Col. Richard Kemp On Jenin Op: ‘Remarkable Achievement Unprecedented In Modern Warfare’

In an interview with Israel National News – Arutz Sheva on Sunday, Colonel Richard Kemp, the former commander of British military forces in Afghanistan, discussed Operation Home and Garden and the international condemnation that Israel has faced despite the absence of civilian casualties during the operation in Jenin.

Colonel Kemp praised the IDF’s remarkable achievement of conducting a high-intensity operation in an urban area without causing harm to any uninvolved civilians, which he believes is unprecedented in modern warfare. He stated that most military operations of this nature often result in a ratio of 3 to 5 civilian deaths for every fighter, even among Western armies that strive to minimize civilian casualties and adhere to the laws of war. He expressed doubt that any other army could have achieved what the IDF did in Jenin.

“To conduct an operation of such intensity in an urban area without killing any uninvolved civilians at all is a remarkable achievement by the IDF and probably unprecedented in modern warfare. Casualty ratios in most such operations have often been 3 to 5 civilians killed for every fighter, and that is by Western armies that do their best to avoid civilian casualties and adhere to the laws of war,” he explained, adding: “I doubt any other army in the world would be able to achieve what the IDF did in Jenin.”

Col. Kemp acknowledged that the avoidance of civilian casualties in a terrorist stronghold like Jenin is even more remarkable considering the terrorists’ use of human shields and their deliberate attempts to provoke the IDF into harming civilians, ultimately aiming to attract international condemnation.

However, UN Secretary-General António Guterres held a different view regarding the IDF’s actions, accusing Israel of using “excessive force” in Jenin and stating that the use of airstrikes was inconsistent with law enforcement operations. In response, Col. Kemp argued that Guterres was mistaken in his accusation of disproportionate force, as no innocent civilians were killed during the operation. He emphasized that proportionality in warfare is determined by the impact on innocent civilians relative to the military objective, and in this case, the facts clearly showed that IDF actions were not disproportionate.

Regarding the use of airstrikes, Col. Kemp contested Guterres’ claim, highlighting that the operation in Jenin was not a traditional law enforcement operation. Instead, it was a war zone filled with heavily armed terrorists equipped with weapons and explosives, many supplied by Iran with the intent to harm Israelis. The IDF’s decision to utilize drone strikes was based on the calculation that it would be the most effective way to neutralize the threat while minimizing civilian casualties. Col. Kemp argued that the facts proved the IDF’s approach to be successful and Guterres’ viewpoint to be incorrect.

Sven Kuehn von Burgsdorff, the European Union (EU) representative to Palestinian Authority-assigned territories, went further by accusing the operation of violating international law. He criticized the choice of weaponry used by the IDF in Jenin and expressed concerns about the proportionality of the military’s actions during the operation.

In response to Burgsdorff’s accusation, Col. Kemp urged him to specify which international laws were violated by the IDF. He asserted that the IDF did not employ any banned weapons or tactics in Jenin, and it is not against international law for a country to use force to protect its citizens from a violent threat. He emphasized that Israel had a duty, not just a right, to act with force to ensure the safety of its citizens, as any other country would under similar circumstances. Col. Kemp attributed these accusations against Israel to the double standards often applied by critics.

He further cautioned international leaders like Guterres and Burgsdorff to be cautious with their statements, as unfounded and unjust comments incite violence against Israelis and Jews worldwide. Such remarks also provide encouragement to Palestinian terrorists and their Iranian supporters, who perceive their efforts to vilify and isolate Israel as successful.

In conclusion, Col. Kemp highlighted the importance of recognizing that the disputed territories in question are within Israeli sovereign territory, not an illegal occupation. He stressed that Israel’s actions are necessary due to the Palestinian Authority’s failure or inability to address the threats, despite significant investments in their security forces.