IDF announces new restrictions on social media use

New rules come after Facebook campaign for 'David the Nahalawi'; social media infringements to include posts and 'likes' on posts that go against IDF values.

Yoav Zitun
Published: 06.10.14

Officials recently announced that new rules will be introduced to govern the manner soldiers can express their views on Facebook and other social media platforms, and now even hitting "Like" can get you into trouble.

The rules are meant to prevent soldiers from using social media to express views that go against official IDF values. The crackdown on social media comes in response to a Facebook campaign in which soldiers uploaded pictures anonymously voicing solidarity with "David the Nahalawi".


David Admov, better known as David the Nahalawi (or David from the Nahal), was removed from his position as a combat soldier in the Nahal brigade after a video surfaced in which he was shown cocking his rifle at several Palestinian teenagers who appeared to be purposefully agitating him at his post.

It was later revealed that Admov had been removed and taken to military jail for several occurrences that had no connection to the video whatsoever. But before the public learned of his former infractions, such as throwing rocks at his officer, Admov found himself enveloped in support from his fellow soldiers as well as Israeli civilians who believed that he acted well within his rights and duties when he cocked his weapon.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4528589,00.html