"Israeli soldiers on trial for raping a Palestinian prisoner at Sde Teiman military prison in southern Israel have defended their crimes, claiming they "should be thanked."
According to Israeli Channel 7 television, soldiers on trial for raping a Palestinian prisoner held in Gaza made a press statement in front of the Israeli Supreme Court in West Jerusalem, wearing masks.
One of the soldiers, who wore masks to prevent identification, said, "I'm here today because I'm tired of silence... Instead of embraces, we were met with accusations and instead of thanks, we were met with silence."
The defendant soldier claimed that they had not been allowed to make any statements until now and instead were subjected to a sham trial in front of cameras, and that "the culprits had already been decided."
The Israeli soldier on trial for rape boasted about his actions, saying, "We will definitely not remain silent; we will continue our fight for justice and for our families. You may have tried to destroy us, but you forgot that we are a force of hundreds."
Chief military prosecutor detained for leaking footage of Israeli soldiers raping Palestinian prisoner
Former Chief Military Prosecutor Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who leaked to the press the footage of the rape of a Palestinian prisoner in Sde Teiman military prison in Israel, was detained last night.
Instead of punishing the soldiers responsible for the rape in Sde Teiman prison, the Tel Aviv administration is punishing the chief military prosecutor who revealed the rape.
Attorney General Tomer-Yerushalmi, who was targeted by far-right Israeli ministers for allegedly leaking the images to the press, resigned last week under pressure.
In addition to Tomer-Yerushalmi, another Israeli citizen, whose identity has not been disclosed, was detained in the investigation into the leak of rape footage.
Footage of sexual torture in Sde Teiman was released
Israel's Channel 12 television broadcast footage obtained by the Israeli Military Prosecutor's Office showing soldiers surrounding a Palestinian prisoner while sexually torturing him, attempting to hide him from cameras at the detention center.
An investigation was launched into soldiers who mistreated a Palestinian prisoner at the Sde Teiman detention center last year, on charges of "torture, perversion, and attempting to disrupt bodily integrity," and nine soldiers were reportedly detained.
Following this news, a far-right group gathered in front of the detention center and held a demonstration in July 2024.
While the suspected soldiers were being detained, far-right groups, including members of parliament, raided the Sde Teiman military base.
While no sentences have been announced for the Israeli soldiers on trial, it was reported that former Chief Military Prosecutor Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi was detained for leaking videos of the rape of a Palestinian prisoner to the press."
Former Chief Military Prosecutor Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who was under house arrest for allegedly leaking footage of the rape of a Palestinian prisoner at Sde Teiman military prison in Israel, was hospitalized for what he claimed was a "suicide attempt." Israel's official statement stated that Yerushalmi overdosed on medication and that his condition was not life-threatening.
We all know the truth, right, guys? Free Palestine! 🇵🇸
