Scandal of Israeli Soldiers’ Sexual Torture of Palestinian Prisoners
Security camera footage of Israeli soldiers sexually torturing a Palestinian detained in the Sde Teiman detention center in the Negev Desert has leaked to the public. The disturbing footage, broadcast by Channel 12 television, shows many of the detained Palestinians lying face down in a wired area. Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers are seen picking up a Palestinian lying on the ground and taking him to another area.
The footage shows some soldiers sexually abusing the Palestinian and other soldiers trying to prevent the incident from being recorded by security cameras. The Channel 12 report stated, “The soldiers are probably aware of the security cameras and are trying to hide their actions with shields.” The report stated that the Palestinian, who was sexually tortured, was tortured by having an object inserted into his anus and was then taken to the hospital covered in blood.
Messages of Support from Israeli Ministers
The incidents that followed the arrival of Israeli military police in Sde Teiman on July 29 to detail 10 soldiers on complaints of sexually torturing a Palestinian drew attention. The incidents erupted when the soldiers who were going to be detained resisted. Some Israeli ministers, especially the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, gave messages of support to the soldiers who were sexually torturing them.
Following these messages of support, several far-right groups, including members of parliament, raided Sde Teiman. In the evening, similar groups forced their way into the Beit Lid base, where the military court where the detained soldiers were taken was located. The raids by far-right groups on two military bases in one day sparked intense debate in Israel.
Status of Detained Soldiers
Five of the 10 soldiers detained were released by an Israeli court. The investigation into the others continues. The court extended the detention of five soldiers accused of sexual torture until Sunday, August 11.
What Happened in Sde Teiman Detention Center
The Sde Teiman detention center is frequently in the news for torture as a place where Gazans are held. A report in the New York Times last month stated that Gazans held there are blindfolded, handcuffed and forced to sit silently on the floor for up to 18 hours a day.
According to the report, Palestinian detainees brought to the detention center stay there for up to 3 months and many are subjected to inhumane treatment and torture during the interrogation process. Some Gazans who were held here and later released have spoken out about the torture they experienced in Sde Teiman.
