Palestinians inform BBC they had been sexually abused in Israeli prisons

[ad_1] Jon Donnison Israeli occupied West Financial institution

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/8db5/live/070d9300-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/8db5/live/070d9300-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/8db5/live/070d9300-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/8db5/live/070d9300-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/8db5/live/070d9300-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/8db5/live/070d9300-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/8db5/live/070d9300-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/8db5/live/070d9300-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="BBC Sami al-Saei during his interview with the BBC. He has a bald head with a short black beard. He wears black-rimmed glasses and a black T-shirt. " class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> BBC Sami al-Saei alleges that he was sexually abused by jail guards whereas being detained with out cost

This text incorporates descriptions of sexual abuse and violence which some readers might discover distressing.

Two Palestinian males have informed the BBC they personally skilled the sort of beatings and sexual abuse highlighted in latest experiences into the therapy of prisoners in Israeli detention.

The United Nations Committee in opposition to Torture mentioned final month that it was deeply involved about experiences indicating "a de facto state coverage of organised and widespread torture and sick therapy" of Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails. It mentioned the allegations had "gravely intensified" after the Hamas-led assaults on Israel on 7 October 2023.

Different experiences by Israeli and Palestinian rights teams have detailed what they are saying is "systematic" abuse.

Israel has denied all of the allegations, however rights teams say the fury within the nation over the 7 October assaults and the therapy of Israeli hostages in Gaza has created a tradition of impunity inside the jail companies, particularly in the direction of detainees who've expressed assist for Hamas and its assaults.

Final yr, leaked CCTV footage from inside an Israeli army jail confirmed a Palestinian man from Gaza allegedly being sexually abused by jail guards. That led to a resignation and recriminations on the prime of Israel's army and political institution.

Sami al-Saei, 46, now works in a furnishings store, however he was a contract journalist within the city of Tulkarm, within the north of the occupied West Financial institution.

He was arrested by Israeli troopers in January 2024 after working with reporters to rearrange interviews with members of Hamas and different armed teams.

He was detained with out being charged for 16 months, below a controversial Israeli system generally known as administrative detention, earlier than being launched this summer season.

Whereas he was being held in Megiddo jail in northern Israel, he mentioned, the guards partially stripped him and raped him with a baton on or round 13 March 2024.

He mentioned he had determined to talk to the BBC about his allegations of sexual abuse, regardless of the danger of being ostracised within the typically conservative Palestinian society within the West Financial institution.

"There have been 5 or 6 of them," he mentioned.

"They had been laughing and having fun with it. The guard requested me: 'Are you having fun with this? We wish to play with you, and convey your spouse, your sister, your mom, and pals right here too,'" Mr al-Saei continued.

"I hoped to die and be executed from that, because the ache was not solely brought on by the rape, but additionally from the extreme and painful beating."

He mentioned the assault lasted round 15 to twenty minutes, throughout which era the guards additionally squeezed his genitals, inflicting excessive ache.

He mentioned the beatings occurred on an nearly day by day foundation, however he was solely sexually abused as soon as.

The BBC requested the Israel Jail Service (IPS) for a response to Mr al-Saei's allegations. It despatched a press release, which mentioned: "We function in full accordance with the regulation, whereas guaranteeing the protection, welfare, and rights of all inmates below its custody.

"We aren't conscious of the claims described, and to the very best of our data, no such incidents have occurred below IPS accountability."

We additionally requested the IPS whether or not an investigation had been launched into the alleged sexual assault and whether or not any medical information existed. It didn't remark.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/57cf/live/ca512f90-dccd-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/57cf/live/ca512f90-dccd-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/57cf/live/ca512f90-dccd-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/57cf/live/ca512f90-dccd-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/57cf/live/ca512f90-dccd-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/57cf/live/ca512f90-dccd-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/57cf/live/ca512f90-dccd-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/57cf/live/ca512f90-dccd-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="IDF handout A handout image from the Israel Defense Forces shows a head shot of former Israeli Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi. She wears glasses and is smiling at the camera, with an Israeli flag visible in the background. " class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> IDF handout Former Army Advocate Normal Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned after admitting her function in leaking a video of alleged abuse by Israeli troopers

Allegations of abuse of Palestinians in Israeli prisons have been made for many years, however one latest case has shaken the nation's institution and deepened a rising divide in Israeli society over the therapy of prisoners and detainees accused of supporting Hamas.

In August 2024, leaked CCTV from inside Sde Teiman army jail in southern Israel confirmed a Palestinian detainee from Gaza allegedly being abused with a pointy object by troopers, leaving the person with a pierced rectum. The assault allegedly occurred in July 2024.

5 Israeli reservist troopers had been charged with aggravated abuse and inflicting severe bodily hurt to the detainee.

Final month, they convened a press convention on Israeli tv, 4 of them showing in black balaclavas to cover their identities.

In an interview with Channel 14 Information, a fifth soldier pulled off his masks to disclose his face, saying he had nothing to cover.

All 5 have denied the fees.

The reservists held the press convention after it emerged that the CCTV footage was leaked by the Israeli army's prime lawyer, Army Advocate Normal Main Normal Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi.

She resigned in October, saying that she took full accountability for the leak. She defined that she had needed to "counter false propaganda in opposition to the military's regulation enforcement authorities" – a reference to claims from some right-wing politicians that the allegations had been fabricated.

Supporters of the far proper have held protests in assist of the 5 accused reservists outdoors Sde Teiman jail.

In July, earlier than her resignation, at a fiery committee listening to at Israel's parliament, Hanoch Milwidsky, a politician from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud get together, was challenged over whether or not raping a detainee was acceptable.

