JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Channel 14’s  documentary “Re-Education Corps” (“Heil Chinuch Mechadash”) presents what its creators describe as a long-term process that has fundamentally changed the Israel Defense Forces’ educational system and the way generations of soldiers and commanders are taught to understand war, morality, nationalism, and the role of the military in the State of Israel.

The investigation examines changes that began in the 1990s, a period it describes as a turning point in the IDF’s value system. At the center of the film are the development of the IDF’s ethical code and the drafting of the “Spirit of the IDF” document, which over the years became fundamental texts in military education.

According to the investigation, what began as an effort to formulate an ethical code for the military later expanded into a much broader process. Civilian institutes, organizations, and academics became involved in the IDF’s educational framework and turned into significant partners in shaping the content and messages conveyed to soldiers and commanders.

The film focuses, among other things, on the involvement of organizations such as the Shalom Hartman Institute, BINA, and others, including Professor Asa Kasher who wrote the IDF’s ethical code. Critics of the process argue that these groups promoted universalist and progressive concepts at the expense of traditional military values such as victory, decisive military outcomes, and national identity.

”ביקשו שננסח את ערך הניצחון כערך יסודי, אמרנו לא!”.
תכירו את פרופסור אבי שגיא,
חבר של אסא טרך.

ממנסחי רוח צה”ל ותבינו איך הרסו את צה”ל מבפנים. חלק 3 בתחקיר שלנו ‘חיל חינוך מחדש’ ששודר בערוץ 14,
צפו ושתפו pic.twitter.com/itEHzELdNe

— 😃 דּוּדּוּ 🍒 Dudy 🟢 (@JOnHuzC9jQW7u3C) June 10, 2026

Professor Sagi refused to mention victory in IDF values

This led to commanders being taught to respect all human life, even that of the enemy’s civilians, as the ultimate value. The commanders were even taught that it is fitting to endanger even their own soldiers to protect the lives of the enemy’s civilians. This became known in the IDF ethical code as “purity of arms”, a concept unique to the IDF among global militaries.

At the heart of the film is the question of whether this was a natural and necessary adaptation for a modern military operating in a complex reality, or a profound ideological transformation that fundamentally altered the character of the IDF and the fighting spirit on which generations of soldiers were raised.

“Re-Education Corps” joins a series of investigations and documentaries in recent years that have examined the IDF’s values and identity, as well as the public debate surrounding the influence of civilian and academic institutions on Israel’s defense establishment and military education.

The IDF Spokesperson’s responsed that “The institutes mentioned are among dozens of educational institutes that provide activities to the IDF under agreements with the Ministry of Defense.

Former Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz responsed that “The Spirit of the IDF without the value of victory does not fulfill the purpose and uniqueness of the IDF. I do not deal in gossip; the important thing is that the value of victory appears in the Spirit of the IDF. Thank you.”

Professor Kasher’s response:”You have serious problems understanding what I wrote on professional and ethical matters.”

BINA stated: “It is regrettable and outrageous that the investigations desk chose to request a response only one day before broadcast, without any prior contact or minimal fact-checking with the organization. This indicates a predetermined agenda and bias in the publication.

The claims presented to us are a complete misrepresentation with no basis in fact. BINA is a Zionist, non-profit educational organization that has worked for years to promote Jewish and Israeli identity and strengthen social resilience. The organization is not political and is not affiliated with any political party or camp. Its activities are based on Zionist values, Judaism, social responsibility, love of the Jewish people and the land of Israel, tolerance, and unity.

Among other things, BINA proudly operates a variety of educational programs, including pre-military academies and preparation programs for meaningful service in the IDF, as well as study programs, tours, and cultural activities that strengthen ties to Jewish tradition, Israeli heritage, and Israeli society.

We strongly reject attempts to attach foreign political agendas or goals of ‘indoctrinating the public’ to the organization. At a time when Israeli society needs connection and unity more than ever, some choose to attack and disrupt the work of organizations dedicated to serving the State of Israel and the IDF.

We are closely monitoring the content that will be broadcast. If false information, distorted facts, or defamatory material about the organization are published, we will pursue all available legal remedies.”

The IDF added that:

• The IDF uses a variety of educational materials to provide a values-based framework for training, professional qualification, and regular service.
• The content is formulated professionally and in a state-oriented manner, according to the needs of the IDF and the operational and current reality.
• Engagement with IDF values is one of the means by which the military fulfills its mission.
• The Education and Youth Corps runs programs led by commanders to strengthen fighting spirit and belief in the justice of the mission in light of IDF values.
• Discussions of IDF values are led by commanders, while civilian institutes assist with dialogue skills and educational tours. The institutes mentioned are among dozens that provide activities to the IDF under Ministry of Defense agreements.

The Hartman Institute stated: “The Hartman Institute is a Zionist institution that is proud of its work on behalf of a Jewish and democratic Israel, whose strength rests on both military and moral superiority.

The failure of the military and security establishment on October 7 was not the result of any restraint in the use of force, but rather a series of military, intelligence, and political failures that led to the largest massacre in Israel’s history. It appears that the channel associated with the government of failure is attempting to invent a false narrative to divert attention from its own major failures and from the need for a state commission of inquiry so that all lessons can be learned.”