Israeli protesters broke into a military base on Monday (July 29) after the military opened an investigation into alleged torture of a Palestinian held at the detention camp, which holds Palestinians arrested during the Gaza war.
“The military in this country is a consensus. If they touch our military, we will build a fortress. The people will rise up against the government, whether it is left or right or whatever. Nobody can touch our military,” said Jen Frieman, one of the protesters.
The military said its Advocate General had ordered an investigation “following allegations of severe torture of a detainee.” No further details were provided.
Israel's Army Radio said military police arrived at the Sde Teiman detention center, where about 10 reservists allegedly tortured a captured prisoner from an elite unit of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
Protesters also gathered at the Beit Lid military base, holding banners and shouting against the investigation.
Human rights groups, including the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), have alleged serious abuse of detainees at the camp, a former military base in the Negev desert, which Israel has announced it will gradually close. The military has previously said it is investigating the allegations of abuse.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant condemned the attempted hack.
Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, the military chief of staff, condemned the protests and defended the investigation, which he said upheld the honor of the Israeli military. (ns/lt)
