Chief IDF Censor Brig. Gen. Ariella Ben-Avraham
Photo: Motti Kimchi
Chief IDF censor explains objections to releasing report on POWs, MIAs
Movement for Quality Government demands release of full 2012 Shamgar Commission report on return of Israelis held hostage by the enemy, but the military censor says it could hurt efforts to return the remains of two IDF soldiers as well as two Israeli civilians in Hamas captivity.
Chief IDF Censor Brig. Gen. Ariella Ben-Avraham asserted Sunday that the release to the public of the Shamgar Commission's report on the issue of Israeli MIAs and POWs "could hurt efforts to return the captives and missing persons, lead to delays and hike up the price."
The Tel Aviv District Court, in its role as an administrative affairs court, heard a petition by the Movement for Quality Government in Israel against the Defense Ministry on Sunday. The movement demanded to release the full 2012 report, which was meant to aid the government in formulating a policy on future negotiations for the return of Israeli citizens and soldiers held hostage by the enemy.
"I've been portrayed as one who is against public debate or trying to prevent it, and I say that's not the case," Brig. Gen. Ben-Avraham said. "I believe public debate on this painful issue is important, ethical and legitimate, but my argument is different. A public discussion over the return of captives and missing persons is not the same as a public discussion on the report written by Judge Shamgar."
Chief IDF Censor Brig. Gen. Ariella Ben-Avraham and POWs and MIAs Coordinator Yaron Blum (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
Since the Shamgar Commission submitted its report, the remains of two IDF soldiers killed in Gaza have been snatched by Hamas, while two Israeli civilians are also believed to be in the hands of the terror group, she said.
"This matter is being discussed right now, and that is why I believe a discussion on the Shamgar report at the present time would harm state security," the chief censor said.
She went on to describe how she formulated her position on the matter, saying she held consultations with intelligence experts, the previous POWs and MIAs coordinator Lior Dotan, and the military secretaries of Defense Minister Avigodr Lieberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as with Lieberman himself.
"I read the findings and lessons learned from previous deals and intelligence reports on the subject. I also established a team in my unit to examine the ramifications of releasing the report and not releasing it," Ben-Avraham said.
"The head of Military Intelligence recommended and advised—he's familiar with the small details of the efforts (to return the two soldiers and two civilians)—but in this case my own opinion was requested, and I've decided not to allow the release of the report, based on those consultations and opinions by intelligence officials," she explained.
