Far-right protesters in Israel have caused chaos by breaking into an army base in a show of support for soldiers accused of mistreating a Palestinian prisoner. The incident took place at the Sde Teiman compound near Beersheba, which has been at the center of reports of serious abuses against Gazan detainees.
The protesters, including far-right MPs from Israel’s governing coalition, stormed the base, chanting slogans in support of the accused reservists. Some soldiers at the base reportedly used pepper spray against military police personnel who arrived to detain the reservists. The accused soldiers have been taken to the Beit Lid military base for questioning.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant have both condemned the break-in and called for calm. The investigation into the soldiers’ conduct must be allowed to continue, said Gallant, emphasizing that the law applies to everyone.
At least nine Israeli soldiers at the base are accused of abusing the Palestinian detainee, a suspected Hamas fighter captured in Gaza. The detainee was reportedly hospitalized with serious injuries, including alleged sexual abuse and injuries that left him unable to walk. The Israeli military has ordered an inquiry into the suspected abuse.
Since the Hamas attack on October 7, Israeli authorities have detained thousands of Palestinians, often without legal representation. Reports of mistreatment and abuse of detainees have surfaced, including allegations of blindfolding, shackling, and forced use of nappies instead of access to a toilet.
Amnesty International has called on Israel to end the indefinite detention of Gaza Palestinians and address the issue of “rampant torture” in its prisons. Some Israeli politicians have criticized the arrest of the reservists, with National Security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir calling it “shameful.”
The situation remains tense as the investigation into the alleged abuse continues, and calls for justice and accountability grow louder.
