ADDS WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT, BACKGROUND
By Rabia Iclal Turan
WASHINGTON (AA) - The US said Wednesday that there must be zero tolerance for sexual abuse or rape of any detainee after new footage showed Israeli soldiers raping a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention camp.
“There ought to be zero tolerance for sexual abuse, rape of any detainee. Period. That's a fundamental belief of the United States,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters, adding that if there are detainees who have been abused, sexually assaulted or raped, Israel needs to "fully investigate" those actions and hold anyone responsible accountable.
Miller said the video and reports of sexual abuse at the notorious Israeli detention center are “horrific,” adding that the human rights of prisoners “need to be respected.”
“It is appropriate that the IDF in this case, has announced an investigation, has arrested a number of people who are alleged to have been involved, and I won't speak to the outcome of that investigation, but it ought to proceed swiftly,” he added.
When asked about the reactions of far-right Israeli politicians who protested against the arrest of soldiers who allegedly raped Palestinian prisoners, with some lawmakers attempting to justify the rapes, Miller said: “There is no justification for rape of anyone, as I said, there must be zero tolerance for sexual assault of detainees.”
“Our principle, the principle that we believe ought to apply to Israel, is the principle that ought to apply anywhere in the world, and that is that the rule of law needs to hold. And, so, we have seen the statements by the IDF chief of staff that these investigations are important, that they're going to continue, and that is fully appropriate,” he added.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre found the reports "deeply, deeply concerning."
"We have been clear and consistent with Israel that it must treat all detainees humanely and with dignity in accordance with international law, must respect detainees' human rights and must ensure accountability for any abuses or violations," she said, adding that the US supports an Israeli military investigation.
Several Israeli media outlets showed a video involving Israeli soldiers allegedly raping a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman Prison in the Negev desert in southern Israel.
Late last month, 10 soldiers were arrested for the alleged rape of a Palestinian detained in the detention center, with three of them being released Sunday after new evidence emerged.
Several reports emerged of severe abuses against Palestinian detainees since the start of Israel’s offensive on the Gaza Strip
Israel’s Supreme Court is considering a petition filed by Israeli human rights organizations regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees at the prison, where detainees from Gaza face torture and medical neglect.
Israeli authorities often claim to investigate such incidents, but tangible results are rarely seen.
The incident sparked actions from far-right Israeli groups, which included an MP, a minister and demonstrators raiding a military court building to protest measures against the soldiers.