Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman has asked Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to investigate B’Tselem, a local human rights NGO that has called on IDF soldiers to refuse orders to shoot Palestinian protesters at the Israel – Gaza border.

“I view with great severity the attempt to sow fear and division among the IDF fighters and commanders while the IDF protects Israel’s southern border from sabotage and provocations organized by Hamas,” Liberman wrote in a letter to Mandelblit. “Even in the most complex situations, IDF commanders and fighters act in a moral and legal manner. The attempt to undermine the military establishment and instruct the soldiers to act differently is very serious.

“In light of this, I am asking you to immediately investigate B’Tselem’s call to IDF soldiers and commanders. In particular, I would like to examine whether this offense constitutes a criminal offense under Section 110 of the Penal Law (Incitement to Disobedience), which is subject to increased punishment when it is committed during a period of hostilities against the State of Israel,” Liberman added.

In response to Liberman’s actions, B’Tselem has repeated its call for soldiers to refuse orders, adding that “Liberman’s dangerous words, by which there were no civilians at the protests, and that all participating are Hamas men, who may be shot and killed, testify to a deep contempt for basic moral principles.”