Are Israeli soldiers raping each other?
Are Israeli soldiers raping each other?
In short: Sexual assault and rape among soldiers in the Israeli army is a chronic problem, acknowledged by official Israeli state institutions and military courts, and reflected in statistics, rather than isolated allegations. Cases of sexual assault and rape among soldiers in the Israeli army (IDF) are a documented and frequently discussed reality within the country, reflected in official reports, military data, and the work of independent human rights organizations.
The details of the issue, in light of official data and independent reports, are as follows:
- Official Data and Internal Military Reports
Official reports published by the Women’s Affairs Advisory (now called the Gender Affairs Advisory – CHEN) under the Israeli General Staff and the Knesset committees show that cases of sexual harassment and rape within the army are on a serious scale. • Number of Complaints: Official reports submitted to the Knesset in past years record hundreds (in some years over 1,000) of complaints of sexual harassment and assault each year. Some of these complaints directly fall into the categories of “rape” and “aggravated sexual assault.” • Rate of Secrecy: Surveys and statistics within the military indicate that a large proportion of soldiers (both male and female) who have been sexually assaulted do not file official complaints due to fear of stigma, pressure from commanders, or a lack of faith in justice. - Victim Profile
When cases reflected in news reports are examined, it is seen that the victims are not only female soldiers:
- Female Soldiers: Women performing compulsory military service may be subjected to systematic harassment and assault, especially by high-ranking male officers or other soldiers of the same rank. • Male Soldiers: Cases of sexual assault and rape between male soldiers in the Israeli army are also recorded in military court records. It has been documented that such incidents occur particularly within the context of barracks hierarchy and peer bullying (hazing).
3.Criticisms of Prosecution and Impunity
Human rights organizations and civil society organizations in Israel harshly criticize the army’s handling of these cases:
- Low Conviction Rate: Despite hundreds of investigations, the number of cases resulting in imprisonment or expulsion from the army in military courts is quite low compared to the total complaint rate. • Tendency to Cover Up: In many cases, it has been reflected in the media and court records that incidents are covered up or victims are forced to withdraw their complaints in order to protect the military hierarchy and the army’s image. In short: Acts of sexual assault and rape between soldiers in the Israeli army are not isolated allegations, but a chronic problem acknowledged by official institutions of the Israeli state and military courts, and reflected in statistics.
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