Germany Calls for Investigation Into Alleged Rape of Palestinian Prisoners in Israeli Prisons

Germany called for an investigation into allegations of sexual violence and rape of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons after a New York Times report, with the German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Giese saying, “In principle, the German government condemns sexual violence in all its forms.”

“In principle, the German government condemns sexual violence in all its forms.”

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Giese added that Germany “do[es] not have our own findings regarding the cases mentioned in the report,” and said “what is important now is to investigate these allegations and hold the perpetrators accountable.”

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Human Rights Watch said the New York Times allegations align with findings from its previous investigations, and the Middle East Monitor reported that deputy Director Claudio Francavilla made the statement in remarks to Anadolu Agency.

The same reporting said Francavilla urged “unrestricted access for the International Committee of the Red Cross and independent monitors to all Israeli detention facilities,” and noted that Israel criticised the New York Times report after it was published on Monday.

A New York Times column by Nicholas Kristof described allegations that Palestinian detainees were subjected to sexual violence in Israeli detention, and the Free Press said Kristof recounted a story from a source he identified as a “Gaza journalist.”

The Free Press quoted Kristof writing that “a dog was summoned,” and said the journalist described being “held down, stripped naked, and as he was blindfolded and handcuffed.”

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The Middle East Monitor reported that Francavilla said information published in a report by Nicholas Kristof corresponds with evidence previously documented by Human Rights Watch and other organisations.

In response to the New York Times report, the Middle East Monitor said Israel criticised it following its publication on Monday, and it quoted the Israeli criticism as describing the column as “one of the worst blood libels ever to appear in the modern press.”

The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said its report “Another Genocide Behind the Walls” concludes that sexual violence against Palestinians in Israeli prisons and detention centers is an actual state policy, used as a tool of subjugation and destruction.

“sexual violence against Palestinians in Israeli prisons and detention centers is an actual state policy”

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor

The report described a “radical escalation and the dismantling of "all previous restraints" since October 7, 2023,” and it documented rape, assaults with objects, and genital-targeted torture alongside filming and the presence of security forces during assaults.

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor researcher Khaled Ahmed said, “We knew there were dozens of cases of rape and sexual assault,” while adding that “it’s very difficult for someone to come forward and say they were raped.”

The report also included a testimony from Wajdi, who said, “Later they released my restraints and brought a dog, who raped me as well,” and it said the rapes were repeated by “two or three soldiers.”