Beersheba, Israel – Far-right protesters in Israel broke into an army base to show support for soldiers accused of mistreating a Palestinian prisoner. The incident occurred at the Sde Teiman compound, which has been a focal point for reports of abuse against Gaza detainees.
Following the entry of Israeli military police to detain the reservists, who are under official investigation, large crowds gathered outside the base. On Monday, protesters, including far-right MPs from the governing coalition, breached the base’s gate and chanted slogans in solidarity with the accused soldiers.
Reports indicate that some soldiers at the base used pepper spray against the military police personnel trying to detain the reservists. Demonstrators also entered the Beit Lid military base, where the arrested reservists were being questioned.
In response to the break-in, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the actions and called for calm. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized the importance of allowing the investigation into the soldiers’ conduct to proceed, emphasizing that the law applies to everyone, even in times of anger.
Despite some Israeli politicians criticizing the arrest of the reservists, at least nine soldiers at the base are accused of abusing the Palestinian detainee, believed to be a Hamas fighter captured in Gaza. The detainee reportedly suffered severe abuse, including serious sexual assault and injuries that left him unable to walk.
Israeli military authorities have launched a probe into the alleged abuse following the detainee’s hospitalization. The incident has sparked controversy and calls for an end to indefinite detention and alleged torture of Gaza Palestinians in Israeli prisons. Amnesty International has urged Israel to address the issue of rampant abuse and torture in its detention facilities.