His Excellency, Dr Tamer Almassri, the State of Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The State of Palestine has described as aappalling and outrageous, the recent revelations of Israeli soldiers’ gang-raping Palestinian prisoners at the notorious Sde Teiman torture site, as exposed by a leaked video from former military prosecutor Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi.
In a strongly worded statement, Dr Tamer Almassri, the State of Palestine Ambassador to Zimbabwe, called out Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for deciding the shield the perpetrators.
“The fact that Fascist Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has chosen to shield these perpetrators and condemn the leak as “betrayal and propaganda” is an indication of the fascist and racist ideology that pervades the highest echelons of the Israeli government.
“The Israeli authorities’ refusal to denounce the assault and instead justify the actions of the soldiers is a reprehensible attempt to normalize and legitimize the use of rape as a tool of oppression against Palestinian prisoners.
“The message is clear: in Israel, even the most heinous crimes can be reframed as heroism when the victims are Palestinian.
“This is a chilling reminder of the entrenched culture of impunity that has taken hold in Israel, where the lives and dignity of Palestinians are treated with contempt and disregard,” said Dr Almassri.
He added that the disturbing reports of Israeli soldiers convicted of torturing and sexually assaulting Palestinian detainees publicly defending their crimes and demanding gratitude for their actions are a “testament to the pervasive atmosphere of hatred and intolerance that has been fostered by the Israeli government.”
Added Dr Almassri: “the fact that over 10,000 Palestinians, including women and children, are currently languishing in Israeli prisons, facing torture, starvation, and medical neglect, is a reminder of the systemic and institutionalized cruelty that defines Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people.
“The recent UN commission findings, which documented widespread and systematic abuse of Palestinian detainees in Israeli military camps and detention facilities, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, are a damning indictment of Israel’s occupation policies.
“The proposed Israeli Knesset draft bill, which seeks to impose a mandatory death penalty on Palestinian detainees, is a dangerous and draconian measure that constitutes a war crime and represents a new manifestation of Israel’s growing extremism and criminality against the Palestinian people.”
Ambassador Almassri strongly condemned this Draft Bill and called upon the international community and legal institutions to take immediate action to expose and confront this dangerous course pursued by the occupying state.
“We demand that the international community activate accountability and justice mechanisms, and place Knesset members supporting this approach on terrorism lists, sanctions, as well as the boycott of this racist institution.
“It is imperative that the international community recognizes the gravity of the situation and takes concrete steps to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
“The culture of impunity and fascism that has taken hold in Israel must be confronted and challenged, and the Palestinian people’s right to freedom, dignity, and justice must be respected and protected.
“The State of Palestine will continue to advocate for an end to Israel’s occupation, genocide and for the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State, where our citizens can live with dignity and respect.”
