Israeli military police detained at least nine military reservists on Monday at an Israeli army base amidst an investigation into suspected substantial abuse of a Palestinian detainee. The detainee, from Gaza, was reportedly hospitalized with a serious injury to his anus, sparking allegations of sexual abuse by the reservists.
The detentions led to a crisis at the Sde Teiman base, where videos circulated on social media showed reservists expressing anger over the situation — a rare display of Israeli soldiers confronting their own. Tensions escalated into a standoff as civilian protesters, including far-right supporters, breached the base’s gates to show support for the detained reservists. The military eventually managed to drive the protesters out of the base.
Far-Right Presence in the Confrontation
The incident highlighted the growing confidence of Israel’s far right. Notably, far-right lawmaker Zvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionist Party was seen among the protesters at Sde Teiman, attempting to enter the base despite resistance. Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, also from the Religious Zionist Party, voiced strong opposition to the reservists’ arrests, emphasizing that soldiers should not be treated as criminals.
