Palestinians narrated allegations of severe abuse by Israeli forces and settlers during UN hearings on March 11, 2025. Testimonies include abuses faced by detainees like Said Abdel Fattah, underscoring claims of systematic sexual violence. Israeli officials dismiss these allegations, insisting on a commitment to investigate, while the COI underscores the importance of victim testimonies.
On March 11, 2025, Palestinians testified at the United Nations, recounting experiences of severe beatings and sexual abuse in Israeli detention and by Israeli settlers. Said Abdel Fattah, a 28-year-old nurse detained in November 2023, shared his horrific ordeal through video-link, describing his torture and humiliation during his two-month detention.
Fattah detailed being stripped naked, enduring beatings and threats of rape, likening his ordeal to being a “punching bag” during interrogations. He vividly recounted the brutality inflicted upon him, indicating he felt as if “my soul [left] my body” while suffering intense abuse.
These testimonies were part of the UN’s independent Commission of Inquiry (COI) hearings that focus on allegations of sexual and reproductive violence by Israeli forces and settlers, especially in light of the renewed violence following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Chris Sidoti, COI member, emphasized the necessity of hearing the victims’ accounts, describing it as crucial for justice.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Daniel Meron, dismissed the hearings as futile, maintaining Israel’s commitment to investigate allegations of misconduct. He strongly criticized attempts to equate individual Israeli actions with the violence perpetrated by Hamas against hostages, labeling such comparisons as “reprehensible” and emphasizing Israel’s law-and-order stance.
Palestinian attorney Sahar Francis voiced concerns over a culture of impunity surrounding such alleged abuses, citing patterns of systematic sexual violence against Palestinians in both detention facilities and during checkpoints.
Testimonies extended beyond detention accounts; Mohamed Matar detailed torture inflicted upon him by settlers and security agents after attempting to protect a Bedouin community. He described a harrowing night involving severe physical abuse, humiliation, and threats to his life, indicating the harrowing psychological effects of his experience. Matar expressed disbelief at the level of brutality he encountered, stating, “I didn’t think there were people on Earth with such a level of ugliness, sadism, and cruelty.”
The testimonies presented at the UN highlight grave allegations of sexual abuse and violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces and settlers. Victims like Said Abdel Fattah and Mohamed Matar have bravely shared their experiences of torture, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and justice. Amidst contrasting narratives from Israeli officials, the international community is confronted with a troubling reality that demands attention and action against systemic abuse.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
