IDF leadership. I realize that the IDF relies on conscripts but that is no excuse for behavior contrary to good order and discipline.
Also, I assume the troops are using their personal phones to make these videos. If that is the case, it is quite surprising to me that soldiers are being allowed to take their personal phones on missions.
Sorry, this comes of more as a rant I guess. In my opinion, this sort of behavior is just providing ammo to anti-Israeli actors in their messaging. I believe this is something that can easily be fixed by disciplinary actions and by preventing troops from taking their personal phones on mission. I am surprised that given how important PR is during a war now more than ever given that this aspect of PR seems to be neglected by the IDF.
Just curious about this Israelis' thoughts on this. Sorry for the long post. Thanks!