"Israel has the most ethical army in the world."

Supporters praise the IDF as “the most ethical army in the world,” citing its official Code of Ethics, precision targeting, advance warnings, and emphasis on civilian protection, even praising the doctrine as morally superior to most Western militaries.

Despite lofty rhetoric, multiple independent investigations reveal systematic violations: use of disproportionately heavy bombs in civilian areas; forced use of Palestinian civilians as human shields (“mosquito protocol”); and deadly aid distribution practices drawing fire on desperate civilians, raising serious ethical red flags.

Moreover, the IDF’s formal “Purity of Arms” doctrine and “Spirit of the IDF” code often prioritize soldier safety over civilian lives, making soldier protection the first priority, sometimes at civilians’ expense, which contradicts core principles of international humanitarian law.