Israeli protesters, including far-right members of the Knesset, clashed with military police after nine soldiers suspected of abusing a Palestinian were detained for questioning from a detention facility in southern Israel. The protesters waved Israeli flags and stormed the facility’s gate chanting “shame,” defending the soldiers’ actions as part of their duty. Some tried to break into the facility, while others attempted to breach a military base where the soldiers were transported.

The Israeli military confirmed the soldiers were being questioned for alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee, without divulging specific details. Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi initiated a military police investigation leading to the soldiers’ detention. The soldiers belong to Force 100, tasked with guarding the facility.

‘Soldiers are not criminals’

Far-right politicians rushed to defend the soldiers and urged the military to stop the investigation. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and other members of their party demanded the soldiers’ release. The Justice Minister expressed shock at the arrests, while an NGO condemned the protests as an endorsement of brutality against Palestinians.

Widespread abuse

Reports of mistreatment of detainees in Israeli prisons have raised international concern. Rights groups have documented abuse and ill-treatment inside Israeli prisons, including harrowing accounts of torture and rape. Amnesty International called for an end to the indefinite detention and rampant torture in Israeli prisons, urging accountability for human rights violations. More than 9,000 Palestinians have been detained since the conflict began.