Visitation Ban on Palestinian Prisoners in Israel and the Incidents at Sde Teiman Detention Center
According to the Israeli newspaper Maariv, the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, signed a directive extending the ban on visits to Palestinian prisoners for another month. Since the start of the attacks on Gaza, the families of Palestinian prisoners have been deprived of the opportunity to visit their loved ones. This ban stands out as a decision taken within the framework of the policy of tightening restrictions in prisons.
Ben-Gvir had previously ordered increased restrictions on Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisoners. In one statement, the far-right minister made striking remarks, saying, “Palestinian prisoners should be shot in the head.”
Sde Teiman Detention Center and Allegations of Torture
The prison in southern Israel where Palestinians detained from Gaza are held Sde Teiman detention center, is frequently on the agenda with investigation of torture. In a report published in June, the New York Times reported that Palestinian detainees brought to Sde Teiman were held there for up to three months, that Gazans held in detention were blindfolded and made to sit on the ground with their hands cuffed in an open area for up to 18 hours a day, and that many people were subjected to inhumane treatment during the interrogation process.
Some Gazans who were released after being held there have described in detail the torture they were subjected to in Sde Teiman. While these tortures attracted the attention of international human rights organizations, Israeli military police also came to Sde Teiman on July 29 to detail 10 Israeli soldiers accused of raping a Palestinian. However, incidents broke out when the soldiers who were going to be detained resisted.
Reactions of Far-Rightists and Incidents
First and foremost, the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Finance Minister Bezalel SmotrichFollowing messages of support for the rapist soldiers by some Israeli politicians, including ministers and members of parliament, a large number of far-right extremists, including ministers and members of parliament, raided Sde Teiman. Similar groups raided the military court where the detained soldiers were taken in the evening of the same day. To Beit Lid basealso entered by force.
The raids by far-right extremists on two military bases in one day sparked intense debate in Israel and caused great public outrage. While 5 of the 10 soldiers detained were released by an Israeli court, the detention period of the other 5 soldiers was extended until Sunday, August 11.
Scandal in the Detention Center and Media Reflection
Israeli Channel 12 broadcast footage of the rape of a Palestinian detainee in Sde Teiman, with soldiers surrounding the prisoner with shields to hide the moment from security cameras. This has further raised concerns about human rights violations at the detention center.
