29/7/2024–|Last update: 7/29/202411:52 PM (Makkah Time)
The leader of the Israeli opposition, Yair Lapid, criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his government following a disturbing incident where ministers and representatives entered a prison to express solidarity with soldiers accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian prisoner. Meanwhile, extremists attacked a military court in Beit Lid as a protest against the prosecution of these soldiers.
“This is not a mere protest; it is an attempted coup by an armed militia against a weak prime minister who cannot manage his government,” Lapid stated on the X platform.
He directed his remarks at Netanyahu, saying, “Anyone who includes criminals in their government should not be surprised when they lose control over them.”
On Monday, Israelis—including ministers and Knesset members—held demonstrations supporting soldiers accused of torturing a Palestinian prisoner from Gaza at the Sde Teiman military base and prison in southern Israel.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority disclosed that ten soldiers severely beat the unnamed Palestinian prisoner, who was later hospitalized with serious injuries, including to his anus, prompting a military police investigation.
“The storming of Sde Teiman represents a despicable and dangerous act committed by Knesset members, who are undermining and dismantling the IDF, weakening the State of Israel, and destroying the foundations of our strength from within,” Lapid emphasized on the X platform.
In reference to right-wing lawmakers and ministers, Lapid added, “The politicians who abandoned the kidnapped Israeli prisoners in Gaza, neglected security, and damaged Israeli society are now threatening the chain of command and endorsing criminal behavior.”
Yair Golan, leader of the left-wing Israeli Labor Party, called for the imprisonment of Knesset members involved in storming the Sde Teiman military base in the Negev, accusing Netanyahu of “establishing armed militias within the army.”
Golan stated that Israel is “in existential danger if these individuals are not removed from power and from our lives.”
Israeli ministers, MPs, and right-wing activists invaded the Sde Teiman base and prison after military police arrived for investigations. The soldiers refused cooperation and exchanged insults with the police before being ordered to leave.
According to Haaretz, the military is currently conducting criminal investigations in 48 cases involving Palestinian deaths, with the majority being prisoners from Gaza, 36 of whom died at the Sde Teiman facility.
In a related issue, right-wing extremists also attacked a military court in Beit Lid in protest against the prosecution of soldiers who mistreated prisoners in Gaza.
Israeli Channel 13 reported clashes between police and demonstrators following the incursion into the military court building in Beit Lid.
Gantz Protests
Statements were made by ministers and MPs condemning the military police, as they rallied in opposition to the soldiers’ investigation.
Benny Gantz, leader of the opposition “State Camp” party, did not condemn the torture of the prisoner but protested against the invasion of the base.
“What we are witnessing is not an effort by politicians to protect IDF soldiers, but rather a cheap political maneuver at the expense of our valued soldiers. Prime Minister, put an end to this event,” he stated on the X platform.
A spokesperson for Netanyahu’s office responded by saying, “The Prime Minister calls for immediate calm in Sde Teiman and strongly condemns the invasion of an IDF base.”
Hamas Denounces
The Islamic Resistance Movement declared that the brutal violations at the Sde Teiman base “confirm the nature of the occupying entity, which is devoid of human values.”
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated that Israeli soldiers must be held accountable if proven to have participated in the sexual assault of a Palestinian prisoner.
Dujarric further noted that UN human rights officers are investigating the treatment of prisoners in various areas of Israel, and they will release the findings of these investigations later.
The Israeli Supreme Court is currently deliberating on a petition from Israeli human rights organizations seeking to close Sde Teiman prison due to widespread reports of abuse against Palestinian detainees there.
In recent months, numerous reports have criticized the treatment of Palestinian prisoners from Gaza in Sde Teiman prison, with Israeli authorities generally claiming to investigate the incidents without any substantial outcomes.
Since launching its ground operation in Gaza on October 27, the Israeli army has apprehended thousands of Palestinian civilians, including women, children, health workers, and civil defense personnel.
Over the past few months, the army has released dozens of Palestinian detainees from Gaza in small batches, many of whom exhibited deteriorating health and signs of torture.
Backed by American support, Israel has been waging war on Gaza since October 7, resulting in over 130,000 Palestinian casualties—most of whom are women and children—and more than 10,000 others missing amid widespread destruction and dire famine.
