30.11.2006

A distasteful phenomenon has been revealed in the military – the photographing of Palestinian detainees by soldiers as a form of entertainment: In a letter to the Judge Advocate General, HaMoked demands that he take significant steps against those responsible for photographing and publish clear guidelines among soldiers severely prohibiting the photographing of prisoners and/or detainees

In a letter to the Judge Advocate General dated 30 November 2006, HaMoked revealed that a distasteful phenomenon has taken root among soldiers in the Israeli military: soldiers photograph Palestinian prisoners during the course of military activities as a form of entertainment. This reprehensible behavior was discovered while HaMoked was processing a complaint of a beating during detention. During the examination, a military police investigation file was opened and pictures of Palestinian prisoners taken by soldiers were found. The pictures taken by the soldiers included a staged scene in which two soldiers can be seen standing and pointing their weapons at a blindfolded detainee, who is kneeling on the floor. Other photographs showed Palestinian prisoners facing the wall with their eyes blindfolded. This disgraceful and humiliating behavior tramples on the dignity of the prisoners and is contrary to Israeli and international law. HaMoked calls for the uprooting of this phenomenon and urges the vigorous prosecution of those responsible for taking the pictures.