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 gave harrowing details about conditions in Israeli detention centres. It is alleged that thousands of Palestinians have been detained by Israel since the Hamas attacks of October 7th, 2023. Under Israel's laws on administrative detention and on Unlawful Combatants—suspects who cannot be classed as prisoners of war—they can be held for long periods without access to a lawyer or family members.
Many Palestinian families say they have waited months to even find out that a loved one has been detained, amounting, the UN committee said, to enforced disappearance. The committee was particularly critical of Israel's reported use of the Unlawful Combatants law to detain whole groups of Palestinians, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
But it is the reported conditions in detention that make the grimmest reading in the committee's conclusions, published today. Palestinians, the evidence suggests, are regularly deprived of food and water, and subjected to severe beatings, attacks by dogs, electrocution, water boarding, and sexual violence. Some are allegedly permanently shackled, denied access to a toilet, and forced to wear diapers.
The committee concluded that such treatment amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity. It stated that evidence of a de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture by Israel constituted one of the acts which, under international law, qualifies as genocide.
Israel has repeatedly rejected accusations that it is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. One committee member, Peter Vedel Kessing of Denmark, expressed disgust at the testimony regarding the treatment of detainees. Committee members also highlighted the concerning absence of investigations or prosecutions into allegations of torture, urging Israel to ensure accountability for those responsible, including senior military officers.
Israel's ambassador to the UN, Daniel Meron, dismissed the allegations of torture as disinformation, asserting the country's commitment to upholding its moral obligations despite challenges presented by terrorist organizations.
The committee did acknowledge the context of the ongoing conflict, condemning the Hamas attacks of October 2023 and recognizing the security issues faced by Israel. Nevertheless, it emphasized that violations committed by one party cannot justify similar breaches by another, underscoring that torture is absolutely prohibited under international law, regardless of circumstances.
These findings emerge amidst heightened scrutiny of Israel's human rights practices, with recent reports also condemning the killing of Palestinians in the West Bank under circumstances that resembled summary execution. In Gaza, UN agencies have described dire humanitarian conditions, with many families enduring harsh winter conditions without adequate shelter or aid.
During Israel's review, both Israeli and Palestinian rights groups gave harrowing details about conditions in Israeli detention centres. It is alleged that thousands of Palestinians have been detained by Israel since the Hamas attacks of October 7th, 2023. Under Israel's laws on administrative detention and on Unlawful Combatants—suspects who cannot be classed as prisoners of war—they can be held for long periods without access to a lawyer or family members.
Many Palestinian families say they have waited months to even find out that a loved one has been detained, amounting, the UN committee said, to enforced disappearance. The committee was particularly critical of Israel's reported use of the Unlawful Combatants law to detain whole groups of Palestinians, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
But it is the reported conditions in detention that make the grimmest reading in the committee's conclusions, published today. Palestinians, the evidence suggests, are regularly deprived of food and water, and subjected to severe beatings, attacks by dogs, electrocution, water boarding, and sexual violence. Some are allegedly permanently shackled, denied access to a toilet, and forced to wear diapers.
The committee concluded that such treatment amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity. It stated that evidence of a de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture by Israel constituted one of the acts which, under international law, qualifies as genocide.
Israel has repeatedly rejected accusations that it is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. One committee member, Peter Vedel Kessing of Denmark, expressed disgust at the testimony regarding the treatment of detainees. Committee members also highlighted the concerning absence of investigations or prosecutions into allegations of torture, urging Israel to ensure accountability for those responsible, including senior military officers.
Israel's ambassador to the UN, Daniel Meron, dismissed the allegations of torture as disinformation, asserting the country's commitment to upholding its moral obligations despite challenges presented by terrorist organizations.
The committee did acknowledge the context of the ongoing conflict, condemning the Hamas attacks of October 2023 and recognizing the security issues faced by Israel. Nevertheless, it emphasized that violations committed by one party cannot justify similar breaches by another, underscoring that torture is absolutely prohibited under international law, regardless of circumstances.
These findings emerge amidst heightened scrutiny of Israel's human rights practices, with recent reports also condemning the killing of Palestinians in the West Bank under circumstances that resembled summary execution. In Gaza, UN agencies have described dire humanitarian conditions, with many families enduring harsh winter conditions without adequate shelter or aid.
