The United Nations committee on torture says there is evidence that Israel is operating a de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture. The committee regularly reviews the records of all countries which have signed the convention against torture, taking testimony from their governments and from human rights groups.
During Israel's review, both Israeli and Palestinian rights groups provided harrowing details about conditions in Israeli detention centres, where thousands of Palestinians have reportedly been detained since the Hamas attacks of October 7th, 2023.
Under Israel's laws on administrative detention and on Unlawful Combatants, suspects can be held for long periods without access to a lawyer or family members. Many Palestinian families have expressed concern about the prolonged uncertainty regarding the whereabouts of their detained loved ones, leading to what the UN committee described as enforced disappearance.
The committee criticized Israel's use of the Unlawful Combatants law to detain entire groups of Palestinians, including vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Evidence suggests that detainees are regularly deprived of food and water, subjected to severe beatings, attacks by dogs, electrocution, water boarding, and sexual violence. Some are reportedly shackled, denied access to toilets, and forced to wear diapers.
The committee concluded that such treatment constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity, amounting to acts defined as genocide under international law. Israel has consistently denied allegations of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
One committee member remarked on their profound dismay over the testimonies presented, noting a significant lack of investigations or prosecutions into torture allegations, and called for independent investigations into these claims.
The Israeli ambassador denounced the torture allegations as disinformation, asserting that Israel remains committed to upholding moral values and principles amidst security challenges posed by terrorist organizations.
The findings arrive amid an escalating focus on Israel's human rights record, with continued concerns about deadly actions by Israeli soldiers and deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip.
During Israel's review, both Israeli and Palestinian rights groups provided harrowing details about conditions in Israeli detention centres, where thousands of Palestinians have reportedly been detained since the Hamas attacks of October 7th, 2023.
Under Israel's laws on administrative detention and on Unlawful Combatants, suspects can be held for long periods without access to a lawyer or family members. Many Palestinian families have expressed concern about the prolonged uncertainty regarding the whereabouts of their detained loved ones, leading to what the UN committee described as enforced disappearance.
The committee criticized Israel's use of the Unlawful Combatants law to detain entire groups of Palestinians, including vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Evidence suggests that detainees are regularly deprived of food and water, subjected to severe beatings, attacks by dogs, electrocution, water boarding, and sexual violence. Some are reportedly shackled, denied access to toilets, and forced to wear diapers.
The committee concluded that such treatment constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity, amounting to acts defined as genocide under international law. Israel has consistently denied allegations of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
One committee member remarked on their profound dismay over the testimonies presented, noting a significant lack of investigations or prosecutions into torture allegations, and called for independent investigations into these claims.
The Israeli ambassador denounced the torture allegations as disinformation, asserting that Israel remains committed to upholding moral values and principles amidst security challenges posed by terrorist organizations.
The findings arrive amid an escalating focus on Israel's human rights record, with continued concerns about deadly actions by Israeli soldiers and deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip.
