Ultra-right-wing Israeli nationalists stormed two military facilities late Monday, protesting the detention and questioning of nine Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reservists suspected of raping and abusing a Palestinian prisoner. The prisoner’s injuries were so severe that he had to be hospitalised. Videos circulating on social media show guards at the Sde Teiman military base and prison, near Beersheba in southern Israel, shouting at and pushing military police who had arrived to question the reservists, seemingly in defense of the suspects.
The Controversial Sde Teiman Facility
The Sde Teiman facility is notorious for holding Palestinians arrested in Gaza since Israel launched its war on Hamas, the territory’s ruling group, following the group’s gruesome Oct. 7 terrorist attack. The facility has been at the centre of multiple allegations of prisoner abuse, making it a focal point for human rights debates.
Protests Disrupt Military Operations
The soldiers suspected of the abuse are currently being held for questioning. This rare move during an ongoing conflict has drawn a furious reaction from far-right Israelis, including some senior government officials. On Monday evening, a group of Israelis attempted to storm another military facility, with one protester threatening an uprising against the government if the suspects remain in custody.
Military Court Proceedings
The nine Israeli soldiers suspected of the abuse were set to appear before a military court on Tuesday. The case has rattled the nation, highlighting the deep political divisions within Israel. The detention of these soldiers has sparked outrage among ultra-right-wing factions, who see the move as a betrayal of the IDF by its own government.
Lawmaker’s Controversial Defence
A member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, Hanoch Milwidsky, defended the alleged rape and abuse of Palestinian prisoners during a heated parliamentary session. Milwidsky shouted angrily at colleagues questioning the alleged behaviour, asserting that anything was legitimate to do to “terrorists” in custody. When asked if it was legitimate to “insert a stick into a person’s rectum,” he emphatically replied, “Yes! If he is a Nukhba [Hamas militant], everything is legitimate to do! Everything!”
Far-Right Reactions and Government Condemnations
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, known for his provocative actions, also defended the reservists. In a social media post, he wrote, “Take your hands off the reservists.” However, other senior Israeli officials, including Netanyahu and army commander Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi, condemned the far-right protesters’ attack on the army base.
Halevi stated, “Breaking into a military base and disturbing the order there is severe behaviour that is not acceptable in any way. We are in the midst of a war, and actions of this type endanger the security of the state.” Netanyahu called for calm and strongly condemned the protesters for attempting to break into the IDF base, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that “even in difficult times, the law applies to anyone — nobody may trespass into IDF bases or violate the laws of the state of Israel.”
International Reactions and Human Rights Allegations
United Nations agencies and human rights organizations, along with officials in Hamas-run Gaza and former prisoners interviewed by international news agencies, have all alleged abuse of Palestinians in Israeli detention facilities. Israel’s military insists that its detention centres are run in accordance with international law. However, the allegations have fuelled further tensions and international scrutiny.
Political Implications
This incident has further exposed the deep political divisions within Israel. The actions of the far-right protesters and the controversial defence by Milwidsky reflect a broader struggle over the country’s handling of both internal security and human rights. The case against the nine soldiers is likely to have significant ramifications for Israel’s political and social fabric.
Conclusion: A Nation in Turmoil
The defence of alleged abuse by high-ranking officials and the subsequent protests underscore a period of intense political turmoil in Israel. As the nation grapples with these allegations and the ongoing conflict, the world watches closely. The outcome of this case will not only impact the accused soldiers but also the broader perception of Israel’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
Photo credit: CBS
