Four arrested in ‘Israel’ over protest against reinstated Sde Teiman soldiers

Four people were arrested in 'Israel' for protesting the return of soldiers who are accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee.

What they face

The lawyer of the protestors, Yoni Nussbaum, stated that they are being held for suspicion of endangering human life, obstructing police, unauthorized entry to a military base, and disturbing public order. No details on the identities of those arrested are available

What were they protesting

Chief of the ‘Israeli’ military Eyal Zamir authorised the return of five soldiers and dropped the charges against those accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee in the Sde Teiman detention camp.

The soldiers were first charged with assault after footage of the assault was leaked, with the actions hidden behind their riot shield.

Major general Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, chief military advocate, later resigned, admitting she is the one who leaked the videos.

She later went missing with two phones that the ‘Israeli’ police were looking for.

It was then announced that one of her phones was found with what seemed to be a suicide note.

It is still unclear whether that phone was hers. She was later found and arrested. She is now detained for obstruction of justice and breach of trust. ‘Israeli’ police are still looking for her second phone, with a reward being set for whoever finds it.

A doctor who worked in the detention facility was the first to report the abuse, stating he can no longer stay silent on how Palestinian detainees are being treated, which shortly after caused the videos to be leaked to ‘Israeli’ television.

Charges dropped

The indictment of the five soldiers was canceled on March 12, 2026, despite the video evidence. Advocate General Itay Offir stated there are "complexities in evidentiary structure" and difficulties since the detainee was released.

Netanyahu condemned the leak of the video, stating it hurts the image of 'Israeli' soldiers. Amnesty International condemned the decision, stating it is "yet another unconscionable chapter in the Israeli legal system's long-standing history of granting impunity to perpetrators of grave crimes against Palestinians," stating Netanyahu has the "unwillingness or inability" to prosecute crimes under international law

Justice never served

According to the public committee against torture in 'Israel', although hundreds of reports have been sent of abuse cases since October 2023. No prison soldiers were ever charged.

‘Israeli’ rights group Yesh Din stated that over 93 percent of offenses by ‘Israelis’ against Palestinians in the West Bank since 2005 have not been charged.

The “Public Committee Against Torture in Israel” stated after charges were dropped: "Israel's Military Attorney General just gave his soldiers a license to rape so long as the victim is Palestinian."