The Israeli military has made the decision to remove all female soldiers from their roles as prison guards at high-security facilities following allegations of inappropriate relationships with Palestinian inmates. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the National Security Minister, announced the decision in response to reports that five Israeli troops had engaged in intimate relations with a prisoner convicted of involvement in a deadly terrorist attack in central Israel.
The decision to remove female soldiers from these roles is seen as a necessary and urgent step to address the issue and prevent further incidents. Ben-Gvir stated that by the middle of 2024, there will not be a single female soldier working in the wings of security prisoners.
These allegations came to light after Israeli intelligence services discovered that one female IDF guard had an intimate relationship with a security prisoner over the course of a year. It was believed that she maintained contact with the inmate through an illicit phone hidden in his cell. There were physical and intimate exchanges between the two, and they even shared photos using the contraband phone, according to Ynet news.
The guard in question has been interrogated by the military, revealing that four other guards also had similar relationships with the same inmate. The first guard has been detained on house arrest for charges of fraud and breach of trust, while the other four service members have not yet faced questioning.
However, the lawyers representing the first guard argue that she is a victim in this situation, claiming that their client was forced into the relationship by threats from the security prisoner. They assert that she begged him to stop his actions and let her go, but he threatened to harm her and her family if she did not comply. The lawyers argue that their client is the real victim in this case and has suffered a double injustice.
This incident has highlighted the need for major reforms in Israel’s high-security prison system. The national security chief has previously called for the replacement of IDF conscripts with specialized professional guards. The aim is to place greater emphasis on preventing sexual harassment and ensuring the safety and security of both the guards and the prisoners in these facilities.
Last year, similar calls for action were made following reports of a female IDF guard being raped by another prisoner. It is evident that steps need to be taken to address these issues and create a safer environment within the prison system.
In conclusion, the Israeli military will be removing all female soldiers from their roles as prison guards at high-security facilities following allegations of inappropriate relationships with Palestinian inmates. This decision comes as part of an effort to address the issue and prevent further incidents. Reforms in the high-security prison system are needed to prioritize the safety and security of both the guards and the prisoners.
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