Two Israeli soldiers have been indicted for stealing money from Palestinians and sexually assaulting female tourists at Qalandia checkpoint in the occupied West Bank.
Indictments were filed against the pair – who belong to the Israeli Military Police’s Border Crossings Unit – yesterday at Israel’s Jaffa Military Court. The court heard that the soldiers stole money from Palestinians during security checks at the Qalandia checkpoint, located between Jerusalem and Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
*Israel soldiers accused of stealing, sexual assault at West Bank checkpoint*
Two Israeli soldiers have been indicted for stealing money from Palestinians and sexually assaulting female tourists at Qalandia checkpoint in the occupied West Bank. pic.twitter.com/hVHMRkUTW7— Chris Hutchinson (@ChrisHu34451470) October 22, 2018
In addition, according to the indictment, the pair asked female tourists to remove their shirts during a security check on two separate occasions, the Times of Israel (ToI) reported. ToI added that the soldiers ordered the women to remove their clothes despite the fact that “there was no clear security need to do so and in violation of standing orders at the crossing that prohibit male guards from strip-searching female civilians”.
The indictment heard that, between March and September 2018, the Israeli soldiers in question intentionally conspired to steal money from Palestinians traveling through the checkpoint. The pair is said to have taken joint shifts on a relatively-isolated part of the checkpoint, where they targeted middle-aged Palestinian women by sending their luggage through the X-ray machine – itself against regulations – then inspecting any luggage found to contain money.
Retweeted KAKAPO➤Endangered (@178kakapo):
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Israeli soldiers brutally assaulted Palestinian lady at Qalandia military checkpoint and and prevented her from entering the occupied city of Jerusalem… https://t.co/NOI139l0qL— わかやまイベントPLAZA (@eventp_w) July 6, 2018
Jaffa’s Military Court charged the soldiers with “looting, attempted looting, indecent assault, and improper use of authority”. The court also “ascribed to the soldiers a racist motive, saying the two believed that ‘since Palestinians are hurting Jews, it is legitimate to take their property’”.
The incident is not an isolated occurrence. In September, two Israeli border police officers were accused of stealing almost 20,000 shekels ($5,600) from Palestinians over the course of two months. One of the soldiers was found guilty of robbing Palestinians at gunpoint, leading him to be charged with six counts of robbery – including armed robbery – and taking advantage of his position. His accomplice was charged with three counts of robbery.
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??#Palestine
Israeli soldiers brutally assaulted Palestinian lady at Qalandia military checkpoint and and prevented her from entering the occupied city of Jerusalem to perform Friday prayer at Al Aqsa mosque .
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fr. @ AyaIsleemEnpic.twitter.com/qPIFkObQAz#IsraelTerrorists— KAKAPO➤Endangered (@178kakapo) June 9, 2018
According to the Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association – known as Addameer – Israel routinely undertakes strip searches and body searches of women prisoners which
“Violates its obligations under both international human rights and humanitarian law, including the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.”
Addameer adds that “Article 3(1)(c) of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) forbids ‘outrages upon personal dignity, in particular, humiliating and degrading treatment’” which includes sexual violence.
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
