Israeli MK fired from combat role due to misconduct in south Lebanon

Israeli Knesset member Yitzhak Kroizer was dismissed from his reserve duty combat role after he was photographed in home in south Lebanon with graffiti on the wall behind him reading "office of MK Kroizer".

In the image, which was shared on Friday, Kroizer is also surrounded by armed Israeli soldiers carrying guns on the staircase inside the home.

According to Haaretz, the army transferred him from a combat role to a reserve unit for public officials, ending his current reserve service.

The Israeli army clarified that members of Knesset are not allowed to participate in reserve duty, apart from in exceptional circumstances.

While Kroizer’s application to serve had been approved, the image circulating of him in front of the graffiti was said to be an "action that does not serve the operational need on the battlefield" by the army.

The army also stated it considers such action as a violation of protocol.

An Israeli army spokesperson said Kroizer’s actions were being investigated, reiterating that "it was decided to end the reserve service of the individual in question".

Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir also weighed in on the issue, praising him instead.

"We're fortunate in Otzma Yehudit to have MK Kroizer. A fighter in the Knesset and in Lebanon. Stay safe, Itzik, we're waiting for you" he wrote on X, resharing the photo.

"Thank you for the dozens of reserve days you volunteered in the past year. Shame on the IDF command who fired you because of the publication of this photo," Ben Gvir added.

According to the Times of Israel, Kroizer later confirmed his dismissal on X, blaming it on the Haaretz daily newspaper for making a query on the matter.

In his post, Kroizer states that he has had the "privilege" of fighting for the Israeli army for over 100 days over the past year, since Israel launched its wars on Gaza and Lebanon.

"I’ll continue to fight for you in the Knesset together with my friends from the Otzma Yehudit faction" he continued.

Israel’s National Unity party chairman Benny Gantz said that Kroizer had made a "mistake that necessitates an inquiry and possibly disciplinary punishment" but noted that firing a member of Knesset who volunteered to fight "sends the wrong message".

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 43,314 Palestinians and wounded over 102,019 since 7 October 2023. Israel has also killed 2,968 people in Lebanon and wounded over 13,319 others in the same time frame.