Not ‘hasbara failure’ to seek justice for Palestinians sexually abused by IDF soldiers | Opinion – Haaretz

Report on Human Rights Violations at Sde Teiman and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

This report addresses an incident in 2024 involving allegations of physical and sexual abuse of a Palestinian detainee by Israeli soldiers at the Sde Teiman detention center. The subsequent leak of a video depicting these events, reportedly involving former IDF Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, brings critical focus to Israel’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning justice, human rights, and institutional integrity.

2.0 Analysis in Relation to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The alleged events represent a significant deviation from the principles enshrined in SDG 16, which calls for the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice for all, and effective, accountable institutions.

• Target 16.1 (Reduce Violence): The reported physical abuse is in direct contravention of the goal to significantly reduce all forms of violence.
• Target 16.3 (Promote the Rule of Law): The abuse of a detainee undermines the rule of law and challenges the principle of equal access to justice, casting doubt on the legal protections afforded to individuals in custody.
• Target 16.6 (Effective, Accountable, and Transparent Institutions): The incident raises critical questions about the accountability and transparency of military and detention facilities. While the leak by a high-ranking official may be interpreted as an attempt to force accountability, the initial occurrence of the abuse points to a failure within the institutional framework.

3.0 Violations of Human Dignity and Equality: SDGs 5 and 10

The nature of the alleged abuse also conflicts with goals aimed at ensuring equality and protecting human dignity.

1. SDG 5 (Gender Equality): The inclusion of sexual abuse in the allegations constitutes a severe form of gender-based violence. This act fundamentally violates the target of eliminating all forms of violence against individuals, a core principle of SDG 5.
2. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The incident highlights profound inequalities in the treatment of detained individuals, undermining the objective to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome by eliminating discriminatory practices.

4.0 Conclusion: The Path Toward SDG Compliance

The controversy surrounding the Sde Teiman detention center serves as a critical case study on the challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in conflict zones. For progress to be made, the following must be addressed:

• A transparent and impartial investigation into the allegations is necessary to uphold SDG 16.
• Institutional reforms are required to ensure the prevention of torture and abuse, thereby aligning with SDG 16.1 and 16.3.
• Upholding the human rights of all individuals, regardless of their status, is fundamental to achieving SDG 5 and SDG 10.

Failure to address such incidents systematically impedes progress toward building the just, peaceful, and inclusive society envisioned by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is central to the article, which discusses violence (“physical and sexual abuse”), the conduct of state actors (“Israeli soldiers”), and the role of justice institutions (“IDF Military Advocate General”). The incident at the Sde Teiman detention center is a direct challenge to the principles of peace, justice, and the integrity of institutions.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This goal is relevant due to the explicit mention of “sexual abuse.” While SDG 5 focuses on violence against women and girls, its underlying principle is the elimination of all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, which is used as a tool of power and humiliation, regardless of the victim’s gender. The article’s reference to sexual abuse connects the issue to the broader fight against such violence.

Specific SDG Targets

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

     The article directly addresses this target by describing an incident of “physical and sexual abuse” against a detained person. This act represents a severe form of violence that this target aims to eliminate, particularly when perpetrated by state agents within a detention facility.

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

     The abuse of a detainee is a fundamental violation of the rule of law and denies the victim equal access to justice. The controversy surrounding the Military Advocate General’s role in leaking the video also highlights the challenges and importance of accountability and transparency within national institutions to uphold justice.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

     The article’s mention of “sexual abuse” connects directly to the core of this target. Although the victim is a man, sexual violence is a key focus of SDG 5. The incident described is an example of the type of sexual exploitation and violence that the global community aims to eradicate.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article does not mention specific statistical indicators, but it implies the need for tracking mechanisms to measure progress towards the identified targets. The following indicators are implied by the issues discussed:

• Number of verified cases of violence against detainees.

  The report of a specific case of “physical and sexual abuse” implies the need for an indicator that tracks the frequency of such events. A reduction in this number would signify progress towards Target 16.1.

• Number of investigations and prosecutions of state actors for human rights violations.

  The controversy surrounding the leak and the role of the Military Advocate General points to the issue of accountability. This implied indicator would measure whether justice is being served in cases of abuse, which is essential for achieving Target 16.3.

• Number of reported incidents of sexual violence in detention centers.

  Directly related to the “sexual abuse” mentioned in the article, this indicator would help measure progress towards eliminating such violence, as called for in Target 5.2.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: haaretz.com