Israel
Israeli soldier jailed for 10 days after assaulting Palestinian activist
Far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the sentencing was a 'disgrace'
February 15, 2023 17:36
Far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the sentencing was a 'disgrace'
February 15, 2023 17:36An Israeli soldier will serve 10 days in a military prison after being filmed assaulting a Palestinian man in Hebron.
In a video circulated on social media, the soldier can be seen placing his hand on the neck of a man before pushing him to the ground and kicking him before another soldier approaches to move him away.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) claim the incident unfolded after the soldier had asked a Palestinian man approaching a military post to step away.
“In response, the Palestinian began recording and cursing the soldier. A verbal confrontation followed, which soon became a physical confrontation, during which the soldier hit the Palestinian,” they explained in a statement.
“As the video shows, the soldier did not act as expected and did not follow the IDF code of conduct.”
An Israeli army spokesperson revealed on Wednesday that the soldier in question has been sentenced to ten days in military prison.
“I didn’t touch the soldier. My hands were behind my back, not to give any excuse," Palestinian activist Issa Amro said on Monday.
“Today, February 13th. I was detained and beaten violently by an Israeli soldier in Hebron. I was showing the famous American writer Lawrence Wright @NewYorker @lawrence_wright the Israeli occupation and apartheid in my hometown #Hebron,” the 42-year-old claimed after posting footage of the altercation.
Today ,February 13th.
— Issa Amro عيسى عمرو 🇵🇸 (@Issaamro) February 13, 2023
I was detained and beaten violently by an Israeli soldier in Hebron. I was showing the famous American writer lawrence wright @NewYorker @lawrence_wright the Israeli occupation and apartheid in my home town #Hebron. pic.twitter.com/Oel845CKtB
"I never had a source assaulted in front of me until today when an Israeli soldier who stopped my interview did this with a Palestinian peace activist Issa Amro in Hebron," wrote Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright.
"The soldier initiated the encounter, Amro did not curse him only asked to call his commander. Nothing to justify the violent assault that followed,” the New Yorker magazine writer claimed.
The IDF is misrepresenting what led to assault on peace activist Issa Amro in Hebron yesterday. The soldier initiated the encounter. Amro did not curse or interfere only asked that he call the commander. Nothing to justify the attack that followed. pic.twitter.com/2nxCD2jXjc
— Lawrence Wright (@lawrence_wright) February 14, 2023
Israel’s far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir slammed the sentencing as a “disgrace”.
“I fully back the soldier who didn’t stay silent. Soldiers need to be given support, not jail time,” he complained via Twitter.
בושה וחרפה! האנרכיסט עיסא עמרו שמציק באופן תדיר לחיילי צה"ל בחברון לעשות את העבודה, עושה זאת שוב, רק שהפעם זה היה עם צוות צילום של גוף תקשורת אמריקאי. אני מגבה בכל הכח את החייל שלא שתק. חיילים צריכים לקבל גב, לא כלא. pic.twitter.com/QFflzdjnf0
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) February 14, 2023