Former Kfir Brigade Commander Itai Virob, who condoned violence against Palestinians during operational activities in his testimony in military court, will be promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, and will serve as chief officer of the infantry and paratroopers.

Israeli soldiers during a protest against the wall in Bil’in, May 2010 (Photo: Activestills)

The decision was made during a hearing headed by IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, and will come into effect next year. Virob will be replacing Brigadier-General Miki Edelstein.

Colonel Virob’s promotion was put on hold after he made controversial remarks during the trial of Deputy Commander of the Shimshon Brigade Lieutenant Adam Malul, who was accused of assaulting a Palestinian during repression activity in the West Bank. Colonel Virob was reprimanded for his remarks, but after a Military Police investigation it was decided not to put him on trial – a decision that paved the way to his promotion.

As first revealed on Ynet website, Virob testified that “sometimes a slap or a blow to a Palestinian in order to calm him down are reasonable courses of action.”  The head of the human rights organization Yesh Din, Haim Erlich, said that “the promotion of someone who justified the hitting of innocent citizens indicates that the IDF has not internalized the importance of its treatment of the civilian Palestinian population.”  Erlich said Virob’s advancement legitimizes violence in the eyes of lower ranking soldiers.