The IDF Military Advocate General”s International Conference on the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) began today (Monday). The conference is being led by the Military Advocate General, MG Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi.
The conference will take place over the course of three days and will be attended by senior experts in the field of international law, including approximately 100 foreign representatives from around 30 countries. The conference is dedicated to issues that stand at the forefront of global discourse in the field of LOAC. The conference will put emphasis on the arenas in which the IDF operates, especially dealing with the threats posed by the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies.
The conference includes academic discussions, tours, direct engagement with the challenges in the field and practical workshops. The conference will incorporate complex and current discussions, including the use of military force against enemy countries and terrorist organizations, the striking of targets, combat in the cyber domain and the use of autonomous weapons systems in combat. This is the fourth international conference organized by the Military Advocate General”s Corps, and the first in four years. The conference constitutes an important collaboration with experts of international standing.
To open the conference, speeches were given by the Military Advocate General, MG Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, Israel”s Attorney General, Ms. Gali Baharav-Miara, and the Head of the Strategic Planning and Cooperation Directorate (J5), Maj. Gen. Tal Kelman.
MG Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi emphasized that the IDF is facing terrorist organizations that do not abide by LOAC and deliberately act against Israeli civilians, while hiding within densely populated civilian areas. Evidence of this can be seen in the last few weeks, as dozens of missiles were launched at Israeli civilians during the Passover holiday, as well as last week. The increasing involvement of the Iranian regime in the region can be seen in the background to the activities of these terrorist organizations. It is expressed in the directing and financing of terrorist activities and in the Iranian regime”s attempts to attack the State of Israel directly in various arenas, including in the air, at sea and in the cyber arena. The legal advisors of the Military Advocate General’s Corps work shoulder to shoulder with the commanders of the IDF to ensure an effective and relevant response to threats in the various arenas.
MG Tomer-Yerushalmi spoke of the responsibility of states to defend themselves and their civilians, while minimizing harm to civilians as much as possible. The legal advisors in the IDF Military Advocate General”s Corps translate complex legal principles into operational scenarios on a daily basis to provide a full response to operational needs within the framework of the law.
Maj. Gen. Kelman”s speech included an extended strategic briefing that focused on the threat of the Iranian regime, the Hezbollah’s involvement in Lebanon and the current situation in Lebanon. The speech also touched on the current strategic situation in the Gaza Strip and in Judea and Samaria. Maj. Gen. Kelman spoke about the combat efforts in the IDF in light of the changing reality and technological developments. He also addressed the contribution of the military legal advisors, who are incorporated into all stages of combat activity.
As the conference continues, the international representatives (academics, military and government officials) will tour the northern arena. During the tour, the officials will be presented with operational challenges the IDF faces in the northern arena, particularly those posed by the Hezbollah terrorist army. The conference participants will closely view the innovative technologies the IDF is developing to handle these threats.
A special “Legacy Panel” took place on the first day of the conference – a unique event marking 45 years since the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions – which included the participation of
some of the Protocol”s original negotiators.
The IDF Military Advocate General”s Corps is a world-leading authority in the field of international law as a whole and particularly in the field of LOAC. This conference is a permanent fixture in the calendar of all those who engage in LOAC and constitutes a central tool in presenting the State of Israel”s legal stances regarding key issues.
