Controversy in Israel after arrest of soldiers for alleged abuses and demonstrations in Sde Teiman

The arrest this Monday of several Israeli soldiers for allegedly committing abuses against a Palestinian prisoner in Sde Teiman, provoked a violent demonstration in that prison as well as angry statements from Israel's political and military elite.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even had to call for an “immediate calm of spirits” in the face of the effervescence caused by the arrests of the uniformed men.

“Following alleged substantial abuses against a detainee held at the Sde Teiman detention center, an investigation has been opened by order of the Military Prosecutor General's Corps,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicated, without providing further details.

According to the local press, which cites military sources, There are arrest warrants against ten soldiers and this afternoon nine of them were arrested for interrogation.

Images of a strong altercation between Israeli soldiers circulated in local media, apparently in Sde Teiman. A group of hooded soldiers rebuked others with their faces uncovered.

The arrest outraged the leaders of the far-right parties that are part of the government and Dozens of his supporters went to the doors of Sde Teiman to carry out a violent protest.

An angry mob beat the bars of the detention center, while several protesters entered by force, events that were “strongly” condemned by Netanyahu.

Later, more protesters joined in, waving Israeli flags and chanting slogans.

The IDF reported that its troops "are currently containing the assault on the Sde Teiman base," while Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi called the incident "extremely serious and contrary to the law."

“We are in the middle of a war and actions of this type endanger the security of the State,” he said in a statement, in which he showed his support for the investigations.

However, far-right leaders promoted the violent demonstration, claiming to defend the rights of those in uniform.

“Soldiers deserve respect. “Take your hands off our heroic warriors.”, wrote the Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, on the social network X.

For his part, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said that he would go to Sde Teiman along with legislators from his party, Jewish Power.

“The show of agents of the Military police “Detaining our greatest heroes at Sde Teiman is simply shameful.”said the minister.

The President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, said that “hatred is undoubtedly understandable and justified” against “the damned Nukhba terrorists” - the Hamas cell that planned the attack against Israel on October 7, 2023 -, but He defended the investigations to prevent the Army from being accused before international institutions.

“Let us not forget that our enemies try to persecute us again and again, even in the international legal field.”said Herzog, who urged Israeli lawmakers not to instigate demonstrations.

The ultra-Orthodox Shas party deplored “the horrendous image” of the detention of the soldiers while Justice Minister Yariv Levin said that the fact that Israeli uniformed men were detained as “dangerous criminals” is a reason to resume its controversial judicial reform, which seeks to undermine democracy and the independence of Justice.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant congratulated Israeli soldiers for their performance in the war against Hamas, and emphasized the “complex and important missions (…) to imprison terrorists.”

However, he defended the investigations by ensuring that “the law applies to everyone.”

Efe's Yemeli Ortega contributed to this Aurora article.