Jerusalem – Dani Dayan, the Chairman of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, has issued a stark warning against public statements that he believes contradict fundamental moral values, threaten the ethical standing of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and damage Israel's international reputation. His remarks, shared on social media by journalist Barak Ravid, underscore concerns about rhetoric advocating indiscriminate bombing, denying humanitarian aid, or blurring the distinction between civilians and terrorists.
"Even more troubling are statements, sometimes by public figures and leaders, that appear to advocate measures inconsistent with moral values: calls for indiscriminate bombing, for denying humanitarian aid, or for erasing the distinction between civilians and terrorists," Dayan wrote. He emphasized that "Such rhetoric is dangerous. It contradicts our democratic, human, and Jewish values, it threatens the ethical legacy of the IDF, and it undermines our international standing."
Dayan, who assumed the chairmanship of Yad Vashem in August 2021 after serving as Israel's Consul General in New York, leads the institution dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, research, and education. His statements are often seen as reflecting a moral compass for the Jewish people and the State of Israel, particularly concerning issues of humanity and international law.
The IDF operates under a comprehensive ethical code, known as "Ruach Tzahal" or "The Spirit of the IDF," which integrates international law, Israeli law, and traditional Jewish ethical principles. This code emphasizes protecting civilian life and adhering to the "Purity of Arms," a principle that dictates soldiers will not use their weapons to harm non-combatants and will strive to avoid causing harm to their lives, bodies, dignity, and property.
However, the IDF's conduct, particularly in conflict zones, frequently faces international scrutiny and debate regarding its adherence to these ethical standards and international humanitarian law. Dayan's intervention highlights an internal concern that certain public discourse could erode these long-established "moral guardrails," potentially influencing attitudes and decisions within Israeli society and impacting its global standing.
His statement comes amidst ongoing discussions about the conduct of warfare and the treatment of civilians in conflict, urging a return to principles that uphold democratic, human, and Jewish values. Dayan concluded that such rhetoric "can influence attitudes, affect decisions, and erode the moral guardrails we’ve built over decades," underscoring the potential long-term consequences of inflammatory language.