Right-wing politicians reacted with anger and outrage, with some joining a riot led by nationalist activists, while others called for calm after nine IDF soldiers were detained at the Sde Teiman base on Monday. The detentions were part of an investigation into alleged severe abuse of a Palestinian detainee.
Far-right activists, including Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu of Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism MK Zvi Sukkot, led a riot outside the Sde Teiman IDF base, which serves as a detention center for Palestinian terror suspects. Some of the protesters broke into the base, prompting police intervention. The exact number of participants and any arrests are not yet clear.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged immediate calm and condemned the break-in. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also criticized the intrusion, emphasizing that the law must apply to everyone and that investigations should proceed without disrupting the soldiers’ dignity.
The unrest began when Military Police arrived at Sde Teiman to detain soldiers suspected of serious abuse of a detainee. The investigation was triggered by the detainee being brought to a hospital with signs of severe abuse.
Protesters, including far-right lawmakers and activists led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, joined the conflict, with some breaking into the base. Later, protesters gathered outside the IDF’s Beit Lid base, where the detained soldiers are being questioned.
Shanna Orlik from the Hitorerut movement filed a police complaint against Sukkot for breaking into the base, highlighting that such actions are criminal offenses.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi condemned the break-in as a serious violation of law and order. President Isaac Herzog also condemned the intrusion, calling for leaders to show restraint and allow investigations to proceed properly.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin blamed the High Court of Justice for the soldiers’ arrests, arguing that their actions were justified and criticizing the court’s role in the situation. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara defended the law enforcement agencies and their right to investigate suspicions of criminal activity.
The Palestinian detainee, who had been arrested by the IDF in Gaza, was found in critical condition and treated at a hospital. The abuse reportedly occurred three weeks prior.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid condemned the break-in, calling it dangerous and harmful to the IDF’s integrity. Many right-wing government members expressed outrage at the soldiers’ arrests, with some, like Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, defending the soldiers and criticizing the investigation.
Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein announced an urgent hearing to address the situation, denouncing the raid on the base. The Association of Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) has petitioned the High Court to close Sde Teiman due to abuse reports, with the state having begun phasing out its use for detention.
