An IDF soldier was indicted by the military prosecutor on Monday on charges of assaulting, abusing and threatening a Palestinian resident of the West Bank, reportedly as “revenge” after the Palestinian filmed them.
The soldier, along with three other soldiers, all from the Golani Brigade, are suspected of arresting and beating the Palestinian, who is well-known on TikTok, without informing their commanders, according to Walla.
According to the indictment filed on Monday, the soldiers put the Palestinian in a military jeep and drove him to an isolated place, assaulting him and threatening him during and after the drive. The soldiers then left the victim at the isolated location, as he was suffering from various pains and injuries.
The soldiers, who were arrested last month, hid the details of the case from their commanders and coordinated efforts to disrupt the investigation, according to the indictment.
The indicted soldier has been charged with assault, abuse under aggravated circumstances, threatening, abuse of official power, acting without the proper authority, obstruction of justice and inappropriate behavior.
Golani Brigade soldiers during a nighttime operation to arrest Palestinians with illegal weapons in a West Bank village, on August 29, 2021. (credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)The indicted soldier’s detention has been extended until Thursday, when a hearing will be held to consider extending his arrest until the end of the legal proceedings against him. The other three soldiers are expected to be indicted as well, and the detention of two of them has been extended. The third will remain under open detention in his unit.
In February, an IDF soldier from the Golani Brigade was jailed after he was caught on camera violently beating up a Palestinian human rights activist.
Border Police officer convicted of assaulting Palestinian reinstated
The announcement of the indictment comes just hours after the commander of Border Police, the chief of Israel Police and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir decided to reinstate Border Police officer Orian Ben Khalifa, who was convicted last week of assaulting residents of east Jerusalem in the Old City of Jerusalem in November 2021.
Ben Khalifa was found to have attacked two residents of east Jerusalem while manning a checkpoint in the Old City. During the fight, the officer ripped off one of the residents’ hijab and knocked her to the floor. After arresting the woman, the officer proceeded to shove her into a chair and choke her. Parts of the violence were caught on film and published by Israeli media.
Ben Khalifa’s reinstatement will be effective until the end of the legal proceedings against her.
“Our fighters have my full backing,” said Ben-Gvir after the decision to reinstate Ben Khalifa was announced. “Contrary to what officials in the Defense Ministry and the judiciary apparently believe, when fighting terrorism the fight is not conducted under laboratory conditions – but under pressure and in a hostile environment.”
Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai stated “We must all remember that police activity is complex and challenging and the police have to deal with difficult situations. Therefore, every police officer and soldier in the Israel Police will receive a protective aid envelope to accompany him for his operations within the scope of his duties.”
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