Source: Al Jazeera + Anadolu + Social Media
29/7/2024–|Last update: 7/29/202411:52 PM (Makkah Time)
The Israeli opposition leader directed Yair Lapid sharp criticism at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his government after ministers and representatives stormed a prison in solidarity with soldiers suspected of sexually abusing a Palestinian prisoner in Gaza. Meanwhile, extremists also stormed a military court in Beit Lid in protest against the trial of soldiers.
“This is not a riot, but an attempted coup by an armed militia against a weak prime minister who is unable to control his government,” Lapid wrote on the X platform.
He referred to Netanyahu, stating, “Whoever brings criminals into his government should not be surprised when he loses control over them.”
Earlier on Monday, Israelis, including ministers and Knesset members, demonstrated in solidarity with soldiers accused of torturing a Palestinian prisoner from Gaza at the Sde Teiman military base.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that 10 soldiers severely beat a prisoner from Gaza, whose name was not disclosed, leading to serious injuries requiring hospitalization and prompting an investigation by military police.
“The storming of Sde Teiman is a despicable and dangerous crime by the Knesset members who are weakening and dismantling the IDF, weakening and dismantling the State of Israel, and destroying the foundations of our strength from within,” Lapid emphasized on the X platform.
He added, “The politicians who abandoned kidnapped (Israeli prisoners in Gaza), neglected security and are now destroying the chain of command and normalizing criminality.”
Golan Calls Out Ministers
Yair Golan, head of the left-wing Israeli Labor Party, called for the imprisonment of Knesset members who participated in the storming of the Sde Teiman military base, accusing Netanyahu of fostering armed militias within the army.
Golan expressed that Israel faces “existential danger if these people are not removed from power and from our lives.”
Israeli ministers, MPs, and right-wing activists stormed the Sde Teiman base and prison following the military police’s arrival to investigate the soldiers, who resisted interrogation and clashed verbally with police before arrests were ordered.
According to Haaretz, the military is conducting criminal investigations involving soldiers in 48 cases of Palestinian deaths, mainly from prisoners arrested in Gaza, with 36 fatalities occurring at the Sde Teiman camp.
In a related incident, right-wing extremists also stormed a military court in Beit Lid to protest the trial of soldiers accused of abusing prisoners in Gaza, leading to clashes between the police and demonstrators.
Gantz Protest
Multiple statements were issued by ministers and MPs criticizing the military police before the protest at the base ensued. “What we’re witnessing is not an attempt to protect IDF soldiers, but rather to create a cheap political spectacle at the expense of our soldiers,” stated Benny Gantz, leader of the “State Camp” party. He did not condemn the actions against the prisoner but did criticize the storming of the base.
Netanyahu’s office responded, stating, “The Prime Minister calls for immediate calm in Sde Teiman, and strongly condemns the storming of an IDF base.”
Hamas Denounces Actions
The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, commented that the brutal violations at the Sde Teiman base “confirm the nature of the occupying entity that is a renegade from human values.” In light of recent events, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric indicated that Israeli soldiers must be held accountable if implicated in the sexual assault of the Palestinian prisoner.
Dujarric also informed that UN human rights officers are currently investigating various accounts of treatment of prisoners in Israel, and results will be announced soon.
The Israeli Supreme Court is reviewing a petition from human rights organizations aiming to close the Sde Teiman prison due to extensive abuse reports against Palestinian detainees.
Current Situation
In recent months, there have been numerous reports highlighting the violence against Palestinian prisoners from Gaza at Sde Teiman prison. Israeli authorities routinely claim investigations are underway but with limited tangible results.
Since initiating ground operations in Gaza on October 27, the Israeli army has detained thousands of Palestinian civilians, including women, children, health workers, and civil defense personnel. Over the past months, several detainees have been released, most suffering from poor health conditions and showing signs of torture.
Impact of War on Civilians
The ongoing conflict, bolstered by American support, has resulted in substantial casualties, with over 130,000 Palestinians reportedly killed or wounded since the escalation began on October 7. Predominant amongst the fatalities are women and children, with reports of more than 10,000 individuals still unaccounted for amid enormous destruction and famine conditions.
In summary, the recent protests and political turmoil surrounding the treatment of Palestinian prisoners, the involvement of Israeli government officials, and the wider implications of the ongoing conflict illustrate the complexities facing the region today.
Source: Al Jazeera + Anadolu + Social Media
