Monday, March 3, 2008

Torture in Israel

I'm not surprised; they trained the Americans for Iraq and Afghanistan.

Also see
: A tortured defense

"Torture in Israel"

"Related

February 28, 2008: PCATI Files Petition Demanding Criminal Investigation of Highly Decorated Boarder Patrol Officer for Assassinating Palestinian Civilian in 2001
Torture coalition demands investigation into death of PA detainee
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1990 - 1999 2000 - 2001 2002 - 2003

Until the High Court of Justice ruling of September 1999, Israel's security forces annually tortured hundreds of Palestinian detainees. According to official data the security forces interrogated approximately 23,000 Palestinians during the Intifada (1987-1993). The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel estimates that almost all the above detainees suffered from some form of torture during their interrogation.

The methods of interrogation and torture frequently used by the GSS include:
  1. Tying up detainee in painful positions for hours or days on end.
  2. Solitary Confinement.
  3. Confinement in tiny cubicles.
  4. Beatings.
  5. Violent "shaking".
  6. Deprivation of sleep and food.
  7. Exposure to cold or heat.
  8. Verbal, sexual and psychological abuse.
  9. Threats against the individual or the individual's family.
  10. Lack of adequate clothing or hygiene.
These methods have caused irreversible psychological and physical damage and in some cases, death.

Degradation and torture is not limited to Palestinian detainees but have also been the lot of soldiers and left wing and right wing political activists who had undergone interrogation by the GSS, the police and the investigative military police.

The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel recognized the existence of a threat to security of Israel but views the use of torture "for the security of the state" as a cruel and inefficient means which directly undermines the democratic nature of our society."