"Shut up, shut up," he shouted. "Sure, the whole lot is reputable if they're Nukhba [elite Hamas fighters who took part in the 7 October attacks]. All the pieces."

A latest opinion ballot by the extensively revered Israel Democracy Institute indicated that almost all of the Israeli public oppose investigating troopers when they're suspected of getting abused Palestinians from Gaza.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/7bcf/live/d06f8780-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/7bcf/live/d06f8780-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/7bcf/live/d06f8780-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/7bcf/live/d06f8780-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/7bcf/live/d06f8780-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/7bcf/live/d06f8780-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/7bcf/live/d06f8780-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/7bcf/live/d06f8780-dcca-11f0-bb5b-8b829d936cf4.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="A picture taken from the BBC's anonymous interview with Ahmed, which is not his real name. He is seen in silhouette only, in front of a closed set of curtains in a dark room. " class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> "Ahmed" alleges he was abused in an Israeli jail after being discovered responsible of incitement to terrorism

Ahmed, not his actual title, lives within the West Financial institution along with his spouse and 11 kids.

He was arrested by troopers in January 2024 and was discovered responsible of incitement to terrorism, after making social media posts praising the 7 October Hamas-led assaults, wherein round 1,200 folks, largely Israelis, had been killed and an extra 251 had been taken hostage.

He was sentenced to 1 yr in jail and fined 3,000 shekels ($935, £700).

He alleges severe sexual abuse whereas in Israeli detention.

"The jail guards, three of them, took me into a rest room and stripped me fully bare earlier than forcing me to the bottom," Ahmed mentioned in an interview at his dwelling.

"They put my head in the bathroom bowl and a large man, perhaps 150kg (330lb), stood on my head, so I used to be bent over. Then, I heard the voice of somebody speaking to the jail canine. The canine was named Messi, just like the footballer."

He then detailed how he mentioned the canine was used to sexually humiliate him. He mentioned his trousers and underwear had been eliminated and the canine mounted his again.

"I may really feel its breath... then it jumped on me... I began to scream. The extra I screamed, the extra they beat me till I nearly misplaced consciousness."

Throughout his time in detention, Ahmed additionally mentioned the guards would beat him regularly, together with on his genitals.

He mentioned he was launched 12 days after the alleged sexual abuse, after serving his full sentence.

We requested Ahmed if there have been any medical paperwork relating to his claims, however he mentioned he didn't have any.

We contacted the IPS to ask for a response to Ahmed's allegations, and if an investigation had been launched into his alleged abuse, however we didn't obtain a reply.

There are over 9,000 Palestinian safety detainees held in Israeli jails, practically double the quantity earlier than the 7 October assaults. Many have by no means been charged.

The latest report by the UN Committee in opposition to Torture unequivocally condemned the 7 October assaults, and in addition expressed deep concern over Israel's response and the large lack of human life in Gaza.

A number of the hostages kidnapped on 7 October and survivors of the assaults have additionally made allegations of sexual abuse, rape and torture by Hamas and its allies.

Hamas has additionally publicly executed Palestinians in Gaza accused of collaborating with Israel.

There are additionally claims of abuse inside prisons run by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which is in cost in elements of the West Financial institution not below Israeli management and is a political and army rival of Hamas.

The BBC has spoken to a former detainee who mentioned PA safety officers beat him and used electrical shocks on him.

The BBC has contacted the PA for remark however obtained no reply. It has beforehand denied allegations of systematic abuse.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/6bf6/live/560fdfe0-dcce-11f0-8119-7990a250d38d.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/6bf6/live/560fdfe0-dcce-11f0-8119-7990a250d38d.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6bf6/live/560fdfe0-dcce-11f0-8119-7990a250d38d.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/6bf6/live/560fdfe0-dcce-11f0-8119-7990a250d38d.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/6bf6/live/560fdfe0-dcce-11f0-8119-7990a250d38d.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/6bf6/live/560fdfe0-dcce-11f0-8119-7990a250d38d.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/6bf6/live/560fdfe0-dcce-11f0-8119-7990a250d38d.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6bf6/live/560fdfe0-dcce-11f0-8119-7990a250d38d.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images A file photograph of Megiddo prison in Israel shows a watchtower with an Israeli flag above it. Coiled barbed wire can be seen on top of high fences, with a line of trees in the background. " class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Getty Pictures File image of Megiddo jail, the place Sami al-Saei says he was detained

In a report submitted in October to the UN Committee in opposition to Torture, 5 Israeli human rights teams mentioned there had been "a dramatic escalation in torture and merciless, inhuman and degrading therapy throughout all detention amenities, carried out with close to complete impunity and carried out as state coverage concentrating on Palestinians".

Adalah, the Public Committee Towards Torture in Israel, Mother and father Towards Youngster Detention, HaMoked, and Physicians for Human Rights–Israel introduced proof that they mentioned confirmed Israel had "dismantled present safeguards and now employs torture all through your entire detention course of - from arrest to imprisonment - concentrating on Palestinians below occupation and Palestinian residents, with senior officers sanctioning these abuses whereas judicial and administrative mechanisms fail to intervene".

The report mentioned such practices had resulted in a surge of Palestinian deaths in custody, with at the least 94 deaths in Israeli custody documented between the beginning of the Gaza battle and the tip of August 2025.

Israel's ambassador to the UN in Geneva rejected the allegations made earlier than the UN Committee in opposition to Torture as "disinformation".

Daniel Meron informed the knowledgeable panel final month that Israel was "dedicated to upholding its obligations in step with our ethical values and rules, even within the face of the challenges posed by a terrorist organisation".

He mentioned the related Israeli companies complied totally with the prohibition in opposition to torture and that Israel rejected allegations of systematic use of sexual and gender-based violence.