How are pro-Palestinian groups tracking and compiling blacklists of Israeli soldiers
Pro-Palestinian groups are employing various methods to track and compile blacklists of Israeli soldiers, primarily focusing on their social media activities and online presence. These organizations, many of which operate from Europe, have developed a systematic approach to gather information on IDF personnel:
1. Social Media Monitoring: These groups closely monitor soldiers’ social media accounts, looking for posts, photos, and videos related to their service in Gaza. They pay particular attention to:
• Content showing military operations
• Soldiers’ statements about their activities
• Any information that could be interpreted as admissions of potential violations of international humanitarian law
2. Online Information Gathering: The organizations collect and publish names and photos of IDF combat soldiers on their websites. This information is often sourced from:
• Soldiers’ public social media profiles
• Videos and photos shared by soldiers themselves
• Other online sources that may reveal soldiers’ identities
3. Travel Plans Tracking: These groups attempt to identify soldiers’ future travel plans by monitoring their social media stories and posts about upcoming trips abroad. This information is used to:
• File complaints with local prosecutors’ offices in the countries soldiers plan to visit
• Submit personal petitions against soldiers to courts in those countries
4. Compilation of Blacklists: Using the gathered information, pro-Palestinian organizations create “blacklists” of IDF personnel. These lists typically include:
• Names and photos of soldiers
• Any available evidence of their involvement in Gaza operations
• Potential legal grounds for complaints or petitions
5. Network of Representatives: These organizations maintain a network of representatives around the world to facilitate quick action when soldiers are identified traveling abroad.
The IDF has responded to these tactics by warning soldiers to remove photos or videos documenting their involvement in Gaza from social media platforms and to refrain from sharing their locations while abroad. Despite these warnings, some soldiers continue to post content online, inadvertently providing material for these organizations to use in their legal campaigns against IDF personnel.
