Central to our mission is the principle of "Do No Harm." We strive to prevent or minimize any unintentional negative effects of our documentation activities on survivors, witnesses, and our team members. The safety, physical and psychological well-being, and privacy of information providers, intermediaries, local communities, and all involved are paramount throughout the documentation process.

Given the ongoing conflict and the trauma experienced by the affected population, our interviews are conducted by trained documentarians to mitigate psychological harm. We provide a "personal stage" for witnesses to recount their experiences in their own words, aiding in their rehabilitation and helping them process their memories into a cohesive narrative. This approach restores a sense of control over their stories and lives, offering personal and social validation for their feelings and experiences.

​

To support our documentarians and mitigate the effects of secondary traumatization and compassion fatigue, we provide emotional support and professional guidance. Our practices are designed to address the emotional toll of exposure to distressing content.

All digital information collected, including photos, videos, social media posts, media, and emails, is documented and catalogued in secure, backed-up systems organized for easy retrieval and subject to a strict release policy. We base our work on reliable information through authentication procedures including data cross-checking, examination by multiple independent parties, and consultations with experts in artificial intelligence, forensics, and sound.

As an independent, non-governmental body operating within the framework of the Dvora Institute, a registered non-profit organization, the Civil Commission was established to document and investigate war crimes against women, children, and families committed by Hamas during the massacre on October 7, 2023 and subsequent events.

We have created a digital archive adhering to strict international technological, legal, and ethical standards to store materials and evidence documenting these war crimes. This archive serves as a comprehensive research base for scholars, Judicial tribunals and   teaching recognizing the extraordinary severity and long-term impact of these crimes. It is a national asset, playing a crucial role in preserving the historical memory of these events and combating their denial.

By adhering to these ethical principles, we honor the experiences of those affected by these crimes, we are their voice and we contribute to the pursuit of justice, and create a lasting record that will educate future generations. Our commitment to ethical documentation is unwavering, as we believe it is the foundation for building a more just and compassionate world.